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The industry’s largest, internationally recognized student-centric hairdressing competition that paves the way for emerging talent to launch a bold career.

This competition is designed to ignite the next generation’s individual artistry, celebrate raw creativity, and recognize the technical expertise of students across North America. This year’s theme, Shape Your World, challenges the limits of imagination for participants to bring their world of hair styling and cutting to life through their individual lens. This is your chance to showcase how the world of hair has shaped you, and how you, in turn, will shape it.


Theme: Shape Your World
Dare to redefine what’s possible. Shape isn’t just form, it’s expression, identity, and evolution. Bring your visions, inspirations, and passions to life with fearless artistry and technical precision. Your perception has the power to challenge convention and ignite the next wave of innovation in our industry. Align your creativity with purpose, push through boundaries, and fuse craft with imagination. The world is your medium - sculpt it, mold it, and leave your mark. How will you shape the future of beauty?
Categories of Entry
Step into the spotlight with this year’s Cutting and Styling categories — where bold creativity meets technical mastery. Whether you’re carving out sharp, expressive shapes or crafting movement and texture that turns heads, this is your moment to push boundaries and show what the next generation of artists can do. We’re calling all fearless students ready to experiment, elevate and transform their vision into something unforgettable. This isn’t just a competition—it’s your launchpad. Let’s see what you’ve got.

Cutting
Combine your world of artistry with our structural challenge: Bring shape shifting to life through precision and imagination. Create a haircut that reflects a unique vision where sculpture meets self-expression. Transform shape, texture, and form into a statement that redefines what’s possible in modern hair design.

Styling
Shape. Texture. Movement. Capture your creative essence in a single, unforgettable silhouette. Through styling, translate your world into motion: expressing attitude, energy, and emotion in every strand. Craft a look that reflects your point of view and challenges the limits of transformation.
How to Enter
STEP 1: REVIEW RULES & REGULATIONS AND KEY DATES
Read through our contest rules, qualifications, expectations and deadlines to be prepared and plan entries. Plus, tune in to Mentor Sessions on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for exclusive guidance.
STEP 2: BRING YOUR IDEAS TO LIFE
Ready, set, Shape Your World. Get behind the chair and bring your visions to life for our Styling and Cutting categories.
STEP 3: PHOTOGRAPH YOUR WORK: BEFORE AND AFTER
Once your artistry is complete, take a photo that best showcases your work. Consider angels, lighting and positioning that best represents your work per category. Don’t forget the before photo!
STEP 4: PLAN YOUR ENTRIES & CATEGORIES
All participants may enter both Cutting and Styling categories or just a single category. Each participant is permitted to submit the same entry for both Cutting and Styling categories AND/OR submit multiple entries within the same category. Plan ahead to keep organized!
STEP 5: TIME TO ENTER! COMPLETE ENTRY FORM & SUBMIT PHOTOS
Follow the Entry Form prompt to begin contest entries. Upload both before and after images, review necessary questions/information needed, then SUBMIT to complete your entry.

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Contest Key DatesThe Tease Podcast
Contest Prizes
WITH NO COST TO ENTER, WHAT'S STOPPING YOU FROM DREAMING BIG?
Rules and Regulations
Rules Overview:  The Nitty Gritty
No Purchase Necessary. Open to legal residents of 50 US/DC, Puerto Rico and Canada (“Eligibility Area”), 18 and older. Void outside the eligibility area and where prohibited. 6 total prizes (3 in Styling category and 3 in Cutting category): $1,000 USD awarded as a Visa gift card, a Sebastian Professional Product Kit, and a ghd® Tool Kit. Ends 11:59 PM PT on 4/17/26. See Official Rules for details including additional eligibility requirements for specific entry categories.

   
Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enter?

Please review How To Enter listed above for step-by-step instructions.

What am I being judged on?

Color and cut choice, quality of the execution, suitability, overall beauty of the color, hair quality, condition and shine, and overall style.

Who can participate in the competition?

Sebastian Student Competition is open to Cosmetology and Barbering students currently in cosmetology school and are in the process of obtaining a cosmetology or barbering license, or are currently working in an apprenticeship as a cosmetologist. The Competition is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada who, as of the last day of the month prior to the date of entry, are eighteen (18) years of age.

Can I enter using a mannequin head?

Yes, mannequins are permitted for use in Sebastian Student Competition.

How many times can I enter per category?

Entrants may enter both categories with the same look but an entrant can only be a winner in one (1) category with the same look. Additionally, entrants may enter the same category more than once with a different look, but still, an entrant can only be a winner in one (1) category.

How does the finalist selection process work?

Judging takes place in three rounds. First, all submissions are reviewed for technical eligibility and compliance with the Official Rules. Eligible entries are then evaluated by a professional judging panel to select finalists, followed by a final round of judging by a separate panel to determine the winners in each category based on the established criteria.

Can competitors be finalists in more than one category?

Yes. Entrants may be permitted to be a Qualifier and Finalist in multiple categories but cannot be a Winner in multiple categories.

Can I use any hair product/color to enter?

Only Wella Company beauty brand products may be used for both categories. Entrants may use any tool, hot tool, combs, brushes or personal equipment.

What are the prizes this year?

2026 Sebastian Student Competition Winners will receive:

  • $1,000 Cash Prize
  • Sebastian Professional Product Kit valued at $500
  • ghd Tool Kit valued at $1,500

IF I WIN, HOW WILL I RECEIVE MY PRIZE?

All potential winners will receive communications via email after winner announcements with instructions to claim your prize and estimated timing to receive.

IF I NEED MY ENTRY UNlocked, who should I contact?"

All competition inquiries and concerns should be emailed to wellawork@evokebrands.com with subject line "SSC Entry Inquiry

Contact Us
Have questions about this contest?
Contact us at wellawork@evokebrands.com for support, or for more information.

Contact

4500 Park Granada
Studio Annex
Calabasas, CA 91302

800-422-2336
Monday-Friday 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM PT

studioreg@wella.com
Copyright 2026, Wella Operations US
LLC, All trademarks registered.
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