The Texture Expert category celebrates the artistry and technical skill required to work with textured hair. This category invites professionals to showcase their ability to embrace and enhance the natural beauty of textured hair, whether through styling, cutting, or other techniques. The focus is on demonstrating a deep understanding of texture, including braids, curls, coils, waves, and kinks, and how to work with these unique hair types to create stunning and innovative styles. Texture can be natural or created.

Qualifications and Technical Requirements

• • For Category Specific description & rules please select the category from the navigation bar at the top of the page. 

  • Images but take inspiration from this year’s theme – GROW.*

  • ABS Global Image Award categories are open to all licensed salon professionals, nail technicians, and barbers or the business equivalent where licensure is not required.

  • The Student category is open to students currently enrolled in a cosmetology school or the equivalent as of the entry deadline of January 17, 2025

  • Each category must include three (3) separate images of three (3) separate models.

  • The Student Category can utilize one (1) to three (3) models.

  • All images must be in portrait orientation and hi-resolution.

  • All categories are gender-neutral.

  • World-wide entries are welcomed and encouraged.

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

  • Review each category description for details on specific images to submit as they differ by category.

  • Entry forms must be completed in full and can include a brief artist statement for each category entered, though it is not required but highly encouraged to tell your story.

  • Each model photographed, the photographer and team must upload a model release form, or the entry will be disqualified.

  • A small group can enter the Collaboration Category only. Collaboration submissions cannot be entered in any individual categories.

  • Students may enter other categories but must pay the professional entry fee.

IMAGE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Submit ONLY electronic files, saved as jpg at 300dpi or higher and as large as 8 x 10” portrait size.

• Photos must be either JPG or PNG and no larger than 25mb per photo.

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