How Hair Competitions Support Your Career

I love competing in hair competitions. Even though they can be a little scary, they push you out of your comfort zone and provide you with a chance to learn and grow. That outside zone is where all the excitement is—we try new things, make creative discoveries, and learn a lot about ourselves. It’s okay to be nervous (we all are); it’s all part of the process and pushes us to be our best.

Hairderssing Competitions Are an Opportunity to Share Work

Competitions afford stylists the opportunity to share their creative work and express more unconventional ideas that might not fit into the salon setting. It can seem intimidating to put yourself out there and be judged, but remember: even the most seasoned stylists feel exactly the same way. It’s a very vulnerable position, but the journey is more about participation, inspiration, and collaboration. It’s always an enriching adventure whether you receive an award or not. Either way, you will have created new relationships and beautiful images.

Hairdressers are artists, and hair is our medium—a fabric used to create. Competitions allow you to use the fundamentals you have learned to fuel your creative exploration. They allow you to intentionally break rules in the name of art. And it’s very exciting and gratifying. The more I create and compete, the more my client roster grows. It becomes easier to troubleshoot, create new looks, and conduct consultations with confidence. Retention rates, prebooking, and retail sales all increase as a result. When you grow as an artist, everything else exponentially flourishes as well. Now, clients ask what I’m up to in the competition world and want to see new and exciting concepts. It also inspires other salon members to want to collaborate and create. I try to share what I know in hopes that they gain the confidence to enter at least one contest. 

Tips for Entering Hair Competitions

1. Read the rules, follow them, and share them with the professional photographer if you're working with one. Misinterpreting the rules can lead to a disqualification.
2. Be aware of entry deadlines. Some contests are annual, and if you miss the deadline you may have a long wait for the next opportunity to enter.
3. Remember that hair is the focus. Practice taking pictures with a phone—clean, clear images. Avoid complicating a shot with busy makeup or jewelry. There are a lot of resources online to informing how to take the best images.
4. Photo editing is okay; removing fly away hairs or moderate skin smoothing is fine, but just don't overdo it. The image still must look real.
5. If you're shooting on a budget, look for a photographer open to trading services for print. Hair photography is different from shooting portrait images, so make sure the photographer is interested and experienced in shooting hair. A link in my IG has more information about shooting on a budget and building an editorial team.
6. Models can be professional, clients, friends, etc., but make sure they are confident and can evoke a mood.

My Favorite Competitions

There are so many amazing resources at our fingertips. Literally, all you need is a phone and Instagram to enter a plethora of competitions around the world. Most are free or require a small  entry fee. Some require nothing more than posting with specific hashtags, while others have entry templates on their website and are a bit more involved. You can search Instagram accounts for further details on contests, entry categories, and deadlines.

Here are some of my favorite competitions. Typical categories are Natural, Editorial, and Avant Garde.

• North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) @probeautyassoc
• Hair USA Awards @hair.awards.usa
• Alternative Hair Show @alternativehairshow
• Wella Beauty Envision Awards: Enter through IG @wellaeducation (using Wella color is not a prerequisite)
• Goldwell Global Creative Awards @globalcreativeawards
• International Hairdressing Awards @ihawards
• Live Fashion Hair @livefashionhair
• International Beauty Industry Awards @ibi_beautyawards
• Organization Mondiale Coiffure Hairworld @omchairworld
• Association Internationale Presse Professionnelle Coiffure/AIPP Legend Awards @aipp_coiffure
• Beauty Awards @beautyawardscompetition
• Behind the Chair @oneshothairawards

I encourage you to take the leap (or baby step) to enter a competition. The point is to take the chance to collaborate with amazing people and create something beautiful. And remember, you are talented and have so much to share! Competitions are just another way to invest in your education and future.

Teresa Romero is Artistic Director for Sam Villa and Artistic/Education Director for Jose Luis Salon