YOU'RE THE BEST AND YOU KNOW IT. SHOW IT OFF.

Competition was open to all licensed beauty professionals, students and professionals. Collections were to be produced between April 7, 2024 – January 17, 2025.

THEME: GROW

"GROW," where COMMUNITY takes center stage. This year, we fuse the cutting-edge with the classic, presenting visionary designs that blend futuristic aesthetics with time-honored traditions.  Expect to be captivated by bold, trending jewel-tone color palettes and textures. Designs will be inspired by nature and botanical elements, enhanced with innovative AI, Futuristic, and Metaverse influences. Showcase how the digital world enhances social connections, crafting a reality that's almost dream-like— reimagining new spaces to create, love, and expand beyond imagination, together.

COMPETITION RULES & TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

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®

THE JUDGING

A select group of highly esteemed salon industry leaders, influencers and masters will judge the ABS Global Image Awards. In addition to the concepts outlined in “The Categories” descriptions, images will be judged on.

• Technical merit, execution, and suitability of the styles for each category

• Concept and overall approach to the theme – maximalism

• Entrant’s creativity

• Art direction and photo composition