‘The new must-have hair looks - live on stage’: Yorkshire’s top hairdressers win L'Oréal Colour Trophy Grand Final places
The L'Oréal Colour Trophy Semi Final took place in Leeds last night, bringing its live regional tour back for the first time since 2019.
Now in its 70th year, the North East heat of these prestigious hairdressing awards - staged at The Met Leeds - presented an evening of live hair artistry and bold creativity, spotlighting the best salons, colourists and hairdressing talent from across Yorkshire.
A catwalk show saw a troupe of models showcase directional new hair colouring and cuts from hairdressers across the region.
At the end of the night, five finalists were selected by a team of judges to go forward to the overall Grand Final of the L’Oréal Colour Trophy Award in July, at The O2 in London.
They were: Morgan Hirst at Russell Eaton in Barnsley; Lewis Inkles and Jessica Elwell at Scullion and Scot in Sheffield; Blossom Veitch at Saks Hair in Redcar.
Plus the following who also won the L’Oréal Colour Trophy Star Awards: Millie Grierson at Scullion and Scot in Sheffield; and Olivia Rae and Robert Sommerville at House Hairdressing in Rotherham.
A highlight of the evening was the L'Oréal Professionnel x Robert Eaton Edutainment Showcase, supported by emerging L’Oréal Professionnel artists, giving the audience a live view of the colour directions and techniques shaping the industry right now.
The competition was judged by industry experts Dylan Bradshaw of Dylan Bradshaw Dublin, Abigail Butler of Strictly Xtended, Jack Merrick-Thirlway from Neville Hair & Beauty, Yesmin O'Brien from seanhanna Salons and Jo O'Neill from TONI&GUY.
Finalist Millie Grierson said: "Being born and bred in Sheffield, making the finals means everything to me and my salon.
“Entering at just 21, I was nervous at first. My look was inspired by the Jean Paul Gaultier ‘90s runway - I really wanted the hair to feel like part of the dress.”
Morgan Hirst of Russell Eaton in Barnsley said: “I feel like it’s set off my career. Angela Thomson from our salon won it last year, which really inspired me, and Russell and Robert Eaton are always encouraging us to aim high.”
Blossom Veitch of Saks Hair said: "I’ve wanted this since I was five, growing up around my dad’s salon and watching the L’Oréal Colour Trophy. My look carries all the colours of a phoenix, symbolising rising, new beginnings and hope.”
Lewis Inkles and Jessica Elwell said: “We enter not only for the challenge and the adrenaline rush, but most of all because this competition gives our salon and young stylists vital recognition and a real platform to put themselves out there."
Olivia Rae added: “I didn’t think I was going to get this far, and it took a few minutes to sink in when my name was called. We love making people feel great, and I hope this shows other local stylists that with passion and hard work, you can go all the way. Now I’m hoping to bring the Star Award home to Leeds.”
The Leeds semi-final is one of eight regional heats in this year's nationwide tour. The L'Oréal Colour Trophy 2026 UK Grand Final will take place on July 6, 2026, at The O2, London, bringing together the country's top hair colourists to compete for the overall title.