Honoring the best stylists in the industry, the NAHA Hairstylist of the Year category embodies excellence and artistry, and possesses a drive to elevate hairstyling, and impact global trends through their innovation, creativity, skill and techniques.

New for 2021: Any material that is a headpiece, hair ornament or art worn on the head is allowed if it does not restrict viewing of the hair AND/OR is constructed out of natural or synthetic hair.

Stylist Guidelines:

• Collection must demonstrate mastery of each of the following:
• Long Hair
• Short Hair
• Texture
• Upstyling
• Cutting
• Wigs are allowed.
• Natural and Synthetic hair extensions and hair pieces are allowed. (Note: Any material that is a headpiece, hair ornament or art worn on the head is allowed if it does not restrict viewing of the hair AND/OR is constructed out of natural or synthetic hair.
• Braids are allowed.

• May use one more models
• Must showcase five unique looks
• Signed NAHA Hairstylist of the Year Release Form

• All images must be in JPEG (.jpg) format
• Images must be 8x10 inches with a resolution of 300DPI (CMPI not accepted
• Five Unedited, Unretouched Images
• Five Final Images
• Retouching of the image’s color is allowed*.
• Retouching of the hair’s shape, texture or color is not allowed.
• Black and White images are allowed

Judging Criteria

• Technical Skill 50%
• Cohesive Collection 20%
• Creativity 30%

NOTE: Images entered in the Hairstylist of the Year cannot be entered into any other category.