Competitions

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 Place – $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.

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 Place – $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

2026 was sponsored by Emsibeth

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 Place – $200
  3rd Place – $100

Rules

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

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 Place – $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.

2026 was sponsored by Nish Man

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 Place – $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.

Your Instructions – NO Rules, Be as creative as you want. There are no boundaries. Hair. Make Up and Fashion will be judged. Male or Female.

Prizes

• Hair Festival Trophy
• Editorial Feature in INSTYLE Mag (valued at $3450)
• Prize Money:
  1st Place – $300
  2nd Place – $200
  3rd Place – $100

Rules

• Pre-done Competition
• Open competition | One female or male model | Maximum 60 competitors
• There are no other rules.

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 Place – $200
  3rd Place – $100

Rules

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

2026 was sponsored by Dreame Technology

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 Place – $200
  3rd Place – $100

Rules

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

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 Place – $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.

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 Place – $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.

2026 was sponsored by So Fresh Wet Towels

Time Limit

1 Hour

Objective

Competitors must complete a clean, creative, 4 BOX STITCH braid style within the allocated time while demonstrating technical skill, precision, and professionalism.

Judging Criteria: Stitch Quality

• Stitch lines must be neat, even, and visible
• Consistency throughout the style
• Precision and control will be judged closely
• Braids should be tight, smooth, and uniform
• No bulky feeding or loose sections
• Tension must remain comfortable and professional

MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 25 Stitches in each line!

Time

• The faster the braid is completed the more points you score.

Rules

• Competitors must stop immediately when time is called
• No outside assistance permitted
• Models must arrive with clean, detangled hair
• Extra points are not awarded for unfinished styles
• Judges’ decisions are final
• Braids must have minimum 5cm at the bottom unbraided to be completed
• All braids must be finished with minimum 1 elastic on each braid

Judges are looking for

Luxury quality, attention to detail, cleanliness, and technical stitch braid execution under pressure and time.