Of about 15,000 professional stylists who make Sport Clips Haircuts their career home, six finalists were invited to showcase their creativity on stage for “The Look” competition at the franchise’s annual Huddle in Nashville, Tennessee. The competition's focus on curls drew entries from talented stylists across the U.S. and Canada. This year's winner was Valerie Rivera, from Sport Clips Haircuts in El Paso, Texas.

“As a licensed stylist, I know firsthand how important opportunities for creativity, success, and growth are within the hair care industry. 'The Look' creative competition empowers stylists to unleash their artistic visions and enhance their skill set by entering looks they've created. For the finalists, it means a trip to our annual meeting and creating the looks on stage before thousands of supporters. It's an exciting element of what a career with Sport Clips can hold.”

— Stacia Kelley, Artistic Director for Sport Clips Haircuts

She went on to add that even though Sport Clips doesn't offer perms in stores, the brand's stylists engage in ongoing training and are well-equipped to work with all hair types and textures, no matter the trend.

"The Look" Finalists Ranked

• Valerie Rivera: El Paso, Texas - 1^st place

  • For the winning look, Rivera created a medium drop fade on her model with volumized curl and a design on both sides. She used Gibs Biofuel, as well Ultra Curl and Powder Play Light both by SexyHair to finish and hold the style. 

• Ashley Chamaillard: Ontario, Canada – 2^nd place

  • A drop taper fade was the take on curls Chamaillard chose for her model, with short to medium layers on top to spotlight texture and finished it with a cocktail of Gibs El Ray gel and Top Down Tea Tree.

• Samantha Burkman: Jackson, Tennessee – 3^rd place

  • Burkman went with a drop fade with texture on her model and took it up a notch with Gibs Con Man and Biofuel.

• Brooke Hafenecker: Waterville, Maine – Honorable Mention

  • A take on a tapered mullet with scissor work on the top and back was Hafenecker’s choice for her model that was enhanced with Gibs Con Man, Styling Jam, and Brawler.

• Cassandra Sanchez: Little Rock, Arkansas – Honorable Mention

  • A faded undercut Sanchez created featured a curly top and freestyle design topped off with Defining Spray, Statement, and SexyHair Curl Cream.

• Melih Solano: Albuquerque, New Mexico – Honorable Mention

  • Solano’s burst fade was styled with Paul Mitchell Lavender Mint Defining Gel and Biofuel and the model’s beard was softened with Gibs Beard Oil.

Judges for the competition included Jason “Skills” Dunn of Gibs Grooming, Jim Massey from American Crew, and Brandon Palmore of JPMS. The winner and finalists all received Nashville travel and hotel accommodations as well as a cash prize and an exclusive package that includes top-of-the-line tools, products, and swag from BaByliss, Sexy Hair, STMNT, Blacksmith Blades, Gibs Grooming, ACTIIV, and John Paul Mitchell Systems.