Belfast colourist crowned Northern Ireland Regional Winner at L'Oréal Colour Trophy Grand Final

Leighann Rea from Leighann Rea Hairdressing in Belfast has been named Northern Ireland Regional Winner at the 2026 L'Oréal Colour Trophy Grand Final at The O2, winning the title on one of hairdressing's biggest stages.

This year's competition saw finalists selected from thousands of colourists and salons across the UK, as the world's longest-running live hairdressing competition marked its 70th year.

Following eight regional semi-final heats across Belfast, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol, St Albans, Brighton and London, finalists from across the UK competed live at the Grand Final, showcasing the creativity, technical skill and individuality shaping the future of professional colour.

The evening, hosted by Amanda Holden, featured a gala dinner, live shows and an awards ceremony. Highlights included 'Off the Earth' by Toni & Guy and a special collective catwalk, 'Eras of Hair' to celebrate seven decades. The event marked 70 years of a competition that has launched careers, transformed salons and championed the craft of hairdressing since 1954.

"The O2 venue is incredible, and we were so excited to welcome everyone here to experience the show. As a collective, we took the audience on a journey through different eras of hair, brought to life in our own unique way.

"Walking through the corridors, you can feel the history in the artwork and the names on the walls, and the sound in the arena is just amazing. With an audience like this, it was brilliant to see everyone get up, dance and celebrate with us,” said Sally Brooks of Brooks & Brooks, L'Oréal Colour Trophy 2026 UK Grand Final Lead Creative Show Director for the Collective Show.

The competition was judged by a panel of leading names from across the hairdressing industry, including renowned celebrity hairstylist and ARKIVE founder Adam Reed, and multi-award-winning hairdresser Errol Douglas MBE.

This year’s competition reflected the breadth of modern colour work. From high-impact transformations and trend-led colour to specialist expertise across Afro and textured hair, emerging talent and social-first creativity, the winning looks demonstrated how colour continues to be one of the most powerful forms of self-expression and salon artistry.

Adam Reed, founder of ARKIVE and L'Oréal Colour Trophy judge, said:

"We are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the L'Oréal Colour Trophy, a pioneering industry hair competition. I personally have been involved for over 30 years, but what the Colour Trophy does, what it brought to me, and what it brings to hairdressers is inclusivity. It brings inspiration and innovation.

"It really is the standard when it comes to hair colour competitions on a global level. 70 years is the longest-running hair competition in the world, and it champions the expert. It champions the hairdresser behind the chair to create incredible hair."

Leighann Rea of Leighann Rea Hairdressing in Belfast commented on the win:

"Winning the L’Oréal Colour Trophy Northern Ireland regional category in its 70th anniversary year is honestly a dream come true. As an independent salon from Belfast, to be recognised on one of the biggest stages in our industry is something I’ll never take for granted.

"It means so much to bring this award home and shine a spotlight on the creativity coming out of the North of Ireland and use it as motivation to keep pushing myself.

"Every detail matters at this level, and we spent so much time refining the look until it felt exactly right. My aim was to create something effortlessly beautiful, with colour that had depth, movement and dimension. The story was about confidence and individuality.   

"Flights to London were cancelled on the day of the show, but my husband and three of my amazing team members still found a way to get there, flying two hours away and then getting a train so they could be with me.

"Sharing that moment with them made all the hard work, long hours and creative dedication completely worthwhile."

From its first competition on Tottenham Court Road in 1954 to this year’s Grand Final at The O2, the L’Oréal Colour Trophy has continued to evolve with the industry it celebrates. Seventy years on, the competition remains a platform for recognising exceptional colour talent, spotlighting salon creativity and celebrating the people shaping the future of professional hairdressing across the UK and sitting at the heart of the British high street.