NAHA North American Hairstyling Awards

The North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) is the most prestigious photographic beauty competition in North America, celebrating the artistry and skill of the professional salon industry. Each year, individuals are recognized in 13 categories of excellence during a star-studded awards ceremony. NAHA is part of PBA Beauty Week, North America's largest, most inclusive beauty event, offering unlimited networking, education, and professional growth opportunities to all sectors of the beauty industry. PBA Beauty Week is produced by the Professional Beauty Association and hosted by Cosmoprof North America.

Click on Past Winners to review the look and feel of past finalists and winners.

The deadline for entries is February 8, 2011. All online entries must be submitted and mail-in entries postmarked no later than February 8, 2011. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Yes, you can use more than one photographer for a category, but each photographer must sign the NAHA release form. (Additional copies can be downloaded from the website and attached to the original.)

Students who are not licensed by the entry due date of February 8, 2011 may enter the Student Hairstylist of the Year category. If you receive your professional license on or before the entry due date you are no longer a student and you cannot enter the student category.

Visit the Enter NAHA page to download the Model Agency Release Information PDF for more information.

Yes.

Yes, but both the parent/guardian and child must sign the NAHA release form.

Enter 3 different images using 3 different models.

No.

You may photocopy the forms or download additional forms.

No. You must use NAHA's release form or you will be disqualified.

No. You must use NAHA's release form or you will be disqualified.

Yes. However, each category you enter must be treated as an individual entry. See Rules and Regulations for what each entry must include.

Yes. However, please make sure that each individual entry is separate and the required materials are attached to each entry. Please make sure you use a trackable service when shipping the package. No phone calls will be accepted to check if your entry has arrived

All images must be submitted online or mailed in on a disc or flash drive. DVD's will not be accepted. All image files must be in JPEG (.jpg) format, at a resolution of at least 300 DPI and no smaller then 8" x10." TIFFS, Bitmaps, PDFs, photographs and slides will not be accepted.

Entries from this category may be used in other categories, except Salon Team.

When submitting "before" shots for the Haircolor category, please use a recent photograph of the model. Old "before" shots thrown in at the last minute to meet the criteria will affect the way your entry is judged. Please name before and after images as "Model 1 Before" / "Model 1 After." Images must be uploaded in consecutive order as three (3) before and three (3) after, e.g. Model 1 Before, Model 2 Before, Model 2 Before, Model 3 Before, Model 1 After, Model 2 After, Model 3 After.

If you are notified as a finalist, you will need to provide a headshot of yourself. All images must be submitted on CD-ROM. All image files must be in JPEG (.jpg) format. Files must be RGB or grayscale at a minimum of 300DPI and no smaller than 8" x 10". TIFFS, Bitmaps, PDFs, photographs and slides will not be accepted.

Yes. You may use the same model for a separate entry in the same category or in another category; however, the image must be noticeably different. There is one exception to this rule: An image submitted in a category such as Haircolor or Texture may also be submitted in the North American Hairstylist of the Year category as long as five different models are used

Yes. There is no penalty for such use. Please indicate on your entry form if full wigs or hair extensions have been used.

No. We recommend that you ship your entry using a service that offers tracking so that you are able to confirm it was received.

First, look at previous years' finalists. Consider the continuity of the entry as a whole and the creativity of hair, make-up and photography coming together. But remember, the focus is on the hair!

All finalists will be notified by phone after April 30, 2011 but no later than June 1, 2011. Please do not call our office for notification

It is neither encouraged nor discouraged. We ask that you use your better judgment to create the image based on your talents. The Haircolor category prohibits color manipulation.

NAHA 2011 will take place July 31, 2011, at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. NAHA is part of PBA Beauty Week.

Each judge reviews the categories individually and confidentially to determine the top five finalists and winners. The finalists are announced by June 1, 2011, and the winners will be announced on July 31, 2011 at the NAHA Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas

Three types of judges take part in the NAHA judging:

• Top Hairstylists
• Trade Editors
• Consumer Beauty Editors

The judges take into consideration the following:

• Concept or overall creative approach
• Art direction and composition
• Demonstration of skill in the execution of style, make-up and appropriate wardrobe
• Harmony between photographer's execution and stylist's creativity
• Appropriateness of image for concept
• Technical ability corresponding to category entered
• Continuity of all images within the entry
• Appropriate use of lighting highlighting details

Entry fees may be deductible as a business expense under applicable state and federal laws.

Yes. However, there is only one actual award given at the ceremony. Another option is to enter the Team category.

You do not have to be a professional; however, it is recommended to capture the light, design and color of the salon

The Fashion Forward category cannot be headshots alone. The images of the models can be more creative, such as sitting or standing, but full body is requested.

You can as long as you complete the entire NAHA entry form including models' and photographers' signatures. We will not accept it as an entry without the entry form properly completed.