Of the more than 13,000 professional stylists who work at Sport Clips franchises, six were selected to compete in the finals of its annual “The Look” competition in Las Vegas on May 5. The finalists came from locations across the U.S. and Canada to recreate their winning looks on models before the Sport Clips National Huddle gathering and some of the hair industry’s most recognized professionals. On hand for the competition were host and platform artist Julian Perlingiero of JPMS and judges Jason Schwind of Wella, Jason Reyes of JPMS, Rafe Hardy of Sexy Hair and Jim Massey of American Crew.

“We’re delighted the finalists chose Sport Clips as the place to pursue their careers, and look what it’s allowed them to accomplish… showcasing their hair cutting skills in Vegas before some of the best in the business!” says Sport Clips Senior Director of Career Opportunities Julie Vargas, also a licensed stylist with 25 years of experience. “You’ll find some of the most talented and professional stylists anywhere at Sport Clips, and I’d put them up against anyone in the business when it comes to creating the terrific looks guys want today.”

Sport Clips Haircuts “The Look” National Stylist Competition

• Winner – Nicole Parker – Oakville, ON Canada – ($2,500 and hairstyling tools)

• 2nd place (runner up) – Pam Hendricks – Humble, Texas  ($1,500 and hairstyling tools)

• 3rd place – Jocelyn Martinez – Olathe, Kan. – ($1,000 and hairstyling tools)

• Honorable Mention – Maryfaith Samuel – Alpharetta, Ga.– ($500 and hairstyling tools)

• Honorable Mention – Sydney Losacco – Wall Township, N.J.  – ($500 and hairstyling tools)

• Honorable Mention – Christina Jones – Spokane, Wash.  – ($500 and hairstyling tools)

As The Look winner, Parker created a high-fade style with a pompadour on top. She used Style Sexy Hair Blow It Up and d:fi Extreme Hold Styling Crème to create the style. She’s been with Sport Clips just over a year, but knew she wanted to be a professional stylist 14 years ago when she entered a training program in her high school.

Runner up Hendricks used Style Sexy Hair Blow It Up and Frenzy products to create a mid-fade style with a part on the side. Hendricks has been with Sport Clips for a year, and like Parker, knew she wanted to be a hairstylist from a young age.  

Martinez created her third place look – a clipper cut with longer sides that faded into a long, textured top – using Style Sexy Blow It Up, Hard Up and Frenzy products. As a recent cosmetology school graduate, she was proud to have the opportunity to showcase her skills at the national level.

Honorable mentions went to Samuel, Losacco, and Jones, who received travel and hotel accommodations in Las Vegas for the event along with the first, second, and third place winners. Samuel chose a medium high-fade with a blended pompadour on top for her model and used MITCH Reformer and Barber’s Classic Pomade, along with American Crew Boost Powder to achieve the look. Losacco created a half low-fade, slicked-back-on-top style using MITCH Construction Paste and Hardwired. Jones #4 blend, with a disconnected messy top, had American Crew Alternator and Defining Paste as elements of its style.

Also attending the Las Vegas event were the first-ever winners of The Look “Student Edition,” an opportunity for those in accredited beauty training settings to cut, style and share their expertise. The three winners included Jennifer Stuller (Paul Mitchell the School – St. Louis, Mo.); Matthew Kane Taylor (Empire Beauty School – Augusta, Ga.); and Alexander Hernandez (Paul Mitchell the School, Lombard, Ill.). A representative from each school attended with the students who each received a half-day of education with Hattori Hanzo’s Platform Artist, Justin Thomas; a pair of Hattori Hanzo Shears and Thinning Shears; a Kit from American Crew and a prize package from Direct Beauty Express. More than 1,700 images were uploaded to Instagram during the competition using the hashtag #thelookstudent2015.

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