Wella Professionals UK & Ireland TrendVision Award 2020 finalists revealed

The Ireland finalists for the Wella Professionals TrendVision Award 2020 include a variety of hair professionals from around the country.

For 2020, the competition has adopted a whole new format, with amends made so that it could still go ahead, despite Covid-19.

This year has seen the introduction of five completely new categories, all of which were entered on Instagram. Finalists already made it through the initial first photographic stage of the competition, before competing at the Digital UK Regional & Ireland Heats, also online.

This involved submitting their original before and after looks from their photographic entry, and recording a short video explaining the technique, inspiration, application and inspiration behind their looks.

Making the Ireland finalists cut in the Colour Artist category are Ashley Falconer, Occasions Hairdressing; Danny Malone, Manshack; Carmen McCracken, DKY Hair Company; Caroline McNeill, All Aspects of Hair Design; and Jodie Quinn, House Of Colour.

In the Colour Specialist category are Shane Connolly, Cara Finlay and Roisin Hynes, all from Sarah Mason Professional; Lauren Masterson, Bellissimo Limerick; and Romario Silva, Blend Beauty Artisans.

The line-up in the Craft Artist category are Ciaran Dowd, Occasions Hairdressing; Rachel Flanagan, Peter Mark; and Aisling Kenny, Zara McIntyre and Emily Nelson, all from House of Colour.

Other Irish finalists include Jennie Smullen, Occasions Hairdressing (Editorial Look); Samantha Byrne, Vanilla Hair Design (Style Master); and Barry Kieran, Signature Hair (Men’s Hair).

The next stage is the UK & Ireland TrendVision Award 2020 Grand Final, which will take place digitally, due to Covid-19. Competitors will be sent a full brief on the requirements, which will involve creating a whole new look, with extensive work required to support each submission.

According to judge Akin Konizi, the new filming stage has brought a whole new dimension to the judging process. “It gives us an opportunity to see the person behind the creation and hear their passion and inspiration in their own words. My advice would be to keep it simple, relevant, interesting and concise. Make it as exciting and full of enthusiasm as you can without overdoing it. Remember, it's not about you, it's about your work and inspirations, so don't feel self-conscious. Just be yourself and be professional.”