Bond Builder of the Year

Open to independent professional brands offering bond-building or repair-focused products actively used within salon environments. Products entered must demonstrate professional relevance, visible results and suitability for professional repair or strengthening services during the eligibility period.

Winning this award positions your brand among the repair systems professionals trust most within the salon environment, reinforcing credibility, performance and professional confidence. It provides a powerful platform to strengthen visibility, support growth and highlight the role your products play in helping professionals deliver healthier, stronger hair with results clients can genuinely see and feel. Winners will also be invited to join the judging panel for The Indies - Salon & Stylist Awards UK.

• A written submission outlining the product range, professional positioning and approach to repair or strengthening

• Evidence of professional usage, salon adoption, stylist engagement or visible client results

• Supporting materials including before and after imagery, campaigns, education or product activity relevant to the eligibility period. Future direction and plans for continued growth, innovation or product development may also be included

• All activity must relate to the period 1 May 2025 – 30 April 2026.

How This Category Will Be Judged

Entries will first be reviewed based on the written submission, supporting evidence and overall professional relevance. Judges will consider visible results, innovation, professional trust, education and the brand’s ability to support healthier, stronger hair within the salon environment.

Shortlisted brands may then move into professional product testing and evaluation carried out by selected industry professionals. To keep the process fair and independent, written entries and practical testing may be reviewed by different judges. Product testing requirements and sample quantities will be discussed directly with shortlisted entrants depending on the products entered and the most suitable way to assess them professionally.

Product Submission Requirements

Shortlisted entrants may be required to submit selected products from their range for professional testing and evaluation. Requested product quantities, testing requirements and judging formats will be confirmed directly with shortlisted entrants once judging allocations have been finalised.

This category may be tested during one of our in-salon judging days with active stylists from our judging panel. Products may be assessed through professional salon use, visible results, practical testing and overall performance within real salon environments. Products submitted for judging will not be returned unless agreed otherwise in writing.

This category is not open to conglomerate-owned or publicly listed companies. Venture-backed brands are permitted, provided the brand operates independently within the professional market. Products without active professional salon relevance or suitability for professional repair services will not be considered.

To protect the integrity of the awards, all judges are required to declare any professional, commercial or personal relationships with entrants prior to scoring. Any judge with a declared conflict of interest will not be permitted to review, discuss or score the relevant entry or category.

Entry Recommendations

Strong entries should clearly demonstrate visible repair results, hair strengthening performance and the overall impact the products have within professional salon services. Judges are looking for products professionals genuinely trust to restore, protect and improve hair condition.

Before and after imagery, professional usage examples, education, testimonials and evidence of real salon performance are strongly encouraged.

Entry Deadline

Final entry deadline for this category is 6 September 2026.

Shortlisted entrants may be contacted directly regarding additional judging stages, product submission requirements or further supporting information where applicable.