Tips to entering hairstyling competitions

Announcing the winners July 2010, Sebastian Professional's What's Next Awards has been hugely popular among hairdressers. The competition calls for stylists to create edgy looks according to their interpretation
of volume. Bi-weekly winners are selected to make a team of eight finalists, who will then go onto a final
evaluation by the Sebastian's Stylist Design Team. We talk to What's Next Awards finalists Steve Elias, round one winner "Pump Up the Volume!" and Beatrice de Jong, round two winner "Doll," for advice on competing in hairstyling competitions.

First Chair: How should hairstylists and beauty school students prepare for competitions?

Steve Elias

Elias: I was going for a look that was airy, big and glamorous-embracing all aspects of volume. As with all
photo shoots, I find it's important to choose the right model with the right hair mixed with the right styling products to fully realize your vision.

Beatrice de Jong

de Jong: It is always important to remember the basic techniques you learned in school, like roller sets and
fingerwaves. I still use skills I learned in school, but now I know how to tweak them and add them to create something modern.

First Chair: What advice do you have for those interested in competing?
Elias: Prepare, prepare, prepare! Start with your concept, and work on getting the right models and the right team. Remember it's not just about the hair-it's about the whole package. Ask yourself if the photography, the model, the whole beauty concept works together to make a beautiful picture.

de Jong: Get inspired! Pull photos from magazines or the internet for inspiration on new ideas. Practice those ideas on doll heads, and try to work out exactly how to execute the hair style beforehand so that on the day of the shoot you will be more confident and faster. That way you can spend more time perfecting (i.e. combing fly-aways).

Beatrice de Jong's Top 3 Tips for Entering Hairstyling Competitions

1. Challenge yourself: Try something new! This is one of the chances you have to be freely creative.

2. Have a game plan: Decide what you want to do, and practice your style. Make sure you have all the tools and products you will need to create the style.

3. Stay true to yourself: Make sure you are doing work that you are proud of. Don't worry about what your competitors are doing.

Steve Elias's Top 3 Tops for Entering Hairstyling Competitions

1. Give yourself time to prepare.

2. Have patience.

3. Have fun!