Smoothing System of the Year

Open to independent professional brands offering smoothing or straightening systems actively used within salon environments. Systems entered must demonstrate professional relevance, visible results and suitability for professional salon services during the eligibility period.

Winning this award positions your system among the treatments professionals trust to deliver visible, lasting transformation 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 treatments play in helping salons deliver smoother, healthier and more manageable hair for clients. Winners will also be invited to join the judging panel for The Indies - Salon & Stylist Awards UK.

• A written submission outlining the system, professional positioning and approach to smoothing or hair transformation services

• 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 within the salon industry. Judges will consider visible results, innovation, hair condition, ease of management, professional trust and the way the system supports smoother, healthier and more manageable hair within salon services.

Shortlisted brands may then move into professional product testing and evaluation carried out by selected industry professionals. Judges may assess smoothing performance, hair feel, longevity of results, ease of application and the overall client experience within real salon environments.

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 system entered and the most suitable way to assess it professionally.

Product Submission Requirements

Shortlisted entrants may be required to submit selected products from their smoothing system 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, hair condition and overall treatment performance 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. Systems without active professional salon relevance or suitability for smoothing 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 smoothing results, hair condition improvements and the overall performance of the system within real salon environments. Judges are looking for systems professionals genuinely trust to create smoother, stronger and more manageable hair while maintaining hair health and long-lasting results.

Before and after imagery, treatment journeys, salon usage examples, educational content, testimonials and evidence 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.