Beauty Competitions in the USA

Beauty competitions in the USA are where professionals test their skills in front of judges, peers and a live crowd. The scene covers hair, barbering, nails, lashes, makeup and massage, and many competitions run inside the big trade shows, so you can compete and learn on the same trip.

Barbering has the busiest competition calendar, with Battle of the Champions in Alsip each February, Klutch Barber Expo in Owensboro in March and the HEBS Barber Games at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in May. For nails, Nailympia San Antonio runs alongside Premiere San Antonio at the end of summer, while lash artists compete at NYC Lash Elite in Jersey City and Lash Boss Summit in Austin. Massage therapists head to Las Vegas each July for the American Massage Championships, and students from across the country take part in SkillsUSA NLSC in Atlanta each June. America's Beauty Show, Premiere Orlando and PBA NAHA also host major competition stages.

Every beauty competition in the USA is listed below with dates, venues and who can attend, so you can find the right stage for your skills.

Getting around

Competitions take place all over the country, from convention centres in Atlanta, Orlando and San Antonio to hotel ballrooms and resorts. San Antonio's Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center is beside the River Walk, a short drive from San Antonio International. The Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus is close to Newark Liberty and easy to reach from Manhattan, and Planet Hollywood is in the centre of the Las Vegas Strip.

Where to stay

Competitors usually start early, so staying close to the venue helps. In San Antonio, River Walk hotels are a short walk to the halls. In Las Vegas, the massage events are held at Planet Hollywood, so booking a room there saves time between rounds. For Atlanta, downtown hotels around Centennial Olympic Park are near the Georgia World Congress Center.

Tips for competitors

• Read the rules and category briefs well before the day, including model requirements and kit lists.
• Register early, as places in popular categories can be limited.
• Pack spare tools and products, and label everything.
• Stay for the results and the feedback. Judges' comments are some of the best education you can get.