FAQ’s

Here are some answer to common questions we receive.

If you can’t find what you are looking for, you can use the help agent to contact us directly. If you are in the entry portal and have technical difficulties, use the help agent there to resolve the issue.

Who can submit and entry?
Any professional hairdresser or hair salon in the UK and Ireland in their respective competitions. In the USA, the salon awards are additionally open to beauty salons and beauty professionals.

What is the time frame of an entry criterion?
All entries should be focused on the last 12 months results.

Is there an entry fee?
Yes, it’s different for each event and stipulated in the entry guide This is a handling fee for your entry and is non-refundable.

Can I submit multiple entries?
You can enter as many categories as you like, but only submit one entry per category.

What happens after I submit?Once you submit your entry you will receive a confirmation email and timeline for updates. When the shortlist is published in June you will be notified by email and SMS of its publication and your status at that time.

Judging Process
This is carried out online, and anonymously, they do not confer with one another. There is no jury format. Judges score your entry and the total score added up from the judging to determines the result.

The exception to this is the People’s Choice Award, which is managed by public vote and relies on you self-promoting your participation.

Are there different requirements for different categories
Yes, please read the entry form carefully and be sure to provide what it asks. Judging can come down to finite margins, and those entries which meet and exceed requirements generally score more highly.

How are winners announced?
They are announced at the awards ceremony (different date and timeline for each UK, USA and Ireland & NI events). We do not release them before the date and do not publish the full winners list until a few days after.

What happens if I can’t attend?The Salon Awards would not be possible without its attendees support. Anyone who wins will be asked to pay for their winners pack.

Supporting Materials
There are various photo video and file options you can use to add your supporting evidence to your entry. If making reels and gallery images is not your thing, join one of our workshops to get a few tips and help make your entry the best it can be.

Can I edit my submission after submitting?
Yes, you can edit your entry up until the entry closing date, even if you have already submitted it.

What happens if I change place of employment during the season?Individual categories are portable. They are attributed to the individual and not the salon. If you are on the move, let us know at the earliest point so we can update your details. We do not accept withdrawals for individual categories from any other party.

What happens if I miss the deadline?Get in touch ahead of the deadline if you are having any issues getting finished on time. We will try and accommodate you on a case by case basis.

I am technically challenged and nothing seems to be working for me!
Try all the help options available to you via our AI agent and the Zealous helpdesk. If still struggling contact us hello@thesalonawards.com

Can I use Ai to write my entry?Sure, use it for ideas, for laying out the order of your story, checking spelling and grammar, perhaps polishing what you want to say, but don’t just carbon copy it. It’s really obvious, and entry to entry you can see who has used it,  the judges will mark you down. We recommend use in moderation, personalise to your story and provide supporting images, video or information that supports your entry submission. Your own voice is always best.

There are logos in my videos, can I mention my salon name, does this matter?
We recommend you keep your entries and supporting information as anonymous as possible so that we can maintain a transparent, fair and unincumbered judging process as possible. We accept that in some instances it would be weird not to see your salon brand and name, such as an image of your shopfront or some in-salon branding, but so long as you are not overtly splurging your name around hoping it will get you kudos with the judges, then those instances are acceptable.