SHOW OFF YOUR SKILLS AND WIN!
The Hair Festival competitions are where skill, imagination, and innovation collide. From precision cutting and avant-garde colour to striking editorial styling, each category pushes creative boundaries and sets the trends shaping our industry.
Congratulations to our 2026 Winners
Overall Champions:
- Hair Festival Stylist Champion – Pearlin McCarthy (Pearlin Hair and Makeup Artistry)
- Hair Festival Barber Champion – Jeremy Stott (Ikigai Barbers)
- Emerging Talent (Apprentice/Students) Champion – Matt Leigh (Matt Cutz)
Ultimate Look – Men:
- 1st – Anna Ninonya (Ikigai Barbers)
- 2nd – Haiwe Bercich (Haus of H)
- 3rd – Ritika Luthra (Hairhouse)
Colour Innovator:
- 1st – Daniela Egidi (Amore Hair)
- 2nd – Rebecca Speed (Guilies)
- 3rd – Ritika Lutha (Hairhouse)
4 Box Braid:
- 1st – Roshani Ratnaopal (Braids by Roshani)
- 2nd – Rozida Mautama (Sydney Braid Bar)
- 3rd – Jennifer Alexander Rojas (Sydney Braid Bar)
Ultimate Look – Women:
- 1st – Pearlin McCarthy (Pearlin Hair and Makeup Artistry)
- 2nd – Yulia Kuzmina (Yulina Kuzmina)
- 3rd – Katelyn Weigh (Farrah Studio)
Emerging Talent Blow Dry:
- 1st – Lulu Bliss Johnson (Coco Sherie Studio)
- 2nd – Nevaeh Cawood (Tayloring Your Hair)
- 3rd – Sienna Melville (The Loft Hair Salon)
Avant-Garde:
- 1st – Pearlin McCarthy (Pearlin Hair and Makeup Artistry)
- 2nd – Maria Kolchina (Maria Kolchina)
- 3rd – Kateryna Gribinyucherko (Katya Hair and Beauty)
Barber Street:
- 1st – Jeremy Stott (Ikigai Barbers)
- 2nd – Kavi Raniga (State Barber Shop)
- 3rd – Barbeer Magic (Barbeer Magic)
Women’s Street Style:
- 1st – Justin Hampson (The Safari Room)
- 2nd – Danielia Egidi (Amore Hair)
- 3rd – Julia Hutton (Alan Koban)
Emerging Talent Barber Street:
- 1st – Matt Leigh (Matt Cutz)
- 2nd – Axel Coria (Sonder)
- 3rd – Aramis Phengfanay (AP Blendz)
Bridal Master:
- 1st – Yulia Kuzmina (Hairhouse)
- 2nd – Maria Kolchina (Maria Kolchina)
- 3rd – Pearlin McCarthy (Pearlin Hair and Makeup Artistry)
2026 details can be found below. The 2027 details will be available shortly.
Two Stages. Double the Excitement.
In 2026, the live competitions took place across two stages: THE STAGE. and THE EXCHANGE., located in the Festival HUB, with more opportunities, more action and more chances to win.
Go for the title
Compete across multiple categories to be crowned:
- Hair Festival Stylist Champion
- Hair Festival Barber Champion
- Emerging Talent (Apprentice/Students) Champion
We’ve expanded to seven pre-done competitions this year.
Tip: You can use the same model in two competitions — the Colour Innovator category is judged after the cutting categories, making it possible to enter one model twice.
KEY EVENT DETAILS
Monday 28 June 2027
11am – 1pm
ICC Sydney – Located in the Festival HUB at
THE STAGE. + THE EXCHANGE.
Prize Money Breakdown Per Competition
- 1st Place: $300
- 2nd Place: $200
- 3rd Place: $100
Entry Costs
Entry Costs (tax deductible)
- Emerging Talent $40 plus gst
- Senior Stylists $60 plus gst
- Barber $60 plus gst
Additional entries (2nd & 3rd)
- Emerging Talent $20 plus gst
- Senior Stylists $40 plus gst
- Barber $40 plus gst
2026 Competitions on Offer
BARBERS
- Barber Street – for seniors or more confident up-and-coming Barbers (cutting competition)
- Ultimate Look Men (Pre-done)
- Colour Innovator (Pre-done)
- 4 Box Braid
Highest points accumulated from 2 or more of the competitions will be awarded the title: Hair Festival Barber Champion.
STYLISTS
- Women’s Street Style – senior and confident up-and-coming Hairdressers (cutting competition)
- Colour Innovator (Pre-done)
- Ultimate Look Women (Pre-done)
- Bridal Master– (Pre-done)
- Avant-Garde – your creative interpretation
- 4 Box Braid
Highest points accumulated from 2 or more of the competitions will be awarded the title: Hair Festival Stylist Champion.
EMERGING TALENT (APPRENTICE/STUDENTS)
- Emerging Talent Women Street Style (Cutting Competition)
- Emerging Talent Barber Street (Cutting Competition)
- Emerging Talent Blow Dry (Pre-done)
- 4 Box Braid
- 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.
COMPETITION DETAILS
Some competitions will run consecutively with proposed timing as follow:
- Cutting competitions 30 mins
- Editorial Competition 15 mins
REDUCED ENTRY FEE FOR 2ND AND 3RD ENTRIES
ALL ENTRY FEES ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Stay tuned for further updates.
ULTIMATE LOOK – WOMEN
ULTIMATE LOOK – MEN
COLOUR INNOVATOR. Sponsored by Emsibeth
WOMEN'S STREET STYLE
BARBER STREET. Sponsored by Nish Man
AVANT-GARDE
BRIDAL MASTER
EMERGING TALENT BLOW DRY. Sponsored by Dreame Technology
EMERGING TALENT BARBER STREET
EMERGING TALENT WOMENS STREET STYLE
4 BOX BRAID COMPETITION. Sponsored by So Fresh Wet Towels
CONDITIONS
- The judges’ decision will be FINAL and no correspondence will be entered into.
- The Hair Festival will not be responsible or liable for any claims arising from or any damage of work performed on model’s hair.
- Models must not touch their hair at any time during the competition.
- All Competitors must stop work immediately when the call to do so is given.
- Any person disturbing the competitors or models on the stage will be removed from the premises.
- Competitors who disobey, break the rules, or exceed the times given will be disqualified.
These conditions apply to each competition.
get in touch
Keen to compete but have any questions?