The 36th annual North American Hairstyling Awards showed out this year in Orlando to a sold-out crowd of nearly 1,700 celebrating its theme “Show Your True Colors.”
Co-hosted by Texture vs. Race founder Keya Neal and Professional Beauty Association Executive Director Leslie Perry, the event spotlighted top-tier talent across 15 categories including Haircolor, Barbering, Makeup, Editorial Styling, and Avant Garde.
The winners combined artistry, authenticity, and skill to not just impress, but blow everyone away.
“NAHA isn’t just a competition,” Perry said. "NAHA is the one time in licensed professionals’ career where they get to step out of the everyday hustle and ask: Who am I as an artist?”
Check out the 2025 honorees and their award-winning works below.
Avant Garde
Rusty Phillips, Kansas City, MO
Makeup Artist: David Madderich; Photographer: Roberto Ligresti
Barber of the Year
Carlos Estrella, Chicago, IL
Makeup Artist: Jacqueline Gomez; Photographer: Chrystofer Benson
Editorial Stylist of the Year
Maggie Semaan, Laval, QC
Makeup Artist: Irina Kuzmina; Photographer: Amer Mohamad
Educator of the Year
Candy Shaw, Atlanta, GA
Haircolor
Breanne Gershon, Calgary, AB
Makeup Artist: Breanne Gershon; Photographer: Morgan Gold; Post-Production: Paula Tizzard
Haircutting
Evie Johnson, Bowie, MD
Makeup Artist: Kim Sharma; Photographer: Richard Monsieur
Hairstylist of the Year
David Barron, Atlanta, GA
Makeup Artist: Maddie Austin; Photographer: John Rawson
Inspiring Salon of the Year
Amber & Chet Pope, Salon 27
Makeup Artist of the Year
Angela Balbon, Vancouver, BC
Photographer: Joan Novak; Wardrobe Stylist: Joan Novak
Master Hairstylist of the Year
Matthew Morris, Denver, CO
Makeup Artist: Katelyn Simkins; Photographer: Caroline Miller
#NAHAMOMENT
Brooke LeMasters, Sistersville, WV
Student Hairstylist of the Year
Dexter, Eric Fisher Academy
Makeup Artist: Cloie Andree; Photographer: Eric Fisher
Styling & Finishing
Breanne Gershon, Calgary, AB
Makeup Artist: Breanne Gershon; Photographer: Morgan Gold; Post-Production: Paula Tizzard
Team of the Year
Cult Salon, Englewood, CO
Photographer: Randi Trujillo; Makeup Artist: Leah Llanes
Texture
Vernon François, Beverly Hills, CA
Makeup Artist: Francie Tamalonis; Photographer: Beau Nelson