If you’re a licensed hairstylist who can create a great haircut, wants to try out a career-saving pro tool, and would love a ton of publicity, SAM’S SHEAR CHALLENGE is for you.
Three stylists will be chosen to receive a Sam Villa® ergonomic shear and a chance to show the world what they can do with them. The deadline to enter the competition is Sunday, Aug. 18 at noon ET.
After suffering carpal tunnel syndrome, industry legend Sam Villa created high-quality ergonomic shears designed to prevent all-too-common work-related injuries among hairstylists.
It takes most stylists a week of practice to get comfortable enough to switch to Sam’s ergonomic shear, a move that can save their health and their careers.
This is the basis for SAM’S SHEAR CHALLENGE!
Finalists get a Sam Villa® ergonomic shear of their preference (for size and dominant hand), a mannequin head to keep, and one week to practice.
Then, the finalists will create their best haircut using their new shear — and the public will vote for the winning cut!
Contest rules and prizes are below, and the entry form is here. Good luck!
Along with the challenge, Sam Villa® is offering 30 percent off all ergonomic shears through mid-September.
SAM'S SHEAR CHALLENGE: PRIZES
Three finalists will each receive one Sam Villa® ergonomic shear of their preference and a mannequin head to keep.
WINNING CONTESTANT WILL RECEIVE:
- An American Salon feature article;
- Publicity on American Salon and Sam Villa® social media channels;
- A 60-minute one-on-one mentoring Zoom session with Sam Villa.
CONTEST RULES
• Must be 18 or older to participate.
• Must be a U.S.-based hair stylist with a valid state cosmetology license.
• Must have a public Instagram account.
• To enter, applicants must create an entry video describing their best reason to be chosen for SAM’S SHEAR CHALLENGE. Entry videos should be in vertical format, 20-50 seconds long, and submitted via the contest entry form no later than Aug. 18, 2024.
• Three finalists will be selected to receive a Sam Villa® ergonomic shear and a mannequin head of their choice: Straight (Sam Villa® - Lydia) or Textured (Pivot Point - Amber). They will get one week to practice.
• During the “practice week,” finalists agree to publish 2 videos (15+ seconds) to their Instagram accounts, describing their progress in mastering the Sam Villa® ergonomic shear.
• After one week of practice, finalists must create a “challenge cut” on their mannequin, using their Sam Villa® ergonomic shear as the primary tool. Finalists will then submit photos of the cut and a video of the cutting process, so their finished work can be put to a public vote for the best cut.
• The finalists' challenge cuts will be posted on the American Salon website for public voting. Votes can be cast for the winning haircut once per day, per device.**
• Winner will be announced Sept. 10, 2024.
*Content must be original, non-offensive, and relevant to hairstyling.
**Any attempt to artificially inflate voting numbers will result in immediate disqualification of the finalist involved.