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2026 National Competition
Regional Heat Dates
Midlands: Tuesday 10th February 2026 (Sandwell College B70 6AW)
Scotland: Friday 13th February 2026 (New college Lanarkshire ML1 2TX)
North West: Tuesday 24th February 2026 (Norbreck Castle, Blackpool FY2 9AA)
Wales & South West: Tuesday 24th February 2026 (Weston College BS23 2AL)
East Anglia (New): Monday 16th March 2026 (West Suffolk College IP33 3RL)
North East: Tuesday 31st March 2026 (Federation Brewery NE11 9JR)
Southern: Date TBC
Channel Islands: Date TBC​
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National Finals: Monday 11th May 2026, Blackpool
Direct Entry: Sunday 10th & Monday 11th May 2026, Blackpool
Competitions Rules & Entry forms can be downloaded following the link below.
Area Heats & National Final Competitions
Direct Entry Competitions
The regional area heat and national competitions use the same set of rules and timings for these competition categories.
Read these carefully for the details in each competition.
NB - you are required to have current memberships to enter competitors into these competitions
1. 1st Year Commercial Blow Dry
2. Half Body Painting (Theme: Banksey inspired street Art)
3. Classic Feminine Bridal Hairstyle
4. 1980's Authentic Make-up
5. Theatrical Ageing Make-up
6. Creative Mood Board (Theme: Sweets & Chocolates)
7. Barbering Classic Taper Fade & Finish
8. (Regional only comp school age 14-16) Evening Style with Ornamentation
9. Fantasy Hairstyle Total Look
10. Face Painting (Theme: Avatar)
11. Commercial Nail Art Gel Polish (Theme: Elegant & Chic Summer Nails)
12. Commercial Feminine Cut & Blow Dry
13. Current Fashion Trends in Bridal Hairstyling
14. (Regional only comp school age 14-16)
Prom Themed Make-up
15. Drag Total Look
16. Masculine Beard Sculpting & Design
17. Nails Mood Board: Promotional Cover for Bridal Nails
18. REGIONAL ONLY: Facial with a Mask
19. Feminine High Fashion Finish on Pre-Prepared Cut & Coloured Mannequin head
20. Fashion Magazine Front Cover Make-up (Theme: High Fashion Beauty)
21. Barbering Creative Masculine Cut & Style
22. Create an Authentic Injury (as seen on television)
23. Feminine Bridal Make-up
24. Feminine 60's inspired evening Style
25. Create an Image Based on a Theme (Team event Hair & Make-up, Theme: A Day at the Races)
26. Creative Mixed Media Nails (Theme: Enchanted Forest)
27. Feminine Fashion Style on type 3/4 TEXTURED HAIR
28. Foundation/Level 1//Access to Hairdressing Blow Wave
Check out the Direct Entry competition categories, there are a variety and some new and exciting categories each year.
Direct Entry competition categories are only hosted at the National Final Event: details on the full competition rules.
NB - you are required to have current memberships to enter competitors into these competitions
SUNDAY 10th MAY
1. Fantasy Hair & Make-up (Team event)
2. Creative Barbering Freestyle Pattern Design
3.. Advanced Nail Art Mirror Image (Theme: Spring Blossom)
4. Upper Torso Body Painting (Theme: Butterfly Wings)
5. Multiple Piece Prosthetics (Theme: Disney Character)
6. Body Massage with Exfoliation
7. Pre-Set Dressing Long Hair (Theme: Hollywood Waves)
8. Barbering Excellence on Type 4/3 Textured Hair
9. Re-Creation of a Fictional TV/Film Character
10. Creative Pre-Colour Incorporating Vivid and or Neon Colours Blow Dry
11. Barbering (3 years plus vocational experience who are currently registered on on a regulatory qualification) Creative Masculine Cut & Style
12. Skills: Face Mask & Day Make-up
13. Asian Style Bridal Make-up
14. Masculine Natural Make-up
15. Non Gel Polish (One hand Red, One Hand French)
16. Ready Set Wig - Candidates to produce a pre-set wig on a block that will be ready for any theatre/stage production
17. Ageing TV Make-up to include Face, Neck & Hands
18. Masculine Long Hair Fashion Cut & Finish
19. Catwalk Hair Fashion Styling (Theme: Fashion Forward Trends)
20. Occasion Theme Make-up for the Mature Client (age 35+)
MONDAY 11th MAY
21. Fantasy Make-up (Theme: Sea Serpents)
22. Skin Fade with Beard Integration
National Competition Director:
Denise Johnson
If you have any questions regarding the competitions, please contact Denise Johnson directly using the email address below
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