Ashley Leoncini
Ashley Leoncini

Photo courtesy of

@phillyhair
Trae Howard
Trae Howard

Photo courtesy of

@traehowardhair
Svitlana Vechera
Svitlana Vechera

Photo courtesy of

@vecherahair
Shelby Weatherholtz
Shelby Weatherholtz

Photo courtesy of

@shelbyweatherholtzhair
Sara Ortega
Sara Ortega

Photo courtesy of

@hairspray_studio
Caidy Brasure
Caidy Brasure

Photo courtesy of

@caidy_caidymariebeauty
Anaa Khan
Anaa Khan

Photo courtesy of

@hairbyanaak
Natalie Thomas
Natalie Thomas

Photo courtesy of

bridal_bynatalie
Melanie Sorrow
Melanie Sorrow

Photo courtesy of

@melaniesorrowhair
Jessica Domoney
Jessica Domoney

Photo courtesy of

@jessicadomoney
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Ashley Leoncini
1/10
 
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Ashley Leoncini

Photo courtesy of

@phillyhair
Trae Howard
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Trae Howard

Photo courtesy of

@traehowardhair
Svitlana Vechera
3/10
 
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Svitlana Vechera

Photo courtesy of

@vecherahair
Shelby Weatherholtz
4/10
 
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Shelby Weatherholtz

Photo courtesy of

@shelbyweatherholtzhair
Sara Ortega
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Sara Ortega

Photo courtesy of

@hairspray_studio
Caidy Brasure
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Caidy Brasure

Photo courtesy of

@caidy_caidymariebeauty
Anaa Khan
7/10
 
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Anaa Khan

Photo courtesy of

@hairbyanaak
Natalie Thomas
8/10
 
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Natalie Thomas

Photo courtesy of

bridal_bynatalie
Melanie Sorrow
9/10
 
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Melanie Sorrow

Photo courtesy of

@melaniesorrowhair
Jessica Domoney
10/10
 
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Jessica Domoney

Photo courtesy of

@jessicadomoney

After receiving countless entries since the launch of our Braids and Brides contest, it was extremely difficult to narrow entries down to 10! From updos, chignons, braids, beautiful buns and finger waves, we certainly saw some beautiful work.

This group of 10 semifinalists not only earn major bragging rights, but they also receive incredible prizes, including a gift box packed with goodies (we’re not kidding, it’s PACKED) from some of our favorites—Ulta, Moroccanoil and Goldwell!

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.

But the semifinalists aren’t off the hook just yet—MODERN is challenging them to create braid-based special-occasion look by 11:59 p.m. CST on February 8. Entries will be judged by the MODERN SALON Artist Connective, including Amanda Jean Kimball (@amandajeank), Diana Giannini (@lzhouseofhair), Galyna Poczciwinski (@ufirami), Krystle Waivio (@krystlewaiviohair) and Saretta Bowerman (@hairbysaretta).

Congratulations to our semifinalists:

Trae Howard

Svitlana Vechera

Shelby Weatherholtz

Sara Ortega

Caidy Brasure

Ashley Leoncini

Anaa Khan

Natalie Thomas

Jessica Domoney

Melanie Sorrow

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL! You can still hang with these guys AND get the chance to win some of the amazing prizes they’re snagging by entering our Braids and Brides giveaway—the winners go home with jaw-dropping loot.

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