Sephora UK and the British Beauty Council have announced the five winners set to join its 2026 Student Beauty Shadow Board, selected from a pool of nearly 600 applicants.
The mentorship and grant initiative, now in its second year, is led by student discount provider Unidays and was created to bridge the gap between education and the beauty industry, supporting emerging talent.
The judging panel, chaired by Jessica Hewitt, Global Head of Beauty and Wellness at Unidays, and included Emma Dawson, CEO of Vieve; Sabina Ellahi, Head of Brand and Communications at Sephora UK; and Jacqui Burchall, CCO at the British Beauty Council.
The five winners are: Tejal Vadukul, Liv Camacho Wejbrandt, Tito Idowu, Estelle Morris and Sahara-Love Campbell.
The winners study a diverse range of subjects – real estate, dentistry, engineering and design, cosmetic science and accounting – and each bring a fresh perspective to the future of the beauty industry.
The winners join the Shadow Board, created for students within further education who are passionate about the beauty industry.
These students will attend a series of workshops alongside key leaders, with their voices playing an important role in shaping the future of the beauty industry.
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The five winners, chosen following a nationwide selection process, will each receive a £3,000 grant.
Additionally, the winners will also take part in a year-long project with Sephora UK in which they will work closely with the team, and gain behind-the-scenes insights and access through visits to the retailer’s head office in London, UK, stores and distribution centre.
Tejal Vadukul, real estate student and Student Beauty Shadow Board winner, said:
“I am so excited to have been selected for the 2026 Student Beauty Shadow Board and proud to represent the student voice within the beauty industry.
“For me, beauty has never just been about products – it is about shared experiences, self-expression and the meaningful experiences that bring people together.
“This is an incredible opportunity and I am looking forward to learning from our amazing mentors and my fellow winners, as we explore new ways to make the industry more accessible, student-focused and inclusive.”
Jessica Hewitt, Global Head of Beauty and Wellness at Unidays, said: “We are delighted to announce the winners of this year’s Student Beauty Shadow Board.
The quality of the submissions this year once again demonstrates the creativity and ambition of students across the UK.
This initiative is about identifying and supporting the next generation of beauty talent, helping students gain the skills, confidence, and industry connections to thrive in their future careers.
“We are looking forward to collaborating with and supporting this year’s impressive cohort of winners, giving them the tools and insight to help bring their ideas to life.”
Sabina Ellahi, Head of Brand and Communications at Sephora UK, added: “The future of beauty depends on nurturing the talent of tomorrow and bringing next-generation voices to the table.
“At Sephora UK, we are passionate about creating opportunities for emerging talent to learn, grow and gain meaningful insight into our industry.
“Through a series of immersive workshops at our London head office, we will welcome five winners to connect with teams from across the business, hear from industry leaders and experience the world of beauty retail first-hand.”
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