The 2021 Texture Style Awards announces the finalists for its inaugural competition celebrating all hair textures. Presented by the Wella Company, the Texture Style Awards is a texture-based hair competition created to increase inclusion within the beauty industry.

Awards founder and celebrity hairstylist Monaè Everett will host a virtual ceremony on July 5 to announce the winners. Award presenters include Ursula Stephen, Briana Cisneros, Oliver "Kolor King" Adams, and Laura "La La" Chihaia.

Everett is a 20-year hairstyling vet, color/texture hair expert, and author who launched the awards to create space for all textures to be celebrated and for rising hairstylists to be recognized for their work.

“I have been overwhelmed by the beauty community’s support and all of the stylists, brands, and media that used their voices to promote the needed diversity and inclusion in this industry,” said Everett. “It warmed my heart to see so many stylists who believed in themselves enough to enter the Texture Style Awards. Most importantly, I am thrilled about the opportunities that winning this competition will bring the entrants.”

The 16 top hairstylists were selected from more than 350 submissions in one of the four hair texture categories: straight, wavy, curly, and coily/kinky.

In addition to the top four hair categories, the Texture Style Awards will honor one of the entrants with a New Talent Stylist Of The Year Award, as well as industry leaders, Keya Neal, who will receive the Change Agent of The Year Award, and Nina Tulio and Mr. J. Ladner, who will receive the Beauty Media Of The Year Award.

All submissions were voted on by a curated panel of 18 celebrity hairstylist judges, including Stephen Moody, Lala Chihaia, Michelle O’Connor, and Jenny Strebe, along with representatives from The Wella Company and Fromm Pro. The top 10 hairstylists advanced to a second public voting round where they received more than 27,000 votes.

Winners will receive an assortment of prizes, including a custom plaque, one-on-one mentorship with a Wella Company ambassador, up to $3000 worth of prizes from sponsors, and marketing and media exposure through partner channels.

The 2021 Texture Style Awards virtual ceremony will stream live July 5, 2021, at 8 pm EST on texturestyleawards.com.

2021 FINALISTS

Straight Hair Stylist Of The Year

• Eugene Davis

• Lynn Levesque

• Angelica Mirela Tanta

• Kyley Williams

Wavy Hair Stylist Of The Year

• Angela French

• Sandra Henri

• Angelica Mirela Tanta

• Joy Williams

Curly Hair Stylist Of The Year

• Haley Garber

• Jaimee Smith

• Richar Staten

• Joy Williams

Kinky/Curly Hair Stylist Of The Year

• Brendnetta Ashley

• Koren Green

• Ajee Hassan

• Rania Nekole

About Monaè Everett and The Monae Life Academy

Founded by celebrity hairstylist and color/texture expert Monaè Everett, The Monae Life Academy (MLA) focuses on providing emerging and established hairstylists the education, tools, and resources to style the four hair texture types: straight, wavy, curly, and coily/kinky. Visit www.themonaelife.com for more information.

About Wella Company

Wella Company is one of the world’s leading beauty companies, comprised of a family of iconic brands such as Wella Professionals, Clairol, OPI, Nioxin, and ghd. With 6,000 employees globally, presence in over 100 countries, Wella Company and its brands enable consumers to look, feel, and be their true selves. As innovators in the hair and nail industry, Wella Company empowers its people to delight consumers, inspire beauty professionals, engage communities, and deliver sustainable growth to its stakeholders. Further information about the Wella Company can be found here: www.wellacompany.com.