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SEARCHCompetitions can bring out the best in salon professionals, pushing any stylist to dig into those skills that are not typically used during the course of the salon day.
The very first L’Oréal Professionnel Color & Style Trophy held in the U.S. was a great success.
MODERN was there not only to document this historic moment, but also to judge. Beauty and Fashion Director Maggie Mulhern was on the panel along with an impressive group of professionals, including social media stars Johnny Ramirez and Anh Co Tran, and balayage expert Nancy Braun, to select the best in the six categories.
The winner of the competition, Lindsey Olson, was invited to join MODERN SALON at the Water Street Studios in New York City to use her winning look as inspiration for a fresh collection.
Joining Olson, who is a Redken platform artist, for the day was Instagram superstar Shelley Gregory (@shelleygregoryhair) who was there to give tips and insights, while guiding Olson as she documented her own journey in the studio.
Olson is competing against 19 other international finalists this month in Spain, but she says just entering is a victory.
“It really brings out the best in us,” says Olson, who, in addition to winning the Color & Style Trophy, was also a NAHA finalist in 2015. “It forces you to challenge yourself. Just the experience of entering is a prize in itself. I would take all the mistakes and learning experiences over one single regret of not trying any day!”
This competition was particularly thrilling for Olson because she and several members of the Tre Volte Salon in Orland Park, Illinois, participated, from prep to makeup to photography.
“We all had an opportunity to stretch our boundaries,” Olson says. “Although we knew to follow the rules, we did not limit ourselves in any other way.”Pointing out that this silhouette could be so over the top, Olson adds, “But with less makeup and simple wardrobe it can be classic.”
The look created here was inspired by that winning design, but puts more strength in the shape for a geometric finish with a pop of color.
“Still nothing too busy, but the intensity is elevated,” Olson says. “Less is more and I like to let certain things speak more, like the hair color versus the shape.”
CREDITS:
Hair: Lindsey Olson
Photographer: Roberto Ligresti
Makeup and nails: Jezz Hill
Fashion styling: Rod Novoa
On-set mentor: Shelley Gregory, L’Oréal Professionnel Ambassador
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