For the brains behind a brilliant business.  

Sponsored by 

Open to hair professionals aged 30 or under, who have launched a hair-related business serving clients, the industry, or both. 

To enter, you must submit the following: 

Part 1: Business profile – EITHER a PDF (up to 8 pages) OR a video (up to 5 minutes) 
Have you built a business from scratch? Maybe you’ve opened a new salon, crafted an online education programme, or set up a hair accessories line. Whatever you’ve launched, provide information about why you created it, who it’s for and what makes your business unique. Share the highs and lows of your journey so far, and the learnings along the way that have shaped your business for the better. Include the name and location (if relevant), the date of launch, and imagery to illustrate. 

Part 2: Endorsements – PDF (up to 4 pages)
Prove to the judges your business is booming! Provide financial reports, statistics, press coverage, client testimonials, etc, from the past 12 months, to corroborate its success. 

Plus, supporting imagery and documents: 

• An image of you  
• At least three images illustrating your business 
• A copy of your ID as proof of age 

Your PDF must be A4, in either portrait or landscape format. Please combine all parts into one single file, making sure you do not exceed the page numbers stipulated. Feel free to add a front cover page to introduce your entry. Maximum file size 100MB. Please do not include any embedded video or hyperlinks.  

If you are providing a video, it must be an MP4 file, in either portrait or landscape format. Smartphone footage is fine. Please do not exceed the maximum duration stipulated. Maximum file size 200MB.  

If you finalise, the imagery you provide may be used to promote you within any print, website and social media activity, and at the Grand Final. Please supply good quality, high resolution JPEG or PNG files. Usage rights must be secured ahead of entry. 

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For a stylist making waves on set.

Sponsored by

Open to hair professionals aged 30 or under, whether employed, self-employed or freelance. 

To enter, you must submit the following: 

Part 1: Your editorial CV – EITHER a PDF (up to 8 pages) OR a video (up to 5 minutes)Introduce yourself and tell the judges about your editorial career to date, from assisting positions through to jobs where you have been the team lead. Include details like the kind of projects you’ve undertaken, who you’ve worked for and collaborated with, key roles and responsibilities – and let the judges see what you’ve created! Include imagery to illustrate, as relevant. 

Part 2: Case study – PDF (up to 4 pages)  
Describe in detail a single editorial project you’ve worked on since March 2023 that you’re most proud of. Maybe you were involved at a live event like Fashion Week, got booked for a film, TV or music shoot, or shot for a leading magazine. Share details of how you got the job, the work you undertook and the impact this project has had on your career progression. Include imagery to illustrate, as relevant. 

Plus, supporting imagery and documents: 

• An image of you  
• At least three images showcasing the work you’re most proud of 
• A copy of your ID as proof of age 

Your PDF must be A4, in either portrait or landscape format. Please combine all parts into one single file, making sure you do not exceed the page numbers stipulated. Feel free to add a front cover page to introduce your entry. Maximum file size 100MB. Please do not include any embedded video or hyperlinks.

If you are providing a video, it must be an MP4 file, in either portrait or landscape format. Smartphone footage is fine. Please do not exceed the maximum duration stipulated. Maximum file size 200MB.  

If you finalise, the imagery you provide may be used to promote you within any print, website and social media activity, and at the Grand Final. Please supply good quality, high resolution JPEG or PNG files. Usage rights must be secured ahead of entry. 

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For an impressive and fast-improving salon assistant. 

Sponsored by

Open to hair professionals who are employed at a salon or barber shop and aged 30 or under, with testimonial from the owner or manager.

Entrants must have no more than three years’ experience on the floor and be educated to (or working towards) minimum NVQ Level 2 or equivalent.

To enter, you must submit the following: 

Part 1: A personal introduction (from you) – EITHER a PDF (up to 8 pages) OR a video (up to 5 minutes) 
Show the judges how far you’ve come on your hairdressing journey! Talk about things like training and mentorships, the skills you’ve mastered and the projects you’ve been part of, as well as what you love most about the job you’re doing now – and your future aspirations. Include imagery to illustrate, as relevant.  

Part 2: A testimonial (from your boss or manager) – EITHER a PDF (up to 4 pages) OR a video (up to 3 minutes) 
Introduce your assistant and sing their praises! Talk about their qualities, strengths and skills and highlight a single instance where their performance under your employment has been particularly impressive. 

Plus, supporting imagery and documents: 

• An image of you  
• At least three images showcasing the work you’re most proud of 
• A copy of your ID as proof of age 

If you are providing a PDF it must be A4, in either portrait or landscape format. Please combine all parts into one single file, making sure you do not exceed the page numbers stipulated. Feel free to add a front cover page to introduce your entry. Maximum file size 100MB. Please do not include any embedded video or hyperlinks. 

If you are providing a video, it must be an MP4 file, in either portrait or landscape format. Smartphone footage is fine. Make sure you do not exceed the maximum duration stipulated. Maximum file size 200MB. Video files must be separately supplied. 

If you finalise, the imagery you provide may be used to promote you within any print, website and social media activity, and at the Grand Final. Please supply good quality, high resolution JPEG or PNG files. Usage rights must be secured ahead of entry. 

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For stand-out skills behind the chair.  

Sponsored by 

Open to hair professionals who are employed full-time at a salon or barber shop and aged 30 or under. 

It is not possible to enter this category if you are the business owner. 

To enter, you must submit the following: 

Part 1: Your salon CV – EITHER a PDF (up to 8 pages) OR a video (up to 5 minutes) 
Introduce yourself and tell the judges about your career to date, your passions and influences and any specialisms that make you stand out – maybe you’re a whizz with a razor or you’re bossing it at balayage! Include details about your current employment, covering key roles and responsibilities, as well as the kind of clients you serve and your future ambitions. Include imagery to illustrate, as relevant. 

Part 2: Case study – PDF (up to 4 pages)  
Describe in detail one example of excelling in your position at work since March 2023. Maybe you came up with a campaign to attract new clients, transformed team morale with a clever mentoring initiative or developed a new service that’s boosted bookings. Talk about what you did, why you did it and the impact it had on the business and/or your own client column. Include supporting imagery, as relevant.  

Plus, supporting imagery and documents: 

• An image of you  
• At least three images showcasing the work you’re most proud of 
• A copy of your ID as proof of age  

Your PDF must be A4, in either portrait or landscape format. Make sure you do not exceed the maximum page numbers stipulated. Feel free to add a front cover page to introduce your entry. Maximum file size 100MB. Please do not include any embedded video or hyperlinks. 

If you are providing a video, it must be an MP4 file, in either portrait or landscape format. Smartphone footage is fine. Make sure you do not exceed the maximum duration stipulated. Maximum file size 200MB.  

If you finalise, the imagery you provide may be used to promote you within any print, website and social media activity, and at the Grand Final. Please supply good quality, high resolution JPEG or PNG files. Usage rights must be secured ahead of entry. 

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For head-turning creativity. 

Sponsored by

Open to hair professionals aged 30 or under, whether employed, self-employed or freelance. 

The team must work at a single location; it is not possible to enter as a team working across multiple sites. 

To enter, you must submit the following: 

Part 1: Personal statement – PDF (up to 4 pages)  
Introduce yourself – tell the judges who you are, where you work and how far you’ve come in your career. Talk about the kind of work you create, your creative process and what drives and inspires your artistry. Include imagery to illustrate, as relevant.   

Part 2: Showcase – EITHER an image edit (10 individual images) OR a video (up to 5 minutes) 
Wow the judges with a showcase of your most visionary hair work. From client pictures to full collections, campaigns to passion projects, share a carefully curated edit that best represents your artistic flair. 

Plus, supporting imagery and documents: 

• An image of you  
• At least three images that best represent your visionary skills 
• A copy of your ID as proof of age  

Your PDF must be A4, in either portrait or landscape format. Make sure you do not exceed the maximum page number stipulated. Feel free to add a front cover page to introduce your entry. Maximum file size 100MB. Please do not include any embedded video or hyperlinks. 

If you are providing a video, it must be a MP4 file, in either portrait or landscape format. Smartphone footage is fine. Make sure you do not exceed the maximum duration stipulated. Maximum file size 200MB.  

If you are providing an image edit, your pictures must be supplied as individual JPEG or PNG files, in either portrait or landscape format. They do not need to have been professionally photographed (smart phone photos are fine) or shot exclusively for the It List.  

If you finalise, the imagery you provide may be used to promote you within any print, website, and social media activity, and at the Grand Final. Please supply good quality, high resolution JPEG or PNG files. Usage rights must be secured ahead of entry. 

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For an outstanding hair talent demonstrating all-round excellence. 

Sponsored by

Open to hair professionals aged 30 or under, whether employed, self-employed or freelance. 

To enter, you must submit:

Your career story – EITHER a PDF (up to 12 pages) OR a video (up to 8 minutes) 
Demonstrate to the judges why you’re blazing a trail in hairdressing! Talk about who you are, what you’re made of and where you’re headed, as well as the people, experiences and opportunities that have shaped you as an artist, plus your proudest moments to date. Pack in as much as you like and include imagery to illustrate, as relevant, but be sure to cover the following: 

• Education, training and mentorships  
• Strengths, specialisms and inspirations  
• Roles at work – positions held and key responsibilities  
• Session work – shoots, events, runway shows, TV and film projects, etc  
• Awards, accolades and other achievements  
• Press and publicity (about you!)  
• Future goals and ambitions  

Plus, supporting imagery and documents (JPEG or PNG), including: 

• An image of you  
• At least three images showcasing the work you’re most proud of 
• A copy of your ID as proof of age

If you are providing a PDF it must be A4 size, in either portrait or landscape format. Make sure you do not exceed the maximum page number stipulated. Feel free to add a front cover page, to introduce your entry. Maximum file size 100MB. Please do not include any embedded video or hyperlinks. 

If you are providing a video, it must be an MP4 file, in either portrait or landscape format. Smartphone footage is fine. Make sure you do not exceed the maximum duration stipulated. Maximum file size 200MB. Video files must be separately supplied. 

If you finalise, the imagery you provide may be used to promote you within any print, website, and social media activity, and at the Grand Final. Please supply good quality, high resolution JPEG or PNG files. Usage rights must be secured ahead of entry. 

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