The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) announces the 36th annual North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) finalists. NAHA is the most prestigious professional beauty competition in North America and honors the salon industry’s top artists who push the boundaries of skill and creativity.
The 2025 NAHA finalists represent the best of the best in the beauty industry, showcasing their exceptional talent and dedication to their craft. These artists have defied expectation, creating collections that captivate and inspire.
To win a coveted NAHA award, artists submit their collections in their choice of fourteen categories, which include hair, makeup and educational excellence. Development of these collections often takes months of envisioning, planning and shooting.
Collections are anonymously judged by a panel of esteemed experts in hairdressing and makeup artistry. The submissions are scored based on technical skill, cohesiveness and creativity.
The NAHA 2025 Finalists
Avant Garde
- Rusty Phillips (@rustyphillips13)
- Chrystofer Benson (@cbensonhair)
- Julia Clayton (@jujuwiththegoodhair)
- Jaimee Harris Smith (@hairbyjsmith)
- Ruth Roche (@ruthroche)
Barber of the Year
- Joel Tenser (@joelthair)
- Carlos Estrella (@los_cut_it)
- A-Rod (@arod23pr)
- Nieves Almaraz (@howtofadehair)
- Jamie DiGrazia (@jamiedigrazia)
Editorial Stylist of the Year
- Maggie Semaan (@maggiesemaan)
- Lukas Press (@lukaspress_)
- Rusty Phillips (@rustyphillips13)
- Vernon Francois (@vernonfrancois)
- Ruth Roche (@ruthroche)
Educator of the Year
- Nina Tulio (@ninatulio)
- Adrienne Dara (@adriennedara)
- Chrystofer Benson (@cbensonhair)
- Candy Shaw (@thebalaylama)
- Bryant Murphy (@dezignedbyb)
Hair Color
- Tina Casciato (@tinacasciato)
- Janelle Eyre (@jeyre.hair)
- Sean Godard (@seangodard)
- Breanne Gershon (@glam.breanne)
- Danielle Waterman (@daniwatermanhair)
Haircutting
- Gilad Goldstein (@myguiltycrown)
- Austin Eric Lopez (@austinericlopez)
- Evie Johnson (@contactevie)
- Daniel Benoit (@benoit4955)
- Manda Ziegelman (@mandaziegelman)
Hairstylist of the Year
- Dana Lyseng (@danalysenghair)
- James Abu-Ulba (@method_education)
- Nicole Pede (@nmpede)
- Allen Ruiz (@allenruizstyle)
- David Barron (@barronslondonsalon)
Inspiring Salon of the Year
- Freddie Dean (@carousel.tattoo.barber)
- Leah Tressler (@salonboutiqueacademy)
- Amber & Chet Pope (@salon27az)
- Martino Cartier (@martinocartier @martinocartiersalon @wigsandwishes)
- Vee Vargas (@beherewithvee)
Makeup Artist of the Year
- Erin Hensley (@erinhensleycolor)
- Angela Balbon (@mzbartistry)
- Natalia Farahmand (@desideriobeauty)
- Nohemi Capetillo (@noamyphotographer)
- Ericka Brannon (@erickabrannon)
Master Hairstylist of the Year
- Allen Ruiz (@allenruizstyle)
- Cassie Carey (@cassiecarey.hair)
- David Barron (@barronslondonsalon)
- Anna Pacitto (@anna_pacitto_pure)
- Matthew Morris (@matthewmorriscode)
Student Hairstylist of the Year
- Abby Bruneel (@hair_byabbyy)
- Zion Schwartz (@zschwartz.artistry)
- Dexter (@cauldron_of_color)
- Genevieve Holdeman (@turquoisetouch_)
- Imelda Mercer (@maneimelda)
Styling and Finishing
- Galyna Poczciwinski (@ufirami)
- Danielle Waterman (@daniwatermanhair)
- Vernon Francois (@vernonfrancois)
- Breanne Gershon (@glam.breanne)
- Veronika Shurunova (@shurveronika)
Team of the Year
- Cult Salon (@cult.salon.co): Vanessa Whitmarsh, Lindsey Hutchings, Gia Segundo and Cheri Cooke
- Valentinis (@derrick_rutherford @juliocolor): Derrick Rutherford and Julio Rodriguez
- Eunoia Collection: Danielle Keasling, Pekela Riley, Anthony Negron, Bianca Donahue, Gilad Goldstein, Justin Toves-Vincilione and Reva Haga
- JCPenney Salon (@hairbyjsmith @beautiesbybee): Jaimee Harris Smith, Brittany Brown and Charly Williams
- PHOTON (@ruthroche): Ruth Roche, Jill Leitz, Erica Wright, Wendy Belanger and Jackie Litscher
Texture
- Lukas Press (@lukaspress_)
- Eric Fisher (@ericfisherhair)
- Pekela Riley (@pekelariley)
- Vernon Francois (@vernonfrancois)
- Carlos Alvarez (@carlos_alvarez_hair)
The 36th annual North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) winners will be unveiled during a glamorous awards ceremony on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at Premiere Orlando. This highly anticipated event will unite industry professionals, influencers and beauty enthusiasts to celebrate the exceptional talent and groundbreaking work of these standout artists.
"The Professional Beauty Association is thrilled to honor the 2025 NAHA finalists, who represent the pinnacle of creativity and skill within the beauty industry," shares Leslie Perry, PBA Executive Director. "These artists showcase extraordinary vision, passion and innovation that inspire their peers and elevate the industry.”
