Avant Garde
(From left to right: 2009 Winner Darian Bishop, 2010 Finalist Alain Pereque, 2010 Winner Nicholas French, 2011 Winner Jake Thompson)
Submit visionary work demonstrating new or experimental concepts in expressive, cutting-edge hair. Entries should reflect good taste and aesthetically pleasing images. This is not a fantasy category but a display of fashion forward, unique and edgy styles.
Requirements: Three Images / One - Three Models / Male or Female
Contemporary Classic
(From left to right: 2009 Finalist Maureen Anlauf, 2010 Finalist Steve Elias, 2010 Winner Alain Pereque, 2011 Winner Simon Chercuitte)
Show off your skill with wearable commercial styles in haircutting and finishing designed to complement the individuality of the model. Entrants should focus on updating a very classic look.
Requirements: Three Images / Three Models / Male or Female
Editorial Stylist of the Year
(From left to right: 2009 Finalist Maryl Valbeck, 2010 Finalist Charlie Price, 2010 Winner Steve Elias, 2011 Winner Dimitrios Tsioumas)
Submit your best published cover or editorial work. Work must be published in a consumer publication, defined as a popular consumer media magazine available for purchase on newsstands. Editorial entries submitted from industry publications will be disqualified. In addition to the standard NAHA entry and release forms, Editorial Stylist entries must be accompanied by the Editorial Stylist Entry Information Form, signed by the publication's editor. Download the form here
Requirements: Maximum Five Images / One - Five Models / Proof of Publication
Haircolor
(From left to right: 2009 Finalist John Simpson, 2010 Winner Chrystopher Benson, 2011 Finalist Martin Alarie, 2011 Winner Dimitrios Tsioumas)
Submit your three before-and-after designs showing off your eye for the perfect palette and hair-coloring techniques. All haircolor must be performed by the stylist named on the entry form. No color manipulation of photography is allowed in the Haircolor category. Before images must be taken the day of color service, with the same background and draping for each model. In addition to the standard NAHA entry and release forms, Haircolor entries must be accompanied by the Haircolor Technical Information Form, indicating the natural texture and level, the formula(s) and process(es) used, and a diagram of color placement.
Requirements: Six Images (Three Before and Three After) / Three Models / Male or Female
Hairstylist of the Year
(From left to right: 2009 Finalist Richard St Laurent, 2010 Winner Tony Ricci, 2011 Finalist Charlie Price, 2011 Winner Eli Mancha)
Hairstylist of the Year is the most prestigious recognition a North American hairstylist can attain. Submit your collection of diverse, creative and versatile hair designs capturing the excellence and artistry of the industry. Entries from this category may be used in other categories, except Salon Team.
Requirements: Five Images / Five Models / Male or Female
Make-Up Artist of the Year
(From left to right: 2009 Winner Janell Geason, 2010 Winner Seong Hee Park, 2011 Winner Clarissa Luna)
Exquisite hair deserves a flawless face! Nominate your make-up artist on your entry form when submitting your work. The winner will be selected from among the finalists' entries. Make-up artists must sign the release form. There is no additional entry fee for this nomination.
Requirements: There is no additional entry fee for this nomination.
Master Stylist of the Year
(From left to right: 2009 Winner Brian and Sandra Smith, 2010 Winner Wendy and Oscar Bond, 2011 Finalist Damien Carney, 2011 Winner Kris Sorbie)
This invitation only category is designed to allow the biggest names in the industry to compete with one another. Entrants are top platform artists, educators, artistic directors and previous Hairstylists of the Year. Submit five images of a collection exemplifying your best work.
Requirements: Five Images / One - Five Models / Male or Female
Salon/School Design of the Year
(From left to right: 2009 Winner Tribe Hair Studio, 2010 Finalist Donato Salon and Spa, 2010 Winner Vasken Demirjian Salon, 2011 Winner Salon M Sqaured)
Ambiance is key to a successful salon. Enter your salon to be recognized as the most esthetically pleasing and well-designed salon in North America. Entrant must be the salon or school owner. Images must NOT expose the name of the Salon or School, maintaining anonymity. In addition to the standard NAHA entry and release forms, entries must be accompanied by a Salon Design Entry Information Form indicating furniture designer. The Salon Design award will be presented at the PBA Business Forum, with the winner being recognized at NAHA.
Requirements: Three Images Featuring Salon's / School's Interior Design
Salon Master of Business Award (Salon MBA)
The Salon MBA category lets business-savvy salon owners showcase their work. The category is open to salon owners generating at least $300,000 in annual revenue, have at least three (3) licensed professional staff, are involved in day-to-day operations, and have been open for at least three years. Judging is based on six criteria - Demographics, Business Strategies, Marketing, Financials, Retail and Images. Schools Owners are NOT eligible to enter. Salon MBA entries are only accepted online. All Salon MBA entrants must download the Salon MBA entry packet. The Salon MBA award will be presented at the PBA Business Forum, with the winner being recognized at NAHA.
Requirements: Three Images of Salon Design, Including Reception, Retail and Service Areas. Images cannot expose or promote a salon name. Download the Salon MBA Guide.
Salon Team of the Year
(From left to right: 2009 Winner Salon Inpure, 2011 Winner Jackson Ruiz Salon)
Join your colleagues to show your team's diversity, versatility, creativity and expertise in hairstyling. Salon teams must consist of at least two members and be employed at the same salon to be eligible. Teams must enter under their salon's name. Salon Team entries cannot be used in any other category. All Salon Team entries must be accompanied by the Salon Team Responsibility form.
Requirements: Five Images / Five Models / Male or Female
Student Hairstylist of the Year
(From left to right: 2009 Winner Kelli Parks, 2010 Finalist Ashley Hall, 2010 Winner Patrick Mathes, 2011 Winner Giovanna Simington)
Submit your collection displaying creativity, versatility and expertise in hairstyling. Students must be enrolled in school or performing required hours in a salon and NOT be a licensed cosmetologist as of the February 9, 2012 entry deadline. Students may be asked to submit references if selected as a finalist.
Requirements: Three Images / One - Three Models / Male or Female
Texture
(From left to right: 2010 Finalist Shirley Gordon, 2010 Winner Dimitrios Tsioumas, 2011 Finalist DJ Riggs, 2011 Winner Carlos Cintron)
Showcase your texture skills with designs which complement the individuality of diverse hair textures. Hair texture may be natural or chemically treated. This is not an avant garde or fantasy category. Entries not displaying wearable, cutting edge textured hairstyle, will be disqualified.
Requirements: Three Images / Three Models / Male or Female
New for 2012!
Newcomer Stylist of the Year
Stylists with less than three (3) years of experience as a licensed cosmetologist are welcome to enter their best work. Submit your collection of diverse, creative and versatile hair designs capturing the excellence and artistry of the industry. This category is designed to bridge the gap from Student Stylist of the Year, to Hairstylist of the year. Entrants must submit proof of graduation or licensure date.
Entrants must submit proof of graduation or licensure date. Issue date on entrant's cosmetology license cannot be past 3 years as of the February 9, 2012 deadline. In addition to the standard NAHA entry and release forms, Newcomer entries must be accompanied by the Newcomer Stylist Form.
Requirements: Three Images / One - Three Models / Male or Female
