Celebrating Exceptional Hairdressers at the STYLISTA 2026 Awards Ceremony

On January 27, 2026, TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET hosted the prestigious STYLISTA 2026 awards ceremony, recognizing outstanding hairdressers and stylists within the HEADLIGHT Group, a major player in Japan’s beauty industry with around 200 salons across the country. This contest aims to acknowledge hair professionals who excel in customer satisfaction and service, using a unique system of star ratings to evaluate their performance.

The STYLISTA awards, now in their fourth year, honor approximately 1,100 hairdressers from HEADLIGHT Group salons, assessing their skills and service quality. The event was created out of a desire to promote professional pride and confidence among hairdressers, fostering a community where they can truly thrive. This year, a total of 102 stylists were awarded, with 66 receiving one star, 30 awarded two stars, and six top stylists achieving an impressive three-star rating.

In addition to the STYLISTA ceremony, the HEADLIGHT AWARD ceremony took place, which recognized the top stylists of the previous year based on their overall rankings. Each category awarded nine outstanding individuals, celebrating their dedication and success within the industry.

This year's event was not just about awards; it also featured a networking party allowing stylists from various HEADLIGHT salons to connect and share experiences. One star and two-star recipients expressed their determination to strive for even higher achievements, with one stating,