13 Stunning Looks From the 2019 North American Hairstyling Awards

NAHA 2019

Some of the biggest names in beauty are gathering in Long Beach, California this weekend for the 2019 North American Hairstyling Awards — and one look at their amazing portfolios will show you how they got there.

Produced by the Professional Beauty Association, NAHA includes a star-studded celebration that spotlights the work of some of the most creative stylists in the country. Olympic medalist Adam Rippon will host this year's event.

Scroll down for some of our favorite looks from the competition, and tune in here to watch a livestream of the event on Saturday, January 26, beginning at 6:30pm PT!

Adam Rippon is never shy about celebrating the latest fashions and hairstyles, so it's no surprise NAHA picked him to host their 30th anniversary celebration.

"It's going to be such a fun event," he tells PRIDE. "I've seen a lot of pictures from the events past, and they just look incredible. So I’m super excited to be a part of this."

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Finalist: Chrystofer Benson
Category: Haircutting
Photographer: John Rawson

Rippon has been through quite a few hair transformations in recent years, and he knows from experience that the best stylists give you the confidence to try something new.

"They really can change the way a person feels about themselves," he says. "I know that I've had a completely different experience from every haircut and every hair color I've ever had. And it started with trusting that hairdresser. It started with taking a risk, and that one person believing you can pull something daring or crazy off."

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Finalist: Lindsey Mollenhauer
Category: Avant Garde
Photographer: Trav McAvaddy

Beauty professionals from around the country are competing in styling categories like Avant Garde, Haircolor, Haircutting, Styling & Finishing, and Texture — and it's really hard to pick a favorite!

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Finalist: Michelle O'Connor
Category: Avant Garde
Photographer: Roberto Ligresti

No look would be complete without makeup, which is why some of the country's best makeup artists are being celebrated for their bold experiments in color, texture and materials.

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Finalist: Madelyn Cunningham
Category: Makeup Artist of the Year
Photographer: Trav McAvaddy

If you're looking for the biggest talents in hairstyling, NAHA is the best place to look — these professionals are competing for titles like Master Hairstylist of the Year, Newcomer Stylist of the Year, Salon/School Design of the Year, and Team of the Year

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Finalist: Ammon Carver
Category: Hairstylist of the Year
Photographer: Richard Monsieurs

Just as important as great stylists in this competition are great photographers — creative teams that know how to choose just the right models, wardrobe, lighting and pose to highlight the look.

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Finalist: Jake Thompson
Category: Hairstylist of the Year
Photographer: Jake Thompson

For many artists, passion for beauty transcends different mediums — like this hairstylist who started out as a makeup artist and brought his skills with shape and color into his hair creations.

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Finalist: Matthew Morris
Category: Master Hairstylist of the Year
Photographer: Kevin Alexander

Don't forget the nail professionals, serving looks with beautifully sculpted and painted acrylics, jewels, butterflies and flowers — everything you need for a killer set of nails. 

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Finalist: Victoria Zegarelli
Category: Nail Professional of the Year
Photographer: Ksenia Poulber

Men’s hairstyles are getting recognized in their own category, featuring some stunning looks that prove masculinity has a lot of room for fashion and creativity.

Rippon jokes that this year's entries have him tempted to try another daring style himself. "I've kind of limited myself because my hair's pretty short. I should have grown it out. But you know what, never say never—you never know what’s going to happen on Saturday night."

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Finalist: Jamie DiGrazia
Category: Men's Hairstylist of the Year
Photographer: BABAK

The best hairstylists aren't afraid to have fun with their creations and let their imaginations run wild.

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Finalist: Michelle O'Connor
Category: Texture
Photographer: Roberto Ligresti

NAHA is a great opportunity for up-and-coming stylists to be recognized and make a big first impression.

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Finalist: Tori Frappier
Category: Newcomer Stylist of the Year
Photographer: Paula Tizzard

Every hairstyle has a story — like this young model who was discovered on the streets of New York after one of the stylist's models dropped out right before the photo shoot. The new haircut and photos helped launch his career, and he ended up walking in his first fashion show weeks later. 

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Finalist: Mark Bustos
Category: Men's Hairstylist of the Year
Photographer: Richard Monsieurs

This student hairstylist went for a "Let Them Eat Cake" theme for her NAHA collection, celebrating feminine empowerment with delicate colors and fierce expressions.

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Finalist: Mckell Hird
Category: Student Hairstylist of the Year
Photographer: Keith Bryce