HAIR COLOR: Each entry may only be submitted to ONE Hair Color category. Read the category descriptions carefully to determine which is best suited for your entry.
- COOL BALAYAGE
- Multi-dimensional balayage including highlight and hand painted work that is cool in color and tone. This category should have a predominant focus on cool dimensions.
- WARM BALAYAGE
- Multi-dimensional balayage including highlight and hand painted work that is warm in color and tone. This category should have a predominant focus on warm dimensions.
- PLATINUM
- High-lift, all-over platinum or dimensional platinum blonde. Please note, hair health and condition will be a consideration in this category due to the level(s) of blonding required. Submissions for this category should have a predominant focus on platinum.
- BLONDES
- Warm-toned, cool-toned, all-over or dimensional blondes—show us the BEST blonde you created this year. Submissions for this category should have a predominant focus on blonde tones. Please be mindful of lived-in color, shadow roots and heavy dimension.
- BRUNETTES
- Light, medium and dark brunette tones are all permitted. Show us your best, richest brunette creation from your camera roll. Submissions for this category should focus on brunette tones. Please be mindful of lived-in color, ombrés and dimensions.
- REDS
- Submissions can include but are not limited to an overall or dimensional range of red tones. Coppers, auburns, bright-to-deep reds, strawberry blondes, etc. Please note accent-only trends such as peek-a-boo looks featuring red tones are not the focus of this category.
- CREATIVE COLOR
- Imaginative combinations of multi-color groupings, blends and creative zonal placements. The primary focus of this category is color creativity and technique.
- COLOR BLOCKING
- Clearly contrasting colors and/or defined, stark color placements. The primary focus of this category is multi-color placement.
- HAIR TATTOO
- Creative concepting and precision design work achieved through painting, etching, and/or color placements.
- COLOR TRANSFORMATION
- Before & after image of transformative color technique as the central focus. While transformations can include a haircut or extensions, hair color is the primary focus of this category. Note: Your entry must show forward facing before/after shots on the SAME image.
Hot Shot celebrates the work of hairdressers doing real hair behind the chair. Submissions include the work they do on their actual clients and are often shot on a cell phone.
Note: Only one artist will be credited for each category nomination unless otherwise outlined below. Please read the Contest Rules before entering. Rules have changed this year!