Competition Terms and Conditions – Updated January 2026

By entering The British Hair & Beauty Awards (“the Competition”), you (“the Entrant”) agree to these Terms and Conditions in full. Entry into the Competition constitutes your acceptance of these Terms together with our Shop Terms and Conditions. Luxe Creative Media (“the Organiser”) manages and delivers the Competition.

1. Changes to Terms

The Organiser may amend these Terms at any time without prior notice. Any changes will take effect immediately once published on our website. Entrants are responsible for reviewing this page regularly.

2. Eligibility

  • Open to all UK-based hair, beauty, nail, aesthetic and spa businesses.

  • Entrants outside the UK are not eligible.

  • The Organiser reserves the right to reject entries that are incomplete, inappropriate, or in breach of these Terms.

3. Enrolment

  • Enrolment into the Competition is free of charge.

  • Enrolment allows a business to be considered for one or more categories submitted on the same enrolment form.

  • Enrolment does not guarantee finalist status.

Once enrolled:

  • Entries are reviewed to determine whether they meet the eligibility and finalist criteria.

  • Only businesses that meet the required standards will progress to finalist stage.

Important:
Not all businesses will become finalists. Finalist status is awarded solely at the discretion of the Organiser based on eligibility and assessment criteria.

4. Finalist Stage & Participant Fee

If accepted as a finalist, you may choose to:

Remain a Finalist Only

  • You may remain a finalist without progressing further in the Competition.

  • A digital finalist badge may be purchased separately.

Continue in the Competition

  • To progress to full judging, a Participant Fee of £79 per category applies.

  • Bundle discounts may be available for multiple categories.

The Participant Fee contributes towards:

  • Assessment and judging processes

  • Administrative and operational costs

  • Certificate preparation

  • Awards ceremony preparation

Participant Fees are non-refundable regardless of outcome.

Please note that digital content may take up to 6–8 weeks to be delivered. We will keep you informed of any updates and provide accurate delivery timescales throughout the process. It is your responsibility to regularly check your email and our social media channels for important updates and communications.

5. Supporting Evidence & Judging Criteria

Businesses choosing to continue in the Competition must submit supporting evidence for final assessment.

Supporting evidence is assessed against criteria including, but not limited to:

  • Website and online presence
  • Customer reviews and reputation
  • Legal compliance (including insurance, health & safety, training, licences where applicable)
  • Staff development
  • Customer experience
  • Business standards and overall presentation
  • Quality of written supporting evidence and responses

Supporting Evidence Submission

Supporting evidence must be submitted within the required timeframe. The submission deadline and instructions will be included in the email sent with your supporting evidence form.

Businesses will have four (4) weeks from the date the form is issued to complete and submit their supporting evidence.

Supporting evidence must be submitted using the official online form only. Evidence submitted by email or any other method will not be accepted.

Late submissions received after the published deadline will not be accepted unless agreed in writing by the Competition organisers in exceptional circumstances.

Completing the Supporting Evidence

Applicants are expected to answer all questions fully, accurately and honestly.

Providing incomplete responses, minimal information, or simply answering “Yes” or “No” where further explanation has been requested may result in the business remaining at Finalist level.

The quality, accuracy and detail of the supporting evidence submitted forms a significant part of the judging process.

Judging & Awards

Progressing to the supporting evidence stage or becoming a Finalist does not guarantee an award.

Judges will assess the supporting evidence submitted together with all supporting documentation to determine the overall score.

The overall scores awarded by the judging panel determine whether a business achieves:

  • Gold Award
  • Silver Award
  • Bronze Award
  • Finalist

Businesses that do not achieve the required scoring threshold will remain Finalists.

All judging decisions are final. No correspondence, discussion or appeal regarding judging decisions or scores will be entered into.

Certificates

Digital winner certificates and printed certificates are included where applicable.

Digital certificates and printed certificates may take up to eight (8) weeks to be issued following the awards ceremony or announcement of results.

Estimated delivery times will be communicated where possible.

Refunds

All entry fees, judging fees and digital products are strictly non-refundable.

No refunds will be provided once an application has been submitted, regardless of whether a business progresses to the judging stage, remains a Finalist, or receives an award.

Business Categories & Supporting Evidence

Where a business has entered multiple award categories, only one Supporting Evidence Form is required.

The information and evidence submitted will be used by the judging panel to assess all categories entered, where applicable.

Individual Categories

Where an award category is entered in the name of an individual (for example, Hairdresser of the Year, Beauty Therapist of the Year, Barber of the Year, etc.), the Supporting Evidence Form must be completed by the individual entrant only.

The individual entering the competition must provide their own answers, supporting evidence and examples based on their own work, skills and achievements.

Business owners, salon owners, managers, employers, colleagues or third parties must not complete or submit Supporting Evidence on behalf of an individual entrant.

Example:
If a salon enters:

  • Salon of the Year
  • Hairdresser of the Year (Employee A)
  • Beauty Therapist of the Year (Employee B)

Three separate Supporting Evidence submissions are required:

  • One Supporting Evidence Form for Salon of the Year.
  • One Supporting Evidence Form completed by Employee A for Hairdresser of the Year.
  • One Supporting Evidence Form completed by Employee B for Beauty Therapist of the Year.

Supporting Evidence submitted on behalf of another individual, or evidence that is found to have been completed by someone other than the named entrant, may result in the entry being disqualified, removed from the competition, or remaining at Finalist level at the organiser’s discretion.

Providing false, misleading or unauthorised submissions constitutes a breach of these Terms & Conditions and may result in the immediate withdrawal of the entry without refund. 

Individual Entrants & Email Address Requirements

For all individual award categories, the Supporting Evidence Form must be issued to and completed by the individual entrant.

The email address used to complete the Supporting Evidence Form must belong to the individual who entered the competition and must be directly linked to that entrant.

Business owners, salon owners, managers, employers or third parties must not use their own email address to complete or submit Supporting Evidence on behalf of an employee or another individual entrant.

Where the organiser reasonably believes that Supporting Evidence has been completed by someone other than the named entrant, or submitted using an email address not belonging to the entrant without prior approval, the submission may be rejected, the entry may remain at Finalist level, or the entrant may be disqualified from the competition.

Example:

  • Salon of the Year – the salon owner or authorised business representative may complete the Supporting Evidence Form.
  • Hairdresser of the Year – the Supporting Evidence Form must be completed by the nominated hairdresser using their own email address.
  • Beauty Therapist of the Year – the Supporting Evidence Form must be completed by the nominated beauty therapist using their own email address.

Failure to comply with these requirements may be treated as a breach of these Terms & Conditions and may result in the entry being withdrawn or disqualified without refund.

6. Winners & Awards

  • There is one official awards ceremony held per year.

  • All winners are announced during this ceremony and via official platforms.

Award recipients receive:

  • A digital Winner Certificate

  • A digital Winner Badge

Trophies and additional marketing materials may be purchased separately.
All personalised items are non-refundable.

7. Refund Policy

No refunds are given for:

  • Participant fees

  • Category entries or bundle entries

  • Optional upgrades or add-ons

  • Failure to submit supporting evidence

  • Disqualification or non-award outcomes

8. Conduct & Behaviour

Disrespectful, abusive, or harassing behaviour towards staff, panel members, or other entrants will result in immediate disqualification and a permanent ban.

Judging outcomes are final and not subject to appeal.

9. Entrant Responsibilities

  • Entrants are responsible for submitting all required materials by stated deadlines.

  • The Organiser is not liable for lost, delayed, corrupted, or incomplete submissions.

10. Data Protection

All personal data is handled in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

11. Intellectual Property

All branding, certificates, logos, and promotional materials remain the intellectual property of the Organiser.

12. Marketing & Imagery

By entering the Competition, entrants grant permission for the Organiser to use business names, images, and submitted materials for marketing and promotional purposes.

13. Complaints Procedure

All complaints must be submitted in writing to:
bbaawards@luxecreativemedia.co.uk

Response times:

  • General and administrative enquiries: 5–15 working days

  • Result-related enquiries: 5–20 working days

  • Delivery or courier issues: up to 45 working days

Judging decisions cannot be overturned.

14. Payment Plans

Payment plans are not available.

15. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.