28 – 29 JUNE 2026

ICC SYDNEY

Live Competitions

SHOW OFF YOUR SKILLS AND WIN!

The Hair Festival competitions are where skill, imagination, and innovation collide. From precision cutting and avant-garde colour to striking editorial styling, each category pushes creative boundaries and sets the trends shaping our industry.

Be there or be a part of the next wave of hair talent competing — delivering looks that are bold, fearless, and unforgettable.

Competitions kick off at 11:00am, with presentations from 12:00pm.

Two Stages. Double the Excitement.  

In 2026, the live competitions will take place across two stages: THE STAGE. and THE EXCHANGE., located in the Festival HUB, with more opportunities, more action and more chances to win. 

Go for the title — Become a 2026 Champion

Compete across multiple categories to be crowned:

  • Hair Festival Stylist Champion 2026
  • Hair Festival Barber Champion 2026
  • Emerging Talent (Apprentice/Students) Champion 2026

We’ve expanded to seven pre-done competitions this year.

Tip: You can use the same model in two competitions — the Colour Innovator category is judged after the cutting categories, making it possible to enter one model twice. 

KEY EVENT DETAILS

Monday 29 June 2026

11am – 1pm
ICC Sydney – Located in the Festival HUB at

THE STAGE. + THE EXCHANGE.

Prize Money Breakdown Per Competition
  • 1st Place: $300
  • 2nd Place: $200
  • 3rd Place: $100

Entry Costs

Entry Costs (tax deductible)

  • Emerging Talent $30 plus gst
  • Senior Stylists $60 plus gst
  • Barber $60 plus gst

Additional entries (2nd & 3rd)

  • Emerging Talent $20 plus gst
  • Senior Stylists $40 plus gst
  • Barber $40 plus gst

2026 Competitions on Offer

BARBERS
  • Barber Street – for seniors or more confident up-and-coming Barbers (cutting competition)
  • Ultimate Look Men (Pre-done)
  • Colour Innovator (Pre-done)
  • Avant-Garde – your creative interpretation

Highest points accumulated from 2 or more of the competitions will be awarded the title: Hair Festival Barber Champion 2026.

STYLISTS
  • Women’s Street Style – senior and confident up-and-coming Hairdressers (cutting competition)
  • Colour Innovator (Pre-done)
  • Ultimate Look Women (Pre-done)
  • Bridal Master– (Pre-done)
  • Avant-Garde – your creative interpretation

Highest points accumulated from 2 or more of the competitions will be awarded the title: Hair Festival Stylist Champion 2026.

EMERGING TALENT (APPRENTICE/STUDENTS)
  • Emerging Talent Women Street Style (Cutting Competition)
  • Emerging Talent Barber Street (Cutting Competition)
  • Emerging Talent Blow Dry (Pre-done)
  • Or any of the competitions listed above.

Highest points accumulated from 2 or more of the competitions will be awarded the title: Hair Festival Emerging Talent (Apprentice/Students) Champion 2026.

COMPETITION DETAILS

Some competitions will run consecutively with proposed timing as follow:

  • Cutting competitions 30 mins 
  • Editorial Competition 15 mins 

REDUCED ENTRY FEE FOR 2ND AND 3RD ENTRIES
ALL ENTRY FEES ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE

Stay tuned for further updates. 

ULTIMATE LOOK – WOMEN

Create an editorial look on a female model that could be seen on a front cover of a fashion magazine. Pre-done competition.

Learn more

ULTIMATE LOOK – MEN

Create the men’s editorial look (hair and clothes) that will stop the audience in their tracks. Pre-done competition.

Learn more

COLOUR INNOVATOR

Create magic with colour bringing your edgy hair design to life. Pre-done competition.

Learn more

WOMEN'S STREET STYLE

Cut, style and shape a female model to be ready to hit the streets.

Learn more

BARBER STREET

Cut, style and shape a male model to be ready to hit the streets.

Learn more

AVANT-GARDE

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.

Learn more

BRIDAL MASTER

Inspire the judges with your bridal styling. Being a total look competition clothing, make up, and adornments will be considered when judging takes place. Pre-done competition.

Learn more

EMERGING TALENT BLOW DRY

Create the perfect styling finish through Blow Drying only. Pre-done competition.

Learn more

EMERGING TALENT BARBER STREET

Cut, style and shape a male model to be ready to hit the streets.

Learn more

EMERGING TALENT WOMENS STREET STYLE

Cut, style and shape a female model to be ready to hit the streets.

Learn more

Competition timetable

Monday 29 June 2026

The following competitions will run at the same time on the competition floor.

Live CompetitionScrutineering TimeModels to comp floorCompetition Floor TimeCompetition Start & EndModels to judgingParadeLocation
Women Street Style (Live Cutting)10.15am10.45am30 mins11.00am-11.30am11.35am11.45amTHE STAGE.
Barber Street (Live Cutting)10.15am10.45am30 mins11.00am-11.30am11.35am11.45amTHE STAGE.
Emerging Talent Women Street Style (Live Cutting)10.15am10.45am30 mins11.00am-11.30am11.35am11.45amTHE EXCHANGE.
Emerging Talent Barber Street (Live Cutting)10.15am10.45am30 mins11.00am-11.30am11.35am11.45amTHE EXCHANGE.
Pre-done Competitions

Models in these competitions will be transferred to the competition floor by the floor judges.

Ultimate Look Women (Pre-done)10.15am11.05am11.15amTHE EXCHANGE.
Emerging Talent Blow Dry (Pre-Done)10.15am11.05am11.15amTHE EXCHANGE.
Bridal Master (Pre-done)10.30am11.45am12.00pmTHE STAGE.
Ultimate Look Men (Pre-Done)10.15am11.15am11.30amTHE EXCHANGE.
Colour Innovator (Pre-Done)10.15am11.35am11.45amTHE EXCHANGE.
Avant-Garde (Pre-Done)10.30am11.45am12.00pmTHE EXCHANGE.

Winners’ Announcement starts at 12.00pm.

*Please note the timetable is subject to change.

CONDITIONS
  • The judges’ decision will be FINAL and no correspondence will be entered into.
  • The Hair Festival will not be responsible or liable for any claims arising from or any damage of work performed on model’s hair.
  • Models must not touch their hair at any time during the competition.
  • All Competitors must stop work immediately when the call to do so is given.
  • Any person disturbing the competitors or models on the stage will be removed from the premises.
  • Competitors who disobey, break the rules, or exceed the times given will be disqualified.

These conditions apply to each competition.

get in touch

Keen to compete but have any questions?

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