the 2025 categories

Note: Only one artist will be credited for each category nomination unless otherwise outlined below. Please read the Contest Rules before entering. Rules have changed this year!

Celebrates the work of hairdressers doing real hair behind the chair. Submissions include the work they do on their actual clients and are often shot on a cell phone.

HAIR COLOR

Each entry may only be submitted to ONE Hair Color category. Read the category descriptions carefully to determine which is best suited for your entry.

COOL BALAYAGE

Multi-dimensional balayage including highlight and hand painted work that is cool in color and tone. This category should have a predominant focus on cool dimensions.

WARM BALAYAGE

Multi-dimensional balayage including highlight and hand painted work that is warm in color and tone. This category should have a predominant focus on warm dimensions.

PLATINUM

High-lift, all-over platinum or dimensional platinum blonde. Please note, hair health and condition will be a consideration in this category due to the level(s) of blonding required. Submissions for this category should have a predominant focus on platinum.

BLONDES

Warm-toned, cool-toned, all-over or dimensional blondes—show us the BEST blonde you created this year. Submissions for this category should have a predominant focus on blonde tones. Please be mindful of lived-in color, shadow roots and heavy dimension.

BRUNETTES

Light, medium and dark brunette tones are all permitted. Show us your best, richest brunette creation from your camera roll. Submissions for this category should focus on brunette tones. Please be mindful of lived-in color, ombrés and dimensions.

REDS

Submissions can include but are not limited to an overall or dimensional range of red tones. Coppers, auburns, bright-to-deep reds, strawberry blondes, etc. Please note accent-only trends such as peek-a-boo looks featuring red tones are not the focus of this category.

CREATIVE COLOR

Imaginative combinations of multi-color groupings, blends and creative zonal placements. The primary focus of this category is color creativity and technique.

COLOR BLOCKING

Clearly contrasting colors and/or defined, stark color placements. The primary focus of this category is multi-color placement.

HAIR TATTOO

Creative concepting and precision design work achieved through painting, etching, and/or color placements.

COLOR TRANSFORMATION

Before & after image of transformative color technique as the central focus. While transformations can include a haircut or extensions, hair color is the primary focus of this category. Note: Your entry must show forward facing before/after shots on the SAME image.

HAIRCUTTING

Each entry may only be submitted to ONE Haircutting category. Read the category descriptions carefully to determine which is best suited for your entry.

BOB/LOB

Short haircuts in varying lengths from micro bobs to above-the-shoulder lobs. Any technique or specific haircut within this range is welcome for entry.

SHAG/MULLET

Shag and mullet-inspired haircuts including, but not limited to, technical layering, shape and blend or lack thereof.

PIXIE/BIXIE

Short hair pixies or bixies (combination of a bob and pixie cut) with lengths hovering on or above the ear. Submissions should have clear consideration of shape, creativity and balance within length range.

NATURAL TEXTURE

Submissions should include a complete haircut, hair color or hair styling of natural texture including but not limited to waves, curls and coils of any and all types.

MEN’S CUT

Submissions are judged on overall haircut and styling. Level of difficulty and overall creative vision are primary considerations for this category. Please note, while Fades are Men’s haircuts, the specified Fade category may be the best option for certain submissions.

FADE

Entries can include but are not limited to classic fades, taper fades, bald fades, creative fades and more. Seamless transitions, length graduation and creativity are the primary considerations for this category.

CUT TRANSFORMATION

Before & after images of technical haircutting with any transformative style or creation.
Note: Before and after shots must appear side by side in a single image.

STYLING

Each entry may only be submitted to ONE Styling Category. Read the category descriptions carefully to determine which is best suited for your entry.

SPECIAL EVENT STYLING

Updos and/or any specialized hairstyling for events and occasions.

INTRICATE BRAIDS & TWISTS

Braids and twists of any kind and size focused on technical skill, creative or classic placement and artistic styling.

OVERALL

HAIR EXTENSIONS

Before and after images of extension work. Creating a look through length, body, dimension and/or overall shape should be depicted. Note: Your entry must show forward facing before/after shots on the SAME image. Only one person will be credited for this category. Any additional colorists or cutters can submit as their own entry in alternate relevant categories

STUDENT

Any hair color, haircut or hair styling looks created by a beauty school student or salon apprentice at time of creation. See creation submission dates under Contest Rules for clarity.

SALON DECOR

Photos should highlight the design, style and layout of interior furnishings, personality and character of your salon.

SUITE DECOR

Photos should highlight the design, style and layout of interior furnishings, personality and character of your suite.

EDUCATIONAL POST

An educational post that is not a video created with clear intention to educate hairstylists.

COLLABORATION TRANSFORMATION

Before and after images of a collaboration on an overall haircut, hair color and/or hair styling transformation. Technical skill involved, client sustainability and overall changes made will be the focal points of this category. Note: Your entry must show forward facing before/after shots on the SAME image. Two people TOTAL will be credited per entry. Each person credited must have an account on OneShotHairAwards.com.

VIDEO

Entries may only be submitted to ONE Video Category. Read the category descriptions carefully to determine which is best suited for your entry. Also, for video entries, you must upload a “cover image” for your video that we will use in the yearbook and other materials as well as the URL link to the video itself.

COLOR VIDEO

Videos created with clear intention to educate hairstylists about any hair color technique or specific hair color look.

HAIRCUT VIDEO

Videos created with clear intention to educate hairstylists about any haircut technique or specific haircut look.

STYLING VIDEO

Videos created with clear intention to educate hairstylists about any styling technique or specific hairstyle or styling look.

FUNNY VIDEO

Videos created to bring laughter, light, humor and relatability to hairstylists in the professional beauty industry.

Celebrates the work of artists who are creating editorial hairdressing looks often shot in studios by a professional photographer.

All Big Shot categories are judged for hair style, cut or color created specifically for a photoshoot or fashion editorial. These looks often feature bold, creative and trend-setting ideas and are designed to be visually striking in photographs for magazines, ad campaigns or other media.

SHOTS

EDITORIAL SHOT

HAIR CUT SHOT

HAIR COLOR SHOT

TEXTURE SHOT

STYLING SHOT

MEN’S SHOT

AVANT-GARDE SHOT

EDITORIAL MAKEUP SHOT

COLLECTIONS

Each collection is a group of three images as one carousel post. Three collections can be submitted per category.