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This past weekend in Las Vegas, the Professional Beauty Association announced the winners of North American Hairstylist Awards (NAHA 18). The North American Hairstylist Awards are some of the most prestigious honors for hairstylists, and they honor work in a variety of categories, including Avant Garde, Contemporary Classic, Texture and Hair Color.
Hosted by Steven Cojocaru, the event was held at the Mandalay Bay and featured artistic presentations by Van Michael Salon and Salon Gregorie's and tributes to Jim Markham, Hall of Leaders inductee, and Yosh Toya, Lifetime Achievement winner. Judging was done by a group of top beauty editors and renowned hair stylists, narrowing down the more than 600 entries to five finalists per category and one winner. For pictures from all of the winners, click here to go to Modern Portfolios.
For 2007, the winners are:
Master Stylist of the Year
Dusty Simington
Salon Gregorie's, Newport Beach, CA
Hairstylist of the Year
Allen Ruiz
Jackson Ruiz Salon, Austin, TX
Salon Team of the Year
Pure
Montreal, Quebec
Editorial Stylist of the Year
Michael Albor
The Loft Salon and Day Spa, Boston, MA
Student Hairstylist of the Year
Jess Zehnder
Aveda Fredric's Institute, Indianapolis, IN
Make-Up Artist of the Year
Maria Nguyen
Milpitas, CA
Avant Garde
Anthony Cress / Kimmi Le
Salon Gregorie's, Newport Beach, CA
Contemporary Classic
Bennie Pollard
Hair by Bennie and Friends, Louisville, KY
Fashion Forward
Veronica Bessey
Toni & Guy, Carrollton, TX
Haircolor
Sue Pemberton
Henderson, NV
Salon Design
6 Salon
George Nikollaj, Royal Oak, MI
Texture
Steve Elias
Atelier Aveda, San Jose, CA
Want to be one of the chosen at North American Hairstylist Awards next year? Download an application at www.probeauty.org/naha. Entries are due February 1, 2008.
Mireya Villarreal, founder of From Chair to Boss™, is bringing together beauty industry leaders for a new one-day educational event designed to help salon professionals strengthen the business side of their careers. From Chair to Boss Live! will take place September 28 at the Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Salon owner, tech founder, and educator Universe Walker will bring her signature workshop, The Art of Dry Cutting, to Brooklyn on July 20, offering stylists a chance to deepen their understanding of shape, movement, texture, and dry cutting.
As part of our ongoing commitment to sharing resources that help beauty professionals stay informed, we thought it was worth introducing our audience to The Chatter and the unique perspective it brings to industry conversations.
Celebrating 60 years in haircare, Dippity-Do is honoring its styling heritage with its Girls with Curls collection, a reimagined Light Hold Gelée inspired by the brand's original 1965 styling gel.
Covet & Mane has expanded its Pro Color System with the launch of Color Boost Drops, completing what the company says is the first professional color system engineered specifically for hair extensions.
The 2026 Beauty Changes Lives Legacy Award has been awarded to Sam Villa for his trailblazing contribution, advocacy and mentorship that has profoundly transformed and elevated the professional beauty industry.
CND is relaunching its SHELLAC system with a new CND Visible Light Lamp, updated packaging, and an expanded shade offering.
Curl Cult founder Janine Jarman, a hairstylist, salon owner, educator, and product creator, is opening a community investment round that gives hairdressers and clients the opportunity to own a stake in the company they helped grow.
The night honored the artists and collections shaping the future of professional beauty during PBA NAHA 2026.
The ultra-lightweight, handle-free dryer is designed to reduce wrist strain while delivering powerful performance behind the chair.
Aura Salonware is proud to announce its 2026 scholarship recipients. This first-time scholarship in partnership with the Professional Beauty Association awarded three different scholarships to support beauty professionals at every point in their professional journey.
SalonCentric has announced its expansion into Alaska, marking the distributor’s presence across all 50 states and bringing additional access to professional beauty products, education and business support to licensed salon professionals in the region.
The 2026 Faces of Sola Visionaries encompass industry leaders driving innovation and meaningful change on their own terms.
Though their Astronaut of Hope collection of brushes and clips, ERGO Styling Tools raises $33,000 to support HairToStay, the first and only national nonprofit dedicated to making scalp cooling treatments affordable for cancer patients.
A new professional smoothing collection designed to help stylists control frizz and humidity while maintaining natural-looking results.
At the America’s Beauty Show press conference—hosted in collaboration with Cosmetologists Chicago—these standout professionals were recognized for their contributions to the industry.
A full day of education for hairstylists and salon pros focused on pricing, personal branding, client experience, social media, and long-term career growth.
