Earlier this month, she won the Chisholm Institute Outstanding Certificate III Hairdressing Apprentice award.

The awards recognise some of Melbourne's most talented hair and make-up students from Chisholm Institute.

Kelly, who has worked at Russells for Hair in Narre Warren for the past 4 years, completed her apprenticeship last year.

Now she has her sights set on buying the salon when owner Russell Phillips retires. "I've worked hard to get a good client base, so I'm hoping to eventually take over."

During the awards night Kelly's skills were put to the test when she had to come up with a hairstyle in the theme of good or evil.

"We had to choose one of the other, but I wanted it to look dark and serious, so I just went with a design that depicted my idea of evil."

Kelly used her sister Nicky as a model.

"I didn't give her a choice," Kelly said with laugh.

"She's my sister. She has to do these things."

But Kelly said her sister was happy to give her free rein.

"She said as long as I didn't cut or colour it she was OK with whatever I did. In the end she loved it."