The Event:The Professional Beauty Association (PBA)announced the winners of the 29th annual North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA), the beauty industry’s most prestigious photographic beauty competition, live onstage on Sunday, July 29th at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. NAHA took place alongside Cosmoprof North America.

NAHA features 15 categories of excellence in hair, makeup and nails and celebrates the beauty industry’s most talented artists, recognizing the technical skill, creative vision and flawless execution of individual and salon team award-winning entries.

This year’s ceremony featured special guest and host, Tabatha Coffey, and stunning artistic presentations by Aveda, Beauty Underground, Living Proof, Ulta, and NAHA’s 2017 Hairstylist of the Year, Mio Sota.

Sota’s presentation, powered by Goldwell and the KMS California Artistic Team, was about simplified beauty and unveiling that inner light.

“It’s up to all of us to make a change and come together as one,” said Sota. “We need to be more vulnerable and more open and discover love. That’s what beauty truly means, to love ourselves and love others. Let’s all be kind and have a better day than yesterday.”

Living Proof's presentation was all about breaking the mold. “We used this year to spotlight our mission as a brand and do things differently. We doubled our team of stylists from the previous year. We brought in 42 models of all shapes and sizes who don’t always get a chance to be in the spotlight. And we used stories from our own team about overcoming obstacles in their own careers and path to success," says Michelle Brett, SVP, North American Sales & Global Education.

Silas Tsang took home the awards for both Avant Garde and Master Stylist of the Year. “I have been competing in NAHA for 10 years and this is my first award,” he said. “My winning secret is never give up, and do whatever you want to do.”

NAHA 2018 is available to stream on-demand at www.nahalive.com. The broadcast includes the entire awards ceremony and interviews from the pre-show Red Carpet Reception with MODERN SALON Beauty and Fashion Director, Maggie Mulhern and Senior Editor Jamie Newman.

 “I’ve never won anything before,” said Hair Colorist of the Year, Lori Zabel, from the stage. “I am honored to be nominated in this category. I think we have best profession on the planet. We make people feel good and we get rewarded for it. I love being a hairdresser.”

The Winners: 

Avant Garde-- Silas Tsang-- Blushes Ottawa, ON
Editorial Stylist of the Year-- Mandy MacFadden Salon Decorum--Newmarket, ON
Haircolor-- Lori Zabel --Dop Dop Salon-- San Diego, CA
Haircutting-- Rodrigo Araneda-- Olab Coiffeurs Montreal, QC
Hairstylist of the Year-- Danielle Keasling-- Salon Karma Bluffton, SC
Makeup Artist of the Year--David Maderich-- David Maderich Makeup New York, NY
Master Stylist of the Year-- Silas Tsang-- Blushes Ottawa, ON
Men’s Hairstylist of the Year --Jamie DiGrazia-- Logan Parlor Chicago, IL
Nail Professional of the Year --Sarah Nguyen-- Ammon Carver Studio New York, NY
Newcomer Stylist of the Year --Reno Prezio-- Bellus Academy Valley Center, CA
Salon/School Design of the Year--Lara Leckie-- Studio So Lara Guelph, ON
Student Hairstylist of the Year-- Ali Haller-- Aveda Institute Denver Highlands Ranch, CO
Styling & Finishing-- Frank Cini-- TAZ HAIR CO Toronto, ON
Team of the Year-- Charlie Price-- Beauty Underground Littleton, CO
Texture-- Michelle O’Connor --The Salon by InStyle JCP North Miami, FL
People’s Choice-- Lori Zabel-- Dop Dop Salon San Diego, CA

Save the Date: NAHA 2019 will take place Saturday, January 26th, 2019 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California.

“NAHA is making the move from Las Vegas to Saturday, January 26 at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach and will commemorate the 30th year of NAHA,” announced Michael Shaun Corby, Living Proof Global Creative Director and the Committee Chair for NAHA. “It’s bringing the biggest stylist event to the stylists at the International Salon and Spa Expo (ISSE) Long Beach.”

The NAHA 2019 entry process closes September 13, 2018 and finalists will be announced December 2, 2018.

About the Professional Beauty Association

The Professional Beauty Association is the largest and most inclusive trade organization representing the entire beauty industry. PBA exists to elevate, unite and serve the beauty industry and the professionals who improve people’s lives.

Formed by a merger of the Beauty and Barber Supply Institute (BBSI), American Beauty Institution (ABA), The Salon Association (TSA), and the National Cosmetology Association (NCA), the Professional Beauty Association is the only organization to represent the entire beauty industry. Representing nearly 2,000 beauty-centric businesses, and 100,000 members strong, PBA members include manufacturers, distributors, salons, spas, schools, independent practitioners, students and industry suppliers.

In addition to advocacy, PBA provides its members with opportunities to save money on events and education, and access to industry research and resources. Committed to the long-term success of the stylist and the businesses that employ and support them, PBA is focused on enhancing the professionalism of the industry and committed to helping members achieve personal and professional excellence.

For more information on membership levels and dues, please visit: https://probeauty.org/join/