Featuring groundbreaking creativity and unparalleled artistry, the 36th annual NAHA finalists represent the highest level of excellence in the industry.

The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) is thrilled to announce the 36th annual North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) finalists. NAHA is the most prestigious professional beauty competition in North America and honors the salon industry’s top artists who push the boundaries of skill and creativity.

The 2025 NAHA finalists represent the best of the best in the beauty industry, showcasing their exceptional talent and dedication to their craft. These artists have defied expectation, creating collections that captivate and inspire.

To win a coveted NAHA award, artists submit their collections in their choice of fourteen categories which include hair, makeup, and educational excellence. Development of these collections often takes months of envisioning, planning, and shooting.

Collections are judged anonymously by a panel of esteemed experts in hairdressing and makeup artistry. The submissions are scored based on technical skill, cohesiveness, and creativity.

The NAHA 2025 Finalists are:

Avant Garde:

Rusty Phillips @rustyphillips13 - nominated for 2 categories
Chrystofer Benson @cbensonhair - nominated for 2 categories
Julia Clayton @jujuwiththegoodhair
Jaimee Harris Smith @Hairbyjsmith - nominated for 2 categories
Ruth Roche @ruthroche - nominated for 3 categories

Barber of the Year:

Joel Tenser @JoelThair
Carlos Estrella @Los_cut_it
A-Rod @arod23pr
Nieves Almaraz @howtofadehair
Jamie DiGrazia @jamiedigrazia

Editorial Stylist of the Year:

Maggie Semaan @maggiesemaan
Lukas Press @Lukaspress_ - nominated for 2 categories
Rusty Phillips @rustyphillips13 - nominated for 2 categories
Vernon Francois @vernonfrancois - nominated for 3 categories
Ruth Roche @ruthroche - nominated for 3 categories

Educator of the Year:

Nina Tulio @ninatulio
Adrienne Dara @adriennedara
Chrystofer Benson @cbensonhair - nominated for 2 categories
Candy Shaw @thebalaylama
Bryant Murphy @dezignedbyb

Haircolor:

Tina Casciato @tinacasciato
Janelle Eyre @jeyre.hair
Sean Godard @seangodard
Breanne Gershon @glam.breanne - nominated for 2 categories
Danielle Waterman @daniwatermanhair - nominated for 2 categories

Haircutting:

Gilad Goldstein @myguiltycrown
Austin Eric Lopez @AustinEricLopez
Evie Johnson @contactevie
Daniel Benoit @benoit4955
Manda Ziegelman @mandaziegelman

Hairstylist of the Year:

Dana Lyseng @danalysenghair
James Abu-Ulba @method_education
Nicole Pede @nmpede
Allen Ruiz @allenruizstyle - nominated for 2 categories
David Barron @barronslondonsalon - nominated for 2 categories

Inspiring Salon of the Year:

Freddie Dean @carousel.tattoo.barber
Leah Tressler @salonboutiqueacademy
Amber & Chet Pope @salon27az
Martino Cartier @martinocartier @martinocartiersalon @wigsandwishes
Vee Vargas @beherewithvee

Makeup Artist of the Year:

Erin Hensley @erinhensleycolor
Angela Balbon @mzbartistry
Natalia Farahmand @desideriobeauty
Nohemi Capetillo @noamyphotographer
Ericka Brannon @erickabrannon

Master Hairstylist of the Year:

Allen Ruiz @allenruizstyle - nominated for 2 categories
Cassie Carey @cassiecarey.hair
David Barron @barronslondonsalon - nominated for 2 categories
Anna Pacitto @Anna_pacitto_pure
Matthew Morris @matthewmorriscode

Student Hairstylist of the Year:

Abby Bruneel @hair_byabbyy
Zion Schwartz @zschwartz.artistry
Dexter @cauldron_of_color
Genevieve Holdeman @turquoisetouch_
Imelda Mercer @maneimelda

Styling and Finishing:

Galyna Poczciwinski @ufirami
Danielle Waterman @daniwatermanhair - nominated for 2 categories
Vernon Francois@vernonfrancois - nominated for 3 categories
Breanne Gershon @glam.breanne - nominated for 2 categories
Veronika Shurunova @shurveronika

Team of The Year:

Cult Salon @cult.salon.co - Vanessa Whitmarsh, Lindsey Hutchings, Gia Segundo, Cheri
Cooke
Team Valentinis @derrick_rutherford @juliocolor - Derrick Rutherford and Julio Rodriguez

Team Eunoia Collection - Danielle Keasling, Pekela Riley, Anthony Negron, Bianca Donahue,
Gilad Goldstein, Justin Toves-Vincilione, Reva Haga

JCPenney Salon @hairbyjsmith @beautiesbybee - Jaimee Harris Smith*, Brittany
Brown, Charly Williams
* nominated for 2 categories
PHOTON @ruthroche - Ruth Roche*, Jill Leitz, Erica Wright, Wendy Belanger, Jackie
Litscher
*nominated for 3 categories

Texture:

Lukas Press @Lukaspress_ - nominated for 2 categories
Eric Fisher @ericfisherhair
Pekela Riley @pekelariley
Vernon Francois @vernonfrancois - nominated for 3 categories
Carlos Alvarez @carlos_alvarez_hair

The 36th annual North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) winners will be unveiled during a glamorous awards ceremony on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at Premiere Orlando. This highly anticipated event will unite industry professionals, influencers, and beauty enthusiasts to celebrate the exceptional talent and groundbreaking work of these standout artists.

"The Professional Beauty Association is thrilled to honor the 2025 NAHA finalists, who represent the pinnacle of creativity and skill within the beauty industry," shares Leslie Perry, PBA Executive Director. "These artists showcase extraordinary vision, passion, and innovation that inspire their peers and elevate the industry.”

The winners for each category will be announced during Premiere Orlando on June 1, 2025. You can purchase your tickets to be part of the excitement by visiting probeauty.org/naha

About The Professional Beauty Association
The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) is dedicated to advocating and fighting for the rights and professionalism of the beauty industry and is committed to the long-term success of beauty professionals and the businesses that employ and support them. As the largest and most inclusive trade organization representing the entire beauty industry, PBA advocates for legislation on behalf of the industry, including such things as fighting against deregulation. PBA also provides curated resources to empower members, including education, business tools and resources, curated healthcare and insurance options, exclusive events, charitable initiatives, scholarships, networking opportunities and proprietary reports and data.
Members include manufacturers, distributors, salons, spas, schools, independent practitioners, students, and industry suppliers. For more information on membership, please visit: www.probeauty.org/join.