AUSTRALIAN HAIR FASHION AWARDS 2026: LYNDAL SALMON HAS BEEN CROWNED AUSTRALIAN HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR AS INDUSTRY GATHERS IN FULL FORCE AT SYDNEY TOWN HALL
Sydney’s Town Hall came alive on Sunday night as the 2026 Australian Hair Fashion Awards returned in full scale, reaffirming its position as one of the most significant dates on the professional hairdressing calendar. With more than 800 industry guests in attendance, the sold-out gala marked a triumphant transition to a brand new home at Sydney Town Hall, and delivered a night that felt both celebratory and firmly forward-facing.
At the centre of it all, Lyndal Salmon of BIBA Academy was named Australian Hairdresser of the Year 2026, reclaiming the industry’s highest honour for a second time and anchoring a winners list that spanned established icons, rising talent and international heavyweights. Explore her winning collection, here.
The win capped a night that carried a strong sense of momentum. Australian, New Zealand and global categories were represented on equal footing, with Jaimee Smith of UKIYO Salon taking New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year, while globally, Cos Sakkas was named Icon of the Year and Errol Douglas MBE claimed Global Hairdresser of the Year. Both were present in the room to accept their awards, joined by an array of illustrious international guests, underscoring the event’s expanding reach beyond Australia’s borders.
Joint Presenting Partners Wella Professionals and ghd were positioned prominently throughout the evening, reinforcing the event’s creative backbone, while AHFA Principal Partner Seamless1 continued its alignment with education, craft and technical progression across the industry.
A subtle but notable shift for 2026 came in the form of newly introduced balcony seating at Sydney Town Hall, designed to broaden access and reshape the audience experience. The response reflected a wider appetite for inclusivity and evolution within the industry, without diluting the prestige of the main floor moment.
Creatively, the evening was anchored by two major runway presentations. The first, led by Wella Professionals and ghd, delivered a polished, brand-led vision of contemporary hair direction. The second marked a milestone moment for TONI&GUY Australia, celebrating 30 years locally with a retrospective-meets-future runway led by global figures Cos Sakkas and Efi Davies alongside the TONI&GUY Australia creative team.
Across all categories, the standard was unmistakably high. From editorial and avant-garde work to commercial colour, education, tools and salon performance, the awards reflected an industry operating at full creative and technical capacity. The Australian Hairdresser of the Year announcement ultimately served as the night’s defining moment, recognising not just imagery or collections, but sustained influence across clients, peers and the broader professional landscape.
Momentum continues today with Mane Land taking over the Hordern Pavilion on Monday, April 20, running from morning through to late evening. Positioned as a high-energy extension of the gala, the event brings together live education, stage presentations, DJs, bars and brand activations in a format designed to keep the industry moving well beyond awards night.
THE AUSTRALIAN HAIR FASHION AWARDS 2026 WINNERS
AHFA Australian Hairdresser of the Year 2026
Winner: Lyndal Salmon, BIBA Academy
Runner Up: Lauren McCowan
Presented by ghd
AHFA New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year 2026
Winner: Jaimee Smith, UKIYO Salon
Runner Up: Danny Pato, D&M Hair Design
Presented by Wella Australia
AHFA Icon of the Year 2026
Winner: Cos Sakkas
Presented by M DIVISION
AHFA Global Hairdresser of the Year 2026
Winner: Errol Douglas MBE
Runner Up: Danilo Giangreco, Danilo Hair Boutique
Presented by Davroe
AHFA Apprentice of the Year 2026
Winner: Jake Pafumi, Helmet Hair Co.
Runner Up: Jamie Kondilis
Presented by Aveda
AHFA Artistic Team of the Year 2026
Winner: Hairhouse Creative Team
Runner Up: Wella Professionals Next Gen Team
Presented by K18
AHFA Creative Colourist of the Year 2026
Winner: Jack Morton, TONI&GUY
Runner Up: Rachel Vitullo
Presented by ELEVEN AUSTRALIA
AHFA Hair Shot of the Year 2026
Winner: Marilyn Guarino, BIBA Academy
Runner Up: Zara Zust
Presented by Seamless1
AHFA Editorial Runway Stylist of the Year 2026
Winner: Richi Grisillo
Runner Up: Madison Voloshin, SEVER
Presented by Schwarzkopf Professional
AHFA Men’s Hairdresser of the Year 2026
Winner: Harrison Samson, A.H Salon
Runner Up: Sara Allsop
AHFA Newcomer of the Year 2026
Winner: Jelena Vasic, Joey Scandizzo Salon
Runner Up: Alyssia Pearson, TONI&GUY Broadbeach
Presented by Dyson
AHFA Commercial Colourist of the Year 2026
Winner: Grace Kelly, Grace Kelly Hair
Runner Up: Amanda Lunedei
Presented by O&M
AHFA People’s Choice 2026
Winner: Gregson Gastar
STATE CATEGORIES
NSW/ACT Hairdresser of the Year 2026
Winner: Nicole Kae, Nicole Kae
Runner Up: Cathy King, TONI&GUY Newtown
QLD Hairdresser of the Year 2026
Winner: Louise Graham, Fruition Hair
Runner Up: Bill Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair
SA/TAS Hairdresser of the Year 2026
Winner: Maria Cotroneo, Zink The Element of Hair
Runner Up: Lisa Robertson
VIC Hairdresser of the Year 2026
Winner: James Morris, Biba Gertrude St
Runner Up: Faye Redfern, Salon HER
Presented by Floractive
WA/NT Hairdresser of the Year 2026
Winner: Jaimme-Lee Hallgath, Salon Jaimmelee
Runner Up: Jessica Del Borrello, Circles of Hair
Presented by OZDARE
BUSINESS CATEGORIES
Digital Influencer of the Year 2026
Winner: Ashleigh Bailey, Ashleigh Bailey Consulting
Runner Up: Bel Mills
Presented by Natalie Anne Haircare
Educator of the Year 2026
Winner: Nicole Kae, Nicole Kae Education
Runner Up: Jack Morton, TONI&GUY
Presented by Rogue Beauty
Salon of the Year 2026
Winner: Fruition Hair
Runner Up: Scissor & Stone
PRODUCT AWARDS
Best New Colour Innovation: Hylo
Best New Hair Care Product: Alfaparf Semi Di Lino Reconstruction
Best New Hair Styling Product: Natalie Anne Slick and Smooth Balm
Best New Hair Tool: Cloud Nine The Contouring Wide Iron
Best New Packaging and Design: Dyson Chitosan Pre-Styling Cream and Post-Styling Serum Range
Best New Hair Essential: Hylo Next Generation Highlights
The AHFA 2026 cycle now carries directly into Mane Land, extending the energy of the gala into a full-day industry takeover that continues to blur the line between awards, education and live creative experience.