The Professional Beauty Association's International Salon & Spa Expo, which will be held January 28-30 2012 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California, is hosting a new hair competition and tryouts to field Team USA for the 2012 OMC HairWorld event.
The new competition is open to all licensed cosmetologists and students. The challenge offers several entrance categories and will reward winners with cash and prizes.

Licensed cosmetologists (seniors) will also be able to use the competition as a tryout for Team USA which will represent the U.S. at the 2012 OMC HairWorld competition, often referred to as the Olympics of hairdressing.  HairWorld 2012 will be held in Milan, Italy.

Licensed professionals will compete Monday, January 30. The categories include two technical segments: Creative and Hair by Night and two fashion segments: Long Hair Day Style and Long Hair Evening Style. To be considered for Team USA, competitors must participate in either both technical categories or both fashion categories. All work will be performed on mannequins.
The student competition will be held Sunday January 29 and is open to individuals who are enrolled in cosmetology school at the time of the event and who do not yet hold a cosmetology license. Students can compete in Ladies Trend Cut, Color & Style, Long Bridal Hair, or Fantasy Inspired by Nature competitions. Student work will also be performed on mannequins.
Entrance fees for the hair competitions range from $99-$129 (depending on the level of competition) if participants register by January 6, 2012.  The entry costs increase to $129-$149 for registration received between January 7- 22 2012.  For more information on ISSE Long Beach, or to enter either the new hair competitions or ISSE’s annual nail competitions, visit probeauty.org/isselb .    

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.