The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) has announced the 36th annual North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) finalists. NAHA is the most prestigious professional beauty competition in North America and highlights the work of the crème de la crème of the hair industry.
The 2025 NAHA finalists are visionaries who push the boundaries of skill and creativity, showcasing their exceptional talent and dedication. These artists have defied expectation, creating collections that captivate and inspire.
The NAHA 2025 Finalists are:
Avant Garde:
- Rusty Phillips @rustyphillips13 – nominated for 2 categories
- Chrystofer Benson @cbensonhair – nominated for 2 categories
- Julia Clayton @jujuwiththegoodhair
- Jaimee Harris Smith @Hairbyjsmith – nominated for 2 categories
- Ruth Roche @ruthroche – nominated for 3 categories
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_ – nominated for 2 categories
- Rusty Phillips @rustyphillips13 – nominated for 2 categories
- Vernon Francois @vernonfrancois – nominated for 3 categories
- Ruth Roche @ruthroche – nominated for 3 categories
Educator of the Year:
- Nina Tulio @ninatulio
- Adrienne Dara @adriennedara
- Chrystofer Benson @cbensonhair – nominated for 2 categories
- Candy Shaw @thebalaylama
- Bryant Murphy @dezignedbyb
Haircolor:
- Tina Casciato @tinacasciato
- Janelle Eyre @jeyre.hair
- Sean Godard @seangodard
- Breanne Gershon @glam.breanne – nominated for 2 categories
- Danielle Waterman @daniwatermanhair – nominated for 2 categories
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 – nominated for 2 categories
- David Barron @barronslondonsalon – nominated for 2 categories
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 – nominated for 2 categories
- Cassie Carey @cassiecarey.hair
- David Barron @barronslondonsalon – nominated for 2 categories
- 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 – nominated for 2 categories
- Vernon Francois@vernonfrancois – nominated for 3 categories
- Breanne Gershon @glam.breanne – nominated for 2 categories
- Veronika Shurunova @shurveronika
Team of The Year:
- Cult Salon @cult.salon.co – Vanessa Whitmarsh, Lindsey Hutchings, Gia Segundo, Cheri Cooke
- Valentinis @derrick_rutherford @juliocolor – Derrick Rutherford & Julio RodriguezEunoia Collection – Danielle Keasling, Pekela Riley, Anthony Negron, Bianca Donahue, Gilad Goldstein, Justin Tove s-Vincilione, Reva Haga
- JCPenney Salon @hairbyjsmith @beautiesbybee – Jaimee Harris Smith*, Brittany Brown, Charly Williams* nominated for 2 categories
- PHOTON @ruthroche – Ruth Roche*, Jill Leitz, Erica Wright, Wendy Belanger, Jackie Litscher *nominated for 3 categories
Texture:
- Lukas Press @Lukaspress_ – nominated for 2 categories
- Eric Fisher @ericfisherhair
- Pekela Riley @pekelariley
- Vernon Francois @vernonfrancois – nominated for 3 categories
- 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,” shared Leslie Perry, PBA Executive Director. “These artists showcase extraordinary vision, passion, and innovation that inspire their peers and elevate the industry.”
The winners for each category will be announced during Premiere Orlando on June 1, 2025. You can purchase your tickets to be part of the excitement by visiting probeauty.org/naha.