Tullow stylist to fly the flag for Ireland at London hair awards

A TULLOW hair salon is celebrating after its creative director was named an Irish finalist in one of the industry’s most prestigious international competitions.

Samantha Byrne, creative director of Vanilla Hair Design, has been selected as an Irish finalist in the Editorial Visionary category of the Wella Trend Vision Awards 2026.

This September, Samantha will travel to London to represent Ireland at the awards, competing alongside hair artists from around the world.

“It’s amazing to be involved, let alone get to the final,” she told The Nationalist.

The Clonegal native, who went to school in Tullow, is no stranger to accolades. She was named Irish Hairdresser of the Year in 2019, and earlier this year she was selected for the prestigious FAME Team (Fellowship Academy of Merit and Excellence) 2026, run by the Fellowship for British Hairdressing – the first Irish woman to be chosen in 15 years.

Her journey with Vanilla Hair Design is a remarkable one. Samantha started at the salon as a trainee on the day of her 20th birthday and is now director of the franchise across two locations, in Tullow and Mount Wolseley Hotel, just outside the town. This year the business celebrated its 20-year anniversary, coinciding with Samantha’s own 40th birthday.

Reaching this year’s final came after a deliberate decision to step back into the spotlight. “I kind of put myself out there this year because I took a break after 2019 when I won Irish Hairdresser of the Year,” she said.

“I took a break for five years to run my business, look after the girls and help them with their goals. A lot of them have achieved that now so I was like, you know what? I want to put myself outside my comfort zone again. So last August I went over to London to audition for the FAME team.” Balancing creative competition with the day-to-day running of a busy salon is something Samantha takes seriously. “It’s very important to be creative outside the salon floor, but the salon is our bread and butter, too,” she said.

The London final promises to be an intense day. “I have five hours to complete an editorial look. And while you’re doing that, the judges will be going around, there’ll be interviews. So, it’s quite a big event. And then that evening in the National History Museum in London there will be an event where they announce the winner,” she explained.

While she plans to bring all the girls from the salon to London to share in the occasion, on the day itself Samantha will be working alone, alongside a professional make-up artist, to complete her look.

For Samantha, who employs nine staff members, the achievement is about far more than personal recognition; it’s a source of pride for small Irish businesses everywhere. She is passionate about championing independent salons, describing Vanilla Hair Design as “just a little salon” competing with elite brands.

That belief in the power of small businesses is already bearing fruit closer to home. “I think if we put some positivity into small businesses, it’s amazing what we can achieve because one of my trainees there just got word during the week that she is one of the finalists for The Apprentice of the Year Awards. So, we’re going up to the Mansion House!"

In the run-up to the London final, Vanilla Hair Design said it would be taking supporters behind the scenes, from creative concepts and preparations through to competition day.

“Every client who has trusted us, supported us and shared in our journey has played a part in this incredible milestone,” the salon said.