Keune Hair Stylist Awards 2026: Artistry at its Finest

The Global Jury

La Toya Velberg, Keune Global Artistic Director
Known for her creative vision and expertise in hair artistry and styling.

Luke Benson, Keune Global Artistic Director
An internationally recognised hairstylist with a strong background in editorial and celebrity hairstyling.

Giuseppe Stelitano, Keune Global Artistic Director
Celebrated for his innovative approach and technical excellence in hair colouring.

Jayne Lewis-Orr, Professional Hair Industry Expert
A respected industry leader with decades of experience in education and trend forecasting.

Sergi Bancells, Global Editorial Ambassador, Estetica 
An editorial expert dedicated to showcasing the best of international hairdressing.

Meet the Winners

Color Award Winner – Pearl Dunford

The Color category recognises editorial colour work that demonstrates creativity, precision, and vision. Pearl Dunford’s entry stood out for its exceptional technical execution and distinctive artistic approach.

Here's what Pearl had to say about their win...

Winning the KEUNE Hairstylist Awards global Color category is a major achievement. What was your reaction when you heard the news, and what does this recognition mean to you personally and professionally?

When I found out I’d won, I was completely overwhelmed and honestly couldn’t believe it. It felt like every early morning, late night, challenge, and moment of doubt had led to this. Hairdressing has never just been my job, it’s my passion and how I express my creativity.

To be recognised globally by KEUNE is something I never expected. It’s given me so much confidence and reminded me that when you truly love what you do and work hard, amazing opportunities can happen.

Tell us about the winning look – what was the inspiration behind it, and how did the concept develop from idea to final image?

I wanted the look to tell a story rather than just create beautiful hair. My aim was for people to feel the cold instantly, as if they’d stepped into an icy world. Every detail supported that idea, from the cool tones in the hair to the white lashes and bleached brows, giving an ethereal, frostbitten effect. I wanted the model to feel like part of the environment, creating something striking and emotional.

For me, colour is about feeling, not just technique, it should transport people and make them stop and look.

The task for the Color category asked you to demonstrate technical mastery whilst exploring the full spectrum of color possibilities. How did you interpret that, and how did it shape your creative decisions?

I saw the brief as a chance to combine technical precision with storytelling. It wasn’t enough to create beautiful colour, every formula, placement, and detail had to support the overall emotion.

The icy tones, soft blends, and controlled placement created the feeling of cold, while the white lashes and brows completed the illusion. Technique gave structure, but creativity brought the story to life. The most powerful colour work doesn’t just look good, it makes you feel something.

KEUNE products were central to the entry. Which specific products did you use, and how did they help you achieve the result you were looking for?

For this colour correction, I used:

• 2000+ Persulfate + 6% Developer to gently remove the blue direct dye
• Power Bleach + 6% Developer to lift the regrowth
• Power Blonde + 6% Developer to lighten the mid-length band
• 10.17 + 9.1 to create a clean, neutral base
• Chameleon Magenta + Clear for soft pastel pink panels
• Chameleon Blue + Green + Clear for the pale mint base

The 2000+ Persulfate was key in removing stubborn blue pigment while protecting the hair’s condition. Creating a clean canvas allowed the pastel pink and mint tones to develop true to colour, achieving the soft, fresh finish I wanted.

Can you tell us about your journey with KEUNE? How long have you been using the products, and what made KEUNE your brand of choice?

I’ve worked with KEUNE since 2022, and I genuinely couldn’t imagine working without the brand. It’s not just the product quality, which is consistently reliable, but the company’s values and education. KEUNE invests in stylists and builds a community that encourages creativity, growth, and learning.

It’s played a huge part in shaping me as a colourist. Winning a global KEUNE award with a brand I’ve trusted from the start makes this moment feel like a full-circle achievement.

What does your day-to-day work look like, and how does the creative side of competitions like this feed back into your salon practice or the work you do with clients every day?

Competitions give me the freedom to think without limits and remind me why I fell in love with hairdressing. They push me to explore new techniques and create work that tells a story and evokes emotion.

That creativity feeds directly into my salon work at Luke Benson Hair. I see every client as an individual with their own story, whether it’s a soft blonde or a full transformation. My goal is always for them to leave feeling confident as well as happy with their hair. Competitions keep me learning, evolving, and bringing that same attention to detail into every appointment.

What does it mean to you to be recognised by KEUNE, a brand with over a hundred years of history in the professional hair industry?

Being recognised by a brand with such a long history is incredibly humbling. KEUNE has inspired stylists worldwide for over a century, so having my work acknowledged by them means a lot.

I’m proud not just of this moment, but of the journey that led here. It’s a reminder that passion, consistency, and belief in your creativity really do matter. It encourages me to keep growing and also inspires other young stylists to believe in themselves.

What advice would you give to hairstylists thinking about entering the next KEUNE Hairstylist Awards, and what do you think it takes to produce a winning entry?

My biggest advice is to trust your creativity and avoid comparing yourself to others. The strongest work comes from being authentic and true to your own style. Put your heart into your work and passion always shows. Focus on detail, trust the process, and keep learning. Whether you win or not, competitions will push you to grow in ways you don’t expect. You might surprise yourself when you take the leap.

Style Award Winner – Artem Kayukov

The Style category celebrates modern, innovative styling that combines creativity with technical precision while remaining wearable. Artem Kayukov’s winning entry impressed the jury with its strong concept, execution, and contemporary yet soft vision

Here's what Artem had to say about their win...

Winning the KEUNE Hairstylist Awards global Style category is a major achievement. What was your reaction when you heard the news, and what does this recognition mean to you personally and professionally?

Honestly, I was completely shocked. The competition was incredibly strong, which is probably why the emotions felt so intense. Winning this award for the second time, five years after my first victory, is a very emotional experience. I don’t see it as a reason to feel special; for me, it is a confirmation that a personal creative vision can be seen and understood far beyond the borders of your own country. What means the most to me is the realisation that true style does not need translation.

Tell us about the winning look - what was the inspiration behind it, and how did the concept develop from idea to final image?

My inspiration came from water. For hair, water is the foundation of health, but I was interested not only in its properties, but also in its character. Water is never the same: it can be calm or powerful, soft or dynamic, yet it always remains true to itself. I spent time observing how it flows, changes shape, reflects light, creates movement, and forms natural texture. Gradually, these observations evolved into the concept of the final look. I worked extensively with lines, texture, and light, removing everything unnecessary until the image felt as free, fluid, and organic as water itself.

The task for the Style category asked you to push the boundaries of modern styling whilst remaining wearable and commercially viable. How did you interpret that, and how did it shape your creative decisions?

For me, pushing the boundaries of modern styling does not mean creating something overly avant-garde or complicated simply for a dramatic effect. It was important to preserve the purity of the shape, its lightness, and its natural feel without overwhelming the look with unnecessary details. I was searching for a balance between artistic expression and wearability, where every line and every element has a purpose. In my opinion, true style is born from the ability to feel that balance and know when enough is enough.

Keune products were central to the entry. Which specific products did you use, and how did they help you achieve the result you were looking for?

For this look, Keune products became the tools that allowed me to express the idea of water – its lightness, movement, and natural shine. To create a clean, multidimensional blonde, I used Cream Blonde and Semi Color 10.2, 10.81, and Beige. For shaping and control, I worked with THICK TRICK and AIR WAX, while FREE STYLER helped me create soft waves and a fluid, mobile texture.

It was essential that the hair looked alive, so I chose products that provide control without sacrificing movement. For the final finish, I used FIXER and SHINE THERAPY to add smoothness and luminosity, almost like light reflecting on the surface of water.

Can you tell us about your journey with KEUNE? How long have you been using the products, and what made KEUNE your brand of choice? 

My journey with KEUNE began in 2014, and since then the brand has become an important part of my professional story. Since 2018, I have worked as a KEUNE educator, and every day I see that behind the quality of the products there is a very clear philosophy.

KEUNE is a family business where people and relationships truly matter. Over the years, I have experienced genuine support, openness, and real partnership from the brand’s team. KEUNE covers all of my professional needs – from salon work to recommending home care for clients. I remain loyal to the brand because I see continuous innovation without any compromise in values or quality. After all these years, KEUNE has become much more than a brand for me; it is a true professional partner.

What does your day-to-day work look like, and how does the creative side of competitions like this feed back into your salon practice or the work you do with clients every day?

 My daily work is a constant dialogue with people – their personalities, desires, and individuality. Competitions at this level help me develop my visual awareness, deepen my understanding of style, and find the right solution for each client more intuitively and efficiently. They also push me to continuously refine my technique, attention to detail, and speed of execution.

What is especially meaningful is that I share this journey with my clients. They follow the process, support me, and become part of it. This creates a strong emotional connection and reinforces their trust in my expertise. For them, these achievements are also a reflection of my ongoing professional growth.

What does it mean to you to be recognised by KEUNE, a brand with over a hundred years of history in the professional hair industry?

Being recognised by KEUNE is particularly meaningful because it is a brand with a rich history and a deep respect for the profession. When your work and your creative perspective are acknowledged by people who see exceptional work every day, it becomes a powerful source of motivation. I see this award not only as a personal achievement, but also as an opportunity to contribute, in my own way, to the ongoing story of the brand. This kind of recognition inspires me to keep evolving, creating new ideas, and striving for the next level of mastery.

What advice would you give to hairstylists thinking about entering the next KEUNE Hairstylist Awards, and what do you think it takes to produce a winning entry?

First of all: do not be afraid. If you feel that your work has its own voice and has the potential to stand one step ahead, you should be bold enough to present it.

A winning entry begins not with technique, but with a strong idea. The concept, the philosophy behind the look, and every detail – from colour and shape to the model and the overall impression – must be carefully considered. It is also valuable to study previous winning collections and understand what made them memorable and why they stood out. Equally important is working with a professional model and a photographer who understands the concept, light, and how to capture the beauty of the hair while communicating the idea through the image.

And after all of that, I would add one final secret ingredient: a little bit of magic. Because creating something truly exceptional is not only about calculating every detail; it is also about trusting inspiration and allowing creativity to lead you beyond what can be planned.

Creative Award Winner – Stefanie Mellin

The Creative category encourages hairstylists to challenge conventions and push the boundaries of hair artistry. Stefanie Mellin’s winning submission combined originality with outstanding craftsmanship to deliver a truly memorable concept.

Here's what Stefanie had to say about their win...

Winning the global KEUNE Hairstylist Awards in the Creative category is an extraordinary achievement. How did you react when you found out you had won, and what does this recognition mean to you – personally and professionally?

I was completely silent on the phone at first, and I have to admit, I had tears in my eyes. I had Celina, KEUNE’s Head of Marketing in Germany, on the other end of the phone, and I remember that she asked me several times whether I was happy about it. I think the moment must have been a little confusing because I didn’t scream for joy into the phone. I wished she could have seen my face: I was grinning from ear to ear and had tears in my eyes. I was incredibly proud of myself – and also of my team.

I think it’s wonderful to be able to admit that you are happy about recognition and when the energy you have put into a project can be seen. Being recognised for your own work is always nice. But when other people feel your work, connect with it and recognise themselves in your language, that naturally makes the moment even more special.

Tell us about your winning look: What was the inspiration behind it, and how did the concept develop from the initial idea to the final image?

My inspiration actually started with a feeling. I wanted to create something big and striking in the image, while at the same time giving it a sense of individuality and calmness. The hairstyle should speak for itself and, despite its size, radiate a sense of calm that could ideally be transferred to the viewer. For this, I drew on simple hair elements from the 1960s and based the shape of the hairstyle on the classic chignon updo.

I also wanted the make-up to support the impact of the hairstyle. The decision to bleach the eyebrows for the look was deliberately inspired by the Renaissance and was intended to soften the face. The micro-fringe, on the other hand, was meant to bring more structure to the face and create a punk-inspired break in an otherwise very classic shape.

Light was also an important part of the concept. Viola, the photographer, worked with narrower, more directional light, particularly around the face, so that the image would not appear too soft or too commercial. In the end, the goal was to create a visual language with a strong presence while still giving the viewer space to feel something for themselves.