The Best Haircut category celebrates hairdressers from around the world who specialise in dramatic haircut transformations. This category showcases the artistry and precision involved in creating a bold, cutting-edge haircut that makes a noticeable difference to a client's look.
CATEGORY CRITERIA
WHO CAN ENTER: This category is open to hairdressers globally specialising in dramatic haircut transformations. Please note, there is a separate haircut category for barbers.
WHAT TO ENTER: Submit either a
carousel of a before and after of the finished look
video transformation of the before and after of the finished look
HOW TO ENTER: The entry process involves two steps:
Social Media Submission: Post your entry/content on social media using the designated category hashtag (e.g., #DHA26_BestHaircut) and collaborate with the Digital Hair Awards Instagram account @digitalhairawards
Online Submission: Complete the Online Submission on digitalhairawards.com, ensuring all required details are provided (you will include a link to the posted content).
If you are entering multiple categories, ensure all relevant hashtags are clearly included in your post.
Both steps must be completed for your entry to be considered.
Your entry will be approved once all steps are completed, and the approval will be confirmed when the Digital Hair Awards Instagram account accepts the collaboration invitation.
JUDGING CRITERIA:
Degree of Transformation: How dramatically has the haircut changed the client’s appearance?
Technical Execution: How well-executed is the haircut?
Creativity & Originality: Is the haircut creative and on-trend?
Visual Impact & Client Satisfaction: Does the haircut have a strong visual impact?
SUBMISSION TIPS:
Client Reaction Suggestion: Including the client’s reaction is optional, but it can enhance the emotional impact of the entry.
Use before-and-after comparisons to highlight the transformation, and consider adding a client reaction to increase emotional appeal.
Try and keep the video under 3 mins in length
RULES
1. Eligibility
The awards are open to hairdressers and barbers globally.
Entries must be submitted by licensed professionals or individuals actively involved in the hair industry. You may enter a category more than once.
2. Awards Period
Only content created on or after 15th July, 2025 is eligible.
3. How to Enter
Entering the Digital Hair Awards is a simple two-step process:
Step 1: Instagram Submission
Post your content on Instagram, use the Collaborate feature to invite @digitalhairawards, and include the designated category hashtag (e.g. #DHA26_BestHaircut) in your caption.
Step 2: Online Submission
Complete your entry via the Digital Hair Awards portal and include the direct link (URL) to your Instagram post.
⚠️ Both steps must be completed for your entry to be considered.
Your entry will be approved once all steps are completed, and the approval will be confirmed when the Digital Hair Awards Instagram account accepts the collaboration invitation.
4. Social Media Platform
Entries must be posted exclusively on Instagram. When completing the online submission (Step 2), you must provide the direct URL to the individual Instagram post being entered. Instagram profile links will not be accepted.
5. Content Specifications
Each category has specific format requirements (e.g., images, videos, carousels). Please refer to category guidelines.
Only smartphone-captured content is accepted for authenticity and accessibility.
6. Judging Criteria
Each category has its own judging criteria, which should guide how your content is created and presented.
Submissions are assessed by global industry judges and evaluated based on relevant factors such as:
technical skill
creativity
execution
alignment with category intent
overall impact
The weighting of these factors may vary by category.
7. Content Integrity
Light editing (such as brightness or colour correction) is permitted.Heavy filters or digital alterations that misrepresent the hair may result in disqualification.
All content must represent your own work.Plagiarised, misleading, or falsely credited submissions will not be accepted.
8. Credits and Multiple Entries
Credits are used to submit entries into the Digital Hair Awards, with one credit equal to one entry. Credits can be used across any category, and the same piece of content may be entered into multiple categories using separate credits.
Credits are flexible and shareable, making them ideal for friends, salon teams, and collaborators. Entry codes can be shared so multiple people can use the same pack. Any unused credits remain valid for the entire awards season.
9. Key Dates
Please refer to the Key Dates section on the Digital Hair Awards homepage for the most up-to-date information regarding entry deadlines, finalist announcements, and the 2026 LIVE virtual gala.
10. Usage Rights
By entering, you grant the Digital Hair Awards permission to use submitted content for promotional and editorial purposes across digital, social, print, and event-related platforms.
11. Additional Rules
You may enter multiple categories
You may submit multiple entries per category
Entries that do not meet submission requirements (including missing hashtags, incomplete portal submissions, or unaccepted collaboration invites) will not be considered