Parliament welcomes back The Hair Council

MPs and guests gather at Westminster for first time since Covid

by AMANDA | INFORM

The Hair Council returned to Parliament for their first gathering there since Covid.

Invited by Rupa Huq MP, The Hair Council and selected guests enjoyed afternoon tea while hearing updates on their quest to make state registration mandatory and celebrating those that have championed the cause.

Long term supporter and campaigner for The Hair Council, Andrew Barton, was awarded with a Master Professional certificate for his commitment. “For over two decades I have lent my voice to the Hair Council to push this cause forward and to shout loudly about what we need, and that is mandatory registration in this industry,” he said. 

Andrew Barton

Registrar and chief executive, Gareth Penn, shared how the push for mandatory state registration can help shape the future for small businesses. “There is a lot more work we need to do. We are a skilled, essential unified workforce who contributes thousands of jobs and billions of pounds to the UK Exchequer. We are making excellent progress towards our mandatory registration, because that is still the foundation of what the Hair Council is all about. The more of us that are State Registered, the more of a voice we have,” he said.

Support was also shared by attending MPs. “I have massive respect for all that you do. You are a pivotal part of the high street and the campaign you have for state registration is really important,” said Rupa Huq MP, who hosted the event.

“You are anchors in the high street and the people that provide a sense of heart,” added Julia Lopez MP. “You are continuing to give people employment rights and career opportunities, so thank you for doing all that. I ask all of you to lobby your MPs, because we shouldn’t keep taking industries like this for granted. Incredibly important grass roots small businesses are keeping our high streets going.

Who’s In The Pink At The L’Oréal Colour Trophy Grand Final?

The return of the world’s longest-running live hair competition revealed a fruity favourite and jaw-dropping shows

by AMANDA | INFORM

Barnsley’s Russell Eaton salon is the 2025 L’Oréal Colour Trophy overall winner, with a candy pink hue by Angela Thomson that wowed the judges.

A clean-bleached buzz cut saw Scottish regional winner Jason Hall Hairdressing in Edinburgh take second place, while Eastern regional winner Trinder Hair Studios in St Albans scooped the third place.

L’Oréal Colour Trophy 3rd Place: Trinder Hair Studios, St Albans

Old Billingsgate provided the venue as L’Oréal Professionnel celebrated their 69th L’Oréal Colour Trophy Grand Final in the safe hands of sharply attired host Will Best. An X-shaped stage, backed by an immersive wall of video screens that played a huge role in the whole production, served a blistering series of model looks from UK salons and two exceptional show teams.

L’Oréal Professionnel’s global artist Berni Ottjes and D&J Ambrose both presented other worldly creations with AI-generated worldscapes playing on the monster screens behind the models. Chromatique by Antwerp-based Berni, assisted by Josh and Sophie-Rose Goldsworthy of Goldsworthy’s, was a journey through time, to the present and the future beyond. Every hair finish was a sculpture, with each silhouette illustrating an echo of time. This was a symphony of texture, colour and form – mouthwatering coppers and deeper reds alongside future-facing blondes – with the show highlighting new innovations such as bio-based materials, illuminated hair accessories and 3D printed elements, all blurring the lines between fashion, art and technology.

Realhallucination by D&J Ambrose

Realhallucination by D&J Ambrose was a powerful presentation exploring how we see things through our digital eye. Darren and Jackie Ambrose, supported by iD Artists Zak Hulbert (Blushes), Morgan Graham (MG The Studio) and Stephen Campbell (Hair & Co) and with creative colour from Alex Lord, invited the audience to tap into sensory stimulation, to feel and see their journey through iconic fashion. The initial futuristic vibe melted into an anarchic punk-infused display including break dancing, digital graffiti, bleached buzz cuts, raw lengths with matte blues and grey tones, before switching again to a Westwood-informed Regency feel. Acrobatic dancers with neon braided pieces wowed; Goldfrapp’s ‘Strict Machine’ the pumping soundtrack that hit the hardest.

Aurélien Guibret, the new managing director of L’Oréal Professional Products, was joined by Sussan Verghese, UKI general manager of L’Oréal Professionnel, to reveal the overall winner. Once that confetti bomb of victory had exploded, DJ Nick Bright led the after-party celebrations.

The winners are

L’Oréal Colour Trophy overall winner: Russell Eaton, Barnsley

L’Oréal Colour Trophy 2nd Place: Jason Hall Hairdressing, Edinburgh

L’Oréal Colour Trophy 3rd Place: Trinder Hair Studios, St Albans

 L’Oréal Colour Specialist Award: Massarella & Jones, Leamington Spa

L’Oréal Colour Trophy Moving Image: Mia Barraball, Headmasters Walton

L’Oréal Colour Trophy Regional Winners

London: Brooks & Brooks, London

Scottish: Jason Hall Hairdressing, Edinburgh

L’Oréal set to acquire Color Wow

Brand will join the beauty giant’s Professional Products division

by AMANDA | INFORM

The range of products have gained a loyal and devoted following among stylists, media and consumers, with more 130 beauty award wins. From their initial Root Cover Up kit to their Curl Wow extension, Color Wow provide a wide range of innovative solutions for some of consumers’ most tricky hair problems.

The brand has seen rapid growth, thanks in part to advocacy and its engaged online community. Launched as a professional brand initially, Color Wow is now omnichannel, sold in salons, stores and online.

For L’Oréal’s Professional Products division, the move strengthens their portfolio even further, which includes L’Oréal Professionnel, Kérastase, Shu Uemura Art of Hair, Redken, Pureology and Matrix, among others. “As a premium haircare brand, with high levels of proven efficacy at an accessible price point, this acquisition will give us an increased foothold in haircare and in the styling category,” said Omar Hajeri, president of L’Oréal Professional Products.

“Joining L’Oréal is an incredible opportunity for the entire Color Wow team,” added Gail Federici. “Becoming part of the world’s number one beauty company, will set the stage for Color Wow’s continued success and help drive our innovation to new heights.”

The deal will close following the customary closing conditions, including the standard regulatory approvals.

Tracey Ann Smith Gets New Role

Meet the new creative director of MOOD Hair Colour

by AMANDA | INFORM

Tracey Ann Smith has been unveiled as the new creative director of MOOD Hair Colour.

Tracey will lead and oversee all things creative across product development, visual identity, and campaign imagery, thanks to her experience of both brand and creative strategising, work on globally renowned campaigns and leadership of salon and art teams.

“I’m honoured to join a brand that celebrates individuality and creative freedom,” said Tracey. “MOOD Hair Colour for me has always stood out for its incredible heritage, product innovation and products that perform. I’m looking forward to developing the MOOD Creative Team and I can’t wait to push boundaries, showcase the brand and be part of this new and exciting era.”

“MOOD Hair Colour is all about self-expression, transformation, and fearless colour — and Tracey’s vision perfectly aligns with our mission to empower individuals, explore product innovation and of course, support the hairdresser,” added Eddie Renda, managing director of distributor, JGR UK.