HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional is officially open for entries. Here’s everything you need to know before you submit your entry...

Q: How many categories are there in 2021?

A. There are 18 categories in total – 10 regional categories and seven specialist categories, as well as the British Hairdresser of the Year category which is by nomination only and cannot be entered.

Q. How many images do I need to enter HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional?

A. Six images are required for each category with the exception of British Hairdresser of the Year, where eight images are required, and Trend Image of the Year where one image is required.

Q. Can I use wigs, extensions, hair pieces and/or strands to enter HJ’s Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year category?

A. You are not permitted to use wigs, hair pieces, extensions or strands within HJ’s Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year category.

Q. Can I use wigs, extensions, hair pieces and/or strands to enter HJ’s Men’s Hairdresser of the Year category?

 A. You are permitted to use hair pieces/ strands in four images within the Men’s Hairdresser of the Year category.

Q. Can I submit images previously entered into HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards that did or did not reach the finalist stage?

A. No – only unseen collections can be submitted for HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards 2021, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional. This means all images must be shot after 1 January 2020 and not previously entered into HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards, regardless of whether you reached the finalist stage or not.

Q. Can I submit images with hair presented on doll heads or mannequins?

  A. No – all hair work for HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards 2021, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional must be presented on real models so images featuring training heads, doll heads or mannequins will not be accepted.

Q. What are the requirements given to British Hairdresser of the Year nominees?

A. British Hairdresser of the Year nominees are required to submit eight images. Four wigs can be used and extensions, hair pieces or strands can be used in two further images.

Q. How can I keep up-to-date with what’s going on with the awards?

A. The latest news from the awards will always be posted online at hji.co.uk first. You can also follow the official hashtag #BHA21 on social media to get up-to-the-minute news as it happens.

Q. What is HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional Hall of Fame and how do you get into it?

A. If you win the same category three times you are inducted into HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards Hall of Fame. Your three wins don’t have to be consecutive – they just need to be in the same category each time.

Q. Who judges HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional?

A. HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards are judged twice with two judging days – First Round Judging Day and Second Round Judging Day. For the First Round Judging Day the entries are judged anonymously by past winners, Hall of Fame members and industry icons. For the Second Round Judging Day, the entries are judged anonymously by past winners, Hall of Fame members, industry icons and a limited number of experts in the hair and beauty press (this does not include any of the team at HJ).

The entries are judged independently and anonymously in both rounds of judging with absolutely no conferring. Both judging days are audited by independent on-site auditors to ensure complete impartiality and fairness. Judges are not able to see the name or salon name of any entry and any judge who has an interest in a category – either an employee or who has given advice to any entrant in a category is excluded from judging that category.

Q. How do you get nominated for HJ’s British Hairdresser of the Year, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional?

A. Each year HJ asks key people within the hairdressing industry and selected members of the UK and international press to nominate individuals who they feel best embody the role of British Hairdresser of the Year. The individual must have an exceptional professional reputation and an extraordinary creative and trendsetting ability as well as being a respected ambassador for British hairdressing in the UK and overseas.

First Round Entries Open: Thursday 4 March 2021
British Hairdresser of the Year Nominees
Announced: May
First Round Entries Close: Friday 18 June 2021 at 5pm Shortlist Announced: July
Awards Night: Monday 29 November 2021