Shanghai hosted a high-profile hair artistry show by L'Oreal Professionnel at the Museum of Art Pudong on April 22, as part of the official schedule of the 2026 "First in Shanghai" initiative.

The show unfolded through four chapters — vintage, minimalist, millennium, and futuristic — highlighting current trends and creative approaches in high-end hair artistry.

The event brought together a premier hair artistry debut, a global hair artistry competition, and a new product launch pop-up.

The L'Oreal Pro global hair design competition, which has a history of more than 70 years, has attracted more than 100,000 hairstylists from more than 26 countries.

Since the competition was introduced to China in 2002, Chinese stylists have won the global championship twice, in 2023 and 2024.

At the finale, the top eight contestants from the China division of the 2025 L'Oreal Pro global hair design competition presented their works in futuristic, android-inspired looks rooted in Eastern culture and innovative styling.

One work by champion contestants Chen Yulan, Gao Li, and Pu Chunhui drew inspiration from Chang Hen Ge (Song of Everlasting Regret) by Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Bai Juyi, featuring interwoven gold and silver tones that evoke rolling waves in the river of history.

The show also aligns with the hairdressing skill at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, which is listed in the Social and Personal Services category.

Source: Shanghai Observer