30 finalists have been named as leading apprentices in the 2025 CURATE Awards, which honour this emerging talent across Australia and New Zealand. In five categories that range from Colour & Style in Regional Australia, Urban Australia and New Zealand, and Cut & Colour in Regional Australia and Urban Australia, 30 finalists were announced.

“The success of the inaugural CURATE Awards last year just reinforced the importance of this initiative for our industry and I was so proud of our winners,” shared competition founder and pioneering Brisbane hairdresser Justin Pace. “2025 sees us expand into New Zealand and I’m so thrilled to increase our reach to give even more next-gen talent the chance to excel and for this competition to become an integral part of more hairdressing careers.”

The second year of the competition saw an almost 50 per cent increase in award entries across the digital platform. Apprentices were tasked with creating a two-minute video that showcased their cutting, colouring and styling skills and were judged on their hair creation, finished result and video editing skills.

The competition has received widespread industry support. A panel of local and international judges include Andrew Cobeldick, Benni Tognini, Brodie Tsiknaris, Carolyn Gahan, Chris Baran, Chris Moody, Clive Allwright, Damien Rinaldo, Danni Solier, Danny Pato, Jamie Furlan, Jarred Stedman, Jayne Wild, Jenni Tarrant, Jo Smith, Jude McEwan, Jules Tognini, Julia Homard, Kerrie DiMattia, Kiralee Honor, Kristy Hodgson, Lauren McCowan, Michael Kelly, Rachel Vitullo, Richard Kavanagh, Richi Grisillo, Sam James, Sara Allsop, Scott Sloan, Sharon Blain, Sheridan Rose Shaw and Stevie English. Brand collaborators include major partner L’Oréal Access, and prize partners Excellent Edges, ELEVEN Australia and ghd, with further support from Sustainable Salons, MIG Training, Jadore Hair, Mocha Group and the AHC.

Inspiring young apprentices through the entry process, the CURATE Award entrants all received a complimentary ticket to the ‘Viewing Gallery’ for the AHIA Creative Awards Gala, as well as a ticket to Hair The Movement’s Day 3 Seminar, titled ‘Industry leaders: Journey to the Top’. Additionally, all Queensland entrants received a complimentary ticket for MIG Training’s ‘MIG DAY OUT’.

Winners will be announced on April 13 and will win a full-day photo shoot workshop with Justin in Sydney, as part of $51,000 prize pack that also includes tickets to Hair Festival and the AHIA Creative Awards Gala. Additional prizes include L’Oréal ACCESS Education vouchers, Excellent Edges scissors, ghd Professional electrical tools, ELEVEN Australia products, Sustainable Salons goodie bags, a biography from Lily Blue Communications and industry exposure throughout 2025.

Congratulations to all the finalists, listed below.

NEW ZEALAND – COLOUR & STYLE

Eva Jones, Bettjemans Hair Salon
Jess Wilson, Zibido Hair
Nascita Lindsay, Smoke & Mirrors Hair Lounge
Natalia Newson, Wabi Sabi
Samantha Eddy, Salon One Hair & Beauty

REGIONAL AUSTRALIA – COLOUR & STYLE

Alexandria Oomen, Kaboo Haircutters
Georgia Schembri, Mayko Hair
Kynan Booty, Parlour O
Maddison Stone, The Salon Collective
Madison Groves, Safari Room
Sophie McDonnell, Bella Donna The Hair Collective

REGIONAL AUSTRALIA – CUT & COLOUR

Bella Karlsson, Becky B Hair
Casey Churchwood, Ms Monaco Hair Society
Kealey-Grace Harkins, Jarahs Hair
Lilli Dearden-Ord, Intuition The Art Of Hair
Madison Groves, Safari Room
Sienna Shields, Wow Hair Wickham

URBAN AUSTRALIA – COLOUR & STYLE

Alicia Edwards, The Disco
Cam Day, Co And Pace Salon
Danielle Carman, Fon Salon
Elisha Forgione, Bliss The Art Of Hair
Isabella Molloy, Tigerlamb
Odette Hall, Heading Out Hair & Beauty

URBAN AUSTRALIA – CUT & COLOUR

Bethany Robinson, HeadHunters Hair Studio
Jasmin Movsowitz, Toni&Guy Sydney City
Kobi Lee, The Factory 3013
Lucy Ahearn, Tsiknaris Hair
Shannon Westwood, The Factory 3013
Xanika Kearnan, MAMAWEST

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