Local salons and colourists from across the East of England have been named as finalists in the L’Oréal Colour Trophy semi-final, as the world’s longest-running live hairdressing competition comes to St Albans to mark its 70th anniversary.
Taking place at the Sopwell Hotel in St Albans on April 27, 2026, the Eastern semi-final will see local finalists compete live in front of industry judges and an audience, with those progressing to the national final announced on the night.
L’Oréal Colour Trophy Award Eastern semi-finalists include:
• Dean Lawton-Taylor — Alchemy & I, Berkhamstead
• Rhea Biggs — Bigsy Hair, Essex
• Gemma Adams — Glow, Rutland
• Frankie Rafferty — Gregory Dean Hair, Southend-on-Sea
• Jay Maggioni — Gregory Dean Hair, Southend-on-Sea
• Sophie Archer — Gregory Dean Hair, Southend-on-Sea
• Rachael Clifton — Hair Hut, Leigh-on-Sea
• Chelsie Cooper — Haringtons Hairdressing, Beaconsfield
• Richard Scorer — Haringtons Hairdressing, Beaconsfield
• Mellisa Furze — Headlines, Hertford
• Alexandra Wolverton — Jessica Grace Hair, Northamptonshire
• Tanya Dagless — Jo Jordan Hair, Holt
• Bronte Fulcher — Jo Jordan Hair, Holt
• Isabella Shepperd — Johnson Blythe Harpenden, Hertfordshire
• Ruby Sapsford — Johnson Blythe Harpenden, Hertfordshire
• Ruby Walton — Johnson Blythe Harpenden, Hertfordshire
• Stephanie Barnas — Johnson Blythe Harpenden, Hertfordshire
• Marie Gilbert — Kennadys, Ingatestone
• Anthony Harvey-Thomas — Kennadys, Ingatestone
• Ellie Pettifer — Scott James Hair Studio, Colchester
• Molly McGinty — Scott James Hair Studio, Colchester
• Darren Cunningham — The Secret Garden, Leicester
• George Waterfield — The Secret Garden, Leicester
• Lucia Burton-Cree — The Secret Garden, Leicester
L’Oréal Colour Trophy STAR Award Eastern semi-finalists include:
• Katie Blake — Gregory Dean, Leigh-on-Sea
• Olivia Stevens — Haringtons Hairdressing, Wendover
• Chloe Wortley — Toni&Guy, Peterborough
• Devon Hubbard — Toni&Guy, Peterborough
• Laura Ross — Toni&Guy, Peterborough
• Niamh Mundy — Toni&Guy, Peterborough
• Lauren Daines — Whites Hair & Beauty, Leicester
Dean Lawton-Taylor, L’Oréal Colour Trophy 2025 Eastern regional winner: “Winning felt like the cherry on top. It not only brought new clients, but boosted my confidence and gave me real validation that people I’ve long admired recognised what I was creating. It’s definitely raised my profile and opened the door to new opportunities within the industry.”
Ben Gregory, Gregory Dean Hair & L’Oréal Colour Trophy 2026 judge: “It takes a lot to put yourself out there, and to be vulnerable enough to share your work with the industry is something to be really proud of.”
Angie Dromgoole, Zeba Hairdressing, L’Oréal Colour Trophy 2026 Judge: “Lots of excitement out there, so I think we’re going to see some bigger looks, something different”
Dylan Bradshaw, Dylan Bradshaw Dublin, L’Oréal Colour Trophy 2026 Judge: ” A lot of people were trying new things, which for me is the most exciting part”
Rob Eaton, Owner of Russell Eaton Hair Salons, L’Oréal Professionnel Hair Artist & L’Oréal Colour Trophy 2026 judge, said: “The L’Oréal Colour Trophy has been celebrating the best colourists in the UK and Ireland for 70 years. It has been part of my life and career for nearly three decades, from watching as a teenager to winning, and now returning as a judge in its 70th year.
It’s always been about more than just beautiful hair. It’s about craft, creativity and community, and giving the next generation the chance to push the boundaries ”
Cos Sakkas, TONI&GUY Global Creative Director & L’Oréal Colour Trophy 2026 judge, said: “Judging the L’Oréal Colour Trophy is really special. You’ve got the young, up-and-coming stars of the industry. They’re all putting their passion and inspiration on the line for industry leaders to judge.”
On the night, guests will experience a live artistic and educational showcase led by industry icon Robert Eaton of Russell Eaton Hair, alongside model presentations from the regional semi-finalists, and the announcement of the stylists progressing to the national final.
The Eastern heat forms part of a nationwide tour marking the L’Oréal Colour Trophy’s 70th anniversary, and its return to regional stages for the first time since 2019. This year’s programme spans eight cities across the UK and Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol, St Albans, Brighton and London, before a national final brings the country’s top colourists together to compete for the overall title.
