Let’s go Canada!
The Professional Beauty Association has unveiled the finalists for the 2026 North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA).
Announced on February 1, 2026, at Premiere Anaheim in Anaheim, California, the Canadian finalists for the 37th annual NAHAs, presented by JCPenney, include past Contessa winners and finalists, including 2026 Elite Master Hairstylist and Session Hairstylist, Robin LaChance; Master Colourist, David Vendittelli; British Columbia Hairstylist, James Valiant; Multicultural Hairstylist, Michelle Oliver; Emerging Colourist, Mai Nguyen; and Makeup Artist, Angela Balbon.
Special shout-outs to Montreal-based hairstylist Karine Belanger, who is a finalist for Team of the Year with Chrystofer Benson Collective, and Sean Godard, who’s based in New York but originally from Halifax, N.S., and is a finalist for Haircolor.
Congratulations to all NAHA finalists! The winners will be announced on May 31, 2026, at the Chapin Theater in Orlando, Florida, which takes place alongside Premiere Orlando.
Avant Garde
Erika Fung, Erika Fung Studio, Toronto, Ont.
Breanne Gershon, Glam Breanne, Calgary, Alta.
James Valiant, Suki’s Salons, Spa and Academy, Vancouver, B.C.
Editorial Stylist
Maggie Semaan, Haus of Rtists by Maggie Semaan, Laval, Que.
Josie Vilayvanh, Hairology Studio, Winnipeg, Man.
Haircolor
Breanne Gershon, Glam Breanne, Calgary, Alta.
David Vendittelli, Industry Hair and Esthetics, St. Catharines, Ont.
Haircutting
Isabelle Lachance, Oblic Salon Urbain, Montreal, Que.
Hairstylist of the Year
Robin LaChance, Tinted Love Hair Studio, Barrie, Ont.
Michelle Oliver, Freelance, Edmonton, Alta.
Julie Vriesinga, Salon Entrenous, London, Ont.
Makeup Artist
Angela Balbon, Mz B Artistry, Vancouver, B.C.
Master Hairstylist
Anna Pacitto, Salon Pure, Montreal, Que.
Nicole Pede, InStyle Salon & Spa, Aylmer, Ont.
Student Hairstylist
Mai Nguyen, Suki’s Salons, Spa and Academy, Vancouver, B.C.
Team of the Year
Team Industry, St. Catharines, Ont.
Photo: Hair: NAHA 2026 finalist, Master Hairstylist of the Year, Anna Pacitto, Salon Pure, Montreal, Que., Makeup: Ekaterina Ulyanoff and Nathan Archambo, Wardrobe Styling: Florence O Durand, assisted by Hugues Bergevin, Photo: John Rawson
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