Hair: Bona Jörg | Photographer: Jamie Blanshard | MUA: Katie Moore | Stylist: Ellen Spiller | Products: JOICO Europe
Hair: Dan Spiller, Marc Antoni Artistic Team | Photography: Jamie Blanshard | Makeup Artist: Katie Moore | Stylist: Ellen Spiller | Products: JOICO Europe
New jury, new categories, new prizes.
Stay tuned for the Color Talent Awards 2027.
Missed last year’s Awards? Catch up below.
COLOR TALENT
AWARDS 2027
A contest where we reward and recognize exceptional talent in hair color.
Get ready to push boundaries, showcase your artistry, and celebrate the power of hair color! After a successful first edition, we are back with The Color Talent Awards 2027 – this is your chance to make a statement, gain recognition, and be part of an inspiring community of color experts.
The JOICO Color Talent Awards is open to any professional hairdresser working in a commercial environment – salon based or freelance hairdresser throughout Europe, UK, Middle East & African countries. A minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a commercial environment is necessary.
- Creative Color Award: For innovative color techniques and creative expression.
- Artistic Vision Award: For avant garde creativity and boundary pushing concepts.
- In-Salon Transformation Award: For real salon transformations.
- Creative Color Award
- Artistic Vision Award
- In-Salon Transformation Award
This category is for skilled, visionary professionals who want to demonstrate their mastery of hair color. Whether it’s a timeless, sophisticated creation or a boundary-pushing look, this is your chance to show the world what expert artistry looks like!
Let your creativity run wild and use one of the inspirational mood boards as a starting point to create a trend-setting masterpiece! We want to see your work – whether it’s been shot on your phone or part of a photographic shoot – it’s your skills and talent we are looking to unveil.
- Check out the mood board for inspiration.
- Bring your unique perspective to life with color, cut, and styling.
- Please submit: 1 unedited “before” image + 1 beauty image (final look).
- Upload to your Instagram account tagging @joicoeurope & #CTA2027.
- Go to our website, fill in the form with your information adding the link to your Instagram post and submit your entry.
Important: without the link to your post, the submission is invalid!
Here you can find the mood board for this category:
Mood Board 1
Please keep in mind the Rules & Guidelines to ensure your submission is valid.*
This category is dedicated to visionary colorists who push the boundaries of hair artistry. It celebrates bold, avant‑garde thinking and exceptional technical execution - where color becomes the central language of creative expression.
From high-fashion editorial statements to experimental, boundary-defying concepts, this is your platform to showcase transformative color work at its most elevated level. Sculpt, layer, and construct your vision using any medium - wigs, pieces, wefts or natural hair - to create a striking, collection-worthy image.
We’re looking for fearless creativity, refined craftsmanship, and color placement that challenges convention while remaining intentional and sophisticated. Show us work that feels directional, artistic, and unmistakably yours.
- Check out the mood board for inspiration.
- Show off your expert color application and trend-driven styling. In this category you are allowed to use wigs, pieces, and wefts.
- Please submit: 1 unedited "before" image + 1 beauty image (final look).
- Upload to your Instagram account tagging @joicoeurope & #CTA2027.
- Go to our website, fill in the form with your information adding the link to your Instagram post and submit your entry.
Important: without the link to your post, the submission is invalid!
Here you can find the mood board for this category:
Mood Board 2
Please keep in mind the Rules & Guidelines to ensure your submission is valid.*
This is the category that brings real-life salon magic to the spotlight! Whether it's a dramatic makeover or a subtle yet stunning enhancement, we want to see the before & after that made your client feel amazing. Use the provided inspiration mood board as a guide, capture your process, and share your best transformation snapshot!
- Check out the mood board for inspiration.
- Emphasis is placed on sharing a real in-salon client snapshot, creating a gentle entry point for emerging talents. Focus on real salon results - no models, just genuine client transformations. Submit before & after images that showcase the power of professional hair color.
- Please submit: 1 unedited "before" image + 1 beauty image (final look).
- Upload to your Instagram account tagging @joicoeurope & #CTA2027.
- Go to our website, fill in the form with your information adding the link to your Instagram post and submit your entry.
Important: without the link to your post, the submission is invalid!
Here you can find the mood board for this category:
Mood Board 3
Please keep in mind the Rules & Guidelines to ensure your submission is valid.*
WHAT DOES SUCCESSFUL ENTRY LOOK LIKE?
- Cut and Color that complement each other and work in harmony.
- Clear and sharp images – can be phone images or professional images – we need them to be clear and focus on the hair.
- You do not need to use professional models. A model with photogenic features will always enhance the visual impact of your entry – tip from us: take a picture of the model you have in mind before you do the work and evaluate if this is the best model for the work you have in mind.
- You should ensure your look is suitable for the face shape and skin tone of your model.
- Make-up and clothes need to complement the overall look, working in synergy with the hairstyle showing the highest level of craftsmanship.
- Make sure you upload your images of high quality.
- Images should have a clean background without clutter. Make sure to submit your images with your model front-facing (not only from the backside) so our judges are able to evaluate properly.
We want to see your transformations, your standout colorwork, and the way you use color creatively to showcase your work.
Please keep in mind the Rules & Guidelines to ensure your submission is valid.*
Hair: Bruno Marc Giamattei (Creative Director), Dan Spiller (Color Direction), Monika Woźniak (Color) | Photography: Jamie Blanshard | Makeup Artist: Katie Moore | Stylist: Ellen Spiller | Products: JOICO Europe
We have a group of the most experienced European judges who have a wealth of experience in both entering and winning awards and competitions.
Judging will take place online and each judge will be sent over the images that have been submitted in each category. All images will be judged anonymously, and scores will be sent to JOICO EMEA where an independent adjudicator will collate the scores.
Successful finalists and the total winner of each category will be informed via email and announced on the JOICO Europe social channels.
- Multi award-winning British hairdresser in several categories at the British Hairdressing Awards.
- Prestigious member of the British Hairdressing Awards Hall of Fame.
- Active member of the renowned Fellowship of British Hairdressing.
- Creative force behind the Marc Antoni Art Team, presenting on hairdressing stages around the world.
- Directing trend collections that regularly decorate the covers of international trade magazines.
- Co-owner and commercial lead figure of a successful hair salon chain in the UK
- Inspiring mentor and coach, helping hairdressers to fulfil their potential.
- Globally recognized for her innovative approach to dimensional color and modern haircuts.
- With two decades of experience behind the chair and on stage, Ashlee is celebrated for her logical approach, theory-based teaching style that breaks down advanced techniques into practical, actionable education.
- Her classes blend foundational theory with creative application, making them accessible and empowering for stylists at every level. Through her dynamic presence both in-person and online, Ashlee continues to elevate the industry—one transformation at a time.
- Editor, and then Editor-in-Chief of Estetica magazines since 1995
- Gary was instrumental in the launch, development and management of Estetica UK’s website esteticamagazine.com, launched to meet the digital needs and demands of clients and readers.
- Gary has overseen Estetica UK’s social media platforms to identify new marketing opportunities and to enhance and promote both Estetica’s profile as well as those of its corporate clients.
- For Bona, blonde isn’t just a shade - it’s a way of life! As a master colorist, talented salon owner and experienced educator Bona has always had an eye for beautiful things, and she enjoys bringing out her client’s natural beauty with her bespoke color transformations.
- Collaboration is at the foundation of Bona’s ethos as she constantly encourages the growth, development, and training of other stylists, unlocking their blonde potential.
- Bona is now the JOICO Blonde Life Ambassador for Europe and a Creative Color Artist JOICO EMEA Team Member, sharing her expertise and collaborating with other JOICO Creative Color Artists across Europe.
- She specializes in creative hair coloring, combining advanced technical expertise with an artistic approach to color
- At just twenty years old, she began educating hairdressers, and today she collaborates with the JOICO Poland Academy, inspiring others to approach color with creativity, confidence, and intention.
- As the winner of the JOICO Color Talent Awards 2025, she is recognized for her artistic vision, exceptional color sense, and continuous pursuit of innovation in hair coloring.
- For Monika hairdressing remains not only a profession but also a passion and a form of artistic expression
- Making people beautiful and happy as a hairdresser had always been her dream, but a long and slow physical recovery after an accident forced Wendy to start her career in a totally different industry. She, however, never lost her passion for the hairdressing business and it drove her to JOICO in 2001.
- As Creative Education Manager she focuses on creative events, managing the European Design and Color Design Team and teaching stylists to professionally use our JOICO products and collections.
- A dedicated marketing professional, overseeing the JOIColor portfolio across the EMEA region with a strategic and creative approach.
- Extensive international experience across different industries combining strategic brand expertise with a passion for the professional beauty industry and innovation.
- Curious and enthusiastic about the artistry of hair color, bringing inspiring color experiences to life through creativity, trends, and consumer insights.
Hair: Marc Antoni Art Team | Photography: Jamie Blanshard | Makeup Artist: Katie Moore | Stylist: Ellen Spiller
Ensure you keep your eyes on the prize as there are incredible prizes to win.
The JOICO Color Talent Awards 2027 winners will receive prestigious industry recognition, exclusive opportunities, and exciting prizes. Each category will have an overall winner and 2nd, and 3rd places.
- Creative Color Award Winner
- Artistic Vision Award Winner
- In-Salon Transformation Award Winner
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will receive a personalized Color Talent Awards 2027 trophy.
1st place winner will receive:
- Cash Prize of €2,500 / £2,000
- Guest appearance at a European JOICO event to engage with our European educator community
- Industry PR coverage and a dedicated coverage piece in Estetica magazine
- Pre-selected package of JOICO Professional products with a value of €1,000 / £ 850
- Your very own JOICO Color Talent Awards 2027 winner apron pin
- Be a Judge next year!
2nd & 3rd place winners will receive:
- Salon fabric banner with finalist image
- Coverage on JOICO Europe’s social media channels
- Your very own JOICO Color Talent Awards 2027 finalist apron pin
- Pre-selected package of JOICO Color Essentials products with a value of €500 / £ 450
- Professional tools and cool JOICO merchandise items
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will receive a personalized Color Talent Awards 2027 trophy.
1st place winner will receive:
- Cash Prize of €2,000 / £1,700
- Invitation to a Professional Content Day with one of our JOICO European Creative Team members
- Industry PR coverage and a dedicated coverage piece in Estetica magazine
- Pre-selected package of JOICO Professional products with a value of €1,000 / £ 850
- Your very own JOICO Color Talent Awards 2027 winner apron pin
- Be a Judge next year!
2nd & 3rd place winners will receive:
- Salon fabric banner with finalist image
- Coverage on JOICO Europe’s social media channels
- Your very own JOICO Color Talent Awards 2027 finalist apron pin
- Pre-selected package of JOICO Color Essentials products with a value of €500 / £ 450
- Professional tools and cool JOICO merchandise items
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will receive a personalized Color Talent Awards 2027 trophy.
1st place winner will receive:
- Product & Professional Tools Pack worth €1,000 JOICO professional products
- Exclusive coverage on JOICO Europe’s social media channels
- Salon fabric banner with winning image and window sticker
- Your very own JOICO Color Talent Awards 2027 winner apron pin
- Get cool JOICO merchandise items
2nd & 3rd place winners will receive:
- Mirror sticker with finalist image
- Coverage on JOICO Europe’s social media channels
- Your very own JOICO Color Talent Awards 2027 finalist apron pin
- Professional tools and cool JOICO merchandise items
Hair: Bona Jörg | Photographer: Jamie Blanshard | MUA: Katie Moore | Stylist: Ellen Spiller | Products: JOICO Europe
Find the category that best fits your experience!
- Creative Color Award - For innovative color techniques and creative expression
- Artistic Vision Award - For avant‑garde creativity and boundary‑pushing concepts
- In-Salon Transformation Award – For salon stylists capturing real-life color transformations.
Pick the one that aligns with your vision and expertise — this is your moment to shine!
Inspiration starts here!
- Whichever category you're entering – take a look at each exclusive mood board designed to spark creativity. Use your selected theme as the foundation for your look.
Here you can find the Mood boards you can choose from:
Let Your Imagination Get Creative
Now it’s time to bring your vision to life!
- Create a stunning hair color look based on your chosen category and mood board.
- Make sure the hair color, cut, and style are clearly visible in your final image.
- Remember, no excessive retouching on the images - we want to see your real talent! And only in the Artistic Vision Award category are you allowed to use wigs, pieces, and wefts.
Submit Your Entry*
Once your masterpiece is complete, it’s time to enter!
First, upload your image(s) to your Instagram account according to the Image Requirements & Guidelines. Note: only submit your image in one of the three categories.
- Creative Color Award: 1 “before” image + 1 final beauty shot
Submit on Instagram tagging @joicoeurope and using the hashtag: #CTA2027
- Artistic Vision Award: 1 “before” image + 1 final beauty shot
Submit on Instagram tagging @joicoeurope and using the hashtag: #CTA2027 - In-Salon Transformation Award: 1 “before” image + 1 after image (showcasing the salon transformation)
Submit on Instagram tagging @joicoeurope and using the hashtag: #CTA2027
Then, fill in the form on the website with your information including the link to your Instagram post and submit your entry.
Important:
- Your Instagram account needs to be public (NOT private), so your pictures are visible!
- You can only participate in 1 category!
- Without the link to your Instagram post the submission is invalid!
- Entries can only be submitted between 1st October 2026 and 31st March 2027!
Winners Announcement
The moment of truth!
The winners will be chosen by our Jury panel and will be announced in April 2027 — you could be taking home the Color Talent Awards 2027 title and gain industry-wide recognition!
Now it’s your turn! Choose your category, get inspired, create your masterpiece, and submit your entry. This is your chance to shine!
Decide which category you want to enter, read and re-read the rules and then decide on the image you want to enter.
1. Check out the mood boards and create your images.
2. Upload your images to your Instagram account between 01.10.2026 and 31.03.2027 tagging @joicoeurope and using the hashtag #CTA2027. Fill in the complete form that will be available on this page as of 01.10.2026 and submit the form.
Note: The entry is only valid when you have submitted the form including the link to the Instagram post.
3. Tell all of your friends and wait for the finalists to be announced.
*By participating in the JOICO Color Talent Awards each participant expressly and formally agrees to the terms and conditions related to aforementioned contest, including the privacy policy. Such acceptance, implies amongst others that JOICO, to the extent necessary, will need to process personal data of a participant within the framework of the handling of the contest. The Personal Data collected within the framework of present contest will only be processed and used by HENKEL in connection with this contest.