NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Students and Apprentices can win a national platform to showcase their creativity, technical skill, and passion for the craft.

Already in its seventh year, the Concept Hair Learner of the Year competition has firmly established itself as a highlight of the industry calendar for emerging hairdressing and barbering talent.

With the backing of leading brands, including returning headline sponsor L’Oréal Professionnel Paris, alongside Alan Howard, Denman International, Wahl, Belinda Mindset Education, Fellowship for British Hairdressing, Stylebook Directory/Education, and its official judging partner VTCT Skills, the event continues to grow in scale, ambition, and influence.

2026 Categories & Themes

~ Styling (Level 1 & 2): Catwalk Grunge

~ Hair-Up (Level 2 & 3): Art Deco

~ Barbering (Level 2 & 3): Mod Cut

~ Colouring (All Levels): Colour Inspiration through the Seasons

~ Textured Hair (Level 2 & 3): 80’s Streetstyle

~ Avant-Garde (Level 2 & 3): Wonderland

~ Cutting (Level 2 & 3): Icon Inspired (New for 2026).

 

 

 

 

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How It Works
1) Online Photographic Stage: Learners submit their work for review by a panel of top industry judges.
2) Finalists Selection: Judges will choose Finalists to compete at the Live Final in March 2026, hosted at Telford College.

Enter Now
Applications are now open and will close on 28th November 2025. Photographic submissions must be received by 12th December 2025.

For full details, visit: www.concepthairmag.co.uk/learner-of-the-year-2026.

Follow the competition on social media @concepthairmag and use the hashtag #concepthairloy26