Salon Magazine, Spring 2025

CONTESSA 2025 WINNERS

SUSTAINABILITY pros and cons

INNOVATION in products, packaging, tools and more

MAXIMIZING business with AI

CURLY POP

A STYLIST’S HAIR STORY, TOLD IN EVERY CURL

As your partner in craft, Schwarzkopf Professional offers the tools, inspiration, and education that you need to become the hairdresser that you want to be.

The perfect colour FOR EVERY YOU.

Look crafted by REEMA JABER

“I NEVER THOUGHT I’D BECOME A HAIRSTYLIST. I THOUGHT I WANTED TO BE A LAWYER – I WAS WRONG.”

Step into Reema Jaber’s world and discover a vibrant tapestry of curls, color, and creativity. As the founder of the Cado curly method and owner of Hair by Reema salon in Mississauga, Ontario, she has transformed her passion for curly hair into a global movement, evolving from an aspiring paralegal to a trailblazer in the hair industry.

“Hair coloring is not only an art, it’s a science. There’s always something to learn, innovate and create with hair color. And with Schwarzkopf Professional® products, I learnt that what can be done is limitless.”

INTRODUCING

CO LOR RHAPSODY 10

PERMANENT CREAM COLOR

• Radi a nt, multi-dimensional results in just 10 minutes.

• 3x faster with up to 2.8x less damage.2

• Non-progressive, pre-mixed shades provide up to 100% grey coverage.1

2 Based on clinical test comparing Moroccanoil proprietary

1 On clients with up to 60% grey hair.

ProArginine + ArganID ® System and ColorKinetic Booster to alternative alkalizing agents and untreated hair.

1After one use, vs. non-conditioning shampoo. 2After one week, vs. non-conditioning shampoo. *Wella company is a member of the International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety. ©2025 Wella Operations US llc.

14

CONTESSA 2025

CANADIAN HAIRSTYLIST OF THE YEAR, JAMES ABU-ULBA

METHOD EDUCATION

LANGLEY, B.C.

“Always be true to yourself and who you are as an artist.”

2025

46

WINNERS’ CIRCLE

Introducing the Winners, Sponsors and Presenters

Take a look at who brought home a trophy from the 2025 Contessa Awards and see this year’s sponsors and presenters.

48 GALA Memorable Moments

Relive some of the best memories from the Contessa Awards gala with a few of our favourite onstage highlights.

Spring 2025

52

TEAM CONTESSA 36 Interstellar

Schwarzkopf Professional’s Canadian artistic team wowed the Contessa audience with a show-stopping grand finale presentation that shared a captivating journey from dark to light.

54

SHOW OPENER

X-Ray Into the Future

Multi-Contessa winner and 2025 Hall of Fame recipient Tony Ricci opened the awards gala with an electrifying presentation, featuring eye-catching hairstyles that incorporated embroidery and macramé techniques.

55 MILESTONE Celebrating 70 Years of Sassoon

Take a closer look at the classic and trendsetting cuts, colours and styles showcased in Sassoon Academy Toronto’s stage presentation, which celebrated the global company’s 70th anniversary and paid homage to hairstyling legend Trevor Sorbie.

56

COCKTAIL PARTY Mix and Mingle

50 TEAM CONTESSA 36 Infinity

The British award-winning HOB Academy team took the Contessa stage by storm, on behalf of Wella Company, to showcase their latest presentation, which challenges you to reimagine the haircuts and styles created behind the chair.

The festivities kicked off with a pre-gala cocktail party, featuring red-carpet interviews and playful activations from Contessa 2025 gold sponsors.

58 AFTERPARTY Contessa After Dark

The official Contessa Awards after-party, presented by Salon, featured a lively dance floor with beats by DJ Techtwelve and a fun mirror photo station from Enchanted Booth.

Canadian

James

52

SCHWARZKOPF PROFESSIONAL

International Hairstylist

Rafael Bueno

Frank Cini

Taz Hair Co.

Tina Casciato

Renaissance Salon & Estetica St. Catharines, Ont.

Multicultural

Derrick Rutherford

Valentini Hair Design

Guelph, Ont.

Collaboration

Jerica Wentzell & Lukas

Canadian Colourist, Alberta & Avant Garde Hairstylist

Breanne Gershon

Glam Breanne

Calgary, Alta.

Rafael Bueno Peluqueros Málaga, Spain

Freestyle

Tina Casciato

Renaissance Salon & Estetica St. Catharines, Ont.

Texture Hairstylist

Derrick Rutherford Valentini Hair Design Guelph, Ont.

British Columbia Hairstylist

Olivia Berttall Sin 7 Salon White Rock, B.C.

Saskatchewan/Manitoba

Hairstylist

Lisa Schoor

Instages Salon Winnipeg, Man.

Ontario Hairstylist

Lina Shamoun

Artline Salon Kitchener, Ont.

Ivana

Coiffure

Quebec Hairstylist

Martin Menard

Salon La Loge Québec, Que.

Atlantic Hairstylist

Sharon LeClair

Shades of Color Bedford, N.S.

Men’s Hairstylist

Hana Woldeyes

Moods Hair Salon Vancouver, B.C.

Canadian Nail Artist Shayna Osazuwa Shayna O Esthetics Regina, Sask.

Makeup Artist

Renee Rampersad Makeup by Renee Edmonton, Alta.

Sustainability Achievement Refinery House Chilliwack, B.C.

Salon Interior Design

Studio So Lara Kitchener, Ont.

The John Steinberg Award for Community Service

Salon Daniel Toronto, Ont.

Editor’s Letter

WHAT’S NEW Hairlines

Kick off the season with the latest launches in haircare, colour, styling and more. 65

FEATURE

Sustainable Success

In honour of Earth Month, we’re weighing the pros and cons of embracing sustainability in the salon. We caught up with salon owners from across the country for their candid takes.

BUSINESS

Adapting AI

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, we’re breaking down the ways to adopt AI-driven software and technology to help better manage your business.

Events + Scoop

Remembering a Visionary

Take a look back at Trevor Sorbie’s remarkable career and how the late hairstylist became an industry legend.

SALON SOURCE

Introducing… Contessa Connective!

Session Hairstylist

Karine Bélanger

Karine Styliste Salon Montreal, Que.

Get a preview of the 2026 Contessa Awards gala and education day. Plus, get the scoop on the new award categories.

Innovate to Motivate

You’ve probably heard the familiar adage that “necessity is the mother of reinvention.” I couldn’t think of a better time than the present to encourage everyone to embrace this forward style of thinking.

As we all know, times of adversity can inspire out-of-the-box ideas that motivate us to move in a new direction. Whether it’s to avoid being stagnant, reignite a creative spark or plan ahead, the steps we take now can help set us up for future success.

In this issue, we spotlight the 2025 Contessa winners, with a glimpse into their creative and professional journeys. While their award-winning images have likely captured your attention, their stories will, too, as they can help inspire you to take the next step in your career.

In honour of April being Earth Month, we chatted with eco-conscious salon owners, who open up about their environmental journeys in “Sustainable Success” (page 65), to help you rethink how to do your part and make meaningful changes to your business.

And speaking of business, as artificial intelligence continues to trend and evolve, we break down the ways you can maximize its use in “Adapting AI” (page 72).

For us at Salon, we’ve had to make some changes, too. Following the Canadian postal strike before the holidays that caused weeks of mail delays, we made the tough decision to transition to four print issues this year. While the frequency of our publication may be reduced, we’ve increased our page count to what it was pre-pandemic to ensure that we continue to deliver the reliable and relatable content you’ve come to love from our magazine.

We also have some exciting changes on the horizon for the 37th annual Contessa Awards. In case you haven’t heard, we’re expanding to a two-day format that includes a full day of inspiring mainstage education. Plus, we’ve introduced two new creative categories: Barber of the Year and International Colourist. Read all about them (and more) on page 82.

Of course, every risk doesn’t always equal a reward. However, it’s true when they say that fortune favours the bold!

Veronica Boodhan Editorial Director

Salon Magazine

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Veronica Boodhan veronica@salonmagazine.ca

ART DIRECTOR Barbara Burrows

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Beatriz Ferreira Silva beatriz@salonmagazine.ca

DIGITAL SPECIALIST Shanice Romelus shanice@salonmagazine.ca

CONTRIBUTORS Lauren Farrugia, Corinna Reeves

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Marc Gadbois marc@salonmagazine.ca

PRODUCTION MANAGER Alan Swinton production@salonmagazine.ca

OFFICE MANAGER Lucy Arkell lucy@salonmagazine.ca

CIRCULATION MANAGER Adrian Holland helpdesk@subscriptions.salon

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & PUBLISHER Tom Arkell tom@salonmagazine.ca

Salon Magazine info@salonmagazine.ca www.salonmagazine.ca

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helpdesk@subscriptions.salon

*Study of 79 women ages 18-65, on the effects of Moroccanoil High Shine Gloss Mask.

NEW High Shine Gloss Mask. After one use, 95% agreed hair has a gloss-like fi nish.*

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Global Inspiration

From avant-garde to editorial styling, our extensive archive lets you explore collections from around the world. Whether you’re working behind the chair or on set for a photo shoot, these inspirational looks are sure to spark your creativity.

RUNWAY REPORTS

Looking for a recap of hair and beauty trends from Spring/Summer 2025 fashion weeks from around the world? Check out our roundup to get inspired by this season’s hottest trends.

SHOW OFF YOUR SKILLS

It’s almost time to vote for your favourite professional beauty products, brands and tools in Salon’s 14th annual Reader’s Choice Awards. From April 1 to 15, vote for any (or all) of our 36 categories for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card! Don’t miss your chance to share your picks and help your favourites win (or retain) a title.

Stay

in the Know

Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear industry news, Contessa announcements and more.

Be the “mane” character in our latest So You Think You Can Style? Majestic Manes contest! This time, we’re looking for voluminous looks that showcase your hairstyling and finishing skills. Visit our website to learn how to enter.

Deadline: March 10, 2025

Best in Show

With awards season in full swing, you can recreate some of the hottest styles from the red carpet with how-tos from celebrity hairstylists.

Contessa

James Abu-Ulba

METHOD EDUCATION Langley, B.C. @method_education

Inspiration

“I create collections for myself; I don’t really create them for other people. That being said, it’s a reminder for people that what we do is an expression of art, and it brings us all together.

While social media has its pros, I think that it has caused the industry to become very stagnant. We’re not seeing the experimentation like we used to in the ’80s, ’90s or even the early 2000s. We’re just not seeing the push of creativity, and that was a driving force for me; I really wanted to kind of try and push ideas forward.

If you look at the collection, it has a progression from something that is more progressive and builds its way to avant-garde. As hairdressers, that’s what we need to start doing. It’s not our clients that are going to change the industry; it’s up to us to change the industry.”

Power of Validation

“It’s really nice to be recognized within the industry by your peers. Sometimes as an artist, you think what you’re doing is maybe not the right path, or maybe your vision of what hair is or should be might not be the right one. I think it’s a really special thing to be recognized for your vision, and it just kind of gives you encouragement that how you see things, there’s something there and worth exploring.”

CANADIAN HAIRSTYLIST OF THE YEAR

James Abu-Ulba

Method Education Langley, B.C.

MAKEUP

Ekaterina Ulyanoff

WARDROBE STYLING

Florence O. Durand

PHOTOS

John Rawson

“As hairdressers, I think it’s all of our responsibility to keep pushing the industry forward, experimenting and trying new things.”

Contessa

Beau Salon

Vancouver, B.C. @welcometobeau

Inspiration

“It’s almost like we were trying to emulate Beau in a series of photos that’s not just fashion focused but also hair focused. We wanted to create photos that made you look twice and were inclusive of absolutely everything and didn’t miss a beat in the sense of texture, models, multiculturalism, length and gender. And that’s essentially what Beau stands for.”

Dream Team

“I did not expect us to win, but it just kind of solidified to me that we’re doing the right thing. We’re doing what we need to do. The team works super well together. Everyone’s on the same page. I have no words to explain how much it means to me.

Having the title of Canadian Salon Team of the Year is just unbelievable, and it kind of just helps us know that we were on the right path.

Our clients have been so excited, and we’ve actually had quite a few new applications to come work for us. I think seeing the strength of the team and seeing what we can do motivates other people.”

— ARMINEH DAMANPAK, OWNER

“As creative people, you constantly need to be exercising that side of your brain and be motivated to actually do it. It’s definitely something I recommend all teams do; it’s great for team building and bonding.”

CANADIAN SALON TEAM OF THE YEAR

Beau Salon Vancouver, B.C.

MAKEUP & NAILS

Wendy Chu

WARDROBE STYLING

Pauline Fan

PHOTOS

Kate Whyte

Contessa

Frank Cini

TAZ HAIR CO. Toronto, Ont. @frank.cini

Inspiration

“When I thought of Elite Master, I think there’s a bit of a reflection on a blend of classic, iconic styles with a modern infusion. It’s like showing some of the iconic looks in maybe a little bit of a new format.”

Always Evolving

“Winning is a huge honour. Being in the industry for over three decades, it feels good because I think it’s been a long journey of passion and commitment. For myself and our team at Taz Hair Co., we started entering the Contessas a long time ago. I do believe it makes you a better hairdresser. It makes you grow, and I think you have to kind of take risks with your craft. It makes you draw on that inspiration. It’s more rewarding now than it has ever been.”

PHOTOS

“You get inspired, and you can inspire so many people visually with images. Creating these looks is a way of telling a story without even saying a word. Your work kind of speaks for itself.”

ELITE MASTER HAIRSTYLIST

Frank Cini

Taz Hair Co. Toronto, Ont.

MAKEUP

Marlene Gerschon

WARDROBE STYLING

Klaudia Zinaty

Natasha Gerschon

Tina Casciato

RENAISSANCE SALON & ESTETICA St. Catharines, Ont. @tinacasciato

Inspiration

“I really like sci-fi; I have a fascination with space and the universe. The night before I started the collection, I was watching a documentary and they were talking about the first image ever taken of a black hole in space. And from that image, we were kind of trying to decide how to plan the approach for the techniques we were going to use on my model. It kind of resulted in this starburst pattern on the red image, and from there—once I had that sort of sci-fi, alien feel to it—that starburst pattern translated into these other graphic, dark patterns that we ended up with.”

Maintaining Momentum

“I’ve been on a year-long ride of very positive, good things happening to me. Master Colourist was always sort of a goal for me. To enter last year, I was so happy just to be a finalist, to be honest. And to win is just such positive reinforcement. In the salon, clients are so supportive. I think that it helps as far as business goes, even just attracting people to you. And not only that but attracting new employees and staff because they see that and then they want to know more about it, and they want to be near someone that achieves that kind of thing.

To win again, I’m hoping that kind of positive feedback continues. Clients are excited and it gets people talking, which is never bad for business. And then it spills over into other aspects of the business. Not just for me but for the whole business at our salon. [This year], I really wanted to make sure that there were more of us involved because even just creating and working on these images together is valuable. Even if you don’t win or make it to finals, the process is still so valuable to the team.”

“I think that if there’s something you want to do, you have to go for it. You have to try to make the time and things fall into place, if you want something bad enough.”

PHOTOS

Natasha Gerschon

MASTER COLOURIST

Tina Casciato Renaissance Salon & Estetica

Catharines, Ont.

MAKEUP Leah McBain

Derrick Rutherford

VALENTINI HAIR DESIGN Guelph, Ont. @derrick_rutherford

Inspiration

“A lot of the inspiration came from the models. During the model selection, we were picking people with interesting looks and interesting hair, and the models inspired us more than going in with a concept in mind and then choosing the model. We chose the models first and created the looks around the models.”

Embracing Diversity

“I didn’t come from a community that had the opportunity to work on all hair textures, so I wanted to make sure that our salon can work with all types of textures. I don’t want to be pigeonholed into saying I can only do [straight or wavy] hair.”

MULTICULTURAL HAIRSTYLIST

Rutherford, Valentini Hair Design, Guelph, Ont.

MAKEUP & NAILS

Kirsten B

WARDROBE STYLING & PHOTOS

Michael Young

“To be a well-rounded hairdresser, you need to be able to work on all textures of hair.”

Derrick

Jerica Wentzell & Lukas Press

@jericawentzell @lukaspress_

Inspiration

“I was actually inspired a lot by insects for the colour palette. Just scrolling on Instagram, I got a lot of inspirational photography that popped up, and nature has always been an inspiration for me. I started saving images of beetles and mantises that had unique colour combinations and placement, and I tried to use that as inspiration for my palette.”

—

JERICA WENTZELL

“My inspiration came from fashion. I wanted the cut and the style to reflect all sculptural shapes that could hold up on their own in a high-fashion editorial.” — LUKAS PRESS

Joining Forces

“We connected a few months before starting the collection. Jerica and I realized how well our unique strengths could complement each other. We both wanted to challenge ourselves creatively and explore something that would showcase our distinct skills: Jerica’s expertise in colour and my passion for styling and cutting.” — LUKAS PRESS

“Winning is such a huge honour. I’ve been wanting to do this with Lukas for quite some time. We were talking about it a fair bit before we actually decided to proceed. To start so far in advance and see what a journey it has been for us to get here and that we ended up taking home the trophy was just the hugest honour I can imagine.” —

JERICA WENTZELL

COLLABORATION

Jerica Wentzell & Lukas Press

MAKEUP

Becky Grimman

WARDROBE STYLING

Daria Zotova

PHOTOS

Klavdiya Finogina

“Competing pushes me to evolve as an artist. It’s a chance to think outside of the box and take risks. It’s also about contributing to the creative conversation in our industry and inspiring others to step out of their comfort zone.”

— LUKAS PRESS

Breanne Gershon

GLAM BREANNE Calgary, Alta. @glam.breanne

Inspiration

“My inspiration was melting paint. I had the idea that I wanted the hair to cascade and have different colours, but I wanted it to have a lot of movement and just have a lot of curvature to it, so that was my focus on it. It was kind of about momentum, and I tried to pair colours together that really popped.

I used hair colour, extensions and wigs to create the shape by looking at inspiration photos and different shapes. I just sort of sculpted and moulded the hair for those shapes while keeping in mind the colour.”

Good Things Come in Threes

“I wasn’t expecting to win three! It’s a huge honour to just win one even, but three is amazing. It means a lot to me. I was really surprised to win Avant Garde, just because I’ve never entered it before and it’s such a unique category. I was really surprised to win that one and even more surprised to win Canadian Colourist because it’s such a big category and filled with such incredible work.

“As far as Alberta Hairstylist goes, when I won last year, I think it just solidified my dedication to the creative work, and it led to more opportunities. This year, I’m curious to see what will happen.”

CANADIAN COLOURIST, ALBERTA & AVANT GARDE HAIRSTYLIST

Breanne Gershon

Glam Breanne

Calgary, Alta.

MAKEUP

Breanne Gershon

WARDROBE STYLING

Breanne Gershon & Kevin Shawn

PHOTOS

Morgan Gold

POST-PRODUCTION

Paula Tizzard

“Just keep practising and entering because there is no shortcut to get to the point of winning. You get back what you put in.”

Abby Bruneel

RENAISSANCE SALON & ESTETICA St. Catharines, Ont. @hair_byabbyy

Inspiration

“Going into it, I knew my colour story. I wanted to work with primary colours, so I knew that I wanted a red, yellow and blue look. Primary colours are the foundation of colour theory, and I thought that was just so cool because that’s kind of where all of the art I’m into starts.”

Feeling Victorious

“It means a lot to me. I don’t just compete for the award and the status; I compete to just know that there are people that I’ve been following, and people that I’ve looked up to in the hair industry, who now know who I am and I’m able to be an inspiration.”

“Competing has helped me overcome the anxiety that I used to have that would hold me back. It has definitely given me more confidence behind the chair.”

EMERGING COLOURIST

Abby Bruneel

Renaissance Salon & Estetica

St. Catharines, Ont.

MAKEUP

Leah McBain

PHOTOS

Natasha Gerschon

Ivana Gentile

COIFFURE BLUNT Montreal, Que. @ivana_gentile

Inspiration

“The collection was a tribute to women everywhere. It was inspired by the strength, resilience and determination that women show every day. It’s basically a tribute to the incredible spirit that keeps pushing forward, breaking barriers and lifting others up. I really wanted that to resonate with people who saw my [collection] and serve as a reminder of the power that women carry inside of them.”

Mentoring and Motivating

“I met my mentor, Stephane Scotto Di Cesare, when I was still in hair school. He trained me for a competition that I was representing my school in. Ever since then, we’ve been working together, and he’s just such a great guidance and support. He’s not only helping me throughout this journey but also inspiring me to create something so out of the box. I’m so incredibly proud of [my collection] to be very artistic. And he makes me see hair differently. I feel like I don’t see it as a hairdresser; I see it as a hair artist.

To the future generation of hairdressers, don’t be afraid to take risks just because you’re scared of failing. Remember that failure isn’t the end; it’s just the beginning of growth. Each mistake is a stepping stone, a lesson and a part of your journey to greatness. This is your time to grow and experiment, explore your creativity and embrace the opportunity because failure is just where your innovation begins.”

MAKEUP

Thomas

PHOTOS

Dariane Sanche

“It feels incredible. After all the work I’ve put into this collection, people are actually seeing my vision. Being recognized for my craft is a big win for me already.”

EMERGING HAIRSTYLIST

Ivana Gentile

Coiffure Blunt

Montreal, Que.

Rousseau

Karine Bélanger

KARINE STYLISTE SALON Montreal, Que. @karinestyliste

Inspiration

“I was inspired by the movie Dune, which is also the name of my collection. I loved the way they were doing hair. [The characters] had masks on their faces, so I wanted to create something just below [the face] with the hair. In the movie, they have a lot of wind, so I wanted movement in the hair. My models were amazing at embracing the look. I spent a lot of time creating everything, but it was worth it and I had so much fun. I had the chance to be coached by Chrystofer Benson, and he was my photographer, too. He is my mentor and has helped me so much. [When competing], I think when you have the right people around you to help you to grow, it’s going to be easier.”

Staying the Course

“Of course, you want to win. Of course, you want to be a finalist. But above all, you’re competing with yourself. Every collection I do, I’m learning. If I compare [it] to the last one, I improve and learn from my work, so I’m competing with myself first. Competitions are meant to have fun. It’s like a playground for hairstylists. I know some hairstylists who’ve competed for 10 years and haven’t won, but they’re still competing. You learn every time, so just run with the help of a great team, photographer, mentor and assistant and go for it!”

“I think competing is the best way to push yourself to get out of your comfort zone and improve. When you push yourself like that, it’s where you learn the most.”

SESSION

HAIRSTYLIST

Karine Bélanger

Karine Styliste Salon Montreal, Que.

MAKEUP

Erin Hensley

WARDROBE STYLING

Hannah Benson

PHOTOS

Chrystofer Benson

Rafael Bueno

RAFAEL BUENO PELUQUEROS Málaga, Spain @rafaelbuenopeluqueros

Inspiration

“For [my collection] Amber Dusk, I knew that I wanted to work with the 2024 [Pantone] Color of the Year [Peach Fuzz], taking it to a different level from the more pastel tones to achieving the most intense copper.”

Global Recognition

“Receiving an award is always a recognition of all the work and effort that we put in. And being able to receive an international-level award is a feeling of complete satisfaction—that they value your work in other countries—and makes me very happy. I’ve been a finalist several times at the Contessa Awards, which are very well known in Spain, and that’s what encouraged me to keep participating.”

INTERNATIONAL HAIRSTYLIST

Rafael Bueno Rafael Bueno Peluqueros Málaga, Spain

MAKEUP

Lulú Pérez

WARDROBE STYLING

Julián Ezquerro

PHOTOS

Alberto Zaldivar

“We’re lucky to have competitions that help motivate us as hairstylists to keep growing.”

Tina Casciato

RENAISSANCE SALON & ESTETICA St. Catharines, Ont. @tinacasciato

Inspiration

“Freestyle was probably the first category that I ever entered for the Contessas, even a few years ago. I find it very accessible. I encourage some of our staff members and other people to compete in that category because it’s a single image; you don’t need a collection. And if you like that one image, you can still compete and participate with a single image. Further to that, having that community and people voting for you once you make the semi-finals, it just kind of brings that whole community together. I feel like it’s more of a community win as opposed to a single win on my part.”

Freedom to Create

“I think everybody should go for all the things that they want to do. Right now, I’m juggling a lot of aspects of my career at the same time. But also, I feel like that feeds my fire and interest in this career. As I get older, I feel like instead of coming down, I feel like I’m on a huge upswing right now.”

“This was a picture that I really liked, but I didn’t think it was going to fit with any collection that I was putting together. I was happy to have an outlet to use it.”

MAKEUP

FREESTYLE

Tina Casciato Renaissance Salon & Estetica St. Catharines, Ont.

Mikey Shannon

PHOTO

Natasha Gerschon

Derrick Rutherford

VALENTINI HAIR DESIGN Guelph, Ont. @derrick_rutherford

Inspiration

“We went back and looked at previous collections and reiterated them, changed the styling and were more free with it. That’s how we ended up coming up with the looks.

We always start with a look that’s ‘perfect,’ and then we start messing it up more and more. That’s how the look evolves. In this case, we started with the clean look, but we evolved it at a much faster pace.”

Better Together

“My husband, Julio [Rodriguez], focuses more on the hair colour, so when he develops or completes a hair-colour technique or look, it inspires me for the cut and style.

To really get great at hairdressing, you need years of experience and trial and error. Mistakes sometimes turn out to be wonderful. When you have a mentor that already has those years and years of experience, they can help guide you so that you don’t have to go through as many mistakes to get to the next level.”

TEXTURE

HAIRSTYLIST

Ont.

MAKEUP & NAILS

Kirsten B

WARDROBE STYLING & PHOTOS

Michael Young

“You’re always going to be in a mindset and have a vision of looks, but until you create those looks and actually shoot them— put them on a screen and compete—you’re never going to get to the next level.”

Derrick Rutherford, Valentini Hair Design, Guelph,

Olivia Berttall

SIN 7 SALON White Rock, B.C. @hairhustlerliv

Inspiration

“This year, I got to work with my two lovely team members, Chantelle [Leeder] and Grit [Becker]. They have entered before and knew what they wanted. The beginning of our inspiration was the beauty of dried and dead flowers, and just the beauty of the seasons changing and the fact that it doesn’t always have to be fresh for it to have that beauty in it.”

Full Bloom

“I felt that working with the team was so necessary, especially being my first time going into this. It’s so nice to have other people’s perspectives going into it because sometimes we can get so focused on our little scale. We need to really go on the bigger scales to step away and actually see. It’s just so cool to see eight months of work that we put into it and be recognized for all our hard work for something that we knew was going to be fabulous. To have other people also recognize that it was fabulous is just so inspiring and touching.”

“It’s just so interesting to create one look that takes months to make. It was so inspiring to be able to just think outside of the box.”

BRITISH COLUMBIA HAIRSTYLIST

Olivia Berttall

Sin 7 Salon

White Rock, B.C.

MAKEUP

Win Liu

WARDROBE STYLING

Amy Malhi

PHOTOS

Kale Friesen

Lisa Schoor

INSTAGES SALON Winnipeg, Man. @lisaschoorhair

Inspiration

“It was definitely alt-girl inspired. I love that the alt-girl culture thrives on individuality—it’s very bold. First, in its structure or shape. I love how they do a lot of high contrast, blunt cuts, mullets, mohawks, that type of thing. It gives a very rebellious vibe to the collection. And when I think about the hair colour, I find it really complements the look with the neon green and the bright violet. It gives it that edgy kind of punk or grunge, going back again to a rebellious vibe.”

Breaking Through

“It’s an incredible honour. I’ve been entering for quite a long time and it’s just nice to finally reach that plateau. It validates all the hours of hard work and learning. It also motivates me to be able to give back, whether that’s through teaching or mentoring the next generation. It’s a starting platform for me. I want to grow from here.”

SASKATCHEWAN/ MANITOBA HAIRSTYLIST

Lisa Schoor Instages Salon Winnipeg, Man.

MAKEUP

Anna Jaworski

WARDROBE STYLING

Linda Nelson

PHOTOS

Brian Gould

“Just keep pushing. You never know until you put yourself out there. I think it really helps you grow as a stylist.”

Lina Shamoun

ARTLINE SALON Kitchener, Ont. @linashamoun

Inspiration

“I’ve always been very drawn to collections that were more about texture, shadows and the elimination of colour. I wanted to have a little bit of a challenge. When you eliminate colour, you’re left working with shapes, lines and textures. Then you create smooth or rough textures, lines that are clean, and shadow that comes into play. I kept my models very clean because I just wanted to have no distraction. I find that sometimes colour can be part of a collection or it can be a distraction to a collection. In my case, I just wanted to focus on texture, and clean lines and shape.”

Motivating the Next Generation

“I’m now a business owner and I train and apprentice hairdressers. Over the years, what I love about the industry has evolved. My biggest joy right now comes from seeing the young talent grow in the industry with the right guidance. That’s probably what I love the most about it is just helping young hairdressers establish a career.

I think it’s really important that we collectively, as a hair industry, elevate the craft of hairdressing. I think the competition really helps with that, even being recognized as the Ontario Hairstylist of the Year. Through winning, we’re able to spread the word.”

“Competing has helped me stand out from other hairdressers. It’s a way to achieve a level that isn’t easy to achieve.”

Lina Shamoun

Artline Salon

Kitchener, Ont.

MAKEUP &

Lina Shamoun PHOTOS David Hou

Martin Menard

SALON LA LOGE Québec, Que. @mart.menard

Inspiration

“We wanted to do something a little bit different this year, so we tried working with boxes with light in them. We wanted to have a background that was going to make the hair pop but wasn’t going to take up all the place in the photo. I just love lights; working with lights is just natural to me. This year, we worked with a lot of colour blocking and we tried to mix colours together that we don’t usually see a lot together. We were just trying to think outside the box a little bit this year, and it worked.

We’re finding inspiration everywhere. You can be inspired by shapes, colours, paintings, anything. My wife [Josianne] and I love to travel, so this year we’ve been inspired by paintings that we saw in London. We just looked and fell in love with the mix of colours that the artists had in the paintings, so we decided to bring back those shades to our collection.”

Family Affair

“For us, shooting our collection for the Contessas is like Christmas! We were working on this for months, just brainstorming at home. [Josianne and I] are just a natural fit. We’ve been together for, like, 11 years now, and we just love working together. We started including our daughter, Nora, who’s turning 10. She started giving us ideas and she came to the photo shoot to just see everything happening. So it’s a family thing now.

I love working behind the chair just to be close to humans, but I feel more complete with competing at the Contessas because I can create something from scratch that has no boundaries at all. For me, it’s just the perfect balance. I think that competing and working behind the chair go well together if you want to take your career to another level.”

“If you learn every year, you will get better and better. Don’t give up because the journey takes time, but it’s the best journey ever.”

QUEBEC

HAIRSTYLIST

Martin Menard

Salon La Loge

Québec, Que.

MAKEUP

Josianne Bourque

PHOTOS

ArtMood Visualz

Sharon LeClair

SHADES OF COLOR Bedford, N.S @sharonleclair

Inspiration

“When I’m in Moncton, I usually have a camper and do a lot of walking on the beach. I admire the sunsets and take a lot of photos. Seeing the fusion and contrast of the colours inspired me.”

Shared Vision

“You need to get inspiration from other stylists as well. Even though we’re all competing against one another, we don’t feel that way when we’re in the room. It is a lot of work and takes a lot of dedication. You’ve got to love what you do because if you don’t, you wouldn’t be doing any of this. We’re all passionate, and it’s nice to be with everybody that feels that way, too.”

“It’s such a good feeling to be recognized for the whole Atlantic. It’s really rewarding and such an honour. It’s very inspirational, and it keeps me really motivated.”

PHOTOS

ATLANTIC HAIRSTYLIST

Sharon LeClair, Shades of Color, Bedford, N.S.

MAKEUP

Leah McBain

WARDROBE STYLING

Sharon LeClair

Natasha Gerschon

Hana Woldeyes

HAIR SALON Vancouver, B.C. @hairbyhanaw

Inspiration

“My inspiration was textured hair. My clients are my biggest inspiration, so I really wanted to showcase the versatility of textured hair and how it can be represented. That’s why I started doing textured hair, so it was a big deal for me to see that displayed in my work.”

Beginner’s Luck

“[Winning] is one of the biggest accomplishments in my career, which is only starting, but it means quite a lot. It’s a big honour, personally and professionally. It’s going to open lots of opportunities for me and just keep inspiring me to do more and create more.”

MEN’S HAIRSTYLIST

Hana Woldeyes

Moods Hair Salon Vancouver, B.C.

MAKEUP

Thalia McIntosh

WARDROBE STYLING

Hana Woldeyes

PHOTOS

Zayden Phan

“My goal was to create something that was both dynamic and innovative— something that’s hard to ignore.”

MOODS

Shayna Osazuwa

SHAYNA O ESTHETICS Regina, Sask. @shaynaoesthetics

Inspiration

“I wanted to show off versatility as a nail tech because there are so many shapes and techniques, and length matters because designs look different on various lengths and shapes. My goal for my collection was to show three different shapes and styles, but I still wanted them to look consistent and like they came from the same artist. My goal for the collection was to get some colours in and have consistently clean work but to make sure that they were showing off completely different styles of nail art.”

Refining Her Art

“I like making things beautiful. That’s my favourite thing in the world: to take things, customize and improve them. I just think it’s the most fun thing to do—put your mark on things and leave the memory that you were there. I do that with houses and nails—I always want to make little improvements and leave things better than I found them.

Scheduling and being on a time limit [in the salon] affects my art sometimes. Competing is nice because you can slow everything down when you’re doing it behind the scenes.”

“You really have to push yourself out of your element to show up and do your best. The people who are making the effort are the ones who really go far. You can learn so much just from showing up.”

CANADIAN

NAIL ARTIST

Shayna Osazuwa

Shayna O Esthetics

Regina, Sask.

PHOTOS

Shayna Osazuwa

Renee Rampersad

MAKEUP BY RENEE Edmonton, Alta. @makeupbyrenee

Inspiration

“I really wanted it to represent me as an artist. With makeup and anything creative, you can go in so many directions. Since this is my first Contessa collection, I just wanted this to represent Makeup By Renee. I love jewel tones and mermaid inspiration, so I went with a jewel-toned beauty editorial. I love doing those kinds of looks on my clients; I feel really comfortable and excel in those looks.”

Winning on Her Own Terms

“It means a lot because this is my first time, personally, ever entering the Contessas. For over a decade, I was able to do makeup for a lot of winning teams. I worked with Michelle Oliver and Quinn Enright a lot, as well as Tony Ricci and Danielle Barbey. I’ve always gotten to see my makeup up there with their winning collections. It’s just something I’ve always been so passionate about.

Hair was genuinely how I started in my career, and for my entire career, I’ve worked with hairstylists, hand in hand, side by side, for the entire 18 years that I’ve been doing makeup. I think it means that much more because I appreciate what they do, and being recognized has been such an honour.”

“Don’t worry about what anyone else is doing. Just focus on your craft and your artistry. Stay true to yourself and do what feels right to you.”

MAKEUP ARTIST

Renee Rampersad

Makeup By Renee Edmonton, Alta.

HAIR

Danielle Barbey

PHOTOS

Tony Ricci

Contessa

Salon Daniel

Toronto, Ont. @salondanielyorkville

Community First

“I’ve been in Yorkville for 40 years and I always thought that there was something missing— an event that represented what Yorkville was all about—so I wanted to bring fashion designers and showcase the best of Yorkville. That’s why I invited other hair salons to join and showcase hair salons in Yorkville. During COVID, we were told that hairdressers were non-essential. That didn’t sit well with me at all because I’ve spent 50 years doing hair. I know the power that we have. I appreciate what good hair can do for people and their well-being. I wanted to bring hairdressers together to show what we can do, and we put this show together beautifully.”

Full Circle

“[This award] touches me very deep in my heart because not only was John Steinberg a mentor of mine but I trained under him 50 years ago. He was always a great friend and mentor with a great personality. When he developed cancer, he recommended me to one of his clients, Kevin Hearn, who is a member of Barenaked Ladies. I still do his hair now. For my event, I asked Kevin if he would play a song for me, which was “Give Peace a Chance” by the Plastic Ono Band. It touched me because it was a full circle of knowing John when I was an assistant and someone newly immigrated to the country to being a friend to him and recommending one of his dearest clients. It’s certainly very emotional and very beautiful. The donation to CAMH [the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health] was important to me because it was directly linked with what hairdressers do, and I wanted to show that we are essential because we are part of well-being and mental health. We hear all the time from our clients, ‘I feel so much better,’ ‘I feel this,’ ‘I feel that.’ I believe that what we do is definitely essential and that life, well-being, happiness and positivity start with feeling good about who you are and what you see—and hairdressers are part of that.”

—DANIEL

FIORIO, OWNER

THE JOHN STEINBERG AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

Salon Daniel Toronto, Ont.

PHOTOS George Pimentel

COUTURE FOR A CAUSE YORKVILLE FASHION SHOW

Date: August 1, 2024

Where: Toronto, Ont.

Salon Daniel hosted Couture for a Cause, a fashion show in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood that brought together salons, designers, boutiques and restaurants to help raise awareness for mental health while emphasizing the key role that hairstylists have in the community. The event raised and donated $10,000 to CAMH (the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) through the Hairdressers for Love & Peace foundation.

Studio So Lara

STUDIO SO LARA Kitchener, Ont. @studiosolara

Inspiration

“I feel like all three of my salons are kind of inspired by some of the travels that I’ve done. I’ve been to Greece and Spain, and I really loved the micro cement and unfinished stone I saw when I was there. In Greece, I really noticed a lot of tapestries. We moved our front desk to the centre of the salon and, since it’s not a huge space, we didn’t want to create some division, so we actually used a wall tapestry that was custom-made for us and hung it as a divider. It was dip-dyed to replicate a wave pulling that green sea foam colour into it. Also, having mirrors in a stone or pebble shape and a guest washroom with a chandelier and shelves in gold trim pulled in a lot of that Mediterranean influence.

Working with Sandra [Fiore] on the design has been amazing. There is absolutely a difference in working with someone that specializes in salon spaces because they have an understanding of functionality.”

Looking Inward

“I redesigned our Kitchener location because it had been 13 years [since we first opened], and I would say that a lot of our stylists have been with us longer than the average time employees stay at the salon. As the salon owner, we’re always trying to better our tools and education, so our space needs to be better, too, to give my team members, who have been with me for a long time, the opportunity to work in this space and feel reinspired.”

“What I’m really interested in is creating an amazing space that will attract other hairstylists to work alongside me.”

SALON

INTERIOR DESIGN

Studio So Lara Kitchener, Ont.

PHOTOS

Daniel Molina

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Refinery House

Chilliwack, B.C. @therefineryhouse

Rewarding Recognition

“It’s such an honour to be acknowledged for all the work we’ve put in over the course of the last eight or nine years. To be recognized on a stage like the Contessas for what we’re collectively doing to make an impact is just a reminder that these things do matter. People are paying attention. It can make a difference.

We’re really excited to be doing this together, and a part of being sustainable is acknowledging that we’re all interconnected.”

Doing Their Part

“Our systems are in place in terms of recycling foils and hair, separating chemical waste and generally being mindful of our waste within the spaces. We build with energy-efficient lighting and motion detectors, so that we’re never at risk of wasting energy. All of our spaces include ecofriendly or water-reduction faucets and water- and energy-efficient appliances.

On top of that, we’re monitoring our usage across the spaces, knowing that so much of our ability to understand our impact is measuring it. We’re being mindful that we are measuring our impact by looking at our bills and discussing them.

The same tip that I give to anyone who’s interested in starting out in business is to just start. Start where you can and with what’s in front of you, with one thing at a time. Then understand that it’s not going to be an easy process. There are going to be shifts and improvements along the way, but if we stay the course in one direction with objectives to become a more sustainable person or company, with diligence over time, truly major impacts can be made.”

— HEIDI EPP, OWNER

SUSTAINABILITY ACHIEVEMENT

Refinery House, Chilliwack, B.C.

PHOTOS

Sharalee Prang

Opened in 2016, Refinery House has expanded to three locations and an education centre.

Since 2018, Refinery House has partnered with Green Circle Salons to help recycle and repurpose hair clippings, colour, foils, metals, paper and plastic waste.

In 2020, Refinery House was the first salon in Canada to be certified by B Corp, which assesses a company’s environmental and social impact. In 2023, the salon improved its B Corp score from 86 to 90.1.

“For us as a team, it’s so encouraging to be recognized and know that we’re on the right track.”

1If unwashed for 3 days, vs. untreated. 2Vs. untreated. 3When using Miracle Oil Serum. *Wella company is a member of the International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety. ©2025 Wella Operations US llc.

Introducing the Winners, Sponsors and Presenters

Congratulations to all Contessa 2025 winners, and a special thank-you to our sponsors and presenters.

Karine Bélanger, Session Hairstylist, presented by Adrienne Anthony of Aveda, a Contessa 36 silver sponsor.

Breanne Gershon, Alberta Hairstylist, presented by Christine Geiger of Chatters, a Contessa 36 silver sponsor.

Lukas Press and Jerica Wentzell, Collaboration, presented by Christina Sluyter of Matrix, a Contessa 36 gold sponsor.

Derrick Rutherford, Multicultural Hairstylist, presented by Armineh Damanpak of Joico, a Contessa 36 silver sponsor.

Sharon LeClair, Atlantic Hairstylist, presented by Maggie Melrose and Natalie Basolini of Wella Company, a Contessa 36 gold sponsor.

Abby Bruneel, Emerging Colourist, presented by Crystal Borges of L’Oréal Professionnel, a Contessa 36 gold sponsor.

Renee Rampersad, Makeup Artist, presented by Sal Leonetti, the Contessa 36 red-carpet host.

Lina Shamoun, Ontario Hairstylist, presented by Katrina Smiley of Redken, a Contessa 36 gold sponsor.

Breanne Gershon, Avant Garde Hairstylist, presented by Kathy Reilly of Goldwell, a Contessa 36 silver sponsor.

Salon Daniel, recipient of the John Steinberg Award for Community Service, presented by Justin Baker of SalonCentric Canada, a Contessa 36 gold sponsor.

Hana Woldeyes, Men’s Hairstylist, presented by Joseph Santiago of Sassoon Academy Toronto, the Contessa 36 education sponsor.

Rafael Bueno, International Hairstylist, presented by Michelle Lundy of milk_shake, a Contessa 36 silver sponsor.

Berttall, British Columbia Hairstylist,

by Judi Germaine of SalonCentric Canada, a Contessa 36 gold sponsor.

Olivia

presented

Shayna Osazuwa, Canadian Nail Artist, presented by Jessica Benner.

Lisa Schoor, Saskatchewan/Manitoba Hairstylist, presented by Reema Jaber of Schwarzkopf Professional, a Contessa 36 gold sponsor.

Derrick Rutherford, Texture Hairstylist, presented by Heather Wenman.

Refinery House, Sustainability Achievement, presented by Marie Michele Deschesnes of L’Oréal Professionnel, a Contessa 36 gold sponsor.

Martin Menard, Quebec Hairstylist, presented by Catherine Reid and Vicky Filiatrault of Oligo Professionnel, a Contessa 36 gold sponsor.

Breanne Gershon, Canadian Colourist, presented by Erinn De Luca of Schwarzkopf Professional, a Contessa 36 gold sponsor.

Beau Salon, Canadian Salon Team, presented by Maninder Gill of Redken, a Contessa 36 gold sponsor.

James Abu-Ulba, Canadian Hairstylist, presented by Julien Descoteaux of L’Oreal Group, a Contessa 36 gold sponsor.

Ivana Gentile, Emerging Hairstylist, presented by Ilan Cohen of Oligo Professionnel, a Contessa 36 gold sponsor.

Frank Cini, Elite Master Hairstylist, presented by Lisa Dinh of Moroccanoil, a Contessa 36 gold sponsor.

Studio So Lara, Salon Interior Design, presented by Angela Lucia.

Tina Casciato, Master Colourist, presented by Dana Luxford and David Kluthe of Wella Company, a Contessa 36 gold sponsor.

Tina Casciato, Freestyle, presented by Joseph Gossen and Lindsay Amadori of Moroccanoil, a Contessa 36 gold sponsor.

Memorable Moments

From a night filled with overwhelming emotion and passion, here are a few of our favourite onstage memories from the 36th annual Contessa Awards gala.

Breanne Gershon is speechless after winning her second Contessa award of the night for Avant Garde Hairstylist. Little did she know at the time that she would be walking away with a hat trick this year with three wins!

Perseverance pays off! Derrick Rutherford’s first solo Contessa win after more than 20 years of entering. He ended up taking home two trophies this year!

| Abby Bruneel is emotional as she accepts the award for Emerging Colourist.

Joining forces! Past Contessa winners Jerica Wentzell and Lukas Press take the stage together to accept their award for Collaboration of the Year.

There are many more! Watch the full gala video here:

Studio So Lara owner Lara Leckie’s son, Jaxson, celebrating his mom’s win for Salon Interior Design by proudly holding up her Contessa trophy.

Hana Woldeyes is beaming on stage as she accepts her first Contessa award for Men’s Hairstylist (in her first year of entering!).

After being in the industry for 27 years, James Abu-Ulba is in shock as he accepts the big award of the night for Canadian Hairstylist of the Year.

Tina Casciato retains her title of Master Colourist of the Year and accepts her second award of the night for Freestyle.

Armineh Damanpak, owner of Beau Salon, celebrates her win for Canadian Salon Team with her crew that includes past Contessa winners and finalists, Freddy Sim and Thom Robins.

Infinity

Wella Company brought the award-winning HOB Academy creative team all the way from London, U.K., to present their latest show, Infinity. Celebrating the art and beauty of hairdressing, the show inspired the audience with edgy haircuts and captivating colour. The HOB team is known for working with natural hair (without the use of wigs or extensions) and worked with Wella’s Canadian top artist Dana Lyseng as their colour director to bring the looks to life using rich, saturated tones and natural-looking hues.

HAIR HOB Academy Creative Team: Jake Unger, Nestor Sanchez, Elijah Hourrides

COLOUR DIRECTOR Dana Lyseng WELLA HAIR TEAM Lisa Smith, Ilona Garson, Emily Baker, Zak Ferguson, Maggie Melrose, Natalie Basolini WELLA ANGELS Nadia Mack, Angela Luciano

MAKEUP Celeste Russouw WARDROBE STYLING Laura DiMarcantonio

CHOREOGRAPHER Tamina Paris PRODUCED BY Fay Linksman, Wella Company

VIDEO AT Creates Studio

While Infinity is the team’s latest show, which has also been presented in London, Japan and now Toronto, they make sure to keep things fresh by not replicating the hair for every show. “We base a lot of our work on craftsmanship,” says Jake Unger. “Rather than having to do the same hairstyles, it’s more about looking at each model and creating a look for them. So it’s not like we recreate the nine looks for Infinity; we look at each model and try to make something bespoke for them.”

While HOB’s creative director, Akin Konizi, was absent due to a family emergency, the presentation was left in good hands with Jake Unger, Nestor Sanchez and Elijah Hourrides. Fun fact: Hourrides was also one of the models in the show!

The team showcased a range of looks, including precision haircuts and modern takes on the shag and mullet, along with micro fringes and textured looks that were customized to each model’s facial structure, personality and lifestyle. Their presentation inspired beauty pros to push the boundaries of their creativity while achieving fashionable looks that can be recreated behind the chair.

“What we like to do is have a think about who’s in the audience,” says Unger. “We’re hairdressers, but some hairdressers are going to really love precision and others are going to really love commercial work. Some of them are going to really love sexy blow-dries. Some of them like bright colour. We want to try and create something for everyone.”

Since the team worked with their models’ natural hair for the cuts and styles, they also didn’t focus on anything too trendy for the hair colour. “One of the things that I’ve really picked up from the team is that they’re not focused on trends; they’re focused on what colour is going to make this person stand out,” says Dana Lyseng. “What’s going to make this person look amazing, unique and special? They definitely have some signatures— there’s always a beautiful poppy red and paper-white blonde that you see throughout their collections.”

“The HOB team has such a strong signature,” says Lyseng. “It’s really unique. We’re taking classic ideas of traditional precision cutting but pushing them to the edge. They’re known for making sure that the model looks beautiful and the haircut is amazing. Then the colour comes in. The haircuts are amazing. You see everything from things that are a little bit more classic to things that are a little bit more avant-garde.”

The models wore iconic cut-out dresses and jumpsuits from fashion designer Thierry Mugler.

Schwarzkopf Professional made their long-awaited return to the Contessa Awards stage with Interstellar, a show-stopping presentation that combined avant-garde with ethereal to take audiences on a captivating journey from darkness to light. The presentation marked the debut of the new Schwarzkopf Professional Canadian artistic team, led by creative content manager and multi-Contessa winner Michelle Oliver and national education manager Erinn De Luca.

CREATIVE DIRECTION Michelle Oliver & Erinn De Luca HAIRCUT, STYLE & FINISH Michelle Oliver, Robin LaChance, Nicole Pede, Joey Marchese, Mario Cicciarella, Katia Jananji, Marek Whitechurch, Mark Chamberlain, Paul Pereira, Quinn Enright, Jessica McColm HAIR COLOUR Erinn De Luca, Robin LaChance, Nicole Pede, Jessica McColm, Pam Walmsley, Judy Zanella HAIR ASSISTANT Kirsten McIntosh, Saverio Lacalamita, Ashley Ruecker, Kirby Tang, Claudia Creese-Allen MAKEUP Vasiliki Venetsanopoulos, Sophie Noel, Nicolas Teboul FASHION STYLING Pascal & Jeremie FASHION ASSISTANT Isabelle Hebert, Elliot Sauvageau CHOREOGRAPHY Pascal & Jeremie, Emilio Colalillo VISUAL GRAPHICS Pascal & Jeremie PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER Morgan Gold BACKSTAGE MANAGER Nicolas Simo SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Jenny Bang & Quinn Enright

Among the team were past Contessa winners, including Robin LaChance, Nicole Pede, Joey Marchese, Paul Pereira and Quinn Enright, along with Mario Cicciarella, Katia Jananji, Marek Whitechurch, Mark Chamberlain and Jessica McColm. “Most of us started as assistants and then grew to become o cial members of the team,” says Michelle Oliver. “It really has been a lot like a family experience for all of us growing up together.”

According to Michelle Oliver and Erinn De Luca, the presentation’s inspiration started with the emotions they wanted to evoke from the audience. “Everything that we put together was about experiencing a presentation and not just watching it,” says Oliver. “Feeling like your experience went from dark to light instead of light to dark was a big piece of our conversation—how we wanted that story to grow and to build these di erent worlds and then have them come together at the end with something that brought goosebumps to your skin but also made you feel really calm.”

The presentation included three segments—Eclipse, Interstellar and Ethereal— to take audiences on the journey from darkness to light. The team also drew inspiration from galactic space and the Dune movie franchise for the backgrounds, colours, fashion and accessories.

Texture and colour were major factors in the presentation, with the team incorporating Schwarzkopf Professional’s auburn tones, deep coppers and warm browns into the intricate braidwork. “For one of the looks—the giant geometric one— it’s inspired by African threading, which is a specific technique of wrapping grates with additional hair; and this is an avant-garde version of that,” says Oliver.

To complete the presentation, the team also incorporated special e ects with lighting, fog and wind. “The last piece that we sort of layered into each one of these mood boards was how we could then make the experience even more immersive by layering in di erent e ects,” says De Luca. “You really see movement in the hair and wardrobe that makes you feel drawn more into this world.”

X-Ray Into the Future

For the 36th annual Contessa Awards show opener, 13-time Contessa winner and 2025 Hall of Fame recipient Tony Ricci showed off his editorial hairstyling prowess with out-of-this-world creativity that offered a glimpse into how he perceives the future of hairstyling.

HAIR Tony Ricci, Marlo Steenman, Tristyn Feist, Jeannette Leroux, Chantal Girard

MAKEUP Renee Rampersad FASHION STYLING Pascal & Jeremie

FASHION ASSISTANT Neve Chamberlain VISUAL GRAPHICS Pascal & Jeremie

CHOREOGRAPHY Pascal & Jeremie, Emilio Colalillo

Steenman returned to the stage after the presentation to present Ricci with the 2025 Contessa Hall of Fame award. “I can’t believe that it’s happening because, over the span of 30 years, I’ve been working and working and sometimes you forget what you do,” says Ricci. “So an award like this is for all the hard work that you’ve built toward it.”

Divided into three segments, the futuristic presentation showcased eye-catching hair embroidery with butterfly and lion imagery, bold colours and masterful texture work.

The presentation concluded with macramé braids and a high-ponytail hairstyle decorated with crystals and onstage glitter application by Tony Ricci and Marlo Steenman. “I wanted to do something that hasn’t been done before,” he says. “I’ve never seen embroidery or macramé in hair. I just wanted to push the boundaries.”

Sassoon Celebrates 70 Years

To mark the celebration of the global brand’s 70th anniversary, the Sassoon Academy Toronto team took to the Contessa stage to showcase its latest collections, Rouge, Noir and Blanc.

HAIR Tricia McQuillan, Joseph Santiago, Lorraine McAndrew, Kat Ginga, Ophelia Castenada COLOUR John Beeson, Kimberley Wallace, Jessica Lepp MAKEUP Isabella McConnell, Lauryn Kapral, Almira Almahadi WARDROBE STYLING Haidyn Parker, Elaine Lai, Kyle Albert VIDEO Jessica Lepp

Inspiring the audience with the moodier vibe of the Victorian gothic era, Noir featured darker colouring, layering and sectioning techniques.

Featuring copper tones, Rouge embraced natural textures and utilized masterful sectioning and colouring techniques.

Blanc emphasized blondes with an ethereal showcase of asymmetrical cuts, bobs, fluid layering, fringe techniques and a range of textures.

The presentation also honoured the memory of award-winning hairdresser and industry icon Trevor Sorbie, who worked as a stylist for Vidal Sassoon in the 1970s and passed away in November 2024.

Mix and Mingle

To get the party started at the 36th annual Contessa Awards, attendees took to our cocktail party to raise a glass and network with finalists, colleagues, sponsors and fellow guests. Some even got ready for their close-ups on our official Contessa red carpet with an interview with special guest host Sal Leonetti! Among all the socializing were immersive activations, including a colourful photo opportunity from Matrix, a swanky cocktail bar from Oligo Professionnel and an interactive claw machine with fun prizes from Schwarzkopf Professional.

Contessa After Dark

Winners, finalists, sponsors and attendees partied the night away at the official Contessa Awards afterparty. Presented by Salon, the party featured beats by DJ Techtwelve and a fun mirror photo activation by Enchanted Booth that allowed guests to snap a photo on the Salon cover.

PHOTOS:

SPRING UP YOUR HAIR COLOUR, CARE AND STYLING ROUTINES WITH THE LATEST INNOVATIONS.

In honour of Pantone’s Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, British hairstylist Andrew Smith created this namesake collection that combines coffee-inspired tones for results that showcase “richness, which has an elegant warming effect that connects well to nature with an earthy feel.” Just like a cup of coffee, these shades are versatile and can be customized to enhance your clients’ preferences while enhancing their individual features. To create the looks, Smith worked with milk_shake’s Moka palette from the brand’s Smoothies semi-permanent colour line.

More to Love

Expand your colour o erings with new shades from Schwarzkopf Professional’s Igora Zero Amm and Color10.

Schwarzkopf Professional has added nine new ammoniaand fragrance-free shades to its Igora Zero Amm portfolio for even more creative colour possibilities. Ranging from natural to bold results, the permanent shades feature advanced Phytolipid Technology, a vegan formula and sustainable packaging for high-performance, customizable colour without compromising on quality.

The brand is also reintroducing six fan-favourite shades to its Igora Color10 range. Ideal for root and touch-up services, along with global application on short to medium-length hair, Igora Color10 helps achieve the same results as standard permanent colour—with benefits including even colour, optimal white hair coverage and long-lasting vibrancy—in as little as 10 minutes.

Style with Confidence

Lock in your hairstyles without the sti ness with L’Oréal Professionnel’s Tecni.Art hairsprays.

Perfect for styles that need some control while maintaining a natural feel, Infinium 3 provides medium hold, frizz control and shape memory while still leaving a smooth touch. Its micro-diffuser spray allows for even distribution of the superfine mist that maintains hold without any stiffness. For a stronger hold, Infinium 4 offers the same micro-diffuser benefits and is powered with more control and high hold. Extreme Lacquer provides instant extrastrong hold and frizz control, so your clients rock their style and volume for up to 48 hours while maintaining naturally shiny, brushable hair without any residue.

Next Day Hair is a micropropelled dry texturizing spray that can help your clients refresh their style with natural texture and light hold.

FINER FINISH

Kerasilk launches four finishing products designed for longer-lasting styles.

With the warmer months just around the corner, these four high-performance finishing products from Kerasilk are musthaves that o er humidity protection and up to 72-hour hold. Each contains the brand’s vegan Silk+ Technology, which combines biomimetic silk and potent ingredients for results with natural movement and strong definition.

Smoothing Blow Dry Cream With its heat-activated formula, this blow-dry cream reduces frizz by up to 71 per cent and boosts shine by 3.2 times. It smooths the hair surface for a long-lasting, flexible blow-dry with natural movement and radiant shine. Plus, it provides heat protection up to 446°F (230°C).

Texturizing Cream Ideal for short to medium-length hair, this reworkable cream creates textured styles with lasting definition and soft shine, without any crunchy or greasy residue.

Ultimate Hold Hairspray This ultrastrong-hold, fast-drying spray is designed for all hairstyles that need extra precision and support. It delivers superior shape memory and a satin finish, with 128 per cent more shine.

Flyaway Wand Your clients are sure to love the ease of use of this handy flyaway wand. Its quick-dry gel formula is designed to control frizz, baby hairs and flyaways, with instant moisture for smooth, sleek looks. Best of all, it can be used on hair and eyebrows!

Supersized Care

Introducing Joico’s limitededition KBond20 Defy Damage Power Masque.

With more beauty pros looking at ways to maximize their cost per use, Joico has launched a new, larger version of its KBond20 Defy Damage Power Masque. Now available in a 250-millilitre tube, the limited-edition size offers more than 50 per cent more product for the same price! The bondbuilding mask treatment protects bonds and normalizes pH while hydrating and detangling for hair that’s five times stronger in one use. Plus, its colour-safe formula is paraben-free and made without the use of animal testing.

Care and Condition

SHINE BRIGHT

Achieve glossy results with Oribe’s Supershine collection.

DID YOU KNOW? THE SUPERSHINE HYDRATING SHAMPOO BOTTLE IS MADE FROM 100% POSTCONSUMER RECYCLED PLASTIC. THE SUPERSHINE HYDRATING SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER PACKAGING ARE BOTH RECYCLABLE.

Nourish and restore hair with the Ultimate Smooth range and Ultimate Repair Night Serum from Wella Professionals.

With more clients looking to protect and preserve their hair’s condition, the Ultimate Smooth range includes four products (Shampoo, Conditioner, Mask and Miracle Oil Serum) that smooth and nourish dry hair for up to 96 hours of frizz control and offer 85 per cent smoother results. Powered by squalane, derived from sugar cane, and omega-9, this range deeply moisturizes and polishes hair. The Ultimate Smooth Shampoo detoxifies with Metal Purifier technology, while the Conditioner and Mask provide nourishment and shine. The Miracle Oil Serum offers frizz control, as well as UV and heat protection.

Wella is also expanding its beloved Ultimate Repair range with Night Serum, an innovative, skin-care-inspired leave-in

Oribe has relaunched its Supershine collection (formerly known as the Brilliance & Shine collection), with nine products designed to hydrate, smooth and add shine to all hair types, especially dry or dull hair.

The new Supershine Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner are now formulated with Cranberry Complex, which contains cranberry extract and upcycled cranberry oil to nourish and hydrate dry hair and smooth the cuticle for glossy results.

The collection also features the brand’s Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment for an ultra-glossy shine; Supershine Moisturizing Cream (for medium to thick hair) and Supershine Light Moisturizing Cream (for fine to medium hair), which provides lightweight hydration while smoothing frizz and protecting hair from heat styling; Run-Through Detangling Shampoo to smooth the hair cuticle for easier combing; Run-Through Detangling Primer to smooth and untangle knots while sealing the hair cuticle for softness and shine; Featherbalm Weightless Styler, which is ideal for fine to medium hair for light hold, hydration and frizz control and versatile enough to be used as a blowout lotion, light texturizer or frizz tamer; and Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray, which add tousled beachy texture to medium to thick hair without the sti , dry feel of traditional salt sprays.

treatment that’s designed to repair and protect hair while you sleep. Ideal for all hair textures, the lightweight serum works to moisturize and control frizz overnight and contains the brand’s patented technology, combining alpha hydroxy acids and omega-9, which deeply penetrate hair to nourish and protect from breakage. The serum provides up to eight hours of hydration for smoother, shinier and healthier hair while also helping to defend against damage caused by pillow friction to prevent tangling and breakage.

Embracing Individuality

Celebrate the art and craft of hairdressing with For Every You from Schwarzkopf Professional and its latest platform, Hair by SchwarzkopfPro.

Marking a new era for the brand, For Every You showcases Schwarzkopf Professional’s ongoing commitment to the professional beauty industry. With exciting initiatives being rolled out across multiple touchpoints, For Every You combines education, innovation and inspiration while spotlighting the brand’s artists and their unique stories to empower beauty pros to be themselves while equipping them with the tools and products to truly excel in their craft.

To kick off its For Every You campaign, the brand is introducing Hair by SchwarzkopfPro, an inspirational new platform that brings a curated selection of stories and signature services to life from its global community of talent, including Reema Jaber, owner of Hair by Reema, based in Mississauga, Ont., and the founder of the Cadō method, who shares her Curly Pop technique for creating multidimensional colour results. Hair by SchwarzkopfPro is available as a print magazine and online.

SALON HAS PARTNERED WITH SCHWARZKOPF PROFESSIONAL CANADA FOR AN EXCITING GIVEAWAY! TWO LUCKY WINNERS WILL WIN TICKETS TO THE HAIR BY SCHWARZKOPF FESTIVAL IN BERLIN, INCLUDING ROUND-TRIP FLIGHTS AND HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR FOUR NIGHTS! VISIT SALONMAGAZINE.CA FOR MORE DETAILS ON HOW TO ENTER.

In celebration of For Every You, the brand is hosting the Hair by Schwarzkopf Festival on April 13 and 14 in Berlin, Germany. This vibrant, immersive-style event will feature onstage demonstrations from hair artists, influencers and ambassadors (including global ambassador Chris Appleton!), along with inspirational guest speakers, content-creation stations and more.

Triple Threat

Hydrate, nourish and protect hair with the Incredible collection from milk_shake.

This powerful trio of products includes the brand’s Incredible Milk, Incredible Oil and Incredible Serum, which are designed to transform your clients’ haircare and styling routines with more benefits to strengthen and condition hair.

Incredible Milk is a decadent yet lightweight leave-in spray that provides 12 key benefits to address common hair concerns, such as dryness, frizz, tangles and split ends. Infused with milk proteins to deeply condition and strengthen hair and murumuru butter to soften and hydrate, the formula also features antioxidant-rich fruit extracts from blueberry, raspberry, papaya and mango to protect against environmental stressors and enhance hair’s natural shine. It can be used on wet and dry hair for conditioning, detangling and protection.

Incredible Oil is a finishing product infused with argan oil and sunflower seed oil—both of which are known for their nourishing and protective properties—to deliver exceptional shine and moisture while preventing breakage.

Incredible Serum helps care for hair from the inside out as it fortifies and revitalizes the scalp, cultivating the perfect foundation for healthy hair growth. Containing milk proteins and fruit extracts, this fast-absorbing serum also includes hyaluronic acid for intensive hydration and caffeine for antioxidant protection.

Tackle hair concerns at the root with Olaplex’s No.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment.

This daily treatment is designed for all scalp and hair types (and safe for sensitive skin) to help instantly soothe and relieve irritation. Its weightless silky serum works to quickly absorb into the scalp without any residue, and features Olaplex’s proprietary Scalp Barrier-Building Complex, which contains a multi-ceramide and hyaluronic acid blend, rice bran oil, and the brand’s patented Bond Building Technology to nourish with an infusion of moisture and a blend of essential fatty acids and ceramides to replenish hair lipids and strengthen the scalp barrier. Its biome probalancing blend of black pepper seed, magnolia bark, patchouli extracts and manuka branch leaf oil help balance the scalp’s surface and barrier to reduce inflammation. Its antioxidant-rich blend of ferulic acid and lavender extract protect the scalp and hair follicles from free radicals and external aggressors while also helping to repair damage and prevent premature aging.

SENSATIONAL SCALP

Looking for a high-performance dryer with precision? BaBylissPRO’s Falco features an 1,875-watt, high-speed brushless digital Italian motor that’s engineered for quiet performance. With a streamlined air flow for optimum blow-drying and a built-in ion generator to reduce frizz, the dryer includes three speed and four heat digital settings, plus a cool shot button, a memory function that remembers the previously used styling preference and a removable magnetic rear filter with electronic detection to take the guesswork out of cleaning. Best of all, it’s ergonomically designed to help reduce hand fatigue!

For smoother and straighter styles, BaBylissPRO has launched its Nano Titanium Professional Extended 1¼-Inch Ionic Flat Iron. Featuring 5.1-inch XL-length plates for faster straightening, the flat iron includes a fixed upper plate and fully fixed or floating lower plate (with a slide switch to lock for stronger pressure) and includes seven digital temperature settings up to 465°F (240°C). Featuring special extended-designed Ryton housing for improved heat-up time with consistent temperature and faster heat recovery, the dual-voltage flat iron also includes seven heat dissipation vents to prevent overheating, automatic shut-o after 60 minutes of inactivity and dual ion ports for maximum ion output. For ease of use, its ergonomic handle also features a thumb and finger rest, and the flat iron includes a locking slide switch to keep the iron closed for easy storage.

If you’re looking to add a pop of colour to your foiling routines, BaBylissPRO’s limited-edition Pop Art! Aluminum Coloring Foil Roll is designed with fun pop-art-inspired patterns. The foils come in smooth- and embossed-texture versions with silver on one side and eye-catching designs on the other that are housed in a box equipped with a built-in foil cutter for cleaner use and less waste.

FUN FACT: IT’S HOUSED IN SLEEK IRIDESCENT PACKAGING MADE OF 87 PER CENT POSTCONSUMER RECYCLED PLASTIC!

Shining Star

Help your clients achieve the glossy hair of their dreams with Moroccanoil’s new High Shine Gloss Mask.

For those looking to achieve (or extend) a professional gloss service at home, this deepconditioning mask provides a glass-like shine with enhanced colour vibrancy and protection from fading. Formulated with Moroccanoil’s exclusive ArganID technology, which repairs and seals the hair cuticle for softer, smoother hair, the mask also contains an amino acid blend, Crambe abyssinica seed oil, hydrolyzed quinoa and panthenol to strengthen the hair structure, improve colour retention and hydrate hair for highly reflective results.

Golden Glam

CND

Help your clients embrace the minimalistic trend with Of the Moment, a nude-pink shade from the Quiet Luxury collection.

OPI

Fuel your imagination with the shimmery pink Reoccurin’ Gleam from the OPI’m Dreaming collection.

From the Golden Globes to the Grammys, here are some of the best red-carpet nails that kicked o the 2025 awards season.

1 Model and actress Cara Delevingne took the trendy glazed-doughnut trend to the Golden Globes with this look created by celebrity manicurist Zola Ganzorigt.

2 Making her fiancée debut at the Golden Globes, singer and actress Selena Gomez kept it classy with a timeless French manicure by celebrity nail artist Tom Bachik.

3 Actress Mindy Kaling dazzled at the Golden Globes, embracing the gold theme with metallic French tips from Ganzorigt.

4 At the Grammy Awards, Jennifer Lopez wore this shimmery metallic iced-chai look by Bachik.

5 To debut her new engagement ring, Zendaya kept her manicure classic and neutral with a

ballet-pink nude by celebrity nail artist Lisa Kon.

6 Actress Jennifer Coolidge sported longer talons at the Golden Globes that featured pink ombré and gold crescent-moon cuticle art by celebrity manicurist Tameka Jackson.

7 Ganzorigt made sure to leave quite an impression with singer Sabrina Carpenter’s pearly bejewelled nails at the Grammys.

8 Can’t go wrong with jewel tones! At the Golden Globes, actress Viola Davis sported deep-emerald nails by celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec.

9 For her debut performance at the Grammys, singer Chappell Roan went all out with these studded nails by editorial nail artist Juan Alvear.

Bio Sculpture

Help clients get ready for their next vacation with the Wanderlust collection, featuring rosy pink Blushed Boulevard.

Gelish

Add a tranquil touch to your next nail service with the Now & Zen collection, featuring bubble-gumpink-pearl Hugs and Blisses.

Artistic Nail Design

For a brighter pop of colour this season, reach for Bubblegum Blast, a bright pink crème shade from the Bloom Rush collection.

SUSTAINABLE SUCCESS

With a heightened awareness around ecoconsciousness, you may be considering ways to adopt more environmentally friendly practices. However, rising costs and changing regulations can sometimes make these efforts seem insurmountable. We spoke with salon owners and managers about the pros and cons of running a sustainable business and asked for their top tips on where to start. ➤

BY LAUREN FARRUGIA

As many salon owners and stylists are still grappling with challenges such as declining visits from regular clients and the rising costs of both personal and business-related expenses, adopting sustainable insalon practices can seem out of reach.

With April being Earth Month, it’s a time that emphasizes how both small and big changes can make a difference for the environment and your bottom line.

“In this day and age, we’re finding that more and more guests are prioritizing sustainability,” says Andrea Kologie, partner and salon team manager at Bob and Page, an eco-conscious salon based in Winnipeg. “By incorporating these eco-friendly practices, we attract conscious consumers and

strengthen our brand loyalty. We’re able to show a lot of authenticity and forwardthinking ideas, and we’re staying ahead of current and future environmental beliefs.”

However, just like with any big business decision, it’s important to weigh the benefits and potential drawbacks before taking the plunge.

Let’s Talk Finances

At the end of the day, making the decision to prioritize sustainability must make sense for your business. For most salon owners, it starts with learning more about the price tag attached to these changes.

“We first implemented a recycling program in our salon about six years ago, so it obviously looks different then than it does today,” says Kologie. “My recommendation for salon owners would be to start small on a few costeffective changes.”

Making sustainable changes can cost you both time and money, especially when you’re investing effort on additional eco-friendly products and initiatives, such as partnering with a company like Green Circle Salons to help recycle plastics, aerosols, chemical waste and more.

Chantelle Leeder, owner of Sin 7 Salon in White Rock, B.C., says that implementing an eco-fee that passes some of the extra costs on to the client can help.

“Green Circle Salons suggests a charge based on how much we recycle with them,” she says. “They charge us per month based on how many boxes we send to them, and they come back to us with a number. We tell our clients that we have an eco-fee, and we also make sure to tell them what that fee does.”

Although the fee can be as little as one to two dollars per service or transaction, it could bring up tough conversations between you and your clients. As with any price changes, being as transparent as possible is key.

“One thing about our salon is that we’re really open and transparent about anything and everything,” says Kologie. “We’ve posted about the fee at the front desk, it’s explained to guests right as they begin the checkout process, and we have easy-to-understand language about our eco-friendly practices on social media.”

“Going green is a costly choice in our business,” adds Francesca Rochetta,

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CONNECT WITH OTHER SUSTAINABLY MINDED SALONS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT INITIATIVES THEY’VE IMPLEMENTED AND HOW THEY DID IT. REMINDER: IT’S ALWAYS HELPFUL TO GET A SENSE OF WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING!

owner of Salon F&Cie in Quebec City. “We include some of the fees in the cost of our services, but the people coming to our salon have made the choice and are conscious of what we offer and what we do.”

Those who aren’t comfortable with introducing separate fees may opt to factor the additional costs directly into their service prices—a decision that Kenedi Lam, owner of Nook Salon in Toronto, decided to make.

“This decision stems from the negative reaction that so many salon owners faced during the pandemic, when businesses decided to implement a COVID fee,” she says. “I thought it made more sense for us to just factor it into our pricing.”

Although working with a company like Green Circle Salons can help take care of some of the sustainability legwork by helping to implement more eco-friendly practices, the eco-fee may not be enough to fully cover all the additional expenses.

To make sure that you’re doing your part, it’s important to do your homework and research to find any additional support that may be available to you and

your business, such as applicable grants, government rebates and tax credits. “Although the fee doesn’t fully cover the cost of what we’re doing, it helps a little bit with courier costs,” says Kologie. “I would recommend reaching out for government grants or tax incentives for the business, and salon owners can also use the points they accumulate with their suppliers to help pay for the adoption of these practices.”

While some sustainable practices may have start-up fees and monthly costs, there are others that can actually end up helping your business save money in the long run.

“We changed all our overhead lighting to LED lighting, which is another lowcost change that helps reduce our energy usage significantly. It’s about 80 per cent less energy,” says Kologie. “Having an energy-efficient washer and dryer, using cold water cycles for washing towels and capes, switching to a smart thermostat— which we also got a rebate on—and using concentrated products that require less packaging and last longer help save money over time. Even just going paperless by booking appointments online and emailing receipts helps us cut down on not only printing and paper expenses but also waste.”

Getting Your Team on Board

Starting Small

If you are at a crossroads on your sustainability journey and don’t know where to begin, here are a few ideas to help get going on a greener path.

“We looked at optimizing our product usage. For hair colour, we use the SalonScale program [which measures our hair colour to reduce waste] and we put any treatments in one-ounce recyclable containers. We also installed Ecoheads, which help us reduce our water consumption at the washing stations without compromising the guest experience.”

— ANDREA KOLOGIE, PARTNER AND SALON TEAM MANAGER, BOB

AND PAGE, WINNIPEG

“Do what you can. If you can’t [a ord a] recycling program, could you do a neighbourhood clean-up? Can you switch out some light bulbs? Start at the front and work your way back. Hit one corner of your salon every quarter and eventually you’ll get there. With a little bit at a time, it won’t feel so overwhelming.”

— CHANTELLE LEEDER,

OWNER, SIN 7 SALON, WHITE ROCK, B.C.

“As a business owner, I try my best to be as economical as possible. I try to be savvy at finding the most a ordable everyday items that we use in the salon, like towels and foils. Even down to our laundry detergent: liquid is too expensive, and powder detergent lasts us a much longer time, so it not only helps us reduce our waste and usage but also helps us save money because we aren’t using it up so fast.”

— KENEDI LAM, OWNER, NOOK SALON, TORONTO

“Cut back on single-use products, and recycle what you can. You have to be vigilant and do your research. Ask questions to suppliers and you might find something more eco-friendly, with minimal to no added costs.”

— FRANCESCA ROCHETTA, OWNER, SALON F&CIE, QUEBEC CITY

As we all know, it takes a village to operate a successful salon, which is no different when it comes to implementing more sustainable in-salon habits. Getting your team on board with sustainability so that they are comfortable and confident with embracing these changes is something that shouldn’t be overlooked.

“Some stylists can’t see the big picture [of what being more sustainable means], so I have to constantly remind them,” says Leeder. “I’m always reminding my team to not use plastic [or to use something reusable]. I make sure to bring up [sustainability] in every staff meeting to remind them of our mission statement and what sustainability means to us.”

“It’s a lot on me because I always have to make an effort to remind staff about things that we should be doing or how we recycle things,” she adds. “It offers a big advantage for team building because it’s great to have all of us working toward a common goal of making the planet better,

Doing Their Part

See some of the professional beauty brands who are stepping up their eco-conscious e orts.

Kérastase

The brand’s signature Elixir Ultime L’Huile Originale is now available in a 75-millilitre refillable bottle that’s made of 30 per cent recycled glass, and the refill’s packaging is made from 95 per cent recycled plastic.

Oligo Professionnel

To produce less plastic waste and reduce its carbon footprint, Oligo has introduced one-litre refillable pouches for its Calura Moisture Balance Cleanser and Conditioner, and Blacklight Nourishing, Blacklight Blue and Blacklight Violet shampoos and conditioners.

Olivia Garden Olivia Garden has partnered with TerraCycle to launch a free mail-in recycling program that accepts old hairbrushes and tools (from any brand) and turns them into raw materials that can be repurposed to make new tools.

which is really hard to argue against.”

For Rochetta, it was hard to find business partners that were aligned with her sustainability vision.

“The companies servicing salons for recycling [in our area] are not always readily available or often have complicated procedures,” she says. “This makes it a little more difficult to implement 100 per cent sustainable services 100 per cent of the time. As we introduced new [sustainable product] lines, we realized that the learning curve was quite steep for our stylists, and it demands a whole new way of working. Keeping up to date and deepening our knowledge can also be challenging.”

To help with the information overload, assigning someone on your team to oversee these initiatives can help share the workload and ensure that everything runs smoothly.

“In the beginning, there was more work required because it feels a little bit overwhelming,” says Kologie. “However, once it’s organized and you’ve trained your team members properly—whether at team meetings, through group texts or talking one-on-one—it becomes an easier and simpler protocol to go through on a daily basis.”

“Our communications manager takes all the waste in and sorts it out,” she adds. “Once we got into the pattern of doing that, it flowed perfectly. At the beginning, there was a bit of an adjustment. And while it was honestly a bit overwhelming,

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once you work out the kinks, the feeling you get is amazing and really rewarding.”

Communicating Value

Getting your team on board goes hand in hand with considering how making the switch may affect your new, existing and potential clients. Thinking about how you’re going to communicate the value of these new initiatives is something that should be taken into account.

“We track and celebrate our milestones, so when we reach one, we make sure to post on social media to thank our guests,

In search of ways to be more sustainable from the ground up? Check out this helpful list of tips for making more eco-friendly choices for your salon’s next build or reno.

loyalty program that allows clients to earn rewards on retail and service dollars, so it gives back to them and it’s a way that we can offer an incentive to our clients.”

AS A SALON OWNER, LAM SAYS SHE HAS MADE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO EDUCATE HERSELF ON THE BEST SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES. THAT WAY, SHE HAS A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING TO TELL AND SHOW HER TEAM HOW IT’S DONE.

and we let them know how much waste was able to be diverted with their help,” says Kologie. “It’s kind of a feel-good factor that we can give to guests to let them know that they’re supporting a fabulous cause.”

While you and your team may be happy to celebrate your salon’s sustainable wins, some clients may not initially see the benefits, so it’s important to know how to address these concerns appropriately.

“We’ve had a few guests who have questioned it, and we just explain using verbiage that we have at the front desk to help educate clients,” says Kologie. “We implemented a [sustainably driven]

“BEING AWARE OF THE WASTE THAT WE PRODUCE IS REALLY BIG. WE CAN START PAYING MORE ATTENTION, WHICH I THINK IS WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW BECAUSE WE’RE HAVING TO LOOK AT OUR PRACTICES TO SEE NOT ONLY WHERE WE’RE SPENDING TOO MUCH BUT ALSO WHERE WE’RE WASTING TOO MUCH.”

— CHANTELLE LEEDER, OWNER, SIN 7 SALON, WHITE ROCK, B.C.

In addition, offering the opportunity for existing and potential clients to try out or see your sustainability initiatives in action could be a good way to get them on board. “We can now take on a whole new clientele—people with allergies or with an environmental conscience,” says Rochetta. “We have events where clients are invited to try our eco-friendly services for free, and we publicize the events on social and local media and to our suppliers. Clients can see for themselves how beneficial our products and practices are.”

While not every client may agree with your sustainability efforts, connecting deeper with those who do can reap its rewards.

“In our community, sustainability is extremely important to not only us but also our clients,” says Leeder. “It seems to be a big topic out here, and that helps steer us in the direction that we want to go. Plus, it’s important for us as an industry to create less waste. I do know that a lot of our clients come to us because they want to use high-quality products that care about the earth. Both of the product lines we use and carry are B Corp-certified, so we also educate the clients on that.”

“I feel that prioritizing eco-friendly practices attracts and retains guests that value our commitment to reducing waste,” adds Kologie. “It allows our salon to stand out from the competition as a leader in eco-friendly practices. With how the world is now, reducing waste is such a powerful focus, and it has an impact that is visible and immediate. It creates pride for yourself, your staff and your guests, and I think it makes the salon about more than just hair—it makes it about making a positive difference. It’s a journey, not a destination, and even the small steps can make a big difference.”

the word

Contessa 2025 Winner, Canadian Hairstylist, James Abu-Ulba, Langley, B.C.

Share Your Artistry. Celebrate Your Craft.

ENTRY DEADLINE September 3, 2025

Important info on new categories here!

GALA + EDUCATION November 16 & 17, 2025

Save 15% off your entry fee when entering more than one collection or category

Adapting AI

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, its capabilities can be gamechanging when it comes to running a more efficient business. Learn how software companies are incorporating AI to help you unlock its full potential.

Owning and managing a business in today’s economic climate is no easy feat. From managing appointments and client communications to increasing revenue and marketing, the administrative responsibilities associated with running a successful salon or barbershop can often feel overwhelming.

Whether you’re a salon owner who’s looking to focus more on working creatively behind the chair or a manager in search of ways to work smarter and not harder, using AI can help assist with many time-consuming tasks.

“As a small-business owner, I use AI to support me on the administrative side, so I’m able to do hair and focus on the creative things that I love to do,” says Jessica Berswick, owner of Daughter of Oz Salon in Toronto. “Being service-based and having these sorts of administrative tasks removed from my plate means that it’s not only saving time but also helping to increase revenue.”

While the concept of AI may be scary to some, especially with how advanced it has become, salon software and technology companies are now incorporating it into their features to help make it easier for users to make the most of it for their businesses.

Automation

While most salon software companies are known for their online-booking capabilities, many of their offerings extend far beyond that and can help

with automating tasks like appointment reminders and add-on service suggestions.

Berswick, who was first introduced to Vagaro more than a decade ago, has been using its Connect by Vagaro platform, which includes an AI-powered chatbot that acts as a virtual assistant to help manage client communications both during and outside business hours.

“It’s a private phone number for your business that enables clients to contact you via text message or through the Vagaro app,” she says. “I’ve found what the AI assistant does is it really helps

guide my clients in the right direction. For example, if they want to independently handle the rebooking of appointments, this gives them the tools and the knowledge to be able to do that. It also allows for 24-hour contact capability. For me, it just removed that constant feeling of not having enough hours in the day [to respond to everyone].”

According to Berswick, using the AIpowered assistant also keeps all client communications within the salon to help her and her staff maintain a healthy work-life balance.

“AI HAS CHANGED MY ENTIRE BUSINESS CAREER. IF YOU’RE NOT USING THE PROPER SOFTWARE PROGRAM, YOU LIKELY WON’T SEE ALL THE CAPABILITIES THAT AI ACTUALLY HAS TO INCREASE YOUR BUSINESS AND I THINK THAT YOU’LL GET LOST AND LEFT BEHIND.”

—

CHAD STEWART,

OWNER,

CONCRETE BLONDE,

Accountability

Ju Tenuta, manager of Regal Grooming Lounge, was looking for a robust system that supports advancements in technology and helps manage the back end of the business while also providing an innovation front-end experience for clientele. After trying three to four different systems, the Vancouver-based barbershop began working with Zenoti eight years ago.

She has noticed how the company’s offerings have evolved and expanded over the years. Today, its HyperConnect platform has a fully integrated, AI-

way, the amount of work we used to have to do is gone.”

“In the morning, I open HyperConnect and can filter my calls [based on how the system has rated them] and see where we may have dropped the ball,” she adds. “Staff can listen to their own recordings, too, so the accountability is incredible—I don’t need to tell them what they could have done better. It is unbelievable and has had a huge impact on our business.”

For missed calls, HyperConnect is integrated with SmartBot that provides automated text messages to help clients book, reschedule or cancel appointments

the way things are, you’ll never look for something different.”

Client Retention and Acquisition

When it comes to retaining existing clients and acquiring new ones, AI can be your secret weapon for marketing to help with generating copy for emails, advertising and social media.

After working with another software company for more than 20 years, Chad Stewart, owner of Concrete Blonde in Sherwood Park, Alta., began working with Phorest two years ago and hasn’t looked back.

powered internet phone that instantly provides customer information on the screen for easy reference and even records, transcribes and analyzes every call answered by your team and rates how it went, with suggestions on areas to improve.

“We believe that grooming is about the full experience,” says Tenuta. “There are too many barbershops to compete with, so we understand that if we don’t outperform our competition, we’ll be short-lived. Now, when you bring a tool like this to a business that thinks this

PRO TIP

CONSIDER USING AI TO HELP WITH SENDING APPOINTMENT REMINDERS OR TO REACH OUT TO CLIENTS YOU HAVEN’T SEEN IN A WHILE.

and answers commonly asked questions. Also, through the power of AI, it helps manage reviews by integrating with Google to help simplify monitoring, aggregation, response management and sentiment analysis with real-time notifications.

“Artificial intelligence actually helps you think out of the box a lot because it gives you a lot of different perspectives that you would never come up with,” says Tenuta. “You have to be curious and really have a mindset to improve your business. If you’re just happy with

“It has been the best decision of my career,” he says. “AI is huge for us. We use it for everything. ChatGPT and Phorest’s AI features are unbelievable.”

According to Stewart, he has noticed a significant increase in service sales within the first month of using Phorest’s AI-powered marketing tools.

“It was the email marketing in particular that we created within their email database,” he says. “In two weeks, we increased our services by $25,000. It was helping us hit the proper targets and demographic that we set with our parameters. I think that’s how we all look at and read our emails nowadays. What are those words that are going to track with a certain promotion that we may have?”

While Stewart admits that marketing was already one of his salon’s strong suits, it’s the AI-powered verbiage, frequency and consistency that have been keys to their success.

“It’s just knowing how to properly utilize the program to its full capacity,” he says. “Now, we’re continuing to utilize those marketing tools through their social media marketing that allows us to have them all set up on a continuous basis, so we’re always targeting and trying to be a step ahead.”

SHERWOOD PARK, ALTA.

Evo’s international creative colour director, Tom Smith, and North American technical specialist Marie Kieffer led brand demos with models to showcase the brand’s colour and styling products.

A Closer Look at SalonCentric and Evo’s Perfect Match

In celebration of Evo’s official launch with SalonCentric Canada, the Australian hair brand and Ontario-based distributor hosted an education event at Mascot Brewery to welcome hairstylists, colourists and salon owners for a mix-and-mingle cocktail, followed by a look-and-learn and product-discovery session.

When & Where: September 24, 2024, Etobicoke, Ont.

Justin Baker, director of sales for SalonCentric Canada, kicked off the event by welcoming attendees.

“For us at SalonCentric, we’re a two-year-old distributor in Canada, but our roots and our heartbeat go long before that,” he says. “For us as a distributor, we want to continue to bring energy to this industry and continue to find ways to make you feel as though you can have a creative outlet and do some special things.”

Jan Patanao, Evo’s brand manager and product specialist for Evo, also welcomed the audience. “A lot of blood, sweat and tears have been put into making sure we execute this at the highest level to give you the best experience.”

Kieffer, who is also a U.S.-based salon owner, hairstylist and educator, has worked with the brand for more than nine years. “This is something that truly resonates with me because everything you all do, I do on a daily basis as well,” she says. “[Evo] has not only helped push me creatively but also helped my business and my team’s business grow, too.”

Smith, who is based in London, U.K., has worked with Evo for eight years, creating a lot of the brand’s imagery and working on new product development. “Evo is almost 20 years old, so it’s been around a long time, but we came at things in a slightly non-traditional way,” he says. “We’ve gone from being a little bit niche to even more full concept than many of our competitors.”

The show concluded with a look at the future, with innovative avant-garde styles in black, white and metallic tones that featured robotic elements to add to the futuristic feel.

Congratulations to co-owners Frank and Carol Cini, Daniel Naumovski and hairstylist Norm Wright on their continued success!

In 2024, the renowned Taz Hair Co. team celebrated 27 years of excellence and innovative service with expert techniques and styling that have earned the team Contessa recognition and stage presentations around the world.

Inside Taz Muze 2024

Toronto-based salon Taz Hair Co. hosted a hair show to celebrate its history while inspiring the industry with out-of-this-world creativity.

When & Where: October 28, 2024, Toronto

Following the runway show, the Taz team brought in Kien Hoang, principal artist of global design for Oribe, for an educational presentation, where he shared some of the stunning looks he created for New York Fashion Week.

Among the attendees were Kathy Reilly, associate director of education for Kao Canada, along with Linda Lorenzoni, academy manager for Kao Salon Academy Toronto.

Held inside St. Paul’s Bloor Street, the afternoon event kicked off with a runway show, where models put the spotlight on iconic hairstyles and fashion from past decades, ranging from retro ’60s headbands to ’80s mullets to 2010s ombré and balayage.

The event kicked off with its grand opening at Rebel Nightclub, which featured a runway showcase of bold trends and breakthrough techniques.

Combining Education and Inspiration at Redken Fusion 2024

Redken Fusion brought together hairstylists, colourists, salon owners, distributor sales consultants and more for three exciting days of education, inspiration and community.

When & Where: October 27 to 29, 2024, Toronto

Redken Canada’s education director, Katrina Smiley, took the stage to welcome attendees and offer a preview of the event.

The night ended on a high note with a Coachella-themed dinner and gala, complete with a surprise hair jam led by Montrealbased hair artist Glammy.

the

for achieving celebrity-level colour with natural results.

In

Hollywood Haircolor session, Redken global brand ambassador Sean Godard shared his techniques

Three jam-packed days of education took place at Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, beginning with luxury styling tips inspired by red-carpet looks, led by Redken global artistic ambassador Sam Villa and artist Brayden Pelletier.

Among the attendees was Maninder Gill, marketing director for Redken.

The day continued with blonde techniques, led by Redken global brand ambassador Adrienne Dara and artist and hair educator Tasha Parker, who’s based in Fredericton, N.B., sharing ways to maintain bright blondes with minimal regrowth lines.

The day concluded with State Change with Cindy Duplantis and Danielle Wulff, who shared rapid transformation techniques ranging from fringe cuts to dry shampoo tips that allow stylists to create dramatic changes in minimal time.

Redken global artist Lindsey Olson and curl expert Kelly Knowles introduced fresh techniques for textured hair to help clients with different curl types maintain their look at home.

|Among the attendees were Stephan Arsenault, president of L’Oréal’s Professional Products Division and Julien Descoteaux, VP of sales for L’Oréal’s Professional Products Division.

Montreal-based Redken artist Jeremy Tremblay and Manda Ziegelman led a gender-neutral cutting session centred on adding personality to shorter haircuts.

Montreal-based salon owner and educator Gourgues returned to the stage with Jaime Price for Couture Haircolor, which covered the importance of customizing hair colour to each client’s features.

In the Stylist Success session, Blake Reed Evans and Stephanie Russell introduced the GAP framework for stylists looking to elevate their business approach. The framework emphasizes grounding oneself in purpose, forming genuine alliances and promoting unique qualities.

Next up was the Social Panel, which featured Redken artists and experts Max Gourgues, Farhana Premji, Chanpreet Bhasin Lal and Syria Tortora, who explored strategies for growing a strong online presence. | Runway-inspired finishing techniques took centre stage with Jorge Joao and Alireza Mousavi, who showcased advanced styling methods.

Other notable attendees include Jack Ingraham, chief commercial officer for SalonCentric Canada, and Christine Geiger, head of stylist education & development for Chatters.

Embracing the Power of Community at Phorest’s 2025 Salon Owners Summit

Salon owners, managers and attendees from around the world gathered for Phorest’s ninth annual Salon Owners Summit. Held at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre in Ireland, the two-day event sparked inspiration and motivation with a wide range of industry speakers and presentations to showcase Phorest’s latest innovations.

When & Where: January 26 to 27, Dublin, Ireland

Phorest’s chief technology officer, John Doran, shared how the company has incorporated AI into its features to help salons maximize revenue opportunities through upselling and cross-selling. It can also be used to provide detailed, action-driven insights, help set goals and forecasts and assist in client communications and marketing with AI-generated copy for emails, websites and more.

Phorest’s chief executive officer, Ronan Perceval, took the stage to welcome more than 650 attendees—the event’s largest turnout to date—and share the event’s theme, Elevate. “Rising to the challenge is no longer going to be an option—it’s going to be a necessity,” says Perceval. “The expectations of our premium clients keep going up, so we have to keep raising our customer-service game. The expectations of our staff keep going up, so we have to raise our management game. As we rise to the challenge over the year ahead, we will be better businesspeople come the end of the year than we are today.”

Renowned celebrity hairstylist and mental health advocate Daniel Mason-Jones, shared his tips for creating and maintaining healthy salon-team environments.

| Patrick Monaghan, chief product officer, shared Phorest’s latest insights and success stories from salon owners.

Attendees also participated in workshops to learn more about Phorest’s latest features. Among the attendees were Shannon Esau of Angles Hair Design in Winnipeg, Ken Takagi and Alyssa Tavares of Suki’s in Vancouver, and Ian Hearth and Luca Crescia of Ontario-based Storm Hair Group.

Joining Forces

Olaplex has named celebrity hairstylist Vernon François as its latest global brand ambassador. The British-born, Los Angeles-based hairstylist has worked with stars like Serena Williams, Lupita Nyong’o, Halle Bailey and Lil Nas X, and his work has been featured on the covers of Vogue, Vanity Fair, Essence and Allure. François is known for his versatility in working with all hair types and encourages people to embrace their natural texture. “Vernon’s experience and dedication embody everything we stand for,” says Amanda Baldwin, chief executive o cer for Olaplex.

“His addition also reflects our ongoing commitment to growing talent across our ambassador network, ensuring a range of voices, perspectives and expertise.”

New Leadership

Chatters Hair Salon has appointed Kelly Jessop West as its new chief executive o cer. Jessop West has more than 25 years of experience as a retail executive with a proven track record of helping companies achieve sustainable growth while driving innovation and promoting collaboration. Her expertise includes omni-channel retail, loyalty programs and brand management while spearheading transformative initiatives that adapt to changing market trends and customer needs. With the brand’s aim to continue building on its strengths and seizing growth opportunities, Jessop West is committed to working collaboratively with Chatters stylists, beauty consultants, managers and team members across Canada.

Tribute for a Trailblazer

Phorest FM host and global education content lead Alex Bélisle-Springer moderated the Breaking Barriers: Black Beauty & Redefining Excellence panel, featuring Winnie Awa, founder of Carra; Keya Neal, founder of Texture vs Race; Tendai Moyo, founder of Ruka Hair; and Dija Ayodele, founder of West Room Aesthetics and Black Skin Directory.

Jean Rennette, founder of Olivia Garden, passed away on January 3, 2025, at the age of 82. Born in 1942 in Liège, Belgium, Rennette co-founded Olivia Garden in 1967 with his wife, Micheline, with the objective of equipping hairstylists with highperformance, state-of-the-art salon tools. Now, as a market leader, the company has secured more than 55 patents for its revolutionary products ranging from silent blow-dryers to ceramic and ionic brushes to vented round and paddle brushes. Today, Olivia Garden is run by Rennette’s children, Pierre Rennette and Anne (Rennette) Maza, the company’s current coowners, who remain committed to continuing their father’s legacy.

Going Global

Wella Professionals has appointed Briana Cisneros as its new global ambassador. Cisneros, who was the brand’s North American brand ambassador for nearly eight years, has a demonstrated passion for hairdressing with her colour transformations and innovative cutting techniques for shorter hair. With her steadfast dedication to education and sharing her knowledge with the hair community, Cisneros’s appointment to global ambassador is a testament to her ongoing commitment to her craft, industry influence and ability to uplift and inspire the next generation. The announcement also coincides with Wella Professionals’ 75th anniversary in the United States.

In addition to the inspiration and motivation was the annual crowd-favourite Bingo Loco, which brought everyone together for a night of good fun and laughs.

Rich Cullen, lead product designer, highlighted five hidden gems in the company’s features that are “game-changing” for salon businesses.

A special thank you to our sponsors for their generous support of the 2025 Contessa Awards!

Remembering a Visionary

The professional beauty industry lost a legend this past November with the passing of award-winning hairdresser Trevor Sorbie.

Originally from Scotland, the legendary hairdresser was 75 years old and a four-time winner of the British Hairdresser of the Year Awards (BHA).

Take a look back on Sorbie’s extraordinary life and achievements:

Sorbie was a stylist for Vidal Sassoon, where he created “The Wedge,” an iconic style that became the first hairdressing picture to be featured in Vogue as a doublepage spread.

He opened his first salon in London’s Covent Garden and quickly expanded to six salons in the U.K., as well as salons in Dubai and China. His team, composed of more than 70 skilled stylists and technicians, has received several industry awards, including Artistic Team of the Year.

Sorbie launched his own hair product range.

He became the first hairdresser to become a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Sorbie founded My New Hair, a charity organization that was created to o er support for cancer patients and those su ering from medical hair loss.

its 45th anniversary.

Trevor Sorbie salons celebrated

Introducing... Contessa Connective!

Everything you need to know about the 37th annual Contessa Awards.

In case you haven’t heard, the 37th annual Contessa Awards will be held on November 16 and 17, 2025—that’s right, as an exciting two-day event!

In addition to the cocktail party and awards gala, the event is expanding to include a full day of main-stage education. More details to come, so stay tuned.

As for the awards competition, we’re happy to announce the addition of two new creative categories!

Barber of the Year

Open to Canadian barbers and hairstylists, this category is designed to showcase the art and craft of barbering and grooming. To enter, submit three “before” and three “after” images (three different looks) showcasing current hair and grooming trends, fashion appeal and barbering techniques. Collections will also be judged on model suitability. All genders are welcome, and the same model can be used in more than one image.

Note: Barber of the Year images can also be entered into the Men’s Hairstylist category!

International Colourist

Open to international colourists and hairstylists, this category is designed for entrants based outside of Canada to showcase the art and creativity of hair colour. To enter, submit three “before” and three “after” images (three different looks) that will be judged on versatility, creativity and fashion appeal.

Note: International Colourist images can also be entered into the International Hairstylist category!

A Friendly Reminder

In our ongoing efforts to combat the use of AI, all creative categories (excluding Freestyle) must include “before” images taken within one year of the photo shoot.

Note: The before photos do not need to be professionally shot. Selfies or photos from the models’ social media are permitted.

> There has been no increase to the entry fee: $125 each

> Emerging Hairstylist and Emerging Colourist: $85 each

> Canadian Nail Artist and Makeup Artist now have a reduced entry fee of $85 each

> There is no entry fee for Sustainability Achievement, the John Steinberg Award for Community Service or Freestyle.

> Save 15 per cent off the entry fee when you enter more than one collection or category!

Scan here for the full list of entry rules and regulations.

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Spend Points, Save Money

Redeem your Club H points for backbar essentials, exclusive rewards and access to educational seminars across any of our participating brands. Register for free at clubh.ca