The Road To HEBS
Braids & Fades - The Road To HEBS
We are excited to bring the Hair Education Beauty Summit along with PureO Natural Products as we travel the country to several shows across the year. Follow us and compete as we gear up for the Ultimate HEBS Competitions on May 3-4, 2026 in Secaucus, New Jersey. These are more than competitions— they are a movement.
Are you ready to bring your A-game to the stage?
PureO Natural Products are hosting four major competitions at the booth throughout the show days.
Braid & Fade: This high-energy, live showdown celebrates top talent in braiding and barbering. Whether you’re crafting crisp fades or flawless braids, show your artistry and prove you have the cleanest, most creative look on stage.
Who Can Enter
- Open to individuals or tag teams (up to 2 artists).
- Solo or partnered, your skills and creativity take center stage.
Categories and Judging Criteria
Braids Category
- Symmetry, clean parting, and photo-ready execution.
Fade Category
- Seamless blends, sharp lines, and flawless finishes.
All judged on cleanliness, technique, creativity, execution, and final presentation.
Competition Details
- 45-minute live, timed event.
- Bring your own model and tools.
- Judged live by industry professionals.
- Expect an electric, high-impact stage experience.
Rookie Barber Battle
Step into the spotlight and show your potential! This competition is designed for emerging barbers ready to make their mark. It’s all about showcasing clean technique, confidence, and foundational skills — a true test of raw talent.
Rules
- Solo artist (1 barber + 1 model)
- 30-minute time limit
- Competitors must bring their own tools and model
- All cuts must be created live — no pre-cutting or pre-shaping allowed
Judging Criteria
- Cleanliness and precision of the cut
- Technique and control
- Overall style and final presentation
- Confidence and stage presence
Fast & Flawless
Competitors must deliver a professional-quality fade and sharp lineup in under 15 minutes. This is the ultimate test of technical skill, efficiency, and control under pressure — no room for hesitation.
Who Can Enter
Solo artist (1 barber + 1 model)
Competition Details
- 15-minute live, timed event
- Bring your own model and tools
- Judged live by industry professionals
- High-energy stage experience designed to showcase your speed and finesse
Judging Criteria
- Cleanliness and precision of the fade and lineup
- Technique and control
- Speed and time management
- Overall style, finish, and final presentation
- Confidence and stage presence
Freestyle Fusion
Push the limits of creativity in this ultimate showcase of imagination and skill. Barbers will create original designs live on stage, blending hair art with color, accessories, and themed presentations. Where imagination meets flawless execution.
Rules
- Designs must be created live — no pre-cuts or pre-designs.
- Hair color, enhancements, and accessories are allowed and encouraged.
- Wardrobe and presentation contribute to final scoring.
- 60-minute time limit
Judging Criteria
- Creativity and originality
- Design complexity and execution
- Cohesiveness of theme (hair + attire)
- Use of props, accessories, and/or color
- Overall visual impact
NeatBraid™ Precision Maze Challenge
Step into the world’s first hyper-detailed braiding challenge, designed to highlight skill, artistry, and the flawless execution that only NeatBraid™ can support. This isn’t about speed — it’s about geometric accuracy, perfect parting, and scalp mastery.
Rules
- Solo artist (1 stylist + 1 model)
- 60-minute time limit
- Must exclusively use NeatBraid™ to prep and maintain the style (provided at the event)
- Allowed tools: rat-tail comb, sectioning clips (for prep only), optional braiding hair or beads for added flair (judged mainly on natural braid work)
Judging Criteria
- (Total: 100 points)
- Parting Precision: Sharpness, symmetry, and consistency (30 pts)
- Creativity: Originality and maze complexity (25 pts)
- Neatness & Frizz Control: Smoothness and flyaway control (20 pts)
- Execution Flow: Seamless braid connectivity and pattern layout (15 pts)
Locs, Styles & Fades
Participants may compete in this category as a tag team. This category brings together the detail of loc styling with the precision of fading. One team member will execute a clean, professional fade while the other creates an artistic style using locs, twists, or textured natural styling. Judges will be looking for creativity, teamwork, and a seamless blend between the cut and the style.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Competitors: 10 individual or teams
Prizes
1st Place: $3,000 + Trophy
2nd Place: $1,000 + Trophy
3rd Place: $500 + Trophy
Duration: 1.5 hours
Competitors: 10 individual or teams
Prizes
1st Place: $3,000 + Trophy
2nd Place: $1,000 + Trophy
3rd Place: $500 + Trophy
Rules
- Each team may have 2 competitors (1 for fading, 1 for styling).
- No pre-cutting, pre-styling, or preset parts.
- Color and enhancements are allowed.
- Lineup must include a visible C-cup.
- Lineup must iaModels must arrive with hair long enough for both fading and styling.nclude a visible C-cup.
- Final look must include both a fade and a styled element (locs, twists, or sculpted natural styles).
Judging Criteria
- Creativity in loc or textured styling
- Precision and quality of the fade
- Cohesion between fade and style
- Overall visual appeal
Schedule Details
- Barbercon Dallas September 7, 2025
- Rookie Barber Competition - 30 minutes
- Fast & Flawless
- Braids & Fade
- Neatbraid™ Precision Maze Challenge
- (One Day)
- Premiere Ohio September 14-15, 2025
- Rookie Barber Competition
- Fast & Flawless
- Braids & Fade
- Neatbraid™ Precision Maze Challenge
- (Both Days)
- Premiere San Antonio September 28-29, 2025
- Rookie Barber Competition
- Fast & Flawless
- Braids & Fade
- Neatbraid™ Precision Maze Challenge
- (Both Days)
- Premiere Anaheim February 1-2, 2026
- Rookie Barber Competition
- Fast & Flawless
- Braids & Fade
- Neatbraid™ Precision Maze Challenge
- (Both Days)
- IBS NY March 8-10, 2026
- Rookie Barber Competition
- Fast & Flawless
- Braids & Fade
- Neatbraid™ Precision Maze Challenge
- (All Three Days)
- ABS Chicago April 18-20, 2026
- Rookie Barber Competition
- Fast & Flawless
- Braids & Fade
- Neatbraid™ Precision Maze Challenge
- (All Three Days)
- Premiere Orlando May 30-June 1, 2026
- Rookie Barber Competition
- Fast & Flawless
- Braids & Fade
- Neatbraid™ Precision Maze Challenge
- (Both Days)