“Welcome to hair heaven!”
Sounds like my kinda place!
That’s what I heard as soon as I stepped into the Mandalay Bay Ballroom to host the red carpet for the 26th annual North American Hairstyling Awards in Las Vegas.
And, hair heaven it was.
It was a dream come true to be asked by NAHA to be the official host of their red carpet pre-show, but it was a true INSPIRATION to meet all of the talented nominees and visionaries.
Brad Goreski shined when he hosted inside, but I had the chance to catch up with him before on the red carpet.
It was also good to catch up with my buddy – and hair royalty – Eden Sassoon.
And, I loved getting to meet Miss America herself, Kira Kazantsev – what a beauty inside and out!
There were 3000 attendees this year, but the real spotlight was on the nominees and winners.
This was the first year that there was a Nails category, and I had so much fun – and a little envy – checking out the talons on all of the nominees. Here I am with nominee, @Princess_Paige1.
And here they are…THE WINNERS OF THE 26TH ANNUAL NORTH AMERICAN HAIRSTYLING AWARDS!!
AVANT GARDE: Erika Fung of NC Salon
CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC: Robert Grimes of RLG Salon
EDITORIAL STYLIST OF THE YEAR: Lisa Yamasaki of J’s Hair Studio and Academy
HAIRCOLOR: Marlo Steenman of Hair By Marlo
HAIRSTYLIST OF THE YEAR: Robert Grimes of RLG Salon
MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Katelyn Simkins of Matthew Morris Salon
MASTER HAIRSTYLIST OF THE YEAR: Vivienne Mackinder of HairDesignerTV
MEN’S HAIRSTYLIST OF THE YEAR: Paul Pereira of Mathew Guido
NAIL PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR: Reiko Omae of JINsoon Beauty LLC
NEWCOMER STYLIST OF THE YEAR: Lizz Kopta
SALON DESIGN: Hairroin Salon NYC
SALON TEAM: Local B
STUDENT HAIRSTYLIST OF THE YEAR: Dustin Villa of Aveda Institute Tucson
TEXTURE: Lauren Moser of Hair Lab Detroit
And there was pleeeeeenty of celebrating at the BangStyle after party!
My heartfelt congratulations to all of you winners – and nominees! I can’t wait to get back to hair heaven next year!!
xoxo,
Dawn