The industry’s gloss obsession hit its peak in Sydney this week, as Redken crowned its 2026 Gloss Boss Award winners – three colourists redefining what modern shine looks like across Australia and New Zealand.

Unveiled on March 23 following a Gloss Boss Masterclass typically glamorous Redken Runway, this year’s winners utilised the Shades EQ range with flair and finesse to create their stunning winning looks. Think polished finishes, seamless blends and glossing that reads as both technical and instinctive.

The 2026 Winners

Blonde Winner 2026
Jenna Iliou

Brunette Winner 2026
Jennifer Good

Creative Colour Winner 2026
Chloe McDowell

Each winner rose to the top of a highly competitive finalist pool, with judging centred on tone, technique and overall transformation. Across all three categories – Blonde, Brunette and Creative Colour – the work reflected a new calibre of glossing: less about excess, more about precision and light-reflective impact.

The Gloss Boss Awards, built around the cult-status Shades EQ Gloss, have quickly cemented themselves as a platform for colourists who understand that shine is more than mere finish – it’s a signature. And this year’s winners delivered exactly that, pushing beyond trend into something more enduring.

Beyond the title, the winners will now take their place on a global stage, travelling to Las Vegas for the 2026 Redken Symposium – an opportunity that signals just how seriously the brand is investing in the next generation of colour leadership.

Congratulations to the 2026 Redken Gloss Boss Award Winners! Check out their winning looks, here.