Photography: Courtesy of Kenny RodriguezL’Oréal Professionnel Color & Style Trophy is one of the world’s most prestigious and longest-running hair competitions, internationally present since 1954. A total-look team, photo and live competition that includes color, cut, style, wardrobe and makeup, the multi-category contest is currently underway with submissions being accepted through October 14, 2019. Competitors can submit up to five award categories: Editorial, Cutting, Texture, Future Trend and New Talent, with an additional two chances to win the overall Grand Prize and People’s Choice Award. A panel of judges made up of industry notables will select up to five finalists for each category, with the finalist team invited to compete in the live competition. Check out the scoop from some of this year’s judges for the inside track on winning Color & Style Trophy 2020.
Min Kim
Global Ambassador + Le Collectif, L’Oréal Professionnel
Master Colorist, Butterfly Studio Salon
Photography: Courtesy of L’Oréal Professionnel
Q: What are you most excited to see in the L’Oréal Professionnel Color, Style & Trophy competition?
A: Globally, it is the longest-running hair competition so it's thrilling to have American participation where we have so much natural talent, skill and elevated educational opportunities.
Q: What will you be looking for in the entries?
A: Not only is it about a well-executed look, finish and photo, but I'm looking for a ‘wow’ component. It should speak to the elegance of the brand, be rooted in Parisian heritage, have an iconic feeling and stand out from the field.
Q: If you were entering the competition, which category would you submit for?
A: That's easy, it would be the Future Trend category―it's what you do when you work with clients in the salon!
Gerard Scarpaci
Craft Hairdresser & Co-Founder of Hairbrained
Photography: Courtesy of Gerard Scarpaci
Q: What are you most excited to see in the L’Oréal Professionnel Color, Style & Trophy competition?
A: I’m excited to see the creativity of the hairdressers in the industry, their unique point of view and talents expressed. It's awesome to see salon teams work together. It's very inspiring.
Q: What will you be looking for in the entries?
A: When I am reviewing the entries, I'll be looking at the overall concept: does the final look tell a complete story? I'll also be considering the thoughtfulness of the technique and if the work is precise, clean and well executed.
Q: If you were entering the competition, which category would you submit for?
A: If I were entering, I would submit for the Cutting category. Haircutting is my passion, and I would love to see a resurgence in interest of the craft of haircutting.
Shelley Gregory
Color Influencer
Photography: Courtesy of Shelley Gregory
Q: What are you most excited to see in the L’Oréal Professionnel Color, Style & Trophy competition?
A: I love to see someone think outside the box while still making it wearable. Someone who can create a completely new braid or curl. Even someone who can make something we have seen before new again.
Q: What will you be looking for in the entries?
A: It has to stand out immediately for me. We see so much content every day. I always look for something that stops me in my tracks.
Q: If you were entering the competition, which category would you submit for?
A: I would be drawn to the Future Trend category. I always like pushing myself with my own work when it comes to trends. Love a viral moment!
Matthew Collins
Celebrity Stylist
Global L’Oréal Professionnel Stylist
Global Dyson Styling Ambassador
Photography: Courtesy of L’Oréal Professionnel
Q: What are you most excited to see in the L’Oréal Professionnel Color, Style & Trophy competition?
A: How it can change people’s lives. The first photo shoot I ever did was for a L’Oréal competition similar to this―but smaller in scale―and I won the competition. It changed the entire path of my career. But win or lose, the rush of the entire process is something everyone must experience. And in my opinion, Color, Style & Trophy is the most tasteful and consumer-friendly hair competition in the world. It has the prestige in the hair industry, but also resonates with the consumer because the looks are commercial-friendly with edge.
Q: What will you be looking for in the entries?
A: I want to see beautiful and wearable hair, first and foremost―if only 1/100,000 women will wear the look, then why do it? But I also don’t want to see boring. It needs to be pushed slightly whether it’s an edgy cut with soft simple color, or the softest cut and style with a little pop of something color-wise.
Q: If you were entering the competition, which category would you submit for?
A: For sure the Editorial category. I love to tell a story in a photo with how the hair moves and feels, and making a 2D image come to life in a magical way that evokes deep and instant emotion.
