XPOSURE is aimed at hairdressing students based in the UK and Ireland with less than 5 years of experience*, who are training at college or a private training academy. Due to COVID-19 the competition had a revised format this year, but in true competition spirit, was adapted to a digital format to ensure it still went ahead. The competition started with hundreds of online photographic entries, showcasing the competitors’ hairdressing skills. There were two categories to choose from, Creative Colour and Colour the Cut.

Online Submissions 

Those that made it through to the Regional Heat stage, were then asked to make an online submission. This replaced the competition’s traditional ‘live’ regional heats and involved making a short video talking about their entry, as well as a written document explaining how the look was created, and drawings demonstrating the technique they created.

Incredible Standard

“We have had a record number of entries this year, which under the current circumstances, is incredible. The standard throughout has been incredibly impressive. British hairdressing is clearly in safe hands if this entry level standard is anything to go by. Congratulations to all the winners,” said Allie Hargreaves, National Education Operations and Events Manager UK & Ireland.
The stellar line up of judges included industry leaders Darren Lacken, Sarah Mason, Charlie Taylor, Colin McAndrew, Jayson Gray, Kai Wan, Rudi Rizzo, Gustav Fouche and XPOSURE gold winner 2018, Lizzie Williams.

New Techniques

Judge Sarah Mason said this is an incredible opportunity for up and coming hairdressing talent. “Xposure is a super platform for young hairdressers to step on the career ladder. Expressing your creativity through this competition is opening your eyes to future dreams. Entrants had to draw head sheets, which is not an easy task. They should be commended for being brave and creating a video and experimenting with new techniques,” she said.

The Winners

For both Creative Colour and Colour the Cut categories, Gold, Silver and Bronze winners have been crowned, with three runners up for each of the five regions. In addition, 30 Certificates of Merit have been awarded. A Certificate of Merit is for the competitors who would have been Regional & Ireland Heat winners and who would have competed in the UK & Ireland Final, if it wasn’t for the coronavirus outbreak.

The Prizes

An array of incredible prizes were awarded to Gold, Silver and Bronze winners, including a Wella Professionals XPOSURE Trophy, an exclusive experience at the TrendVision Award 2020 UK & Ireland final, bespoke education development programmes and hairdressing tool kits.
A special prize went to Moray College UHI, who had the highest number of entries and won a free education session with a Guest Artist.

Colour The Cut Category WINNERS

GOLD: Lily Cumper, Reflections Training Academy (Region: South)
SILVER: Roisin Moore, House of Colour (Region: Ireland)
BRONZE: Chenise Johnson, Fife College (Region: Scotland & North East)

Creative Colour Category WINNERS

GOLD: Siobhan Hearns, Rhona McCallum Hair (Region: Scotland & North East)
SILVER: Skye Lewis, KH Hair (Region: Midlands)
BRONZE: Hannah Millar, Frances Hunter (Region: Scotland & North East)

Colour The Cut Category – Certificate of Merit

Verity Elias, Reflections Training Academy (South)
Lauren Peters, Guildford College (South)
Anastasia Demosthenous, Hertford Regionals (South)
Helana Dalrymple, Fife College (Scotland & North East)
Eilidh Dewar, Medusa Training (Scotland & North East)
Jade Norris, City of Glasgow College (Scotland & North East)
Daniel Anthony, Total People Hair Academy (North)
Kurt Lambert, Leslie Frances (North)
Gemma Plant, Buxton & Leek College (North)
Mazie Wallace, Toni&Guy Birmingham (Midlands)
Ruby Talbot, KH Hair (Midlands)
Chloe Cotterell, Pkai Hair (Midlands)
Amy Poutch, House of Colour (Ireland)
Amy Kirwan, Vanilla Hair Design (Ireland)
Orla Sadlier, House of Colour (Ireland)

Creative Colour Category – Certificate of Merit

Joseph Dixon, Jet Hairdressing Academy (South)
Charlie Brain, Reflections Training Academy (South)
Kathy Hughes, Bournemouth & Poole College (South)
Jessica Foreman, Hunter Hairdressing (Scotland & North East)
Alannah-Jay Still, Belle Ame Hair & Beauty (Scotland & North East)
Shannon Hendry, West College Scotland Finnart Campus (Scotland & North East)
Roni Moskwa, Creator Hair Academy (North)
Amie Dahl-Pettersen, Kendal College (North)
Annabelle Henton, Calderdale College (North)
Emily Lyness, Dudley College (Midlands)
Millie Bloy, Code Hair Consultants/Redz Academy (Midlands)
Eliece Fisher, Wow Academy (Midlands)
Erica Quinn, House of Colour (Ireland)
Jade McDermott, Frame Creative Hair Design (Ireland)
Rachel Ginty, Head Shed (Ireland)

For more info, please visit Wella Xposure here.