Entries open Monday, January 19th, 2026, for the 70th anniversary of the L'Oréal Colour Trophy UKI. Since 1954, this competition has recognised hairdressing excellence, offering a global platform for skills and artistry.
This year sees the return of regional finals and expanded categories to celebrate a diverse range of talent across the UK and Ireland. New additions include a social media-focused award and specific categories for Afro hair and emerging professionals.
The L'Oréal Colour Trophy Award remains for inspirational colour and style. The Star Award continues to spotlight colourists aged 16-25. New for 2026 is the Social Colour Creator Award, requiring entrants to produce a 30-60 second reel on Instagram or TikTok showcasing their finished hair look.
Specialist awards include the L'Oréal Colour Specialist Award for those who completed the brand's education programme, and the L'Oréal Colour Trophy Afro Award focusing on 3C to 4C hair textures. The Future Talent Award targets college students and apprentices.
While the anniversary event promises to celebrate established and emerging talent, the focus on specific product education for the Colour Specialist Award suggests a continued brand-led approach to skill development. The inclusion of social media highlights an adaptation to current industry communication trends, but it also raises questions about how technical skill will be assessed purely through short video formats compared to in-person demonstrations.
