Revlon Professional celebrated its latest Colour Specialist Graduates on 13 October, 2026, honouring 16 colourists in a ceremony at Sweeties bar, The Standard hotel in London
Now in its third year, the Revlon Professional Colour Specialist Programme is the flagship of the brand’s education offering. The graduation ceremony brought together educators, graduates and industry guests for an afternoon of recognition.
The event marked the culmination of months of intensive training, as the group of colourists successfully completed the Revlon Professional Colour Specialist Programme. This year’s graduates completed eight intensive weeks of learning, deepening their understanding of the Revlon Professional colour portfolio and developing the technical expertise and confidence to bring that knowledge into their everyday salon work.
The afternoon was hosted by Rio Agor-Watts, Group Education Manager UKI, Revlon Professional Brands, who welcomed guests and introduced the celebration. Matt Horder, General Manager UKI, Revlon Professional Brands, shared a few words on the graduates’ achievement and the importance of education within the brand’s professional partnerships.
Rio said: “Hair Colour is truly the gem in our crown at Revlon Professional, and this programme represents the very best of our education offering. Over the course of eight intensive weeks, these graduates have dedicated their time, energy and passion to developing an in-depth understanding of the Revlon Professional colour portfolio, elevating both their technical expertise and confidence behind the chair.
"This programme enables colour expertise at the highest level, blending technical mastery with creative excellence. It represents a real milestone for Revlon Professional in the UK and Ireland and sets a benchmark in professional colour education. Congratulations to every member of the RCS Class of 2026 on this incredible achievement.”
Revlon Professional Brand Master Educators Karen Thomas and Philip Meehan, who have played a pivotal role in developing and delivering the programme, followed with a presentation, looking back at this year’s course and the learning behind the qualification. They then presented each graduate with a certificate and celebratory gift, recognising the work and commitment involved in completing the programme.
With colour at the heart of Revlon Professional’s education, the course gives hairdressers the opportunity to go further with their knowledge: understanding the portfolio in greater depth, strengthening their approach to technical decisions and building confidence behind the chair.
For the graduates, the ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate their qualification and reflect on how the experience has influenced their approach to colour.
Emma Simmons from Salon 54, who graduated with a Distinction, said: “One thing I’ve realised in 30 years of being in this industry is that you never stop learning. For me, the Revlon Colour Specialist course was not just about gaining another qualification, it was about challenging myself and sharing ideas and growing creatively.
"Awards celebrate and recognise what you do, but education shapes what you achieve next. I want to say a huge thank you to the education team at Revlon Professional and to all my new friends who have graduated today - well done and here’s to never standing still.”
Chloe Nolan from We Are Salon, who also graduated with a Distinction, added: “I signed up to the course because I wanted to challenge myself in a completely different way, push my knowledge further, question what I thought I already knew, and understand colour on a much deeper level. I won’t pretend it was easy! From delving into the chemistry, biology and genetics of hair, to the intense practical assessment and a challenging written exam, this course has challenged me in ways I probably didn’t anticipate.
"But that’s exactly what makes this qualification so special. I’ve not just developed my technical skills; I’ve changed the way I think, analyse and approach my work. Becoming a Master of Colour hasn't simply changed what I know; it's changed what I believe I'm capable of achieving.”
The Revlon Professional Colour Specialist Class of 2026 full line-up:
- Melissa Watters
- Phoebe Bashford
- Teresa Weller
- Julija Baranova
- Courtney Burne
- Emma Millis
- Sallyanne Rigby
- Hugo Cheevers
- Rosie Hedges
- Jody Manester
- Tina Lombardi
- Sarah Winters
- Samantha Wilson
- Maxine Thompson
- Emma Simmons
- Chloe Nolan
The Class of 2026 will now take their learnings back into salons, applying a deeper understanding of colour to the consultations, formulations and results they deliver for their clients.
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