The 2025 North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) were held during Premiere Orlando weekend on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the Chapin Theater at the Orange County Convention Center.
With 15 award categories, it should come as no surprise that Canadian talent from across the country dominated this year’s finalist list.
Contessa 2025 winner and Calgary-based hairstylist and makeup artist Breanne Gershon won two back-to-back awards for Haircolor as well as Styling and Finishing.
“I’m honestly so shocked,” she said on stage. “A quote that I have in mind is, ‘Inspiration exists but it has to find you working.’ I love that because I don’t think this would be possible without a lot of hard work.”
Vancouver-based makeup artist and instructor at Blanche Macdonald, Angela Balbon, won the award for Makeup Artist of the Year. “I’m so grateful to each and every one of you for believing in other artists,” she said. “We lift each other up, never tear each other down.”
Quebec-based hairstylist Maggie Semaan won the award for Editorial Hairstylist of the Year. “I’ve always been inspired and felt like this was the peak—summit,” she said on stage before giving thank-yous and shout-outs to her family, salon team as well as NAHA 2025 finalist and multi-Contessa winner Anna Pacitto. Semaan closed her speech with a special message for her critics: “I want to thank all the haters who keep motivating me.”
Other notable wins went to Vernon François, who won his first NAHA for Texture. “In life, you can sometimes feel lost and sometimes, you just need a reminder,” he said. “Go where you’re loved and not tolerated.”
NAHA also presented a Show Your True Colors segment that united artists including George Alderete, Casey Carey, Stephen Moody, Brayden Pelletier and Vanessa Whitmarsh to showcase a special hair creation based on a specific jewel tone.
As the recipient of the 2025 NAHA for Educator of the Year, Candy Shaw took the stage and thanked her husband and children. “This is what weekends away looks like. This is what being a road warrior looks like,” she said. “I hope I’ve made you proud.”
Legendary hairstylist and senior vice-president of global artistry for Aveda, Antoinette Beenders, was honoured with the NAHA 2025 Industry Icon Award and presented a show-stopping stage presentation featuring high-fashion editorial hair and complete with colour-changing drones.
“I stand here today with heart full of gratitude and humility, truly honoured to receive the legendary Icon Award,” she said. “Through hard work, persistence and tenacity, I now celebrate over 14 remarkable years in this industry that I love so dearly. An industry that has given me countless opportunities, challenged me to innovate and inspired me to grow—not just as a professional, but also as a person.”
Browse our gallery of photos from the event.
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