Winners’ spotlight: Colour Technician of the Year 2026 – Stephen Aiken

Our Beauty, Hair & Spa Awards 2026 winners series sees us interviewing our trophy recipients about their career and business, and what it takes to thrive in the industry. 

Stephen Aiken won Colour Technician of the Year, sponsored by the Irish Hairdressers Federation, and he took some time to answer our questions.

Tell us about your career journey to date?
I started out over 20 years ago on Belfast’s Lisburn Road, one of the most vibrant stretches in the city, known for its incredible mix of salons and boutiques. It was the perfect place to learn, grow and immerse yourself in the craft. From early on, colour was my thing. I specialised and built my reputation around it, and that focus has defined my career ever since.

Along the way I developed a real passion for competitions and photographic work – this gave me a creative outlet alongside the day-to-day salon environment and pushed me to think differently about colour and technique. Those experiences shaped me hugely. Fast forward to today, and I've been lucky enough to have won numerous awards across both Ireland and the UK.

What have been the highlights/moments you are most proud of?
Of course, the award wins mean a huge amount. I’d be lying if I said they didn’t! But the moment I’m genuinely most proud of is actually the decision I made just over two years ago to go out on my own and become self-employed. That took real courage, and it didn’t come overnight.

I needed the flexibility that self-employment gives me. Between working with my clients in Belfast and teaching across the isles, a traditional set-up just wasn’t the right fit anymore. Going out on my own was the best decision I’ve ever made professionally. But getting there wasn’t easy, especially when people around you try to talk you out of it. Finding the belief in yourself to back yourself anyway – that’s the moment I'm most proud of.

What do you love most about the industry?
Three things: the creativity, the friendliness and the shared passion. I’ve never worked in another industry, but I genuinely don’t think there’s one quite like ours. You can walk into a room full of people you’ve never met before and immediately feel that connection, because everyone is driven by the same love of what they do. The creativity keeps every day interesting, and the warmth of the people in this industry makes it feel less like a job and more like a community. That never gets old.

Are there challenges in the industry, and how can they be overcome?
For me, the biggest challenge facing the industry right now is education and, more specifically, the quality of it. We live in an era where there’s more ‘free’ education available than ever before, largely through social media. And while that’s not a bad thing, it comes with a real problem. What you see on a short video or a post is a snippet, a highlight reel of a finished result, without the depth behind it. There’s rarely any way to properly dissect each stage of the process, understand the reasoning or learn how to adapt the technique for different hair types. And that’s the crucial part. 

In hairdressing, particularly in colour, every single canvas is different – the same method and the same mixture applied to two different heads of hair can give you two completely different results. That knowledge only comes from proper, structured education where you can ask questions, break things down and truly understand the ‘why’ behind what you‘re doing, not just copy what you’ve seen.

My advice would be to invest in proper education alongside anything you’re picking up online – use social media for inspiration, but don’t mistake it for training as the two are very different things.

What traits do you think are most important in order to thrive in the industry?
I’m not sure there’s one specific set of traits that guarantees success in this industry – and I think that’s actually one of the most beautiful things about it.

Over the years I’ve worked alongside so many different types of people, with completely different personalities, styles and approaches. And what I’ve noticed is that each of them attracts a clientele that reflects exactly who they are, both visually and in terms of personality. The clients find their person. There’s room for everyone in this industry, and I think that’s something we should celebrate more.

If there’s one thing I would say is truly important though, it’s learning to separate your work life from your personal life. That boundary is everything. This industry is full on with the hours, the energy you give to every client and the constant creativity, and without proper time to switch off, it catches up with you.

Whether it’s time with friends, with family or simply time alone to decompress, that space away from work isn’t a luxury. It’s what keeps you sharp, passionate and present when you are in the salon. The hairdressers I’ve seen burn out are almost always the ones who never learned to put the scissors down.

Were you surprised to win a Beauty, Hair & Spa Award, and what does winning mean to you?
Honestly? I was absolutely blown away. This was my first time ever entering the Beauty, Hair & Spa Awards, so to win Colour Technician of the Year 2026 first time round – I genuinely didn’t see that coming.

When I decided to enter, I made a conscious decision to present work that was true to me. I think there can be a misconception with competitions like this that you need to go completely out there with wild, dramatic, boundary-pushing looks that demand attention. And while that work is incredible, it’s not always who you are as a colourist.

What I submitted was a reflection of my actual style, a subtle balance between natural shading and playful techniques. Work that clients in the real world would wear and love. I wanted the judges to see ‘me’ in those looks, not a version of me performing for a competition.

And it turns out that authenticity worked. Winning means everything, not just as recognition of the craft, but a confirmation that you don't have to be someone else to succeed. Being yourself is enough.

What advice would you give anyone who is thinking about entering next year’s Beauty, Hair & Spa Awards?
Just do it. Honestly, don’t overthink it. The process is straightforward and easy to follow, and what you get out of it is so much more than a trophy. You get the opportunity to create something fun and beautiful. Something that’s firstly for you, a chance to express yourself and your craft outside of the everyday salon environment. And then you get to share it with an entire community of people who understand exactly what went into it.

The night itself was an absolute blast. The atmosphere, the people, the energy, I couldn’t recommend the experience more highly. Win or lose, it’s a night you'll talk about for a long time.

And think about it from a business perspective too – what better way to promote yourself than being able to say you’re part of one of the most prestigious awards in the industry? Whether you’re shortlisted, nominated or walking away with a trophy, that association speaks volumes to clients and peers alike.

So, if you’re sitting on the fence, get off it. Enter! Create something you're proud of, and enjoy every single moment of it.