GLOBAL IMAGE AWARDS Show Your Talent
Get ready to shine on one of the biggest beauty stages in the world. The ABS Global Image Awards is more than a competition — it's a global celebration of creativity, vision, and technical artistry. Whether you're behind the chair or behind the camera, GIA is your chance to turn your work into a worldwide statement.
Competition is open to all licensed beauty professionals, students and professionals.
Let your creativity shine! Showcase up to three different styles on three different models in each category. You are not limited to just one entry. Submit collections in up to three categories.
WHO CAN ENTER
Open to licensed beauty professionals and students.
HOW TO ENTER
Submit up to three styles using three different models in each category. Enter one category or compete across multiple categories.
ENTRY DEADLINE
November 30, 2026
ENTRY FEE
$129 per submission
BECOME INSTA-FAMOUS!
Nine Award Categories
BARBERING
CREATIVE COLOR
MOTION AI
FULL CONCEPT
TEXTURE EXPERT
CLASSIC COLOR
HAIR CUTTING
TEAM COLLABORATION
LEO PASSAGE - OVERALL WINNER
CATEGORY FINALISTS
ONE WINNER PER CATEGORY
ABS Global Image Award Trophy
Free 3-Day ticket to ABS 2027
VIP Badge with special seating
Photos featured on ABS.com
Press Coverage in Estetica and Modern Salon
Social media placement
Showcased in ABS 2027 promotional materials
ABS Global Image Award Trophy
LEO PASSAGE GOLD TROPHY FINALIST
ONE OVERALL WINNER
ABS Global Image Award Trophy
VIP Badge with special seating
Free 3-Day ticket to ABS 2027-2029
Showcased in ABS 2028 promotional materials
Press Coverage in Estetica and Modern Salon
Social media placement
Award Acceptance Video
Picture and profile highlighted on ABS.com
Qualifications & Technical Requirements
Judges for this year's ABS Global Image Awards include highly respected salon industry leaders, influencers, and masters. While each category has specific image requirements, overall images will be judged on:
All categories are gender neutral. Small groups can enter the Team Collaboration Category. Using software to alter your image's appearance, color, or shape will unfortunately disqualify it.
Technical merit, execution and suitability of the styles for each category
Concept, creativity and overall approach to the theme
Art direction and photo & video composition
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.
Each category, except requires up to three (3) images.
A before image is required for each after image.
Each entry has the option to include a “Behind the Scenes” video up to 30 seconds long showing how the look was created. While these videos are not required they are highly recommended.
Submit ONLY electronic files, saved as jpg at 300dpi or higher and as large as 8 x 10”.
Entry materials will NOT be returned and become the property of Cosmetologists Chicago®.
The entrant retains the ownership rights of the images and videos. Cosmetologists Chicago will be allowed usage of all images and videos for up to five (5) years for promotional and marketing purposes.
Videos can be in the following format and no more than 100mb and uploaded as a mov or mp4 file.
Photos must be either JPG or PNG and no larger than 25mb per photo.
2026 GLOBAL IMAGE AWARDS
Contestant Winners
LEO PASSAGE GOLD TROPHY WINNER:
MICHELLE O'CONNOR, Michelle O'Connor Beauty
BARBERING
CARLOS ESTRELLA
Los Cut It
TEXTURE EXPERT
CHRYSTOFER BENSON
Chrystofer Benson Collective
FULL CONCEPT
MICHELLE O'CONNOR
Michelle O'Connor Beauty
TEAM COLLABORATION
CHRYSTOFER BENSON COLLECTIVE
CREATIVE COLOR
BRAYDEN PELLETIER
Just B Hair
HAIR CUTTING
DAVID BARRON
Barron's London Salon
MOTION AI
CARLOS ESTRELLA
Los Cut It
CLASSIC COLOR
SANDIE TUCKER
The Hair Phoenix Salon
CONGRATULATIONS to all
2026 Participants
BARBERING
Nieves Almarez
Carlos Estrella
Chris Jimenez
Carlos Pagan
Henry Rodriguez
TEXTURE EXPERT
Chrystofer Benson
Caidy Brasure
Jamal Edmonds
Michelle O'Connor
Brayden Pelletier
FULL CONCEPT
Chrystofer Benson
Anakin Chan
Erin Fernandes
Michelle O'Connor
Galyna Poczciwinski
TEAM COLLABORATION
Chrystofer Benson
George Garcia
Reva Haga
Jerica Wentzell & Lukas Press
Jaimee Harris Smith
HAIR CUTTING
David Barron
Chrystofer Benson
John Nguyen
Brayden Pelletier
Mark Westerop
NEW CATEGORY: MOTION AI
Anakin Chan
Jamal Edmonds
Carlos Estrella
Jackie Litscher
Ruth Roche
CREATIVE COLOR
Lacye Geitgey
Kimberly Ibbotson
Brooke LeMasters
Brayden Pelletier
Julio Rodriguez
NEW CATEGORY: CLASSIC COLOR
Kristen Higgins
Sandie Tucker
Marila Zolotun