The Classic Color category honors wearable, client-focused hair color that showcases technical expertise, trend awareness, and beautiful, salon-ready results. This category is designed for stylists who masterfully craft looks their clients ask for every day — whether it’s dimensional brunettes, seamless balayage, lived-in blondes, or rich red tones. Entries should demonstrate current trends in color and styling with an emphasis on healthy hair, commercial appeal, and professional finish. All work must be done on natural hair.  Wigs and pre-colored extensions are not permitted.  Each submission must include a before-and-after image and a brief description of the techniques and color formulas used to achieve the final look.

Submission Rules:

• Submit before and one after photos of the completed color.

• Photos must be high-resolution, unfiltered, and free of watermarks.

• No wigs, or pre-colored extensions, allowed in this category.

• Work must reflect wearable, real-world styles (no avant-garde or editorial color blocking).

• Entry must include a written description with beginning levels and formulas used

• Open to individual artists only.

Qualifications for Entry / Who Can Enter

• Open to all licensed salon professionals, nail technicians, and barbers, or the business equivalent, where licensure is not required.

Image Submission

• Professional Categories: Must include three (3) separate images of three (3) separate models.

Image Specifications

• Orientation & Resolution: All images must be in portrait orientation and high-resolution (300dpi).

• File Format: Submit ONLY electronic files saved as jpg or png; sized at 8 x 10” in portrait orientation.

• Ownership: Entry materials will NOT be returned and become the property of Cosmetologists Chicago®.

Competition Rules

• Gender Neutral Categories: All category models are open to all genders.

• Global Participation: Entries are welcomed and encouraged from around the world.

• Multiple Entries: You may enter a category more than once, but can only be a finalist one (1) time per category.

• Category-Specific Requirements: Review each category description for specific image requirements.

• Entry Forms: Must be fully completed. A brief artist statement is encouraged but not required.

• Headshot Submission: A high-resolution photo (300dpi) of the artist(s) must accompany every entry.

• Model Release Forms: Required for each model photographed, along with the photographer and team. Failure to submit will result in disqualification.

• Team Collaboration: Only 2 or more people can enter the Team Collaboration Category. Collaboration submissions cannot be entered in any individual categories.

• Name Listing: Entries with two (2) or more names not in the Team Collaboration category will only list the first entrant’s name.