The 2026 Australian Hair Fashion Awards finalists have been announced.
Across creative, state, business and product categories, this year’s list reflects the breadth of capability operating within the Australian and New Zealand hairdressing profession.
We are proud to see AHC members represented across multiple divisions and to those named as finalists — congratulations! Recognition at this level is earned through years of refinement, discipline and professional commitment.
The Categories Tell a Story
The 2026 finalists span:
Creative disciplines
State based excellence
Salon business performance
Education leadership
Digital influence
Product innovation
That spread matters because it demonstrates that hairdressing is not a single lane profession, It is a complex ecosystem of creators, educators, employers, innovators and commercial operators.
The industry is not defined only by what is produced on stage or in front of a camera. It is defined by how salons operate, how teams are led, how apprentices are trained, how products are developed and how professionals show up consistently in their communities.
Recognition across these categories reinforces the depth of the profession.
Why Industry Recognition Matters
At the Australian Hairdressing Council, our work centres on advocacy, professional standards and workforce sustainability. Programs like the AHFA’s play an important role in strengthening public perception of the trade.
When hairdressers are recognised for excellence in business, innovation and education, it supports a broader narrative:
Hairdressing is skilled work.
>It is commercially significant.
>It requires formal training.
>It demands ongoing professional development.
And it deserves to be treated accordingly.
Every finalist helps elevate that perception.
April Gala Weekend
The AHFA has now shifted to a permanent April timeline, with the 2026 Gala and Mane Stage education event taking place earlier in the year moving forward.
Industry gatherings like this are important. They create space for recognition, peer benchmarking and professional dialogue. We look forward to seeing our members represented strongly at the Gala.
Standing Behind AHC Members
The AHC exists to advocate for the profession and the professionals within it.
When our members are recognised on national and international stages, it reflects the strength of the standards they operate under and the investment they continue to make in their craft.
To every finalist — your work contributes to the collective reputation of Australian hairdressing. We acknowledge the standard you represent and the example you set for those entering the trade.
The future of the profession is shaped by leaders like you.
Australian Hairdresser of the Year
Presented by ghd
Pauline McCabe
Lisa Muscat Vitale
Benjamin Martin
Lyndal Salmon
Jason Fassbender
Dee Parker Attwood
Bill Tsiknaris
Lauren McCowan
Max Cooper
New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year
Presented by Wella Professionals
Sara Allsop
Shannon Dowd
Wei Jiang
Michael Beel
Bronwyn Kronfeld
Chinney Yeap
Danny Pato
Mathias Te Moananui
Jaimee Smith
Global Hairdresser of the Year
Presented by Davroe
Casey Coleman
Carlos Valiente Escrivá
Andrew Smith
Enrica Russo
Danilo Giangreco
Rafael Bueno Ruiz
Emma Simmons
Gary Hooker & Michael Young
Steven Smart
Errol Douglas MBE
Rick & Zoe Roberts
Mark van Westerop
Apprentice of the Year
Presented by Aveda
Jamie Kondilis
Milla Harmer
Paulo Ricardo de Souza Mota
Lola Bell
Violet Leaver
Elouise Clarke
Tori Yardley
Jake Pafumi
Artistic Team of the Year
Rock Paper Scissors Artistic Team
FAME Team
Valonz
Moroccanoil Artist Team
Oscar Oscar Carindale
TONI&GUY Australia
AH Salon
Wella Professionals Next Gen Team
Buoy Salon
Hairhouse Creative Team
Creative Colourist of the Year
Louise Graham
Gabby Allsop
Marilyn Guarino
Stuart Bane
Jack Morton
Joe Cotroneo
Angela Soong
Rachel Vitullo
Karina Grace Gollins
Mathias Te Moananui
Commercial Colourist of the Year
Presented by O&M
Rozlyn Thomas
Bel Mills
Kristie Kesic
Faye Redfern
Grace Kelly
Amanda Lunedei
Jasmine Fernandez
Rachel Vitullo
Siarn Ward
Jessica Quinlan
Helene Nakat Badaoui
Monique McMahon
Hair Shot of the Year
Presented by Seamless1
Laura Edmunds
Jude McEwen
Kristie Kesic
Kristie Kesic
Benjamin Martin
Jackson Fifield
Dee Parker Attwood
Dee Parker Attwood
Jelena Vasic
Joe Cotroneo
Marilyn Guarino
Dani Blakeley
Lucas Laurent
Jelena Vasic
Carolyn Gahan
Lyndal Salmon
Holly Breen
Lauren McCowan
Zara Zust
Gabby Allsop
Editorial & Runway Stylist of the Year
Presented by Schwarzkopf
Sara Allsop
Benjamin Martin
Jackson Fifield
William Webb
Faye Redfern
Michael Ivkovic
Peter Beckett
Richi Grisillo
Sarah Laidlaw
Madison Voloshin
Men’s Hairdresser of the Year
Xin Guo
Sara Allsop
Pavlos Divitaris
Harrison Sansom
Michael Ivkovic
Gregson Gastar
Newcomer of the Year
Presented by Dyson
Georgia Maguire
Jelena Vasic
Alyssia Pearson
Tia Thair
NSW/ACT Hairdresser of the Year
Aimee Egan
Cathy King
Nicole Kae
Harrison Sansom
QLD Hairdresser of the Year
Shae Tsiknaris
Bill Tsiknaris
Domi Cherie
Louise Graham
SA/TAS Hairdresser of the Year
Lisa Robertson
Trinity King
Jade Langford
Tiffany Decaux
Victoria Shayler
Maria Cotroneo
VIC Hairdresser of the Year
James Morris
Sheridan Rose Shaw
Matt Tronson
Faye Redfern
Angela Soong
Eunji Kim
WA/NT Hairdresser of the Year
Renee Holmes
Jaimme-lee Hallgath
Shannon De Courcy
Jessica Del Borrello
Chanel Beck
Karen Williams
Digital Influencer of the Year
Sharlene Lee
Posey Broomhall
Hannah Stechman
Ashleigh Bailey
Bel Mills
Bixie Colour
Monique McMahon
Sarah Emilia
Kaine Vakai
Faye Redfern
Educator of the Year
Sara Allsop
Lauren McIlrath
Nicole Kae
Jules Tognini
Nathan Yip
Lauren McCowan
Jack Morton
Katy Reeve
Monique McMahon
Dario Cotroneo
Salon of the Year
Presented by Alfaparf Milano Professional
CiNCO Hair Boutique
Mayko Hair
Sloans
é SALON Hair
HER
Alexander Jayne Hair
Buoy Salon and Spa
Togninis
Luke Reynolds Hairdressing
Salon Kiin
Scissor & Stone
Fruition Hair
PREMIUM PRODUCT CATEGORY PARTNER: HAIRHOUSE
Best New Hair Essential
Foil Me ‘The Wide’ (Pre-Cut Foil) & ‘The Board’ in Midnight
Hylo Next generation highlights
Bompies Shower Cap
Baciami Human Hair Closure
ECOHEADS Wet Detangling Brush
Glowwa
The Attaché Line – The Bowl
Eco Foils
Q-Wrap, perforated balayage sheets by Monique McMahon
Natalie Anne – Slick and Smooth Brush
Best New Colour Innovation
O&M CLEAN.liquid Warm
Hylo
R+COLOR Hypermatic 10-min Liquid Demi-Permanent Hair Colour
Alfaparf Evolution of The Color Shine Effect
KEVIN.MURPHY+CODE
Moroccanoil Rhapsody 10 MIN
Lakmé Metal Remover Pro
Lakmé Glaze Colour Line – including activator
Goldwell LightDimensions SilkLift Clay
Best New Hair Care Product
K18 HeatBounce
Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo & Conditioner
Shiseido Professional SUBLIMIC Wonder Shield
Olaplex Bond Shaper Curl Rebuilding Treatment
Olaplex No.5 Leave-In™ Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner
Olaplex Weightless Nourishing Mask
Olaplex Rich Hydrating Mask
Canamo Soft Touch Conditioning Foam
Alfaparf Semi di Lino Reconstruction
KMS MoistRepair Intense Restore Treatment
Davroe Scalp Remedy Spa
EverEscents Organic Lemon & Cedarwood Scalp Scrub
Best New Hair Styling Product
O&M C-Spray Dry Conditioner Spray
NAK Hair Blowout Smooth Mist
K18 AirWash™
SMOOTH ME NOW Flyaway Hair Balm
K18 AstroLift™
SexyHair Big Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray
Nouvelle Curl Me Up Curl Evolve Mousse
Alfaparf Semi di Lino Style&Care Thermal Protector
ghd Curls Gone Wild
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate 24/7 Serum
Davroe CURLiCUE Curl Gel
Goddess BioTech Blowout
Dyson Chitosan™ Multi-use Styling Spray
Natalie Anne Slick and Smooth Balm
Best New Hair Tool
KALEO XL Curling Tong
Cloud Nine Contouring Wide Iron
Halo X3 Titanium 3-Piece Hair Curler in Peony Blush
ghd Chronos Max
Airys Wave Babe
Best New Packaging and Design
DUNGÜD HOLIDAY PACKS
NAK Signature
View all 2026 AHFA Finalist Collections, here!
KEVIN.MURPHY+CODE
Care Bears – We Love Rainbows
Revive Hair Serum
Daily Naturals Clean Beauty
Goddess BioTech Blowout
Dyson Chitosan Pre-Styling Cream and Post Styling Serum range
