Ellesmere Port salon star ready to compete with the best in top competition

Shea Morris has reached the top five in the regional finals of the L’Oreal Colour Trophy.

International hairdresser and owner of The Boutique Atelier salon in Ellesmere Port, Richard Phillipart, is proud to announce that, for the 10th year, a member of his team has been highlighted by L'Oréal Professional as one of the leading colourists in the country.

The Boutique Atelier in Ellesmere Port.

This year graduate stylist, Shea Morris, has been shortlisted for the 'STAR' award at the L'Oréal Colour Trophy and as such is officially one of the North West's top five 'up and coming' names to watch in hairdressing.

He will now go head to head with the other finalists at the regional finals on March 28, hoping to be named the North-West winner and moving forward to compete against the whole UK at the London grand finals in June.

He said: “I was extremely excited to get the email telling me I had been shortlisted for the L’Oreal Colour Trophy STAR award.

Shea's handiwork which has helped him reach the regional finals of a top hairdressing contest.

"I worked really hard on my concept and entry colour makeover and to have that recognised by the judges is fantastic.

"I’d like to thank Richard for his guidance and support with my career and showing me everything the hairdressing industry has to offer. I'd also like to thank Charlotte and Jill at the salon for inspiring me about the world of colour and teaching me my colour knowledge over the years.

"I can't wait for the regional finals later this month.”

Shea Morris, graduate stylist at The Boutique Atelier in Ellesmere Port.

This is the second time Shea has been shortlisted for this award since starting at the salon as a Saturday boy and completing his three-year apprenticeship with Richard.

Unfortunately, the lockdowns in 2020 put an end to in-person competitions, so this will be Shea's first live hairdressing competition at this high level.

The next stage of the competition will put the five young colourists through their paces as they now look to not only create a truly inspirational, modern colour, complemented by trend-driven styling and finish, but also get through an interview with the judging panel.

The team of judges will look for work that is exceptionally executed and technically precise.

Shea created a beautiful copper and strawberry blonde colour with cascading waves for his photographic entry and will have to present this on stage to a panel of leading figures in the industry.

Shea has lots of experience on stage at hairdressing events, where he has assisted Richard at trade shows in London in front of hundreds of hairdressers. He will also use his experience working with Richard at London Fashion Week to influence his look and presentation.

Richard said: “The L'Oréal Colour Trophy is the industry's longest running and leading in person hairdressing competition. Over our 10 years of nominations, my team are proud to have racked up 23 regional nominations between us with multiple grand finals and UK wide wins.

"Our biggest accolade in the competition is when our master stylist, Charlotte Roberts, won the UK grand finals with her men's image award in 2018.

"Charlotte started as my apprentice 12 years ago and seeing her achieve so much in her career has been one of the things I'm most proud of. Now with Shea stepping in her footsteps and starting his career with such an accolade can only mean good things for his future."

As one of the UK's leading names in the hairdressing industry, Richard has been judging the L'Oréal Colour Trophy since 2016. Of course, Richard can not judge the North-West region as that is where the salon team competes, meaning he has travelled the UK, judging colourists in Scotland, Ireland, the Midlands and London regional finals.

This year Richard will judge the Southern finals, on April 10.

For more information on the Ellesmere Port salon, visit www.theboutiqueatelier.co.uk