MODERN launched our Braids & Brides competition in January to promote special-occasion artistry and name one of YOU as the newest member of our exclusive 2017 Artist Collective (which includes @mustafaaavci, @blohaute, @heidimariegarrett and @annette_updo_artist).

Our 2017 Braids & Brides grand-prize winner is... Saretta Bowerman!

Naples, Florida-based Bowerman was initially selected by MODERN SALON editors as one of 10 semifinalists from thousands of entries. The 10 seminfinalists were sent a gift box with goodies from Sebastian Professional, Kenra Professional, Olivia Garden, Grande Cosmetics and Color Wowand they were tasked with creating a beautiful braided style. Our Artist Collective judged those entries and narrowed them to five finalists.

The five finalists had to create a beautiful bridal style using at least one product from our Challenge Box sponsored by Amika, GKhair, HairUWear Professional and Pink Pewter. And you, MODERN SALON readers, voted for Saretta as our winner!

As the Braids & Brides grand-prize winner, Bowerman is being named the newest member of MODERN SALON’s exclusive Artist Collective, will be recognized in an upcoming issue of MODERN SALON magazine, has received more than $2,000 worth of products and tools from professional beauty brands AND gets round-trip airfare and hotel stay to our HAIR+ Summit educational event this September in Atlanta!

We want say CONGRATULATIONS to Saretta Bowerman for her beautiful styles—it's a title well-earned! All the entries, semifinalist submissions and finalist submissions have been beautiful and inspiring, and we also congratulate all those who have been a part of the competition. 

Enormous thanks to all the Braids & Brides sponsors; they really sweetened the pot with amazing products and tools to send to our semifinalists and finalists, and the contest wouldn't have been possible without their support!

If you want to see how we got from thousands of entries to one winner, be sure to check out all our photo galleries!

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