Stylist and colourist Susan Vargas has fulfilled a life-long dream by winning a place at the L'Oréal Colour Trophy Grand Final 2007, where she will represent Shu Shu Hair Salon, Hull in the L'Oréal Men's Image Award. Having frequently entered the women's category in the past, Susan turned to the men's brief for inspiration this year and created a stunning, trend-driven entry bursting with originality that pushed her through to the last round of the competition.

"We were photographing the ladies for the L'Oréal Colour Trophy and it wasn't going as I had hoped," explains Susan of her winning entry, "so I decided to shoot my Men's Image ideas too. Researching online I had noticed that 60's inspired styling is a key upcoming trend, so I used The Rolling Stones era as inspiration then added my own twist of modernity with gothic darks in the hair. When I saw how it looked on camera I decided to enter the Men's Image category - everything just came together beautifully."

Susan has single-handedly earned a place at the Grand Final where she will compete against her fellow finalists for the Men's Image title in May. Having reached the regional finals several times in the past, Susan is delighted at how far this year's competition has taken her.

"I actually didn't realise I had won for a minute or two," admits Susan of her winning moment "but there was a whole minibus of staff next to me who leapt out of their seats shouting and the truth sunk in. I was so shocked I couldn't even smile or speak! It is an absolute dream of mine to win at the L'Oréal Grand Final - I will continue working until I have experienced that moment."