The North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) has added a new category for 2012: NAHA Newcomer Stylist of the Year. To qualify to enter, the entrant must be a licensed cosmetologist with less than three years of professional experience. The new category seeks to recognize a rising talent in the professional hair styling industry and is meant to bridge the gap between Student Hairstylist of the Year and Hairstylist of the Year.

TO ENTER: A photo collection of three high-resolution images must be submitted for judging. Judging will be performed by the same level of internationally renowned hair stylists that currently judge all NAHA categories.

DEADLINE: Applicants can submit their entries online (preferred method) or through the mail. All entries must be received by FEBRUARY 9, 2012. For more information on entry details and pricing, visit probeauty.org/naha.

"I highly encourage stylists just starting out to enter NAHA and especially the Newcomer Stylist of the Year category. Winning a NAHA helps elevate your career immensely and puts you in front of top manufacturers and media outlets for education and editorial work," says Charlie Price, 2002 and 2008 NAHA Hairstylist of the Year.

Start planning the process early if you are interested in entering! With 13 categories to enter, ranging from Avant Garde to Salon Design, winning a NAHA can change your career for the better! Remember the entry deadline is February 9, 2012.

(NAHA is part of PBA Beauty Week hosted by Cosmoprof North America. The 2012 NAHA Ceremony will be held July 22, 2012 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.)

Photo Credit from left to right below:
PHOTO 1: 2010 STUDENT CATEGORY: Rebecca Cowles, Aveda Fredric's Institute, Photography: Babak
PHOTO 2: 2010 STUDENT CATEGORY: Ashley Hall, Paul Mitchell The School Santa Barbara, Photography: Shawn Armenta
PHOTO 3: 2010 STUDENT CATEGORY: Stacie Niemann, Eric Fisher Academy, Photography: Eric Fisher
PHOTO 4: 2010 STUDENT CATEGORY: Patrick Mathes, Aveda Fredric’s Institute, Photography: Babak
PHOTO 5: 2010 STUDENT CATEGORY: Josh Parkin, Taylor Andrews, Photography: Babak

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PROBEAUTY.ORG/NAHA