Alfaparf Milano Professional Next Color GenHAIRation winners announced

The winners of the Alfaparf Milano Professional Global Next Color GenHAIRation Awards were announced at a ceremony at Proud in London on Sunday, 15 October 2023. 

Jimmy González from Guatemala took the top spot, Bianca Bakas from Australia was runner-up and Luis Alberto Herrara Gonzales from Mexico took third place. 

Entrants had to conceive, combine and create a brand new hair colour, with competitors and their models flying in from around the world to compete in the final. The winning colour will now join the Alfaparf Milano Professional product shade portfolio. 

Colourist Amanda Hogan from Ross Adams Hair & Beauty, Tallaght, Dublin was among the finalists, having won the Ireland leg of the global contest, which was held at Accademia in Dublin last November. 

The other finalists were Mikey Noir, UK; Marisa Daniela Lima Martins, Portugal; Amber Maynard, USA; Nicôle Antonia, Brazil; Daniele Potirniche, Italy; Yosdy Yamilet Ortiz Acosta, Ecuador; and Elena Vintu, Romania. 

“I drew inspiration from the cold climate of the beloved region I live in, Quetzaltenango in Guatemala,” said González. “This cool-toned shade evokes feelings of confidence, courage, extroversion and originality. I am very happy to receive this award and I’m so grateful for being here.” 

According to the judges, the standard of entry was incredibly high. “It was a very tough decision as everyone had done such an amazing job in creating their own shade using Alfaparf Milano Professional colours,” they said. “However, the winning colour, a stunning ice cube blue, was beautifully executed, eye-catching and brings something fresh and new to the shade portfolio.”