Suffolk make-up artist and former Bury St Edmunds student Sophie Baverstock crowned winner of BBC Three competition Glow Up

A young Suffolk artist has been crowned the country's next make-up star after winning the final of hit BBC show Glow Up.

Sophie Baverstock, who went to school in Bury St Edmunds and also studied at West Suffolk College, was crowned the winner of the competition's third series after consistently wowing the judges.

The BBC Three competition, which is hosted by Maya Jama and judged by renowned make-up artists Val Garland and Dominic Skinner, puts the make-up skills of 10 hopeful artists to the test through different weekly challenges.

From the first week, Sophie, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 17, set a high standard, with judges blown away by her colourful mask look inspired by the struggles faced by women with autism and their desire to hide their real selves.

She also received high praise for a fierce feathery look inspired by feminism and the Suffragette movement, a Francis Bacon-style face paint and period make-up based on Margaret Thatcher created on the set of The Crown.

But it was in special effects and prosthetics make up that Sophie, who is currently studying make-up for media and performance at Arts University Bournemouth, best showcased her talents.

The 21 year old dazzled judges with her creepy alien creation, which conveyed pieces of skin peeling away and teeth growing out of different areas of the face, as well as her take on the deadly sin sloth, in which she created a look of sunken eyes and rotting flesh.

Her hopes of winning the competition hung in the balance in the penultimate episode of the series, after she was unable to finish a multi-coloured look based on her favourite children's programme and guilty pleasure, Adventure Time. As a result, Sophie found herself battling in the face-off for a place in the final.

But in last night's episode she came back fighting and faced her fear of public speaking when she stood up in front of a panel of make up artists to give a masterclass on her signature look.

Once again, Sophie showed her flare for special effects and impressed the panel with her top tips on how to create a black eye.

Her final look - which was inspired by her love for crystals and aromatherapy - was described by a tearful Val Garland as a 'haunting, ethereal, incredibly accomplished, flawless, beyond beautiful make up'.

She later beat runner-up Craig Hamilton in the final face-off and was named the competition's winner.

"I'm so happy that this is actually happening and it's real," she said.

"Nothing really phases me anymore so it really has changed my life in all seriousness."

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