Earlier this week at Premiere Anaheim, the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) revealed the Finalists for the 37th Annual North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA), presented by JCPenney. Widely regarded as the most prestigious honors in North American professional beauty, NAHA celebrates the artists whose work sets the creative, technical, and cultural standard for the industry.
The 2026 PBA NAHA Finalists represent an extraordinary range of creative vision, technical mastery, and innovation. Across hair, makeup, education, and team-based artistry, these artists have pushed beyond trend to create work that is bold, intentional, and unmistakably forward-looking.
Each Finalist earned their place through months of conceptual development, technical refinement, and creative execution. Submissions were judged anonymously by a panel of industry-leading experts and evaluated on technical excellence, cohesion, originality, and artistic impact.
“PBA NAHA honors more than beautiful work. It honors the courage to lead creatively,” said Leslie Perry, CEO of the Professional Beauty Association. “This year’s Finalists demonstrate what happens when mastery, vision, and purpose intersect. Their work challenges convention, raises the bar for our industry, and inspires what’s possible next.”
Read on for the complete list of finalists by category.
Avant Garde
Breanne Gershon — nominated for two categories
Chrystofer Benson — nominated for two categories + Team category
Erika Fung
James Valiant
Michael Pollsinelli
Barber of the Year
AROD
Carlos Estrella
Carlos Pagan
Chris Jimenez
Papiblendzz (Henry Rodriguez)
Editorial Stylist of the Year
Brendnetta Ashley
Jamie Wiley — + Team category nomination
Josie Vilayvanh
Maggie Semaan
Ruth Roche — nominated for two categories
Educator of the Year
Ashlee Norman
Naeemah LaFond
Nina Tulio
Sonya Dove
Stephen Moody
Haircolor
Breanne Gershon — nominated for two categories
Brooke LeMasters
David Vendittelli
Gilad Goldstein + Team category nomination
Sean Godard + Team category nomination
Haircutting
Evie Johnson
Genia Church — nominated for two categories
Isabelle Lachance
Marylle Koken
Tippi Shorter — nominated for two categories
Hairstylist of the Year
Brayden Pelletier — nominated for two categories
Julie Vriesinga
Michelle Oliver
Robin LeChance
Vanessa Whitmarsh
Inspiring Salon of the Year
Bliss Salon and Spa
Genesis Salon and Spa
kit. Fort Thomas
Matthew Morris Salon
Salon Raybon
International Collection of the Year (*NEW IN 2026)
Carlos Valiente, Spain
Danilo Giangreco, United Kingdom
Emma Simmons, United Kingdom
Gianluca Grechi, Italy
Tom Yek, Malaysia
Makeup Artist of the Year
Angela Balbon
David Maderich
Ebony Ivey
Kisha Augustine
Patricia Bailes
Master Hairstylist of the Year
Allen Ruiz
Anna Pacitto
Cassie Carey
David Barron
Nicole Pede
Student Hairstylist of the Year
Derek Robinson
Elin Lien
Madison Jessop
Mai Nguyen
PJ Hayes
Styling and Finishing
Brayden Pelletier — nominated for two categories
Carlos Alvarez
Galyna Poczciwinski
Laura Gunter
Ruth Roche — nominated for two categories
Team of the Year
1CPR
Jamie Wiley, Joel Torres, Nanette Guild, Vinnie Morey, Dayna Gamba
Chrystofer Benson Collective
Chrystofer Benson, Hannah Benson, Lacye Geitgey, Karine Belanger, Chris Jimenez, Erin Hensley
Team INdustry
David Vendittelli, Marilyn Vendittelli, Natasha Gerschon
The Upper Hand
Hannah Waters, Soleil Rocha, Jordan Dudley, Zoe O’Day
Ulta Beauty
Gilad Goldstein, Michelle O’Connor, Galyna Poczciwinski, Sean Godard, Beto Sanchez, Janelle Eyre
Texture
Chrystofer Benson — nominated for two categories + Team category
Genia Church — nominated for two categories
Jaimee Harris Smith
Jamie Wiley — nominated for two categories
Tippi Shorter — nominated for two categories
Winners will be revealed during the 37th Annual North American Hairstyling Awards, presented by JCPenney, on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the Chapin Theater in Orlando, Florida, held alongside Premiere Orlando. For more information, visit probeauty.org.
