<p>Alexandra Wilson @alexandralee1016: For her color Wilson did a mixture of hand painted highlights and ombré. The light brown is her model's natural color, so Wilson wanted to keep the blonde subtle. She used scruples power blonde 9+ Lightening powder with 20 volume. She then waved her hair with a 1 1/4 inch HotTools curl bar. The braided flower for the main focus of the hairstyle was created using basic 3 strand braids and fishtails. She then did a few twists on each side surrounding the flower. The look was finished with a pull through braid and a few fresh flowers! </p>

Alexandra Wilson @alexandralee1016: For her color Wilson did a mixture of hand painted highlights and ombré. The light brown is her model's natural color, so Wilson wanted to keep the blonde subtle. She used scruples power blonde 9+ Lightening powder with 20 volume. She then waved her hair with a 1 1/4 inch HotTools curl bar. The braided flower for the main focus of the hairstyle was created using basic 3 strand braids and fishtails. She then did a few twists on each side surrounding the flower. The look was finished with a pull through braid and a few fresh flowers! 

<p>Sydney Lopez @sydneyannlopezhair: Lopez began by balayaging with Pulp Riot Clay lightener + 30v Toned with Redken Shades EQ 1oz 09p + 1/2oz 09v + 1/4 Oz 09t. The hair was prepped with Moroccan Oil treatment, dried with Bioionic Dryer. Used Redken Braid Aid, prior to braided sections (5 strand, fishtail, Dutch braid, and fishtail bun); used Design Me Hair Puff Me prior to deconstructing each braid. Sprayed Redken iron shape 11 throughout remaining hair, wrapped remaining hair around 1.25” GHD wand. The hair was then sprayed with Tigi masterpiece massive shine spray. Curls were brushed through, and Sydney added R&amp;Co; Trophy texture spray throughout.</p>

Sydney Lopez @sydneyannlopezhair: Lopez began by balayaging with Pulp Riot Clay lightener + 30v Toned with Redken Shades EQ 1oz 09p + 1/2oz 09v + 1/4 Oz 09t. The hair was prepped with Moroccan Oil treatment, dried with Bioionic Dryer. Used Redken Braid Aid, prior to braided sections (5 strand, fishtail, Dutch braid, and fishtail bun); used Design Me Hair Puff Me prior to deconstructing each braid. Sprayed Redken iron shape 11 throughout remaining hair, wrapped remaining hair around 1.25” GHD wand. The hair was then sprayed with Tigi masterpiece massive shine spray. Curls were brushed through, and Sydney added R&Co; Trophy texture spray throughout.

<p>Shayla Robertson @samirasjewelry: Robertson crimped her model's hair to add volume and texture. Then she parted the hair in the middle and started the style with five strand braid. When she had almost reached the crown, she secured the braid with elastics to form a mini ponytail. On that pony, she did a simple 3-strand braid and pancaked the braid from one side only to create flower petals. She wrapped the petal braid around to create a flower. There are four flowers. She curled the back of her hair with 1” curling iron and pinned it lightly to for an undone effect. Strands of hair were left loose around the head to for a more softer, romantic look. Fresh rose petals were added for more detail and color.</p>

Shayla Robertson @samirasjewelry: Robertson crimped her model's hair to add volume and texture. Then she parted the hair in the middle and started the style with five strand braid. When she had almost reached the crown, she secured the braid with elastics to form a mini ponytail. On that pony, she did a simple 3-strand braid and pancaked the braid from one side only to create flower petals. She wrapped the petal braid around to create a flower. There are four flowers. She curled the back of her hair with 1” curling iron and pinned it lightly to for an undone effect. Strands of hair were left loose around the head to for a more softer, romantic look. Fresh rose petals were added for more detail and color.

<p>Heather Schmick @heatherhairandbridalstylist: This look started with a sun-kissed balayage. Schmick used scruples clay lightener + scruples power blonde with B3 and 30 vol-using a chip brush/seran wrap and no heat. The hair was toned with Redken Shades EQ 8V/9GI and few drops of 9NA + clear then blow dried with round brush. The styling began with curling the hair in boho waves. To create the knots she made 3 flower braids, and for the bandana part she made a fish tail braid, a topsy braid with the rubber bands covered and twists that are twisted around a pink pewter hair band. To complete the look I finished it with a 3 strand braid and flowers to create a dream catcher effect and a flower crown. </p>

Heather Schmick @heatherhairandbridalstylist: This look started with a sun-kissed balayage. Schmick used scruples clay lightener + scruples power blonde with B3 and 30 vol-using a chip brush/seran wrap and no heat. The hair was toned with Redken Shades EQ 8V/9GI and few drops of 9NA + clear then blow dried with round brush. The styling began with curling the hair in boho waves. To create the knots she made 3 flower braids, and for the bandana part she made a fish tail braid, a topsy braid with the rubber bands covered and twists that are twisted around a pink pewter hair band. To complete the look I finished it with a 3 strand braid and flowers to create a dream catcher effect and a flower crown. 

<p>Hailee Fortuin @haileekayhair: Fortuin started by completing a full balayage and toning with equal parts natural and icy toners mixed 1:3 with developer to keep her model's hair color light and sun kissed. Once dry, the hair was prepped using Amika The Shield and curled with a 1 1/4 inch iron in alternate directions. She then took a small section in the back to complete an attached figure 8 braid to add another dimension to the look. To keep her pony fun and trendy, Fortuin used some brightly colored yarn to create the base and weave throughout. Once secured, she pulled out some side pieces, teased the bottom enough to give it some texture and then set with Amika Touchable Hairspray. The look was finished with gold flakes.</p>

Hailee Fortuin @haileekayhair: Fortuin started by completing a full balayage and toning with equal parts natural and icy toners mixed 1:3 with developer to keep her model's hair color light and sun kissed. Once dry, the hair was prepped using Amika The Shield and curled with a 1 1/4 inch iron in alternate directions. She then took a small section in the back to complete an attached figure 8 braid to add another dimension to the look. To keep her pony fun and trendy, Fortuin used some brightly colored yarn to create the base and weave throughout. Once secured, she pulled out some side pieces, teased the bottom enough to give it some texture and then set with Amika Touchable Hairspray. The look was finished with gold flakes.

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<p>Alexandra Wilson @alexandralee1016: For her color Wilson did a mixture of hand painted highlights and ombré. The light brown is her model's natural color, so Wilson wanted to keep the blonde subtle. She used scruples power blonde 9+ Lightening powder with 20 volume. She then waved her hair with a 1 1/4 inch HotTools curl bar. The braided flower for the main focus of the hairstyle was created using basic 3 strand braids and fishtails. She then did a few twists on each side surrounding the flower. The look was finished with a pull through braid and a few fresh flowers! </p>
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Alexandra Wilson @alexandralee1016: For her color Wilson did a mixture of hand painted highlights and ombré. The light brown is her model's natural color, so Wilson wanted to keep the blonde subtle. She used scruples power blonde 9+ Lightening powder with 20 volume. She then waved her hair with a 1 1/4 inch HotTools curl bar. The braided flower for the main focus of the hairstyle was created using basic 3 strand braids and fishtails. She then did a few twists on each side surrounding the flower. The look was finished with a pull through braid and a few fresh flowers! 

<p>Sydney Lopez @sydneyannlopezhair: Lopez began by balayaging with Pulp Riot Clay lightener + 30v Toned with Redken Shades EQ 1oz 09p + 1/2oz 09v + 1/4 Oz 09t. The hair was prepped with Moroccan Oil treatment, dried with Bioionic Dryer. Used Redken Braid Aid, prior to braided sections (5 strand, fishtail, Dutch braid, and fishtail bun); used Design Me Hair Puff Me prior to deconstructing each braid. Sprayed Redken iron shape 11 throughout remaining hair, wrapped remaining hair around 1.25” GHD wand. The hair was then sprayed with Tigi masterpiece massive shine spray. Curls were brushed through, and Sydney added R&amp;Co; Trophy texture spray throughout.</p>
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Sydney Lopez @sydneyannlopezhair: Lopez began by balayaging with Pulp Riot Clay lightener + 30v Toned with Redken Shades EQ 1oz 09p + 1/2oz 09v + 1/4 Oz 09t. The hair was prepped with Moroccan Oil treatment, dried with Bioionic Dryer. Used Redken Braid Aid, prior to braided sections (5 strand, fishtail, Dutch braid, and fishtail bun); used Design Me Hair Puff Me prior to deconstructing each braid. Sprayed Redken iron shape 11 throughout remaining hair, wrapped remaining hair around 1.25” GHD wand. The hair was then sprayed with Tigi masterpiece massive shine spray. Curls were brushed through, and Sydney added R&Co; Trophy texture spray throughout.

<p>Shayla Robertson @samirasjewelry: Robertson crimped her model's hair to add volume and texture. Then she parted the hair in the middle and started the style with five strand braid. When she had almost reached the crown, she secured the braid with elastics to form a mini ponytail. On that pony, she did a simple 3-strand braid and pancaked the braid from one side only to create flower petals. She wrapped the petal braid around to create a flower. There are four flowers. She curled the back of her hair with 1” curling iron and pinned it lightly to for an undone effect. Strands of hair were left loose around the head to for a more softer, romantic look. Fresh rose petals were added for more detail and color.</p>
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Shayla Robertson @samirasjewelry: Robertson crimped her model's hair to add volume and texture. Then she parted the hair in the middle and started the style with five strand braid. When she had almost reached the crown, she secured the braid with elastics to form a mini ponytail. On that pony, she did a simple 3-strand braid and pancaked the braid from one side only to create flower petals. She wrapped the petal braid around to create a flower. There are four flowers. She curled the back of her hair with 1” curling iron and pinned it lightly to for an undone effect. Strands of hair were left loose around the head to for a more softer, romantic look. Fresh rose petals were added for more detail and color.

<p>Heather Schmick @heatherhairandbridalstylist: This look started with a sun-kissed balayage. Schmick used scruples clay lightener + scruples power blonde with B3 and 30 vol-using a chip brush/seran wrap and no heat. The hair was toned with Redken Shades EQ 8V/9GI and few drops of 9NA + clear then blow dried with round brush. The styling began with curling the hair in boho waves. To create the knots she made 3 flower braids, and for the bandana part she made a fish tail braid, a topsy braid with the rubber bands covered and twists that are twisted around a pink pewter hair band. To complete the look I finished it with a 3 strand braid and flowers to create a dream catcher effect and a flower crown. </p>
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Heather Schmick @heatherhairandbridalstylist: This look started with a sun-kissed balayage. Schmick used scruples clay lightener + scruples power blonde with B3 and 30 vol-using a chip brush/seran wrap and no heat. The hair was toned with Redken Shades EQ 8V/9GI and few drops of 9NA + clear then blow dried with round brush. The styling began with curling the hair in boho waves. To create the knots she made 3 flower braids, and for the bandana part she made a fish tail braid, a topsy braid with the rubber bands covered and twists that are twisted around a pink pewter hair band. To complete the look I finished it with a 3 strand braid and flowers to create a dream catcher effect and a flower crown. 

<p>Hailee Fortuin @haileekayhair: Fortuin started by completing a full balayage and toning with equal parts natural and icy toners mixed 1:3 with developer to keep her model's hair color light and sun kissed. Once dry, the hair was prepped using Amika The Shield and curled with a 1 1/4 inch iron in alternate directions. She then took a small section in the back to complete an attached figure 8 braid to add another dimension to the look. To keep her pony fun and trendy, Fortuin used some brightly colored yarn to create the base and weave throughout. Once secured, she pulled out some side pieces, teased the bottom enough to give it some texture and then set with Amika Touchable Hairspray. The look was finished with gold flakes.</p>
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Hailee Fortuin @haileekayhair: Fortuin started by completing a full balayage and toning with equal parts natural and icy toners mixed 1:3 with developer to keep her model's hair color light and sun kissed. Once dry, the hair was prepped using Amika The Shield and curled with a 1 1/4 inch iron in alternate directions. She then took a small section in the back to complete an attached figure 8 braid to add another dimension to the look. To keep her pony fun and trendy, Fortuin used some brightly colored yarn to create the base and weave throughout. Once secured, she pulled out some side pieces, teased the bottom enough to give it some texture and then set with Amika Touchable Hairspray. The look was finished with gold flakes.

After narrowing countless entries to the Best of the Fest contest down to 10 semifinalists, we asked the 10 talented stylists to create a beautiful festival balayaged look. Our panel of judges and editors picked their five favorites!

The five finalists not only earn major bragging rights, but they also receive our sponsor challenge box packed with top-notch products and tools from some of our favorites—Bio IonicHot ToolsHairUWear ProfessionalScruples and Ulta. These pro beauty brands pulled out all the stops to gift this group with the goodies to help up their styling business and create polished, picture-perfect finishes.

Congrats to our five finalists:

Shayla Robertson @samirasjewelry

Alexandra Wilson @alexandralee1016

Heather Schmick @heatherhairandbridalstylist

Sydney Lopez @sydneyannlopezhair

Hailee Fortuin @haileekayhair

The finalists have ONE MORE challenge before one of them is named the grand-prize winner—and they have to use at least TWO products from the Challenge Box we're sending their way, and major bonus points will be rewarded for using at least one product from each brand included in the box. 

See the finalists' entries from the second challenge, and stay tuned as our they submit their next challenge for a chance at the grand prize. On August 7, public voting opens, and you'll decide who our big winner is!

GUESS WHAT! Win some of the amazing prizes our finalists are snagging by entering our  Best of the Fest Giveaway—the winners go home with jaw-dropping loot.

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