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Show Some Love: Enter Haircut 101’s Hot Lips Contest by Saturday, Judging Set for Monday

By Jessica Isaacs | jessica@highcountrypress.com

The most romantic day of the year is almost here, and you know what that means! If you haven’t joined the annual Hot Lips contest at Haircut 101 in downtown Boone, you have just a few more days to make it happen.

Hot Lips entries 2016 at Haircut 101. Photo by Ken Ketchie.
Hot Lips entries 2016 at Haircut 101. Photo by Ken Ketchie.

The Hot Lips Contest has been bringing folks together for fun and great local prizes for more than a decade. Established by salon owner/stylist John Mena, the contest encourages people around town to be a little more daring this time of year.

Contestants are sporting their favorite vibrant lip colors and kissing paper doilies, which are currently on display in the salon, through Feb. 13. High Country Press Publisher Ken Ketchie will have the final say next week, and his top three favorite prints will win some super cool prizes.

Hot Lips Contest

Up for grabs for the first-place winner is a free cut and style from the salon and a night on the town for two. Second and third places will earn $50 and $25 salon gift cards, respectively.

Hot Lips entries 2016 at Haircut 101. Photo by Ken Ketchie.
Manager Brittany Benton shows off Hot Lips entries at Haircut 101. Photo by Ken Ketchie.

“It definitely serves as a reminder to be a little more romantic for Valentine’s Day. It also helps people feel a little more bold,” said Haircut 101 Manager Brittany Benton. “Usually, there are a lot of people who enter the contest that don’t typically wear lipstick, so it gives them a little bit more courage to put themselves out there.”

This year’s contest has drawn more than 60 competitors — a record high for contest participation.

“We have way more than we’ve had in awhile,” Benton said. “Our whole wall is almost completely covered.”

If you’re stopping by for a new look, entering the contest will help you feel even more confident when you leave.

“Wearing lipstick makes people feel even more beautiful. Most of the time, people don’t enter the contest until after their haircut, so it just adds to it,” Benton said. “Leaving with a fresh hair cut and bold lipstick definitely adds to someone feeling really confident and encourages them even more to put themselves out there, especially if they’ve had a really transformative haircut.”

You don’t have to be there for a haircut to enter, though. All you have to do is stop by the salon and let a staff member know you want to get in on the fun. Try out a bright new lipstick, plant a kiss on a paper doily and you’re in — it’s that simple.

“It’s also for male or female contestants who want to participate — anybody can do it. We do have a few male entries this year, and that’s really awesome,” said Benton. “It’s important that everybody knows there’s no discrimination. If you’re a man and you have hot lips, you’re welcome to do it, too.”

With just a few days left to enter, you’d better hurry on down to Haircut 101 and enter the contest today! Contestants must enter by Saturday, Feb. 13. Ketchie will judge and announce all three winners on Monday.

For more information, call Haircut 101 at 828-262-3324.

Hot Lips entries 2016 at Haircut 101. Photo by Ken Ketchie.
Hot Lips entries 2016 at Haircut 101. Photo by Ken Ketchie.
Hot Lips entries 2016 at Haircut 101. Photo by Ken Ketchie.
Hot Lips entries 2016 at Haircut 101. Photo by Ken Ketchie.
Hot Lips entries 2016 at Haircut 101. Photo by Ken Ketchie.
Hot Lips entries 2016 at Haircut 101. Photo by Ken Ketchie.
Hot Lips entries 2016 at Haircut 101. Photo by Ken Ketchie.
Hot Lips entries 2016 at Haircut 101. Photo by Ken Ketchie.
Hot Lips entries 2016 at Haircut 101. Photo by Ken Ketchie.
Hot Lips entries 2016 at Haircut 101. Photo by Ken Ketchie.