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

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

Jul 3, 2025 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM, INFORM HEADER

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 2nd Place: Jason Hall Hairdressing, Edinburgh

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.

Chromatique by Berni Ottjes

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 Trophy Star Award: Tribe Salons, London

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

L’Oréal Colour Trophy Afro Award: Peg Hair, Brighton

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

L’Oréal Colour Trophy Future Talent: Alisha Drew, Jessica McDermott, Katie Miller, Olivia Braithwaite and Rosie Davies

L’Oréal Colour Trophy Regional Winners

Western: Anthony John Salons, Litchfield

Eastern: Trinder Hair Studios, St Albans

Southern: TGB Spa, Brighton

London: Brooks & Brooks, London

North Eastern: Russell Eaton, Barnsley

North Western: Unity Hair & Beauty, Liverpool

Northern Irish: Andrew Mulvenna, Belfast

Scottish: Jason Hall Hairdressing, Edinburgh

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L’Oréal Set To Acquire Color Wow

L’Oréal Set To Acquire Color Wow

Jul 2, 2025 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM, INFORM HEADER

L’Oréal set to acquire Color Wow

Brand will join the beauty giant’s Professional Products division

by AMANDA | INFORM

L’Oréal are set to acquire Color Wow, the pro haircare brand behind buzz-worthy heroes such as XL Bombshell Volumizer and Dream Coat. Based in the US and UK, Color Wow was founded by Gail Federici in 2013 and includes a collaboration with global stylist Chris Appleton within their product portfolio.

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.

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Tracey Ann Smith Gets New Role

Tracey Ann Smith Gets New Role

Jul 2, 2025 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM, INFORM HEADER

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.

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Arkive By Adam Reed Reveals New Creative Director

Arkive By Adam Reed Reveals New Creative Director

Jul 2, 2025 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM, INFORM HEADER

Arkive By Adam Reed Reveals New Creative Director

It’s a new leadership role for renowned colourist Sarah Black

by AMANDA | INFORM

Sarah Black is the new creative director at Covent Garden salon, Arkive by Adam Reed.

The role is an evolution for both her and the salon brand, as the former It List winner steps into a leadership position that will shape the salon’s creative direction and future talent.

“I’ve always believed in the power of hair to transform how we feel about ourselves,” saidSarah. “When I first joined Arkive by Adam Reed, I knew I’d found a home where my creativity could be nurtured and encouraged – and now, as Creative Director, I’m honoured to help lead and inspire a team that shares that same passion. This is more than a job – it’s a community of artists who believe in joyful expression, exceptional craft, and constant evolution.”

A former L’Oréal Colour Trophy winner, Sarah first joined the collaborative salon shortly after its launch. The team also includes founder Adam Reed, Andrew Plester as educationdirector, plus floor manager and current FAME Team member, Sammy Bickle.

“Sarah is an extraordinary talent with a rare ability to transform not just hair, but confidence and identity. Her passion, humour and commitment to excellence make her the perfect creative director for Arkive by Adam Reed,” said Adam. “I couldn’t be prouder to see her step into this role and bring the vision of our next chapter to life.”

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Make Trends Your Business

Make Trends Your Business

May 6, 2025 | CREATIVE PROJECTS, EXPLORE, HOME EXPLORE

Partnership

From rich mochas to peekaboo panels, discover the potential power of harnessing trends – with luxe looks that are coveted by clients

There’s no doubt colour is your salon’s superpower, recharging profits and creativity and thrilling clients in the process. But what will fuel your colour business to the next level? Let us introduce you to the power of trends… and a macro trend that shows no sign of slowing is Expensive Hair, with full beam finishes so flawless and fabulous they shimmer with shine.

For this Creative HEAD front cover shoot project, in partnership with L’Oréal Professionnel Paris, we unleash an abundance of delicious-looking, high-end hues, thanks to the talents of Robert Eaton and Josh Goldsworthy. But more vitally, we uncover the commercial case behind the looks – the importance of understanding what’s trending, the psychology of consumer trends and how you can turn a trend into a brilliant business booster. Let’s see what’s trending right now… 

The Artist: Robert Eaton, creative director, Russell Eaton 

An industry icon and a multi-award winner, Robert’s brief for this project was to deliver two luxury takes on this season’s brunettes, powered by the oil-rich formula of iNOA, which is also ammonia-free. Delivering super shiny results and a scalp that feels nourished, iNOA is a game-changing product for colourists – helping to craft hair looks so glazed and gorgeous they’ll make your mouth water! “Clients are often searching for luxury, both in the service they receive in the salon, and of course, in their hair,” says Robert. “My clients are always looking for high shine, well-conditioned hair. These looks really bring that to life in an accessible way. As colourists, we’ve got a responsibility to create beautiful hair, and also hair that’s well maintained.” 

The luxe look here comes from defined, bouncy, shiny curls for sure, but also from the magical mix of shades. Just like a bespoke suit is a symbol of luxury, personalised blends of tones, delivered by expert techniques, gives this trend a high-ranking status. A combination of ash beige and warmer shades creates a custom colour that pops while enhancing the curl pattern too. And is there a more trending palette right now than brunette? From Mocha Mousse to Ganache Brunette, brown has proven it’s endlessly versatile and ideal for tailoring. From hints of caramel to kisses of copper, brunette offers the scope to curate something rich, deep and reflective that says ‘affluence’ without being loud or overt.  

Robert Eaton on Mocha Glaze

Shades and Steps

L’Oréal Professionnel Paris iNOA 6.1 + 20 vol; 7.31 + 20 vol; 8.13 + 20 vol; 10.21 + 30 vol

  • Mist hair with Metal Detox Professional Pre-Treatment Spray and comb through, before sectioning the hair into four quadrants
  • Starting at the back, apply 6.1 to the root area melted into 8.31, and 10.21 throughout the lengths and ends
  • Allow the curls to dictate the section pattern by increasing and decreasing the width of each section. Work throughout the head until you reach the hairline
  • At the hairline apply the 8.13 to the root
    Through the mid-lengths and ends of the hairline, alternate between 8.13 and 10.21
  • Develop for 35 minutes
  • Rinse, shampoo and treat with Curl Expression
Brown has dumped the boring moniker and is playing to its strengths – rich tones, glistening gloss, major reflects… When done brilliantly, brunette always looks premium, and this season, those finishes are liquid and luxe. “Expensive Brunette” views on social have seen steady growth in 2025, and Robert’s take on the trend blends notes of caramel, mocha, vanilla and a little warmer cinnamon. That’s deliberate, based on the move towards warmer browns, and those shades illustrate what underpins this trend – those deeply-saturated glazed tones look delicious, rich and sumptuous to achieve an irresistible result that looks almost good enough to eat.  

Robert Eaton on Expensive Brunette

Shades and Steps

L’Oréal Professionnel Paris iNOA 6.8 + 20 vol back section; 7.8 + 20 vol middle + parting; 7.34 + 20 vol front; 8.31 + 30 vol hairline melted into 8.31 + clear + col vol lengths + end

 

  • Mist hair with Metal Detox Professional Pre-Treatment Spray and comb through
    Section hair from ear to ear and apply iNOA 6.8 and 20 vol root to tip
  • Isolate the hairline 1-inch deep from recession to top of ear
  • Apply 8.31 and 30 vol at the root, and melt through on mid-lengths 8.31 + Clear and 30 vol
  • Create a triangle section with widest part from temple to crown. Apply 7.8 and 20 vol
  • On either side of the head, create two more triangle sections and alternate applications of 7.8 and 7.34 with 20 vol
  • Develop for 35 mins
  • Rinse, shampoo and treat with Vitamino Color Spectrum

Colour AND Treat 

Think of the double duty that a colour appointment can deliver – firstly with that luxurious experience courtesy of iNOA (thanks to its oil-rich, ammonia-free formula) and secondly with the backwash boost of a professional treatment, just like the salon exclusive Deep Conditioner from the new Vitamino Color Spectrum range. And if a client wants to keep that ‘just coloured’ vibrancy locked in, Vitamino Color Spectrum is the ideal take home treat, too! 

Make It Personal 

“Luxury is about personalisation, ensuring that each technique, each colour formulation, is bespoke and personalised to a client,” explains Robert. Curate a perfect combination that can’t be replicated at home, taking into account skin tone, hair type and the ideal blend, to nail ‘Expensive Brunette’ every time. 

The Artist: Josh Goldsworthy, creative director, Goldsworthy’s Hairdressing  

From presenting at industry-facing avant garde shows to flexing his editorial prowess as a busy session stylist, Josh delivers incredible colour results that are bang on-trend and expertly tailored to his loyal clientele. His take on ‘expensive hair’ is rooted in the bespoke, engineered by a business-building evolution of balayage. “Balayage is already a really established commercial look used in salons, but this trend is pushing it into a whole new realm,” explains Josh. “Peekaboo Balayage is about placing subtle and sometimes bolder colours within the hair, just underneath, so you get these pops of colours and iridescent tones. This is that next forward step for clients to try something new, something that gets them out of their usual toner or application and gives them some versatility and the ability to change it up, every time.” 

This iridescent yet creamy soft blonde acts as a veil through the top section of the hair… and then you’re treated to a seasonal surprise with deep slices of the two new pearlescent coral shades from Dia Light. Add a little movement and PEEK-A-BOO! The underneath reveals something more playful and unexpected. Colour can be as bold or as muted as you want, warm or cool – the power of ‘Peekaboo Balayage’ is in its versatility. We’re hooked!

Josh Goldsworthy on Whipped Cream Blonde

Shades and Steps

L’Oréal Professionnel Paris Blond Studio Purple Lightening Balm + 30vol  

L’Oréal Professionnel Paris Dia Light 10.23 + 9 Volume DiaActivateur; 8.24 + 9 Volume DiaActivateur; 10.24 + 1g Violet booster + 9 Volume DiaActivateur

  • Mist hair with Metal Detox Professional Pre-Treatment Spray and comb through
    Apply full head of highlights utilising fine and medium weaves with Blond Studio Purple Lightening
  • Develop for up to 50 minutes
  • Rinse and shampoo with Metal Detox
  • Isolate 1cm of the hairline. Following the shape of the head, create a star shape on top and apply Dia Light 10.23 from root to tip to these areas
  • Using diagonal back sections alternate between 8.24 and the 10.24 + Violet Booster
  • Develop for up to 20 minutes
  • Rinse, shampoo and treat with Metal Detox

Josh has opted for something more subtle this time, with a palette of honeys and caramels. As the cyclical nature of trends brings us back to the boho vibes of the Noughties, this look is ideal for that laid-back luxe vibe and will simply stun when the sun hits the sparkling mix of shades. “This warm, bronde tone with the copper boosters gives it a really expensive, beautiful feel, and it means you’re not seeing any start or stop point within the highlighted pieces,” says Josh.  

Josh Goldsworthy on Boho Bronde

Shades and Steps

L’Oréal Professionnel Paris Blond Studio Purple Lightening Balm + 30vol  

L’Oréal Professionnel Paris Dia Light 9.03 + Copper Booster + 9 Volume DiaActivateur; 8.24 + Copper Booster + 9 Volume DiaActivateur

  • Mist hair with Metal Detox Professional
  • Pre-Treatment Spray and comb through
  • Apply full head of Foiliage utilising a mix of teasy lights and classic balayage weaves with Blond Studio Purple Lightening Balm + 30vol
  • Rinse and shampoo with Metal Detox
  • Working to a centre parting, gloss using 1cm diagonal back sections from front to back. Applying from root to tip, alternate between Dia Light 9.03 + Copper Booster and 8.24 + Copper Booster
  • Develop for up to 20 minutes
  • Rinse, shampoo and treat with Vitamino Color Spectrum

Focus On Versatility 

Peekaboo Balayage is fantastic for those clients who might need a more conservative look for their nine-to-five but then can reveal their playful side through alternative styling. “If you put a wave or a curl through, it’s really going to bring the look alive. It’s so versatile for everybody,” says Josh. This is a technique that works for any client, any hair type, any shade and is an excellent first toe dipped into the world of colour. You can dial up or dial down, depending on the mood – just see how Josh amped it up for the shoot! 

Top Ups And Quicker Services 

That versatility extends to your business, too. “Peekaboo Balayage can stand alone as its own service within the salon, but from a business point of view, we can also look at it for top-up services in between,” says Josh. “Once we’ve got that pre-lightened section in, we’re looking at four- or six-weekly repeat services, which will be express services with a toner that would be cost effective. It’s a real opportunity.” And another positive for business? Clients don’t need to commit to a global colour, meaning a quicker appointment time that frees you up for more clients in your day. 

Build Services Around Occasions 

Peekaboo Balayage is the custom colour Gen Z will crave, encouraging more younger consumers to opt for professional colour. And as the summer rolls closer – think of festivals, parties and events – build services around those occasions, helping to grow your colour business in fresh and new directions.

 

 

A Creative HEAD shoot in partnership with L’Oréal Professionnel Paris  

Photography Jon Baker, assisted by Ethan Humphries 
Reportage photography and artist portraits Anett Posalaki  
Videography Austen Killingbeck-Jones, assisted by Douglas Cock  
Hair Robert Eaton and Josh Goldsworthy, with additional hair support provided by Phoebe Dean (for Josh), Nicola Chamberlain, Bobbi Murray, Fran Sleighthome, Victoria Strain, Joe Strangward and Cathal Walshe, all for L’Oréal Professionnel Paris  
Make-up Eliza Clarke, assisted by Babi Campos  
Fashion Harriet Nicolson, assisted by Carla Grottola  
Models Valentina Biliosa (Boss), Chelsea Kent (Body London), Phoebe Summer (MMG) and Kay-leigh Rachel Sussman (Zone)  
Editorial Amanda Nottage (Creative HEAD) 
Digital and social media Kelsey Dring and Caitlyn Brandom (Creative HEAD) 
Creative direction and production Joanna Kidd (Creative HEAD) 

Shot at Loft Studios in London