Show off

your skills

The Hair Festival competitions are the ultimate showcase of skill, imagination, and innovation. From precision cutting and avant-garde colour to editorial styling, these contests push creative boundaries and set the trends that define the industry.

Where creativity meets skill! Stylists push boundaries, colour pops, cuts impress, and editorial looks wow. Watch the next wave of hair talent take the stage — bold, fearless, and unforgettable.

Prize Money Breakdown
1st Place: $300
2nd Place: $200
3rd Place: $100 

This year, we’ve expanded the number of pre-done competitions to 6. Did you know you can enter the same model across two competitions?  The Colour Innovator is being judged after the cutting competitions are judged so enter the same model in 2 competitions.

In 2026, we are bringing the excitement of live competitions to TWO STAGES – THE STAGE North and THE STAGE South. More opportunities, more action, more chances to win!

Dreaming of being crowned the 2026 Hair Festival Champion?

Just compete across multiple categories to be crowned

Hair Festival Stylist Champion 2026,
Hair Festival Barber Champion 2026
Emerging Talent (Apprentice/Students) Champion 2026

Competition entry costs (tax deductable)
Emerging Talent $30.00 plus gst
Senior Stylists $60.00 plus gst
Barber $60.00 plus gst

Enter more than one competition with the second & third entry costs reduced to:
Emerging Talent $20.00 plus gst
Senior Stylists $40.00 plus gst
Barber $40.00 plus gst

2026 Competitions

on Offer

Barbers 

  • Barber Master for seniors or more confident up and coming Barbers  (cutting competition)
  • Ultimate Look – Men (Pre-done)
  • Colour Innovator (Pre-done)

Highest points accumulated from 2 or more of the competitions will be awarded the title:
Hair Festival Barber Champion 2026.

Stylists

  • Women’s Street Style Master– senior and confident up and coming Hairdressers (cutting competition)
  • Colour Innovator (Pre-done)
  • Ultimate Look – Women (Pre-done)
  • Bridal Master– (Pre-done)

Highest points accumulated from 2 or more of the competitions will be awarded the title:
Hair Festival Stylist Champion 2026.

Emerging Talent (Apprentice/Students)

  • Emerging Talent Women’s Master (Cutting Competition)
  • Emerging Talent Barber Master ( Cutting Competition)
  • Emerging Talent  Blow Dry (Pre-done)
  • Or any of the competitions listed above.

Highest points accumulated from 2 or more of the competitions will be awarded the title:
Hair Festival Emerging Talent (Apprentice/Students) Champion 2026.

Competition Details

Some competitions will run consecutively with proposed timing as follow:

  • Cutting competitions 30 mins

REDUCED ENTRY FEE FOR 2ND AND 3RD ENTRIES
ALL ENTRY FEES ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE

Ultimate LOOK – Women

Hair: Maria Cotroneo of Zink Hair in Unley
Photography: Andrew O’Toole
Makeup: Caterina Cotroneo
Styling: Suzi Cotroneo
Mentoring: Joe Cotroneo

Ultimate LOOK – Women

Create an editorial look on a female model that could be seen on a front cover of a fashion magazine.

Prizes

Hair Festival Trophy
Editorial feature in INSTYLE (valued at $3450)

Prize Money:
1st Place – $300
2nd Pace – $200
3rd Place – $100

Rules

Pre-done Competition

Open competition | One female model | Maximum 60 competitors

This competition allows hair to be put up or styled down and allows for hair ornaments.
Hairpieces may be used but must not cover more than one-third of the finished look.
All models in this section will be paraded after judging finishes.

BARBER

MASTER

Hair: Matt Clarke
Photographer: Theresa Hall
Makeup: Brooke Clarke, Sarah smith
Stylist: Yshana

BARBER MASTER

Cut, style and shape a male model to be ready to hit the streets.

Prizes

Hair Festival Trophy
Editorial Feature in INSTYLE Mag (valued at $3450)

Prize Money:
1st Place – $300
2nd Pace – $200
3rd Place – $100

Rules

30 mins floor time competition
Open competition | One male model |Maximum 60 competitors

Hair prep

Competitor must clearly create a change of style by cutting/removing a minimum of 2cm or more from the whole head.

All cutting tools allowed such as clippers, razors and scissors.

Styling method is optional and allowed; straight, curly, wavy hair – whatever rocks your hairdressing/barber world is encouraged.

Prepared hairstyles or pre-done haircuts will result in disqualification.

All models in this section will be paraded after judging finishes.

COLOUR

INNOVATOR

Hair & Clour: Cos Sakkas
Photography: Jack Eames
Makeup: Lans Nguyen-Grealis

COLOUR INNOVATOR

Create magic with colour bringing your edgy hair design to life.

This is a Pre-done competition.
Open Competition | Male or Female Model

Suggestions & Direction on your model’s hair:
Be Creative
A clean Blonde that shines.
Red Hair that Varies in Hue, from Deep Burgundy or Bright copper, Auburn to Burnt Orange.
The best colour, execution, skills & suitability to your model is encouraged.
Every Colour Style is welcome. Enter your models from other competitions!

Prizes

Hair Festival Trophy
Editorial Feature in INSTYLE Mag (valued at $3450)

Prize Money:
1st Place – $300
2nd Pace – $200
3rd Place – $100

Rules

No Wigs Allowed.
All models in this section will be paraded after judging finishes.

 

WOMENS

MASTER

Hair: David Corbett
Photography: Michael Young
Makeup: Maddie Austin and Lan Grealis
Stylist: Clare Frith

WOMENS MASTER

Cut, style and shape a female model to be ready to hit the streets.

Prizes

Hair Festival Trophy
Editorial Feature in INSTYLE Mag (valued at $3450)

Prize Money:
1st Place – $300
2nd Pace – $200
3rd Place – $100

Rules

30 mins floor time competition
Open competition | One female model | Maximum 60 competitors

Hair prep

Competitor must clearly create a change of style by cutting/removing a minimum of 2cm or more from the whole head.

All cutting tools allowed such as clippers, razors and scissors.

Styling method is optional and allowed; straight, curly, wavy hair – whatever rocks your hairdressing/barber world is encouraged.

Prepared hairstyles or pre-done haircuts will result in disqualification.

All models in this section will be paraded after judging finishes.

EMERGING TALENT

Blow-dry

Hair: Max Cooper of HELMET Hair Co.
Photography: Andrew O’Toole
Makeup: Kylie O’Toole
Styling: Emma Boseley

Rising Star Blow Dry

This is a Pre-done competition.

Create the perfect styling finish through Blow Drying only.

Prizes

Hair Festival Trophy
Editorial Feature in INSTYLE Mag (valued at $3450)

Prize Money:
1st Place – $300
2nd Pace – $200
3rd Place – $100

Rules

Open competition | One male or female model | Maximum 60 competitors
No wigs allowed.

EMERGING TALENT

WOMENS MASTER

Hair: Andrew Smith
Photography: Richard Miles
Makeup: Louise Lerego

EMERGING TALENT WOMENS MASTER

Cut, style and shape a female model to be ready to hit the streets.

Prizes

Hair Festival Trophy
Editorial Feature in INSTYLE Mag (valued at $3450)

Prize Money:
1st Place – $300
2nd Pace – $200
3rd Place – $100

Rules

30 mins floor time competition
Open competition | One female model | Maximum 60 competitors

Hair prep

Competitor must clearly create a change of style by cutting/removing a minimum of 2cm or more from the whole head.

All cutting tools allowed such as clippers, razors and scissors.

Styling method is optional and allowed; straight, curly, wavy hair – whatever rocks your hairdressing/barber world is encouraged.

Prepared hairstyles or pre-done haircuts will result in disqualification.

All models in this section will be paraded after judging finishes.

EMERGING TALENT

BARBER MASTER

Hair: Matt Clarke
Photographer: Theresa Hall
Makeup: Brooke Clarke, Sarah smith
Stylist: Yshana

EMERGING TALENT BARBER MASTER

Cut, style and shape a male model to be ready to hit the streets.

Prizes

Hair Festival Trophy
Editorial Feature in INSTYLE Mag (valued at $3450)

Prize Money:
1st Place – $300
2nd Pace – $200
3rd Place – $100

Rules

30 mins floor time competition
Open competition | One male model | Maximum 60 competitors

Hair prep

Competitor must clearly create a change of style by cutting/removing 2cm or more from the whole head.

All cutting tools allowed such as clippers, razors and scissors.

Styling method is optional and allowed; straight, curly, wavy hair – whatever rocks your hairdressing/barber world is encouraged.

Prepared hairstyles or pre-done haircuts will result in disqualification.

All models in this section will be paraded after judging finishes.

ULTIMATE LOOK – MEN

Hair: Matt Clarke
Photographer: Theresa Hall
Makeup: Brooke Clarke, Sarah smith
Stylist: Yshana

ULTIMATE LOOK – MEN

Pre-done Competition.
Create the men’s editorial look (hair and clothes) that will stop the audience in their tracks.

Prizes

Hair Festival Trophy
Editorial Feature in INSTYLE Mag (valued at $3450)

Prize Money:
1st Place – $300
2nd Pace – $200
3rd Place – $100

Rules

No Wigs Allowed.
You may enter a Model from the previous comps on the day.
Pre-done competition
One male model
Maximum 60 competitors

BRIDAL

MASTER

Hair: Lorna Evans

BRIDAL MASTER

Pre-done competition
Inspire the judges with your bridal styling. Being a total look competition clothing, make up, and adornments will be considered when judging takes place.

Prizes

Hair Festival Trophy
Editorial Feature in INSTYLE Mag (valued at $3450)

Prize Money:
1st Place – $300
2nd Pace – $200
3rd Place – $100

Rules

Pre-done competition
One model
No restrictions on wigs/hair extensions and adornments
Maximum 60 competitors

Conditions

  1. These conditions apply to each competition.
  2. The judges’ decision will be FINAL and no correspondence will be entered into.
  3. The Hair Festival will not be responsible or liable for any claims arising from or any damage of work performed on model’s hair.
  4. Models must not touch their hair at any time during the competition.
  5. All Competitors must stop work immediately when the call to do so is given.
  6. Any person disturbing the competitors or models on the stage will be removed from the premises.
  7. Competitors who disobey, break the rules, or exceed the times given will be disqualified.

get in

touch

Keen to compete but have any questions?

Brought to you by

INSTYLE logo
Styleicons Logo