Hairdressers Competition Information

L’Oréal Colour Trophy UK & Ireland

About:
The L’Oréal Colour Trophy continues to be one of the most prestigious competitions in the industry, showcasing incredible talent across the UK and Ireland. Since 1954, it has grown from a single event into multiple regional heats and a packed grand final.

Categories:

• L’Oréal Colour Trophy Award

• Men’s Image Award

• Afro Award

• Star Award

• College Award

Key Dates 2025:

• Entries open: 3 February 2025

• Entries close: 3 April 2025

• Finalists announced: 6 May 2025

• Ireland Final: 9 June 2025

• UK Grand Final: 30 June 2025

Website: lorealcolourtrophy.com

FHA Freelance Awards

About:
Open to every self-employed hairdresser in the UK. If you create a beautiful piece of work, simply photograph it and enter. Categories include Colourist of the Year, Ladies Stylist, Bridal, Party & Prom Stylist, and Creative Stylist.

Deadline: 2025 dates TBC (check official site)
Website: thefha.org.uk/fha-awards

Kao Salon Division Global Experience & Goldwell Global Creative Awards

About:
An international platform to showcase colour, cutting, styling, and editorial collections. Includes both technical and editorial categories such as Creative Colourist, Creative Haircutter, Men’s Hairstylist, Avant Garde, Salon Team, and Editorial Colourist.

Deadline: 2025 TBC (previously July)
Website: globalcreativeawards.com

American Crew All-Star Challenge

About:
A celebration of men’s grooming. National winners progress to the global stage, with judges selecting the best from around the world.

Deadline: 2025 TBC
Website: allstarchallenge.americancrew.com

Wella Professionals TrendVision & Xposure Award

About:
Submit your work on Instagram using the official category hashtags. Categories cover colour, styling, editorial, men’s hair and a student “Xposure” division.

Deadline: 2025 TBC
Website: Wella TrendVision

NHBF Business Awards

About:
Recognises excellence across the hair industry, including Photographic Image of the Year.

Website: nhbf.co.uk

British Hairdressing Business Awards

About:
17 categories celebrating achievement from assistants to directors.

Ceremony: 7 July 2025 – Royal Lancaster London
Website: hji.co.uk

HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards (sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional)

About:
One of the most iconic competitions in the industry, celebrating the best creative hairdressing talent.

Key Dates 2025:

• Entries close: 27 June 2025 (5pm)

• Ceremony: 24 November 2025 – JW Grosvenor House Hotel, London

Website: hji.co.uk

International Hairdressing Awards (IHA) / HairCon 2025

About:
The IHAs join forces with HairCon for 2025. The international ceremony takes place alongside the new UK industry exhibition.

Key Dates:

• Awards Ceremony: 21 June 2025

• HairCon Exhibition: 22–23 June 2025 – O₂ Victoria Warehouse, Manchester

Website: ihawards.com

WorldSkills UK – Hairdressing Competition

About:
Aimed at students and apprentices, WorldSkills offers the chance to compete on a national stage.

Key Date: National Finals – week of 24 November 2025 (Wales)
Website: worldskillsuk.org

Concept Hair Learner of the Year

About:
Showcasing student talent in cutting, styling and barbering.

Grand Final: 20 March 2025
Website: concepthairmag.co.uk

Digital Hair Awards 2025

About:
A fully digital competition where stylists showcase creativity via smartphone video and Instagram.

Eligibility: Work created on or after 1 September 2024
Website: esteticamagazine.com

The Hair Awards 2025 (Hair Magazine)

Key Dates:

• Entries opened: 7 October 2024

• Hot List closes: 16 December 2024 – Finalists: 27 Jan 2025 – Winners: 14 Mar 2025

• The Cut closes: 23 December 2024 – Finalists: 14 Feb 2025 – Winners: 24 Mar 2025

Website: hairmagazine.co.uk

The Salon Awards 2025

About:
Celebrates salons regionally, with ceremonies across the UK.

Ceremony Dates 2025:

• 1 November – Manchester

• 8 November – London (South East)

• 9 November – London (South/Southwest, Wales, Scotland)

Website: salonawards.co.uk

Modern Barber Awards

About:
The only awards dedicated to barbering, celebrating creativity and business success.

Categories include: Best Team, Best Training, Best Shop Interior, Best Apprentice, Best Photographic Entry and more.

Ceremony: 2025 TBC
Website: modernbarber.co.uk

International Beauty Industry Awards (IBI Awards)

About:
The IBI Awards are a truly global online competition that celebrates outstanding talent across the beauty industry, including hair. Open to professional and freelance hairdressers worldwide, the awards provide a platform to showcase creativity to an international audience. With no live shows or travel required, entries are submitted online and judged by an independent panel of respected industry experts.

Categories:
The hair categories cover a wide range of disciplines including:
– Hair Colour
– Cutting & Styling
– Editorial & Avant Garde
– Fantasy & Creative
– Barbering & Men’s Hair

Deadline: 2025 entry window TBC (usually late summer/autumn)
Website: https://www.beautyawards.com/hair-competition/