Creating change, building passion, inspiring lives.

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.

What 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  

• SUBMISSION FEE $100.00 
• Entrants must be artists in the following professions: hair, makeup, music,  fashion, dance, photography, and visual arts. The competition is open to all  artists globally.  
• Artists may enter into multiple categories. However, only one entry is  allowed per category annually. However, you can enter another category  with same collection. 
• All participating stylists must be credited accordingly. Please be sure to  include all artists’ names, roles and applicable handles.
• Submissions must be in digital format uploaded online. All images must be  the same orientation i.e., all horizontal or all vertical (with the exception of  the photography categories). 
• Entrants must submit high resolution photographs, as well as the original,  unmodified photographs of their models. All submissions must contain  original unmodified images.  
• Submitted work must have been completed at most 12 months prior to the  submission deadline.  
• A max two-year win in any category is permitted. A category one-year grace  period must be taken for all double winners. 
• Collaboration work cannot be entered twice in the same category by  different artist 
• Each submission must contain three different models  
• Any entries that do not meet standard requirements they will disqualified.  
• ALL FINALISTS WILL RECEIVE ONE FREE TICKET TO ATTEND THE VZN  AWARDS 

IMAGE SUBMISSION DEADLINE June 15st 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.  

• Multicultural Barbering  

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  

• Men’s Clipper Cutting 

Must submit three looks achieved only with clippers. i.e.: high-top fade, low bald  fade, one level fade 

• New Barber (Under 3 Years) 

Must be a working barber for under three years. Patron can enter three looks of  their choice, three different models 

• Student Barber 

Must be an active student or apprentice for under 1 year. Patron can enter three  looks of their choice, three different models  

• Braids and fades  

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.  

• Avant Garde 

Submit three looks that demonstrate fantasy work. Physical and digital  exaggerations permitted  

Collaboration permitted  

• New Stylist  

Must be a working stylist for under three years. Patron can enter three looks of  their choice, three different models 

• Student Talent  

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.  

• Eastern Stylist 
• Central Stylist 
• Western Stylist 
• Quebec Stylist 
• Ontario stylist  

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.  

• Multicultural Colourist 

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) 

• Weaves artists 

Submit three looks that display a full or half head of weave. Lace front, ponytail,  bangs, tape- in etc. 

• Hand tied Wefts Artist  

Submit three looks that display a full or half head of extensions.  

• Braids- Cornrow + single Artist  

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)  

• Total Glam Make-up Artist  

Submit three looks displaying the latest make up trends. Three faces (no digital  enhancements permitted) 

• Multicultural Make-up Artist 

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) 

• Avant Garde Make-up 

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) 

• New Make-Up Artist (under 3 years) 

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.  

• Avant Garde Nail Technician  

Submit three looks displaying extreme artistic and creative ability. Nails should be  total make belief and exaggerated. Total fancy. (Digital enhancement permitted)

• Creative design Nail Technician 

Submit three looks displaying artistic and creative ability. Three wearable looks.  

• Student nail technician of year  

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 

1. Best colour line (nomination)  
2. Best Hair spray (nomination)  
3. Best Deep conditioner (nomination) 
4. Best Men’s Styling (nomination) 
5. Best Styling products (nomination) 
6. Best Dry Shampoo (nomination) 
7. Best Oil (nomination)  
8. Best lightener (nomination)