Terms of service

1. Eligibility

The Hair and Beauty Awards (HBA) are open globally to individuals, salons, brands, and organisations within the hair, beauty, and aesthetics industries.

All entrants must demonstrate professional ability, competence, and commitment to excellence within their category. Each submission must include clear and sufficient supporting evidence, such as before-and-after imagery, video demonstrations, client testimonials, professional certificates, or business documentation that showcases their skill and credibility.

Entries must reflect real work created or delivered by the entrant and be truthful, accurate, and verifiable. All participants agree to abide by the HBA Rules and Regulations and Terms and Conditions upon submission.

2. Entry Process

a. Entries open and close on the dates published on the official HBA website. Late entries will not be accepted.

b. All entries must be submitted through the official HBA process via Google Forms unless otherwise stated by a member of the HBA team.

c. Once an entry has been submitted and payment confirmed, a submission form will be sent by email. If not received within 48 hours, entrants must contact the HBA team.

d. Each category has its own entry requirements and evidence checklist. Entrants are responsible for ensuring all documentation meets these standards.

  • Entrants must complete their entry form and submit all required evidence as outlined per category.
  • Evidence may include photos, videos, client feedback, qualifications, insurance proof, or performance data.
  • Entrants must meet the minimum professional standard required to progress to judging.

e. Once submitted, entries cannot be amended, withdrawn, or refunded.

f. All entries are automatically subject to the HBA Rules and Regulations and the Terms and Conditions published on the website.

g. HBA reserves the right to verify any information or materials submitted.

3. Award Categories

The International Hair and Beauty Awards recognise excellence across all aspects of the global hair and beauty industries from individual artistry and creativity to business innovation, customer experience, and brand development.

Full details of all award categories and criteria can be found on the official HBA website.

4. Judging Process

B. Shortlisting Stage (Initial Review)

  • All entries are reviewed by the HBA administration team to confirm eligibility and compliance with category requirements.
  • Applications are assessed for quality, professionalism, and adherence to entry guidelines.
  • Entrants who meet the standards progress to the finalist stage; unsuccessful applicants will be notified and refunded.
  • Finalists receive a Finalist Pack containing logos, press templates, and marketing tools to help promote their achievement.

C. Final Judging (Anonymised Scoring)

  • HBA removes all identifiable information from the finalist submissions (e.g. name of entrants and other details) and assigns them with a unique identification number, before being sent to the judging panel to ensure fair and impartial assessment.
  • Each entry is independently reviewed by three industry judges, who score based on predefined criteria for each specific category, including but not limited to:
    • Creativity and technical skill
    • Professionalism and hygiene
    • Innovation and originality
    • Client experience and feedback
    • Business or brand impact
    • Consistency and presentation
  • Judges’ scores are averaged to determine each finalist’s overall score and ranking.

D. Ranking and Results

  • Entries are ranked by total score from highest to lowest.
  • 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will receive a FREE personalised, framed, and hand-stamped certificate directly to the address registered on their account.
  • The Global Top 100 list is published after the event, celebrating the world’s best in hair and beauty.
  • Finalists who narrowly miss the Top 100 will receive a “Highly Recommended” digital certificate.

E. Awards Ceremony

  • Category winners and the Global Top 50 are announced live at the HBA Awards Ceremony.
  • The event serves as a celebration of industry talent, creativity, and community.
  • All finalists will be invited to take part in a live-streamed, studio audience show, followed by an afterparty.

F. Integrity and Fairness

  • HBA is an independent and impartial awards body.
  • Attendance at events and interaction with sponsorships or partnerships do not influence judging or results.
  • Judges are bound by confidentiality and must declare any conflicts of interest before participating.

 

5. Permissions and Consent

By entering the HBA competition, entrants:
 

a. Grant permission for HBA to use their name, likeness, and professional information for purposes related to the awards and promotion.


 b. Consent to the publication of their name and category placement if shortlisted or awarded.

c. Allow HBA to use submitted materials (e.g. photos, videos, testimonials) for PR, marketing, and promotional activity.

d. Consent to take part in photoshoots, interviews, and promotional content if selected as a finalist or winner, unless otherwise stated.

e. Grant HBA the right to process personal data in compliance with applicable data protection laws.


f. Understand that previously published materials cannot be retracted if consent is later withdrawn.

6. Confidentiality

All sensitive information submitted in entries is treated confidentially and used solely for judging and administrative purposes. HBA will not share or disclose proprietary business information without prior consent.

7. Intellectual Property Rights

a. Entrants retain ownership of all intellectual property submitted.

b. By entering, entrants grant HBA a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and display their materials for promotional purposes, unless otherwise stated by the entrant.

c. Opting out does not affect eligibility to compete.

8. Disqualification

HBA reserves the right to disqualify any entrant who:

a. Provides false, misleading, or plagiarised information.

b. Fails to provide adequate proof of professional competence or valid evidence.

c. Breaches these Rules and Regulations or Terms and Conditions.

d. Attempts to influence judges or interfere with the judging process.

e. Engages in unethical, defamatory, or unprofessional conduct.

9. Appeals Process

Entrants or related parties may appeal a decision within 14 days of notification by contacting hello@hairandbeautyawards.com. Appeals will be reviewed by HBA management, whose decision is final and binding.

10. Code of Conduct

All entrants, judges, partners, and organisers are expected to act with professionalism, respect, and integrity throughout the awards process. Any misconduct, harassment, or inappropriate behaviour may result in disqualification or removal from participation.

11. Notifications and Communication

All official announcements, including shortlist and winner notifications, will be made via email and published on the HBA website and social media channels. Entrants must ensure their contact information is accurate and active throughout the competition.

12. Technical Requirements

All digital submissions must adhere to the technical specifications provided on the HBA website, including file types, size limits, and image or video clarity. Entries that do not meet these standards may not be judged.

13. Liability Limitation

HBA accepts no responsibility for lost submissions, technical issues, or disputes arising from participation. All entrants participate at their own risk. HBA’s decisions on all matters relating to eligibility, judging, and awards outcomes are final.

14. Exclusions

a. Members of the judging panel, HBA staff, sponsors, partners, and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter.

b. HBA reserves the right to amend, merge, or withdraw categories as required.

c. HBA decisions on all matters relating to the competition are final and binding.

For full details on categories, entry deadlines, and judging criteria, visit:
www.hairandbeautyawards.com