Sport Clips Haircuts, the nation's leading haircare franchise dedicated to men and boys, showcased "The Look" styles of six of its more than 18,000 stylists in the annual competition. The platform event features "trendy and current" looks submitted in advance of Sport Clips' annual National Huddle gathering where finalists compete before a host of high profile judges including Jim Massey of American Crew, Justin Thomas of Hatorri Hanzo, and Kelly Cardenas representing John Paul Mitchell Systems.

 “The energy and excitement of these professional stylists really demonstrates what it means to do what you love and love what you do," says Julie Vargas, Sport Clips VP of career opportunities. "Sport Clips is a winning opportunity for thousands of stylists who serve clients' haircare needs in communities all across North America. It's fun to showcase the significant talent of these professionals, and we hope it encourages other stylists to consider Sport Clips as a place to work, demonstrate their creativity and expand their careers."

Sport Clips Haircuts “The Look” Stylist Competition:

• Winner–  Imani Tezeno ─ Pearland, TX ($2,500 and prizes)

• 2nd place (runner up) – Sami Bruce ─ Saskatchewan, Canada ($1,500 and prizes)

• 3rd place–  Mariya Aleksandrova ─ Glendale, AZ ($1,000 and prizes)

• Honorable Mention– Christian DiMilta ─ Orlando, FL ($500 and prizes)

• Honorable Mention–  Ana Gautreau ─ Glen Allen, VA ($500 and prizes)

• Honorable Mention –  Shae Whitley ─ Rogers, AR ($500 and prizes)

 Along with cash awards, the winner and finalists received prizes from Gibs Grooming, JPMS, American Crew, Sexy Hair, ACTIIV, Nioxin and DBE.

 As The Look winner, Imani created a curly textured style blended into a mohawk using a two down to a zero out sides and a minimum trip to leave curl. She chose for the Style Sexy Hair Blow It Up and MVRCK by Mitch Grooming Cream to finish the look. Imani says a haircut can make or break a look and she likes turning clients' days around with a good haircut.

 Runner up Sami chose a modern style for her model with a zero fade on the sides with a three-inch top blended to the right and styled straight back. She used American Crew Texture Lotion and Mitch Matterial to finish the look.

 In third place, Mariya styled a messy textured look using a feather razor to texturize and a carving comb to remove bulk. She completed her model's cut with American Crew Alternator and Fiber. Mariya says she and her fellow Sport Clips stylists "care about clients." 

 As honorable mentions, Christian created a denser, straighter look with a textured top and side "cat scratches" on his model using Mitch Reformer and Matterial. He says he goes for tapered fades that accentuate a client's looks. Christian says he always knew he wanted to be a stylist and began his career by taking advantage of the cosmetology program offered by his high school.

 Ana chose a textured look for her model that blurred the lines between cosmetology and barbering with tight lines. She was inspired by soccer players such as Paul Pogba and used MVRCK by Mitch Grooming Cream, Dry Paste and Grooming Spray. Ana was initially interested in medicine as a career path but chose the field of cosmetology as her way of caring for others and began that journey in her high school cosmetology program.

 Shae chose a longer, tapered fade for her model that can be slicked down for his 9 to 5 or shaped for his after-hours active lifestyle using Techseries Control Foam and Fiber by American Crew. She had an early interest in hair after her aunt and cousin attended beauty school and began her career through the cosmetology offerings in her high school.

 Also attending the Las Vegas event were winners of the fourth annual “The Look: Student Edition,” an opportunity for enrollees in accredited beauty training settings to cut, style and share their expertise. The four future professionals included Jesse Frank – Paul Mitchell The School – Dallas, TX; Rebecca Price – Ogle – Ft. Worth, TX; Lizbeth Gonzales – PCI Academy – Ames, IA; Nathan Hernandez – The Barber School – Midvale, UT and Miranda Clark – Paul Mitchell The School – Ogden, UT. Marcus Randall – Ogle – Stafford, TX was chosen a winner but unable to attend the Huddle. Some 120 entrants uploaded images to SportClipsJobs.com to be a part of this year's competition.