Scalp & Wellness Brand of the Year

Open to independent professional brands specialising in scalp health, wellness or treatment-focused products actively used within salon environments. Products entered must demonstrate professional relevance, education and suitability for professional scalp or wellness services during the eligibility period.

Winning this award positions your brand among the businesses helping shape the future of scalp health and wellness within the professional hair industry, reinforcing credibility, trust and professional expertise. It provides a powerful platform to strengthen visibility, support growth and highlight the value of products and treatments designed to deliver long-term results for both professionals and clients. Winners will also be invited to join the judging panel for The Indies - Salon & Stylist Awards UK.

• A written submission outlining the brand’s positioning, professional relevance and approach to scalp health or wellness.

• Evidence of professional usage, salon adoption, education or client engagement.

• Supporting materials including campaigns, education, treatments 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 within the scalp health and wellness space. Judges will consider innovation, education, professional trust, visible results and the way the brand supports healthier hair and scalp services within the salon environment.

Shortlisted brands may then move into professional product testing and evaluation carried out by selected industry professionals. Judges may assess scalp and hair feel, ease of use, treatment experience, client results and the overall performance of the products within real salon services.

To keep the process fair and independent, written entries and practical testing stages may be reviewed by different judges. Product testing requirements and judging formats will be discussed directly with shortlisted entrants depending on the range entered and the most suitable way to assess the products 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 professionals from our judging panel. Products may be assessed through professional salon use, treatment performance and overall client experience within real working 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 scalp or wellness 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 how the brand supports healthier hair and scalp services within the professional salon environment. Judges are looking for brands combining innovation, education and professional performance while helping salons deliver real scalp and wellness-focused results for clients.

Supporting imagery, treatment journeys, before and after results, educational content, testimonials and examples of professional industry support 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.