What to Know About the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA)
When studying beauty, it’s important to keep up with the trends. Every year, a team of students and staff from Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes attends the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA). This annual fashion show offers students an opportunity to learn new techniques, build networks, and find out what’s going on in the beauty industry.
Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes offers outstanding programs in cosmetology, barbering, and more at campuses in Denver, CO; Provo, UT; and Phoenix, Tucson, and Avondale, AZ. Here, we discuss this thrilling opportunity and how our hairstyling and cosmetology students can get involved.
What Are the North American Hairstyling Awards?
The North American Hairstyling Awards, or NAHA, are sometimes called the Oscars of the beauty industry. This once-a-year awards show encourages hairstylists, beauty professionals, and influencers to push boundaries while demonstrating their skill and creative vision. It highlights the best and boldest artists with accolades that are recognized across the industry. Attendees enjoy an evening of glamor among fellow creators and innovators in the beauty industry.
However, NAHA is about more than the prizes. It’s also a celebration of creativity, skill, and craftsmanship. It encourages brands and beauticians alike to go above and beyond, pushing the industry forward with new ideas, techniques, and technologies.
Who Participates in NAHA?
NAHA is for all beauty professionals. As long as you have a license, a passion for beauty, and a readiness to share your creations with the world, you are free to submit your work to NAHA. Submissions are grouped into several categories, allowing participants to be judged by what they do best. The categories change annually to reflect shifting trends in the beauty industry. This is the list for 2025:
- Avant Garde
- Barber
- Editorial
- Educator
- Hair color
- Haircutting
- Hairstylist
- Inspiring Salon
- Makeup Artist
- Master Hairstylist
- Men’s Stylist
- Nails
- Newcomer
- People’s Choice
- Salon
- Salon/School
- Student
- Styling & Finishing
- Team
- Texture
Each category has rules for the participants to follow in order to qualify. As long as participants stay within the requirements, they can express creative freedom when showcasing their talent.
The NAHA Experience at Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes
While attending Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes, eligible students in our beauty programs have the unparalleled opportunity to get personally involved at NAHA. Our top students get to flex their potential at one of the biggest and most thrilling events on the calendar.
Through the NAHA Experience, you’ll be personally mentored by the Inspire Greatness Artistic Team. This week-long preparation period will refine your skills and challenge the limits of your creativity, helping you grow into the best artist you can be. You’ll also prepare a collection for submission. Your creations will be shot by an industry photographer for an extra edge. Once the week is up, your collection will be submitted to NAHA for the chance to win Student Hairstylist of the Year.
The NAHA Experience is purely elective and isn’t included in our standard beauty school program. Participation is based on a highly competitive application process. The best applicants earn a life-changing experience that can form the foundation for a brilliant career.
NAHA Experience Benefits
The NAHA Experience is a thrilling opportunity to win big awards. As of 2025, Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes has had 25 nominees at NAHA and six wins. Even for students who don’t make it to the finals, the experience has plenty to offer. These are just a few of the ways students can benefit from joining our NAHA experience:
- Building a portfolio that shows off your skills
- Gaining great exposure and marketing for your personal brand
- Spending time with like-minded individuals who share your passion for beauty
- Establishing connections with the biggest names in the industry
- Witnessing the latest in hair design, makeup art, nail art, and more
- Being mentored by professionals who can help you reach your potential
- Enjoying a thrilling evening at a glamorous industry event
NAHA is an exciting chance for any future beauty professional to stretch and improve their skills while building networks and portfolios that will empower their future careers. At Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes, we help eligible students gain access to this unique opportunity.
Learn More About the NAHA Experience
Are you excited to pursue a brand-new career in the beauty industry? There’s nowhere better to start than Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes. We emphasize hands-on learning more than many other schools. Students don’t just learn in the classroom; they develop and challenge their skills through the NAHA experience, New York Fashion Week runways, and more. We also offer study abroad opportunities for students who wish to take their training beyond borders.
Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes trains students at several locations in Denver, CO; Provo, UT; and Phoenix, AZ, Tucson, AZ, and Avondale, AZ. Our curriculum focuses on high-end products and clientele, preparing students for rewarding careers in the high-end beauty industry. To learn more about our programs or about North American Hairstyling Awards opportunities, contact a campus near you in Denver, CO; Provo, UT; or the Metropolitan Area of Phoenix, AZ.
