Meet the winners

We launched a nationwide hunt to find five beauty lovers to join big brands like Sephora and the British Beauty Council on the Student Beauty Board to disrupt and grow the industry. Drumroll, please… here are the trailblazing winners!

These trailblazers will each receive a £3,000 grant as they meet with industry leaders to inspire meaningful change. Drumroll, please… here are the winners!

We asked, “What’s one change you would like to see in the beauty industry?”

Ojoachenyo Onuh

Studying: Pharmaceutical Sciences

As a pharmaceutical science student, Enyo advocates for a significant shift in the transparency and efficacy of beauty products. As part of the Student Beauty Board, Enyo wants to challenge the current landscape that’s dominated by online trends and misinformation to a new era where products are always effective, truthful, safe and rooted in proven science and world-class expertise.

Bethany Cookson

Studying: Marketing

Drawing on her personal struggle with acne, marketing student Bethany is passionate about celebrating all skin types in the world of beauty. Believing beauty is about reality, not hiding, she urges brands to make a permanent cultural shift. As part of the Student Beauty Board, Bethany will champion the inclusivity of acne and skin texture in marketing and beauty education, envisioning a future where everyone feels represented and confident.

Rachel Igwe

Studying: MSc Cosmetic Science

As a cosmetic science student and a beauty adviser, Rachel hopes to change the lack of diverse shade inclusivity in beauty products. She is passionate about creating dedicated spaces in stores for inclusive products that are marketed equally, urges brands to diversify skin products, and aims for a future where finding inclusive beauty is effortless.

Penelope Helbest

Studying: Media & Communication

Penelope believes that everyone should have the tools to feel beautiful and access makeup. She highlights how mobility issues can create significant barriers to enjoying beauty products and passionately advocates for more inclusive packaging and tools. Drawing on her personal experience, she’ll urge big brands to listen to the needs of disabled people and develop products that are more ergonomic and easy to use—for everyone!

Tyrese Walters

Studying: Digital Marketing in Fashion

As a member of the Student Beauty Board, Tyrese is calling for more "realness" in the beauty industry, celebrating real stories, real skin and real education for all. His personal experiences with eczema and navigating his mixed-race hair have instilled in him a passion for the representation of diverse skin conditions and specific hair types, valuing honesty and individuality.

Introducing our new Student Beauty Board—meet the competition winners who are going to transform the beauty industry.