The finalists for The British Hairdressing Awards have been revealed. The 75 first-round judges drawn from industry experts, hairdressers, session stylists and creative leaders witnessed what must be the biggest photographic award exhibition as they spent the day marking the thousands of individual images.

Now in its fourth decade, the awards hosted by Hairdressers Journal International and supported since its inception by sole sponsor, Schwarzkopf Professional continue to go from strength-to- strength in its quest to celebrate the most diverse and creative of talents in hairdressing. With nine regional and seven specialist categories, the awards honour all aspects of the art of hairdressing, from colour specialists and men’s hairdressers to those newcomers who are taking their first steps in creating the future of our industry.

Hairdressers Journal International’s executive director, Jayne Lewis Orr says: “The awards remain true to the original objective – to promote the professionalism and leading vision of British hairdressing, and importantly to celebrate its contribution to the wider world. I am so proud that we can see the impact that the awards have had on not only our own industry, but also upon partnership industries of model agencies, photographers, clothes stylists and make-up artists and its success is shared by many. This year more than ever, we encouraged entrants to produce work that’s aspirational and wearable, to really unify the bonds between creative hairdressing and the fact that this industry contributes £7bn to the national economy and employs 500,000 nationwide. Now that’s something amazing to celebrate!”

The winners of the 16 categories including the prized British Hairdresser of the Year title are all to be announced at The British Hairdressing Awards which takes place at the Grosvenor House Hotel, a J W Marriott Hotel, in London on Monday, 27 November.