VIEW OUR 2023 VZn AWARDS RECAP
When art inspires art,
all things are possible…
It is time we embrace all things art.
Beauty truly lies in the hands of an artist.
Calling all artists at all levels.
We are new beginnings.
Creating new opportunity.
Eliminating boundaries.
We are recognizing all things that influence us as artists. We are hair, make up, music, fashion, dance, photography, and visual arts.
By Artists for Artists. We are the VZN Awards.
The VZN awards are a Canadian image-based competition for beauty professionals and artists across the globe, creating a new standard for industry awards. We have curated unique entrance categories that will allow high calibre artists to showcase their creative capabilities. Categories will include hair, makeup, music, fashion, dance, photography, and visual arts. The VZN awards will be an ‘Oscar-like’ event that brings creatives together to celebrate, recognize and acknowledge extraordinary VZN. Be the first to proudly be recognized as a ‘VZNary’ within the beauty industry.
Entrants will be judged by a diverse panel of carefully chosen, world renowned experts who are extremely successful at their crafts. Following mutually understood and published criteria, every entry will be judged on a 1-10 scale (10 being the highest score). The top scorers from the first round of judging will proceed to the next round, where the winners will be chosen.
VZN Awards Rules & Regulations
General Rules
IMAGE SUBMISSION DEADLINE July 3rd 2023
Nominations
These honours are given to artists who exceed expectations within the beauty industry. These artists mentor and foster new talent, change the way we see trends, and embrace the possibility of the future. In addition to being the greatest talent this industry has to offer, they are also educators of their craft, holding our industry to a high standard for current and future stylists. They are gamechangers, innovators, and visionaries. Nominees are here because you chose them, and our industry wouldn’t be the same without them.
NEW Categories ALERT
Newest Category – Video transformation
This category allows for Barbers, Stylists and Make-up Artists to submit a video with the best transformation including hair, make up, clothing and music. Showing a complete transformation of model. Video must include a portion of the entire process. before, during and final work. Video should be maximum 30 seconds, minimum 10 seconds
*NEW CATEGORY – The Salon & Barber Chair (submission):
This category allows for barbers and stylists to submit work created behind the chair. Highlighting the beauty of everyday salon and barbershop work. Giving artist and opportunity to be celebrated at all levels. Showcasing colour, cuts and styling.
(Before and after shoots required)
The barber Chair
Submit one look that demonstrates today’s trends
– Fades
– Braids
– Styling
The salon Chair
Submit one look that demonstrates today trends.
– Styling
– Weaves/Extensions
– Up-Do
– Braids
– Cut Transformation
The salon Chair Colour
Submit one look that demonstrate today’s top colour trends
– Balayage
– Highlights
– Fun Colour
– Colour Transformation
Lifetime Awards
Joan Harrison Award (nomination required):
This honour is given to an industry leader (GM, Director, Sales) who has a positive voice, gives equal opportunity, who has created change and has VZN and insight to the future success of our industry.
Sabino Di Tacchio Award (nomination required):
This honour is given to an award-winning stylist who creates without limitation. An individual who continues to break boundaries, challenge themselves, and push the industry to see past current trends. An artistic leader who understands the movement and structure of all hair types. This individual must be a creative thinker, trend setter and innovator. All nominated individuals must be previously award-winning stylists.
Educator of the year (nomination required)
This honour is given to an educator who love for the industry is greater than the love for one’s self. Who has dedicated their career to aid in the advancement of others, who teaches until you learn. Shares without reservation and leads by example. An individual who is humble, yet fierce and has chosen to be a part of reinventing the beauty industry making small and big changes in lives of everyone whom path they cross.
Barber of the Year (nomination required):
A barber that excels within the barbering community, while doing their part to educate and uplift the current and future generation of barbers. This individual has mastered the art of barbering with both scissor and clipper cutting. A trend
setter and industry game changer; A barber who understands both the business and creative sides of our business.
Must submit three looks on a diverse selection of models with multiple hair types • Men’s Long Hairstyling
Must submit three looks of current, past or future trends with at least shoulder length hair with scissors. medium to short cuts i.e.: scissor over comb fade, waves
Must submit three looks achieved only with clippers. i.e.: high-top fade, low bald fade, one level fade
Must be a working barber for under three years. Patron can enter three looks of their choice, three different models
Must be an active student or apprentice for under 1 year. Patron can enter three looks of their choice, three different models
Must submit three looks with a combination of braids and fade. Extensions and hair pieces permitted. Three different models (with option for collaboration)
Stylist of the Year (nomination)
An artistic leader who understands the movement and structure of all hair types. This individual believes with education all things are possible. An individual with an exceptional understanding of beauty industry concepts and how trends develop. A master of their tools, displaying excellent cutting and styling techniques.
Submit three looks that demonstrate fantasy work. Physical and digital exaggerations permitted
Collaboration permitted
Must be a working stylist for under three years. Patron can enter three looks of their choice, three different models
Must be an active student or apprentice for under 1 year. Patron can enter three looks of their choice, three different models
Must be a working stylist for over 7 years. Submit a themed collection, work that tells a story that can been seen through hair, make up and clothing. Patron can enter three looks of their choice, three different models.
Colourist of the year (nomination required)
This honour is given to a stylist who blends, mixes and paints. An individual who continues to break boundaries within the colour world, challenge themselves, and push the industry to see past the current colour trends. An artistic leader who understands the colour laws and how to break it. One who understands colour on all hair types, who mentors and teaches above and beyond expectations.
Submit three looks demonstrating outstanding colour ability. Dimension, foiling, colour blocking, Balayage on a diverse selection of models on multiple hair types.
Multicultural Artist of the year (nomination required)
This honour is given to an individual who has infinite knowledge on all hair types. An artist who can change an manipulate all hair displaying the many characteristic and beauty of all hair types have. An artist who can cut, color and style according to hair needs. An artist who can truly showcase the beauty in differences.
Natural hair artist (afro)
Submit three looks demonstrating the ability to manipulate and style natural afro hair texture. Patrons are to displaying the true culture and beauty of afro hair. No hair pieces permitted, extensions, weaves or clip ins. This can include colour and accessories.
Texture artist (change of texture)
Submit three looks demonstrating the manipulation of any hair type creating texture. This can include colour and accessories, extensions, weaves or clip ins etc.
Extensions specialist of the year (nomination required)
This honour is given to an individual who continues to break boundaries within the extension world. This individual knows the meaning of a true transformation. An artistic leader who understands how to extend the beauty within hair. An innovator to the craft, making small changes and creating a big difference. (Before and after shoots required)
Submit three looks that display a full or half head of weave. Lace front, ponytail, bangs, tape- in etc.
Submit three looks that display a full or half head of extensions.
Submit three looks that display braids in any form. Cornrow designs, Box, twist, single etc.
MUA of the year (nominations required):
This honour is given to a Make-Up Artist who has incredible vision, and sees the beauty within. An artistic leader who understands the complexity and
composition of all skin tones. A mentor who creates creative spaces for new talent, educates and raises awareness on all beauty. (before and after required)
Submit three looks displaying the latest make up trends. Three faces (no digital enhancements permitted)
Submit three looks displaying the latest make up trends. On a diverse selection of models showcasing all skin types. Three faces (no digital enhancements permitted)
Submit three looks displaying extreme artistic and creative ability. Showcase a word of make belief and exaggeration. Three face, Themed. Total fancy. (Digital enhancement permitted)
Artist must be working in the industry for under three years. Submit three looks displaying the latest make up trends. Three faces (no digital enhancements permitted)
Nail tech of the year (nomination required)
This honour is given to a Nail technician who delivers incredible results without question. An artistic leader who understands exactly how to nail it. A nail design innovator who sees the nail world for what it can be, rather than what it is.
Submit three looks displaying extreme artistic and creative ability. Nails should be total make belief and exaggerated. Total fancy. (Digital enhancement permitted)
Submit three looks displaying artistic and creative ability. Three wearable looks.
Submit three looks displaying artistic and creative ability. Three wearable looks.
Single Categories: Artist favourites, MUST PROVIDE PRODUCTS FULL NAME AND MANUFACTURER
Best colour line (nomination)
Best Hair spray (nomination)
Best Deep conditioner (nomination)
Best Men’s Styling (nomination)
Best Styling products (nomination)
Best Dry Shampoo (nomination)
Best Oil (nomination)
Best Lightener (nomination
Nominating Categories
Nominating categories are by nominations only. Individuals can nominate themselves.
All nominated experts must have at least 7 years’ experience in their practice. Artists must receive a minimum of 5 nominations to be eligible to submit work. All nominated artists will be contacted by via email by Dec 2023. Nominators must provide the VZN Awards with the nominees first and last names, email address and InstaGram handle.
Nominees must then submit three images displaying their best work. Before and after images are only required for the following categories:
Nail Tech of the year
Makeup artist of the year
Extensions Specialist of the year
Colorist of the year of the year
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Each HIGH RES file must be named accordingly: · i.e., CategoryAbbreviation_FirstName_LastName_Year o EX: BOTY_Andrea_Sampson_21.jpg
Each ORIGINAL file must be named accordingly: · i.e., CategoryAbbreviation_FirstName_LastName_Year_O o EX: BOTY_Andrea_Sampson_21_O.jpg
Category Abbreviations:
JH – Joan Harrison Award
SD – Sabino DiTacchio Award
EOTY – Educator of the year
BOTY – Barber of the Year
MB – Multicultural Barbering
MLH – Men’s Long Hairstyling
MCC – Men’s Clipper Cutting
NB – New Barber
SB – Student Barber
BF – Braids and Fades
SOTY – Stylist of the Year
AGS – Avant Garde Stylist
NS – New Stylist
ST – Student Talent
ECS – Eastern Canada Stylist
CCS – Central Canada stylist
WCS – Western Canada Stylist
QCS – Quebec Canada Stylist
OCS – Ontario Canada Stylist
COTY – Colourist of the Year
MTC – Multicultural Colourist
MAOTY – Multicultural Artist of the Year NHA – Natural Hair Afro
TA – Texture Artist
ESOTY – Extension Specialist of the Year WA – Weaves Artist
HTW – Hand tied Wefts
BCS – Braids – Cornrow + Single
TGM – Total Glam Makeup
MMUA – Multicultural Make Up Artist AGMUA – Avant Garde Make Up Artist NMUA – New Make Up Artist
NTOTY – Nail Technician of the Year AGNT – Avant Garde Nail Technician CDNT – Creative Design Nail Technician SNTOTY – Student Nail Technician of the year
Stylist Choice: Product of the year
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PLATINUM SPONSOR
