
Big Opening Day for Data-Driven Salon Summit
Relive the memories of a fascinating and fun welcome day for Data-Driven Salon Summit 2027 in Austin, Texas.
The Professional Beauty Association, producer of the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA), has announced the 2019 finalists in 15 competition categories including hair, nails, makeup artistry, salon team and salon design.

The 2019 North American Hairstyling Awards finalists have been announced in 15 categories.
All NAHA images/photos are copyright © of the North American Hairstyling Awards and the Professional Beauty Association. All rights reserved.
The Professional Beauty Association, producer of the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA), has announced the 2019 finalists in 15 competition categories including hair, nails, makeup artistry, salon team and salon design.
This year, NAHA celebrates its 30th anniversary at its new home alongside the International Salon and Spa Expo (ISSE) on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA. NAHA celebrates the talent and creativity of the beauty industry’s most inspiring artists.
This year, NAHA will be hosted by 2018 Olympic Bronze Medalist figure skater Adam Rippon, who will bring his infectious energy and talent to the NAHA stage.
The event will be broadcast live, on-demand at nahalive.com.
All NAHA images/photos are copyright © of the North American Hairstyling Awards and the Professional Beauty Association. All rights reserved.
Please note: Finalists' information included below (such as city/state and affiliation) is reflective of how they submitted their application and may not be inclusive of all titles, affiliations.
THE FINALISTS:
The Avant Garde category features visionary work that demonstrates new or experimental concepts in expressive, cutting-edge hair. Entries reflected good taste and aesthetically pleasing images. This was not a fantasy category but a display of fashion forward, unique and edgy styles.
Eric Fisher, Eric Fisher Salon/Academy, Wichita, KS
Erika Fung, NC Salon, Markham, ON
Keith Bryce, Glendale, CA
Lindsey Mollenhauer, elevencherry, Des Moines, IA
Michelle O’Connor, Salon by In Style JCP, Hollywood, FL
The Editorial category shows best published cover or editorial work.
Chrystofer Benson, CBC – Chrystofer Benson Collective, South Weber, UT
Dilek Onur Taylor, Salon by InStyle JCPenney, Chicago, IL
Jill Turnbull, Active Individu, Baltimore, MD
Kevin Hughes, Moroccanoil, Palm Springs, CA
Michelle O’Connor, Salon by InStyle JCPenney, Hollywood, FL
The Hair Color category shows an eye for the perfect palette and coloring techniques.
Ashley Stewart, Parlour Hair Studio, Elsmere, KY
Chrystofer Benson, South Weber, UT
Lori Zabel, Dop Dop Salon, New York, NY
Sean Godard, Brooklyn, NY
This category features the best in haircutting artistry and design.
Anica Iordache, modmop hairdressing, Ottawa, O
Chrystofer Benson, South Weber, UT
Dorothy Tsang, BLUSHES, Ottawa, ON
Lori Zabel, Dop Dop Salon, New York, NY
Michael Haase, PlatinumBlack by Michael Haase, Los Angeles, CA
The Hairstylist of the Year category is the most prestigious recognition a finalist can attain. Check out these diverse, creative and versatile hair designs capturing the excellence and artistry of the industry.
Ammon Carver, Ammon Carver Studio, New York, NY
Chelsea James, Forma + Collective, Englewood, CO
Harley Lobasso, Hair by Scott & Co., Boynton Beach, FL
Jake Thompson, Jake Thompson Hair, Holladay, UT
Julie Vriesinga, Salon Entrenous, Forest, ON
See these tasteful collections of work where makeup artists used their makeup skills to enhance a beautiful hairstyle collection.
Cori Aston, Cori Aston Makeup Artistry, Katy, TX
David Maderich, New York, NY
Florencia Taylor, London, ON
Madelyn Cunningham, Aveda Institute Des Moines, Des Moines, IA
Nohemi Capetillo, Markham, IL
The Master Stylist category is designed to allow the biggest names in the industry to compete with one another. Entrants are top platform artists, educators, artistic directors and previous Hairstylists of the Year who submit five images of a collection exemplifying best work.
Anna Pacitto, Salon Pure, Monreal, QC
Chrystofer Benson, CBC – Chrystofer Benson Collective, South Weber, UT
Dusty Simington, Newport Beach, CA
Matthew Morris, Matthew Morris Salon and Skincare, Denver, CO
Silas Tsang, BLUSHES, Ottawa, ON
Men's styling is an integral part of the professional beauty industry. Entrants for this category submitted three images displaying their best men's hair styling work.
Dana Hodges Caschetta, Ammon Carver Studio, New York, NY
Jamie DiGrazia, Logan Parlor, Chicago, IL
Mark Bustos, Silvervine Room, Summit, NJ
Pete Goupil, Brossard, QC
Sal Misseri, KAIZEN/Reverie Salon, Chicago, IL
This category features the best in nail artistry and design.
Amber Takano, Serenity Couture, Rochester, MN
Cassandra Clark, Tangerine Salon, Coppell, TX
Rochelle Dingman, Shear Fashion Salon, San Jose, CA
Sarah Nguyen, Ammon Carver Studio, New York, NY
Victoria Zegarelli, Nail Bar Lounge, Hauppauge, NY
The Newcomer Stylist category features stylists with less than three years of experience as a licensed cosmetologist.
Javier James, Javier James Salon, Littleton, CO
Jesse Ervin, Civello Salon, Toronto, ON
Keith Bryce, Glendale, CA
Megan Grimm, Fiore Hair Salon, Indianapolis, IN
Tori Frappier, Dragonfly Salon, Saint Thomas, ON
Ambiance is critical to a successful salon. Salons and schools in this category are recognized as the most aesthetically pleasing and well-designed in North America.
Current Salon & Color Bar, Ashburn, VA
Lambs and Wolves, Red Bank, NJ
PENZONE Salon + Spa, Dublin, OH
Salon AUDACE, Norman, OK
Studio Branca SalonSpa, Chesterfield, MO
Collections in the Student category display creativity, versatility and expertise in hair styling. Students must be enrolled in school or performing required hours in a salon and NOT be a licensed cosmetologist as of the entry deadline.
Abigail McKinney, Eric Fisher Academy, Wichita, KS
Allison Huseman, Aveda Institute Des Moines, Des Moines, IA
Beki Keraly, Crave Beauty Academy, Wichita, KS
Khilvatmo (Nanish) Soibnazorva in Aveda Institute Denver, Denver, CO
McKell Hird, Aveda Institute Provo, Provo, UT
Upstyles to classic waves, the Styling & Finishing category shows off the best in styling/finishing design.
Danielle Keasling, Salon Karma, Bluffton, SC
Keith Bryce, Glendale, CA
Megan Grimm, Fiore Hair Salon, Indianapolis, IN
Nick Stenson, Ulta Beauty, Bolingbrook, IL
Sarajane Maples, Studio Sage, Atlantic Beach, FL
The Salon Team category showcases a team's diversity, versatility, creativity and expertise in hair styling. Salon teams must consist of at least two members and be employed at the same salon to be eligible.
CBC – Chrystofer Benson Collective, South Weber, UT
The Team by InStyle JCPenney Salons, Hollywood, FL
The Harlot, Los Angeles, CA
Ulta Beauty Design Team, Lincoln Park, NJ
Ulta Beauty Pro Team, Bolingbrook, IL
The texture category demonstrates texture skills with designs that complement the individuality of diverse hair textures. Hair texture may be natural or chemically treated, but entries must display wearable, cutting-edge textured hair styles.
Julie Vriesinga, Salon Entrenous, Forest, ON
Lauren Moser, Hair Lab Detroit, Detroit, MI
MaryFrances Peterson, Salon Karma, Bluffton, SC
Michelle O’Connor, Salon by InStyle JCPenney, Hollywood, FL
Silas Tsang, BLUSHES, Ottawa, ON
Originally posted on Modern Salon

Relive the memories of a fascinating and fun welcome day for Data-Driven Salon Summit 2027 in Austin, Texas.

After her presentation and workshop at Data-Driven Salon Summit 2026, Harper Ellis Hair Co.'s Terra Harvell chats with Nicole Johnson, sharing why she's on a mission to help owners build wealth in their business so they have a investment worth selling when they are ready to exit.
Before Phorest's Barry Quinn and Sinead Norman take the stage at Data-Driven Salon Summit, Norman swings by SALON TODAY to give us a sneak peek at their session that promises to motivate team members to grow their KPIs and clients to solidify their loyalty.
Before Harper Ellis' Terra Harvell takes the stage on Data-Driven Salon Summit she swings by to give us a sneak peek at her mainstage and breakout sessions.

Before Kristi Valenzuela takes the stage at Data-Driven Salon Summit, she stops by to talk about how salon business has a powerful opportunity to expand beyond traditional services and create meaningful revenue through high-value treatments.

More than 100 celebrities, influencers, and hair experts came together to create the two-day event in Paris in recognition of the passion, skill, and dedication of hair professionals worldwide. L’Oréal Professionnel Global Brand President Claire Le Bleis sat down with SALON TODAY to talk about the significance of the event, which also celebrated Hairdresser Appreciation Day.
Before Terra Harvell takes the stage at Data-Driven Salon Summit session, she swings by to give us a sample of what she has planned for her mainstage session and her breakout workshop.
At this year's Data-Driven, an immersive hands-on workshop will allow attendees to experiment with virtual hairstyle and hair-color try-on and AI skin analysis--and leave with credits to continue playing with the technology in their own salons.

At the SalonCentric SPARK New Partner Event in New York City on March 16, invited salon owners and stylists came together for education and discovery at the new L’Oréal Professional Academy NYC.

Before Glammatic's Ameet Kallarackal steps onto the mainstage at Data-Driven Salon Summit, May 17th, he stops by and gives us a sneak peek at his upcoming session and how his subsequent roadmap will give you a personalized road map.

At Meevo LIVE! 2025, Nashville set the backdrop while connection stole the show.

SalonCentric's new Partner Event Series was created to celebrate and support the professionals behind that artistry, giving them tools to grow, connect, and thrive.

Monica-Lynn Beauty CEO hosts BOSS Up! Leadership Experience in Cleveland, helping owners and beauty and barber pros scale their businesses. .
Before a progressive cocktail party of three of Nashville's leading salons on November 2, Data-Driven Salon Tour will help owners and managers grow their businesses, their teams and their clientele to the next level. Don't miss out!

Medical Spa Show 2025 featured the most impressive lineup of the show's eight-year history, including keynote speaker Kyle Scheele, along with a host of luminaries from around the industry.

Embrace, empower, and celebrate natural curls with Cosmo Prof's live virtual education event on Feb 24, 2025.

The busy holiday season is here, and with it comes jam-packed days, last-minute client requests and booming retail sales. For many salon owners, the highlight of the season is Small Business Saturday® (SBS). This year on Saturday, November 30, consumers can take their shopping into the small businesses in their communities.
Sponsored by Amex