Wella Professionals Announces the “PROject the Now” Challenge Winners

Jesica Mesa Wins Wella Professionals’ “PROject the Now” Challenge

Wella Professionals hosted the “PROject the Now” Challenge this fall with the opportunity for one stylist to win over $5,000 in prizes, including a salon upgrade and Wella Education opportunities. The contest challenged stylists to create their best color-blocking looks—check out the three winners below!

1. Grand Prize Winner: Jesica Mesa

Connecticut-based color and haircut specialist Jesica Mesa (@jem.hair) won big, taking home the grand prize of a $2,500 salon upgrade, a $250 Wellastore gift card and $2,500 Wella Education credit. Earning a spot in BTC’s #ONESHOT Hair Awards Top 25 and 100 for Overall Haircut and Color Transformation, Jesica’s work speaks for itself in her clear ability to use her client’s color to enhance their haircut. Check out her winning entry below! 

Photo Credit: Instagram via @jem.hair

When asked about color blocking, Jesica remarked:

“Color blocking provides a bold yet subtle statement. There’s so many different and versatile looks that can be created and personalized to fit each client’s unique personality. Its popularity is also derived from it being marketed as a ‘mini’ service. With the tougher economy, clients and stylists are looking for ways to maintain their relationship. So, cost-effective services like the money piece will do both: Maintain relationships and create a beautiful overall look!”

2. Runner Up: Katya Averina 

Katya Averina (@katyahairstylist), blonding and haircut specialist based in New York City, took home a $1,000 salon upgrade plus a digital or in-studio education credit valued at $1,000. Keep scrolling to see her winning entry and read Katya’s thoughts about color blocking below—plus, her formulas! 

“I think that the color-blocking technique is very trendy at the moment and will stay for a few more years. It looks very stylish and beautiful. It’s an easy maintenance and you can play with different colors, just like I did: blonde with a bright aquamarine color. When the color starts washing [out], it stays gorgeous.” Check out Katya’s winning entry below:

Photo Credit: Instagram via @katyahairstylist

The Process: “I used Wella Professionals Blondor Freelights Lightening Powder for brightening and Wella Professionals Blondor Freelights Developer + 20 percent. For toner (lengths,) I used equal parts Wella Professionals Illumina Permanent Color 1069 + 960, and for the ends I used Wella Professionals Color Fresh Mask Mint.”

3. Runner Up: Stephanie Walker

Vivid hair specialist from Dayton, Ohio, Stephanie Walker (@hairbylunabelle), also took home the award for Runner Up, which included a $1,000 salon upgrade plus a digital or in-studio education credit valued at $1,000. When asked about color blocking, Stephanie remarked: 

“To me, color blocking is the best way to test out fashion colors without a full commitment! I like that you could have multiple colors/tones so that it’s easy to switch up, I also think it’s lower maintenance.”

Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairbylunabelle

For more information, visit wella.com.

Products Used

Hair Color

BLONDOR Freelights

Wella Professionals

Color Depositing

Color Fresh Mask

Wella Professionals

Hair Color

Illumina Color by Wella Professionals

Wella Professionals