Oh, I do love me a hair competition. A chance to see the brightest, the best and the most creative from the hairdressing firmament, the L'Oreal Colour Trophy is indisputably the pick of the bunch. The cream of the crop, the tip of the ... ok, I'm getting carried away. But that might be because the champagne is still coursing through my system from last night's Irish final.
Let me set the scene: hundreds of excited-to-fever-pitch gals and guys from some of Ireland's top salons gathered in UCD's O'Reilly Hall for two truly amazing showcases from Kazumi and Toni & Guy - gobs were smacked and jaws were dropping at the sheer level of professionalism, theatre and showmanship the salons provided.
Hair comps are never just about the gruaig, though: the models were all spectacular, as were the clothes. Kazumi were inspired by painters like Klimt and Picasso and sent their gals down the runway in Pam Hogg-esque metallic jumpsuits. Toni & Guy used the seven deadly sins as their inspiration, to really incredible effect. Add in half-naked men, platforms that raised and fell, a lot of sauce and seduction, and all eyes were quite literally riveted to the runway.
But all that was just to set the scene for the awards themselves. Four were given out, with the top prize being the L'Oreal Professionel Colour Trophy. Winning this prize means the entrant gets to compete at the global awards, to be held this year in London on the first of June.
So, who won?
Next Generation Award in association with Creative HEAD Ireland
Winner: Brown Sugar, Blackrock, Dublin
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L’Oréal Professionnel Mens Image Award
Winner: Peter Mark Training Centre, Dublin
Runner Up: Brown Sugar Dublin
The IMAGE magazine Award
Winner: Reds, Dublin
...aaaaaaand ... drumroll ... the winner of the
L’Oréal Professionnel Colour Trophy
Winner: Dylan Bradshaw
First Runner Up: Reds, Dublin
Second Runner up: House of Colour, Wellington Quay
I have to say, I was thrilled Dylan Bradshaw won, especially as I realised as she got on stage that the gal behind the winning do was none other than Katie, who'd given me my last (and excellent) cut. Yay! I have (sort of) award winning hair!
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We'd like to say a huge congrats to all the entrants and of course the winners: the standard this year was sky-high, and all should be really proud of themselves. Well done!
