FAQs & Entry Rules
The Alt Hair Awards (AHA) is the world’s first and only platform built to celebrate the alternative side of hairdressing. This is for the rebels who’ve made the industry their own. Whether you’re just starting out, a solo artist in a studio, part of a collective, or a salon flying the flag for individuality, this is going to be your stage.
Entry overview:
•Entries Open: 31st October
•Entries Close: 13th February
•Winners Revealed: 29th March
Who can enter?
The Alternative Hair Awards are open to any stylist, salon, or creative working within alternative, avant-garde, or underground hairdressing. You don’t need to be part of a big brand or have a polished studio.
Entries are welcome from:
•Freelance or independent stylists
•Salon teams and collectives
•Educators and creative spaces
•International artists within the alternative hair scene
How to Enter
Creating an account is free, register for your chosen category and navigate through to submissions to access the entry forms.
Each submission (excluding Salon of the Year*) must be a single post linked in your submission form, and will also include:
• contact info
• a short bio/submission info - tell us the story behind your entry, the idea, inspiration, or technique
💡Tip: Authenticity beats perfection. We want to see passion, individuality, and what makes your work yours.
Judging Process
Entries will be judged by a panel of respected artists, educators, and alt industry icons — people who understand creative risk, not just commercial trends.
Judges will score based on:
•Creativity & concept - originality, artistry, storytelling
•Technical execution - precision, shape, finish, and detail.
•Impact - emotional response, individuality, and energy of the look.
•Presentation - image quality, styling, and overall cohesion.
* Salon of the Year can be represented by a body of work, multiple posts and testimonials. Submit through the entry form.
Terms & Conditions
All images must be your own work or credited collaborators.
Entries may be shared across AHA platforms for promotional purposes.
Entrants must hold copyright or have permission for submitted content.
You can enter multiple categories, but each entry must be submitted separately.
Entries are priced at £5.00 GPB per entry.
There is no limit on the number of entries per category.
Judges’ decisions are final.