BATTLE OF THE CROWNS
Official Competition Rules
General Rules
- Each contestant may enter with one model only.
- Each contestant is responsible for providing their own model.
- The competition will be a 30-minute live hair battle.
- Styles may be created using locs, braids, or a combination of both.
- Models should arrive with a starting style. Contestants will transform their model’s look live on stage during the competition.
- The completed look may fall into any creative category, including fantasy, avant-garde, editorial, artistic, or other creative styles.
- Additional hairpieces, accessories, props, and creative elements may be pre-created prior to arriving at the competition. These pieces must be safely incorporated into the final look during the live competition.
- All contestants will compete live on-site in front of the judges.
- Contestants are responsible for bringing all tools, products, equipment, accessories, and supplies needed to complete their look.
- All work must be performed in a safe, sanitary, and professional manner suitable for a public festival environment.
- Hairpieces, extensions, color, props, accessories, and other creative materials may be used as long as they are safely secured and incorporated into the finished look.
- Models must remain available after the competition for judging, photos, and presentation.
- Contestants must arrive two hours prior to the competition for check-in and preparation. Each contestant must be fully prepared and ready to compete at their assigned competition time, which will be announced in advance.
Judges will score contestants based on the following categories:
- Creativity and Originality
How unique, artistic, and imaginative is the overall look?
- Technical Skill
How well was the style, braid, loc work, or design executed?
- Completion and Cleanliness
Is the look finished, polished, clean, and professionally presented?
- Live Performance
Did the contestant successfully complete part of the style on-site within the required time?
- Theme and Cultural Expression
Does the style communicate a clear message, story, or inspiration?
- Overall Presentation
How well did the contestant and model present the final look to the judges and audience?
- Stage Presence
Did the model and contestant confidently showcase the work
Live Styling Requirement
Each contestant must perform a portion of their style live on-site. Contestants should leave approximately 30 minutes of work undone, such as:
- Detailing
- Braiding completion
- Loc styling
- Pinning or sculpting
- Hair shaping
- Adding accessories
- Final finishing touches
- Design work
- Color accent placement
This allows judges and the audience to see the artist actively working and confirms the authenticity of the contestant’s work.
Presentation Requirement
After completing the live styling portion, each contestant will give a short presentation lasting 2 to 4 minutes.
During the presentation, contestants should explain:
- Name & Salon
- The title or theme of the style
- What inspired the look
- What the style represents
- Any cultural, artistic, personal, or creative meaning behind it
- Techniques used
- Why they chose the colors, shapes, accessories, or design elements
The presentation is part of the judging score and should help bring the hairstyle design to life.
Social Media Perks
- Professional event coverage by a photographer and videographer
- A brief on-camera interview
- Professionally edited social media content
- Edited photos of your completed work
- Content you can use to promote your talent, services, and brand
Scorecard
Each category can be scored from 1 to 10.
| Judging Area | Points |
| Creativity & Originality | 10 |
| Technical Skill | 10 |
| Cleanliness & Finish | 10 |
| Live Styling Execution | 10 |
| Theme/Meaning/Inspiration | 10 |
| Overall Presentation | 10 |
| Stage Presence | 10 |
| Total | 70 |
Event Flow
- Contestants arrive,
- Contestant Check-In
- Model Review (Judges or event staff confirm a simple style was completed and ready for live completion)
- Prepare their station/model.
- Live Styling Round: Contestants complete the remaining portion of their style on-site.
- Live styling time: 30 minutes
- Final Presentation 2 to 4 minutes
- Each contestant presents their look to the judges.
- Judging
- Judges score each contestant based on the official criteria.
- Winners are announced for each category.
- Awards
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Awards
- 1st Place $1000 & trophy
- 2nd Place TBA
- 3rd Place TBA
Competition Details to Confirm
- Registration Fee: $150
- Maximum Contestants per Category: 65
- Contestant Arrival / Check-In Time: TBD
- Competition Start Time: TBD
- Assistant Policy: TBD
- Electrical Access: TBD
- Station Setup (table/chair provided): TBD
