THE WORLD OF BEAUTY IS WATCHING.
The international hairdressing contest known as The ABS Global Image Awards celebrates the passion and artistry of professional and emerging stylists in an image and video competition that features professional and student categories. Back by popular demand, this year’s competition offers participants from across the globe the opportunity to enter their fiercest hair collections and storytelling.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
ABS GLOBAL IMAGE AWARDS CELEBRATION EVENT
Award Ceremony Saturday, April 15 (during Show)
VIEW PAST YEARS ENTRIES & WINNERS
THE CATEGORIES
Total Transformation
In a world of change, create your story. Transformation is a start to finish process by which one is converted into another that while the same is expressed completely differently. Focus on the features of your model from the neck up, to create a stunning makeover and total transformation of a look. Judges will review the variation and transformation of hair and makeup. Before-and-after images are required. Judging will be on the modifications, variation and evolution of the transformation.
Barbering
Compete among the best of the barbering best! An appreciation of a culture that strives for perfection, artistry, individualism, and technique are the focus of the Barbering category. The Barber category celebrates all the disciplines in barbering, including cutting, clippers, dressing, grooming, trimming, styling and more. Collections will be judged on mastery of technique using clippers, shears, razors and other techniques.
Haircutting
Haircutting is the hallmark of our industry and puts technical merit in the spotlight. Images should be relevant, showcase the trends and themes of the times. Entries should demonstrate professional haircutting and finishing skill
Team Collaboration
Cooperation, alliance, participation plus the fellowship of working with a team to create something is unforgettable. Collaborate with your favorite fellow artists showcasing your united effort of style, talent and skill. United work, plus innovation and interpretation are essential for success in this category. Competing in the Collaboration category will be a treasured experience for you and your team.
**Manufacturer sponsored teams may not compete in this category**
Creative Color
Being an international Creative Color competition winner is huge prestige! Calling all colorists who want to push your color boundaries and celebrate the art of color! Show us your bolds, prisms, rainbows, pastels, vivids, and everything in-between. Entries will be judged on the application, manipulation and placement of hair color techniques and complimentary finishing. The sky is the limit in the Creative Color category.
**Wigs and hair extensions are not allowed**
Nail Design
The level of nail artistry is at an unbelievable high and who doesn’t love a competition among the most skilled! Show us your most creative nail designs! Competitors must showcase a combination of nail art media. These can include airbrushing, embellishments (rhinestones, striping tape etc.), L&P acrylic, gel, hand painting and one stroke to create a sculpted and perfected design. This category will recognize excellence, talent, hard work and creativity.
**No stickers, decals or stamps allowed**
Texture Expert
Demonstrate the possibilities with texture from wavy to curly to kinky. Texture patterns may be natural or created. Judging will focus on the cutting and styling of curly, textured, interwoven and/or multicultural hair. Techniques can include innovative perming, straightening, texturizing and heat styling. Braids are allowed. Must include a before shot which can be done on day of shoot.
**Wigs and hair extensions are not allowed**
Makeup - Avant Garde
Avant Garde is known for being dramatic and artistic. The polar opposite of a natural look, Avant Garde is all about creativity and expression. Participants will use their imagination and creativity to create an Avant Garde makeup application. Artists will be judged on their interpretation of this year’s ABS Global Image Awards theme including artistry, lighting, color balance and the overall mood. This category honors the best in makeup artistry in the industry.
Full Concept
Fashion is in the forefront of every major city and street around the world and it impacts trends around the globe. Let your imagination run wild with the freedom to create a head-to-toe look. Be inspired and think ahead to what’s next in fashion and beauty around the world. Images to be judged on the total look including hair, makeup, nails, clothing, and accessories
HOW WE CELEBRATE BEAUTY
GET SOCIAL!
MEET TikTok Influencers,
Artists, Other Salon Owners
GET INSPIRED!
World-class Runway Shows,
Top Educators and More
GET DECKED OUT!
Celebrate Saturday Night,
The ABS Global Image Awards
THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE CELEBRATION
THE GRAND PRIZE
LEO PASSAGE TROPHY
In addition to winners in each separate category, one entrant in the ABS Global Image Awards will be presented the Leo Passage Gold Trophy, honoring the late founder of Pivot Point International. This special trophy will be presented to the cosmetology professional with entries in two or more of the ABS Global Image Award categories. The scores earned in each entry will be combined to determine the overall Gold Trophy winner.
The Leo Passage Trophy winner receives:
The Leo Passage Gold Trophy
A lifetime Cosmetologists Chicago membership
Recognition by their peers on Cosmetologists Chicago’s social media and blog
Images featured on americasbeautyshow.com
Media support through Cosmetologists Chicago public relations
One winner in each of the Professional categories receives:
The ABS Global Image Award trophy from Cosmetologists Chicago
Recognition by their peers on Cosmetologists Chicago’s social media and blog
Images featured on americasbeautyshow.com
Media support through Cosmetologists Chicago public relations
The Student category winner receives:
The ABS Global Image Award Student trophy from Cosmetologists Chicago
Swag bag for the winner
Recognition by their peers on Cosmetologists Chicago’s social media and blog
Images featured on americasbeautyshow.com
Media support through Cosmetologists Chicago public relations
RULES FOR ENTRY
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The ABS Global Image Awards is open to all licensed beauty and wellness professionals. In addition, there is a category specifically for cosmetology students and young professionals. All entrees included up to three models with three different styles per category entry. Limit 3 collections per entrant. Collections produced between January 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023.
FEE
$49 - $99PRIZES
ABS tickets, ABS GIA Award, Press Coverage in Estetica and Modern SalonMEDIUMS TO ENTER
JPG Images & Video summary of behind the scenes posted on TikTok or Reels
ENTRY IS NOW CLOSED
Finalist Announcement: February 24
Award Ceremony Saturday, April 15 (during Show)
THE JUDGING
A select group of highly esteemed salon industry leaders, influencers and masters will judge this year’s ABS Global Image Awards. In addition to the concepts outlined in “The Categories” descriptions, images will be judged on:
- Technical merit, execution and suitability of the styles for each category
- Concept and overall approach
- Stylist Entrant’s creativity
- Art direction and photo composition
All winners and finalists may request feedback from the judges on their individual entries.