The Best Texture Cut category celebrates hairdressers worldwide who specialise in bold and transformative haircuts tailored to textured, curly, and Afro hair. This category showcases the skill, precision, and artistry required to create a dramatic and impactful haircut while honoring the unique beauty of textured hair.
CATEGORY CRITERIA
WHO CAN ENTER: This category is open to hairdressers globally specialising in haircut transformations for textured, curly, or Afro hair.
WHAT TO ENTER: Submit either a
carousel of before and after images showcasing the finished look.
video transformation highlighting the haircut process and the final result.
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_BestTextureCut) 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 significantly has the haircut enhanced or changed the client’s appearance?
Technical Execution: Is the haircut well-executed with balance and precision?
Texture and Curl Integrity: Does the haircut preserve and enhance the natural texture or curl pattern?
Creativity and Suitability: Is the haircut creative, on-trend, and suited to the client’s hair type and features?
Visual Impact: Does the final look leave a strong visual impression?
SUBMISSION TIP:
Use natural lighting to showcase the texture and definition of the curls or patterns in the final look.
Capture key moments in the haircut process (e.g., sectioning, shaping, finishing) to highlight your technical skills.
Ensure the video is under 3 minutes and includes smooth transitions between before, during, and after shots.
Optionally include the client’s reaction to add an emotional connection to the transformation.
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_BestTextureCut) 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