As you know, the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) is a professional beauty competition. It’s the hair awards. Some have even called it the Oscars for hairstyling. It’s where technique and creativity collide to showcase the best of what the hair, barbering, and beauty industry has to offer. Thinking of entering this year to these extra special hair awards? Calling all hairstylists, barbers, nail and makeup artists! GlossGenius is here to help you with our step-by-step guide on how to apply to NAHA!

What is NAHA?

The North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) is a really important competition put together by the Professional Beauty Association (PBA). It's all about finding the best of the best in the beauty world. NAHA is a big celebration of artists who push the limits of creativity and skill when it comes to hairstyling, makeup, and even nail art.

There are a bunch of different categories, so it shows off all the different talents in the industry, from wild and crazy styles to awesome hair color and cutting techniques. Winning a NAHA award is like getting a gold medal in the hair world – it's a huge deal! If you win, you're basically a superstar in the beauty community, and everyone will know just how amazing you are at what you do.

How to Enter NAHA: Step by Step

Here's a step by step guide on how to enter NAHA this year:

1. Who Can Apply?

Are you a hairstylist, licensed cosmetologist, barber, nail professional, makeup artist, or cosmetology student attending school in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico? We hope so because that means you can apply to NAHA 2025!

If you’re still a student at cosmetology school, you’re also eligible to enter the Professional Beauty Association’s BeaconProgram. Entering this national competition can be the first step in jump starting your career in hairstyling, barbering or any other creative pursuit!

2. Mark Your Calendar

The Professional Beauty Association’s prestigious annual event has some key dates to keep on top of. Before you showoff your cutting-edge ideas, make sure the following dates are marked on your calendar:

• NAHA Entry Deadline: September 21, 2023
• NAHA Finalists Announced: March 6, 2024
• NAHA Awards: June 2, 2024

Now that your calendar is up to date, you can start preparing your entry to NAHA. Entries for NAHA 2025 open on August 6, 2024.

3. Pick Your Category (Or Categories)

You know what you do best. There are fifteen categories this time around, so choose the one where you’ll glow! When you’re ready, be sure to carefully read through your category’s rules, requirements, and image specifications. This year’s categories are:

• Avant Garde: For stylists who break the mold with bold, artistic creations.
• Barber of the Year: Showcasing mastery in shears and clippers, creating crisp designs and fades.
• Editorial Stylist of the Year: Celebrating extraordinary editorial and session hairdressing.
• Educator of the Year: Honoring the best mentors and teachers in the industry.
• Hair Color: Highlighting unique, bold, and flawless color applications.
• Haircutting: Celebrating innovative and precise cutting techniques.
• Hairstylist of the Year: For top artists displaying a wide range of skills and techniques.
• Inspiring Salon of the Year: Recognizing salons that inspire and foster community growth.
• Makeup Artist of the Year: Honoring outstanding makeup artistry.
• Master Hairstylist of the Year: Only for the top artists, educators, and directors.
• Student Hairstylist of the Year: Showcasing the next generation of talent.
• Styling and Finishing: Focusing on precision and attention to detail.
• Team of the Year: Celebrating the versatility and consistency of group efforts.
• Texture: For experts in curly, coily, and wavy hair.

If you’re feeling confident about your collection (which GlossGenius knows you should be!), then you can use it for multiple categories. The rules state that you may enter the same collection of images into as many categories as you would like, but there are some exceptions.

Images entered in the following categories cannot be submitted to any other category:

• Editorial Stylist of the Year
• Hairstylist of the Year
• Master Hairstylist of the Year
• Newcomer Stylist of the Year
• Student Hairstylist of the Year
• Team of the Year

Images entered into the Texture category may not be used in the Styling and Finishing category and vice versa. Additionally, you’re allowed to submit up to three collections per category! If you’ve been super productive this past year, then show off your creations!

4. Build Your Portfolio

This is where your artistry as a hairstylist, barber, cosmetologist or beauty professional takes center stage! Follow the guidelines for your category and make your vision come to life. If you need some inspiration, definitely check out the portfolios of NAHA 2024 winners in your category.

Featured artists from 2024:

• Erin Fernandes: NAHA 2024 Winner, Hairstylist
• Anne Skubis: NAHA 2024 Winner, Makeup Artist
• A-ROD (Yadiel Alberto Rodriguez): NAHA 2024 Winner, Barber

5. Pay the Entry Fees

If you’re a PBA member, you’ll get 50% off the entry fees and access to select offers. This is what it costs to enter:

PBA Member pricing:

• $95 per submission (for licensed professionals)
• $55 per submission (for Student Hairstylist of the Year)

Nonmember pricing:

• $149 per submission (for licensed professionals)
• $70 per submission (for Student Hairstylist of the Year)

6. Submit Your Collection

Congratulations, your portfolio is ready and you’re ready to submit! This is no small feat. Make sure you don’t wait until the last minute and be sure to triple-check everything one last time before you hit submit!

That’s the process. Now that you know it, it’s time for you to get started! Whether you earn a prize, become a finalist, or simply enter the contest, entering NAHA 2025 will expose you to insights and industry leaders and boost your brand!.

Click here to go to the official NAHA 2025 website.

6 Tips to Enter NAHA

Entering the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) can be an exciting but tough experience. Here are some tips to help you get through the process and give you a better chance of doing well.

1. Read the Rules

Before you do anything else, read the rules and guidelines for the categories you want to enter super carefully. It's really important to understand what you need to do, when things are due, and any specific details to make sure your entry follows all the rules.

2. Be Creative

NAHA is all about creativity and trying new things. Push yourself to be extra artistic and show off your unique style. Think outside the box to make your work really grab the judges' attention.

3. Submit Your Application Early

Don't wait until the last minute to send in your application. Get everything ready and submit it early. This gives you plenty of time to make any changes you need and ensures the judges get your entry before the deadline.

4. Have a Mentor

Getting help from a mentor who knows a lot about hairstyle competitions can be really valuable. A mentor can give you helpful feedback, share tips, and help you make your work even better to meet NAHA standards.

5. Invest in Quality Photography

To show off your work in the best way, you need high-quality pictures. Spend some money on professional photography to make sure your hairstyles look amazing, with all the details and hard work you put into them.

6. Stay Organized

Keep track of all the important dates, things you need, and rules for submitting your entry. Staying organized through the whole process will help you stay on top of everything and avoid any last-minute problems.

By following these tips, you can be better prepared and improve your chances of becoming a finalist or even winning a NAHA award. For more information and details, check out the Elite Beauty Society website.

NAHA 2024 Winners

The 2024 North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) showcased the incredible talents of top artists in the beauty industry. Here are some of the standout winners:

• Barber of the Year: A-ROD (Yadiel Alberto Rodriguez)
• Makeup Artist of the Year: Anne Skubis
• Master Hairstylist of the Year: Brayden Pelletier

These winners exemplify the creativity and skill celebrated at NAHA, highlighting the best in hairstyling, makeup, and more. For a complete list of winners and their stunning work, visit the NAHA Gallery.

Focus on Your Technique, Let GlossGenius Handle the Rest!

As a hairstylist or beauty professional, your passion is all about making people look and feel amazing. You love coming up with cool new looks and helping your clients be the best version of themselves. But sometimes, all the other stuff that comes with running a business can be a real pain. That's where GlossGenius comes in! We're here to help make your day-to-day work a whole lot easier, so you can focus on doing what you love. Our all-in-one solution has everything you need, from setting up appointments and keeping track of your clients to awesome marketing tools.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Give GlossGenius a try today (no credit card required) and see the difference it can make. Start your free trial now and let us handle the boring stuff, so you can keep being the creative genius you are!