We owe our hair colourists and stylists a lot.
Not only do they work their magic daily, but they put their skills to the test to create sophisticated, inspiring looks that help us look (and feel) our very best.
Now, we’re celebrating them, with the longest running professional hair competition in the world, L’Oréal Professionnel Style & Colour Trophy.
This year’s theme is ‘French Edito’, with professionals encouraged to expose new French-inspired hair trends and techniques, such as French Balayage and French Glossing.
These are your top eight finalists from across Australia who will go on to compete in the National final… and we’ve found out the inspiration behind their incredible looks.
(Plus, don’t forget to cast your vote for the marie claire People’s Choice Award.)
Kate Clark – Ink For Hair, QLD
A professional with 27 years’ experience, Kate drew inspiration from her time working in Paris and the reflections of lights amongst the shadows in Parisian sidewalks and alleyways to create her look.
Her look embodies the classic chic lines that exist across French fashion, hair and architecture, finished with the perfect amount of smudging.
For Kate, Style & Colour Trophy is a way for her to showcase her work on a global stage and be inspired by the beautiful hair other artists create.
“L’Oréal has been the forefront of innovation and creation when it comes to hair… [the competition] is a phenomenal platform to have the opportunity to inspire and collaborate as a global family,” she says.
Torrie Lennon – Rokstar Salon, QLD
Torrie loves to “showcase what I can to push my limits” and her Style & Colour Trophy look does just that.
She utilised the natural texture and curls of her model’s hair, working with what was already there and focusing on “soft, round shapes, almost like a beret shape” to create her French Balayage look.
Karlie Roberts – LNDN Hair, VIC
Melbourne-based stylist and colourist Karlie kept her final look very Parisian, finishing her French Balayage and French Glossing colour work with a sleek, French bob.
“This competition challenges me to do softer hair, as I specialise in blondes and vibrants,” she says.
“It’s great to be able to show your clients what you are also able to offer.”
Kayleigh Guyette and Maria Turner – Zink Hair Plympton, SA
Colourist Kayleigh and stylist Maria put their best foot forward to create this look.
“The inspiration behind the look was right at the heart of the French Edito theme, with [the duo] wanting to bring to life the Parisian chic beauty that French women are renowned for,” they say.
“We wanted to capture that organic, effortless beauty that helps any woman embrace her natural beauty,” says Maria.
Joe Cotroneo – Zink Hair Unley, SA
With 34 years in the industry, Joe knows how to create beautiful hair.
“My inspiration was to create a beautiful look that could sit on the cover of a French magazine,” he says.
Joe first used a ‘French Foilayage’ technique to create a colour and tone that would suit is model’s complexion and skin tone, then used French Glossing to create lightness around the front to “frame and highlight the face” and finished it off with the ultimate blow-dry.
“A bold glamour look, the blow-dry is key,” he says.
“I wanted the hair to look healthy and super shiny—who doesn’t want hair like that?”
Rose Cain and Georgia Hale – Head Studio, WA
The owner of Head Studio, Rose Cain has been a Style & Colour Trophy entrant for years (and even has a 2007 National win under her belt).
This year, she worked with Head Colourist and Stylist Georgia to create a look that celebrated youth, with “a fresh and angelique finish”.
The duo wanted to “do a bit of everything” with their ‘French Edito’ entry, accentuating the model’s short hair and texture, while ensuring the final look was not only fabulous, but didn’t compromise on condition.
Heléne Nikat-Badaoui – The Hair Room, NSW
A professional since 1985, Heléne was instantly inspired by this year’s Style & Colour Trophy theme.
“As soon as I heard ‘French Edito’, I thought tussled, sexy, messy, nonchalant,” she says.
“It is such a power-woman style and portrays every essence of a woman. You can really wear this look quite casually or dressed up.”
Heléne used a two-step French Balayage technique, teasing off-root and combining freehand seamless lightening with a nourishing gloss.
Claudia Cataldo – Cataldo’s Salon, ACT
After 17 years in the industry, and five Style & Colour Trophy entries, 2022 is Claudia Cataldo’s year to shine.
Her look is the ultimate in ‘I woke up like this’ style, with effortless sophistication that embodies the Parisian ‘It Girl’.
“The rich, brown colour is soft and natural, and blended into lightness through the ends,” she says.
“It’s subtle and harmonious with the French chic cut and style—and it’s all about the shine and condition.”
The state finalists for the marie claire People’s Choice Award are now here, so discover the looks and vote for your favourites.
Brought to you by L’Oréal Professionnel.
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