Bronner Bros., in partnership with Vivace by KISS and Vivatress, is proud to present the 2026 Fantasy Braid Competition, themed Nature's Wonders. Before submitting a registration, every student should confirm eligibility, review required materials, and understand each phase of competition described below.
Before You Register — Student Checklist
- Is at least 18 years old
- Is currently enrolled in an eligible cosmetology, barbering, beauty, natural hair, or braiding program
- Can provide proof of current enrollment
- Has accurate student, school, and instructor contact information
- Can provide a complete shipping address for competition products
- Can provide a mannequin and secure mannequin stand
- Can complete registration and submit all required materials by Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Can travel to Atlanta on October 10, 2026, if selected as a Top 20 Semifinalist
- Can provide an eligible live model if selected
- Understands travel, lodging, meals, transportation, model expenses, and personal supplies are the student's responsibility unless otherwise confirmed in writing
- Has reviewed the complete Official Competition Rules below
Required Registration Materials
- Completed official registration form
- Proof of current school enrollment
- Student contact information
- School and instructor information
- Accurate product-shipping address
- Signed student participation agreement
- Signed media and likeness release
- Agreement to follow all competition, sponsor, and venue requirements
- Five required photographs
- One required video
There is no fee to register or enter the competition. A student is not officially entered until all materials are received through the official registration system by Saturday, September 5, 2026. Late or incomplete registrations may not be accepted.
Competition at a Glance
Online Qualifying Round
- Receive or access required sponsor products
- Create an original fantasy braid design on a mannequin
- Submit five photographs and one 60–90 second video
- Submission evaluated by the technical judging panel
- Eligible for online voting (People's Choice Award)
The Top 20 Semifinalists are selected entirely through technical judging. Online voting determines only the People's Choice Award and does not affect advancement.
Live Semifinal Round
- Travel to Atlanta with your original mannequin
- Bring one live model, required products, tools & supplies
- Complete the unfinished portion of the live-model hairstyle in a 30-minute timed round
Ten students advance to the Championship Round.
Championship Round
- 20-minute live transformation of your model's look
- Must remain connected to the Nature's Wonders theme
Three official winners are selected.
Eligibility
To participate, a student must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be currently enrolled in an accredited or approved cosmetology school, barber school, beauty school, natural hair program, or braiding certification program
- Provide proof of current enrollment
- Complete registration and submit all required materials by Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Agree to follow all Official Competition Rules
Acceptable Proof of Enrollment
- Current student identification card
- Current class schedule
- Enrollment verification letter
- Other documentation approved by Bronner Bros.
Student, Instructor & School Responsibilities
Student Responsibilities
Each student is responsible for:
- Completing registration accurately and meeting all deadlines
- Reviewing competition communications
- Providing accurate contact and shipping information
- Creating all competition work independently
- Providing a mannequin and mannequin stand
- Providing a live model if selected
- Bringing all required tools and supplies to Atlanta
- Arranging travel and lodging, and paying personal participation expenses
Instructor & School Support — Permitted
- Help students understand the rules and assist with registration questions
- Help students plan their preparation timeline
- Provide general education and technique instruction
- Confirm student enrollment and support travel planning
Instructor & School Support — Not Permitted
- Create any portion of the submitted hairstyle
- Braid, construct, style, or complete the student's entry
- Appear in the submission as the person creating the work
- Assist during any timed live competition round
Competition Theme — Nature's Wonders
Beauty. Power. Imagination.
Nature's Wonders challenges students to transform the beauty, movement, color, texture, and power of the natural world into an original fantasy braid design.
Inspiration May Include
- Butterflies, birds, flowers
- Oceans, rainforests, coral reefs
- Animals, seasons, weather
- Other natural elements
The finished look must clearly interpret the theme while demonstrating originality, technical braiding skill, and a cohesive visual presentation. Accessories, makeup, and wardrobe may enhance the concept, but braiding must remain the primary focus. Inspiration images are provided as creative references only and may not be copied.
Competition Kit & Required Products
Registered students will receive or have access to designated sponsor products. The competition kit is expected to include:
- Three packs of VIVATRESS Braiding Hair — Color 1B
- Two packs of VIVATRESS Braiding Hair — Purple
- Two packs of VIVATRESS Braiding Hair — Color 144
- Two packs of VIVATRESS Braiding Hair — Forest
- One 6 oz. VIVATRESS Holding Gel
- One 8.7 oz. VIVATRESS Foam Mousse
- One Vivace by KISS apron
- One RED by KISS parting comb
- Bronner Bros. Pump It Up! Spritz, if included in the final approved kit
Bronner Bros. and KISS may substitute comparable products, colors, sizes, or quantities based on availability.
Required Product Use
- Use required sponsor products while creating and finishing the design
- Show required sponsor products being used in the behind-the-scenes video
- Bring required sponsor products to the live competition if selected
Phase One Design Requirements
Mannequin Requirement
Students must provide one mannequin with sufficient braidable human or synthetic hair, and one secure mannequin stand. Bald display heads or mannequins without sufficient braidable hair are not permitted. Wigs or hairpieces may be used if securely attached and compliant with all competition requirements.
Braiding Requirement
At least 75% of the visible finished hairstyle must consist of braided techniques. Braiding must be the dominant feature of the design. Judges must be able to clearly evaluate braid construction, parting precision, technique, tension, neatness, finish, and degree of difficulty.
Accessories, flowers, fabric, crystals, structures, appliqués, hairpieces, and other decorative elements may enhance the concept but may not conceal, replace, or overpower the braiding.
Originality
All competition work must be created by the registered student. Students may not submit another artist's work, purchase a completed competition design, copy another artist's completed hairstyle, misrepresent who created the work, submit stock photographs as proof, submit AI-generated hairstyle images as proof, or digitally alter photographs to change or misrepresent the hairstyle.
Permitted & Prohibited Materials
Permitted
- Artificial flowers and botanical elements, beads, rhinestones and crystals, feathers, appliqués
- Lightweight fabric or foam, covered wire or armature supports
- Secure battery-operated lights, painted or colored extension hair
- Other lightweight materials approved by Bronner Bros.
All materials must be securely attached and safe.
Prohibited
- Open flames, smoke or pyrotechnics, fireworks or explosives
- Toxic or hazardous chemicals, exposed sharp wire, broken or exposed glass
- Live animals or insects
- Loose glitter or slipping hazards; water, soil, sand, or loose spillable materials
- Heavy or unstable structures, unsecured electrical components, wall-powered cords attached to a model
- Any item prohibited by the venue or competition officials
Online Submission Requirements
All registration and submission materials must be received through the official registration system by Saturday, September 5, 2026.
Required Photographs (5)
- Front view · Back view · Left-side view · Right-side view · Close-up braid-detail view
- One optional photograph may show the complete fantasy presentation
Photographs must be clear and well-lit, unfiltered, taken against a white or light-neutral background, and free from digital alterations that change or misrepresent the work.
Required Video (60–90 seconds)
- Student introduction, name, and school
- Brief explanation of the Nature's Wonders inspiration
- Behind-the-scenes footage showing the student creating the design
- Student's face and hands visible during part of the process
- Required sponsor products being used
- Front, back, left, and right views; close-up braid detail views
- Final completed mannequin presentation
Phase One Technical Judging
Technical judging takes place September 6–8, 2026. The Top 20 Semifinalists will be selected by the official technical judging panel.
Judging Criteria
- Braiding technique, parting precision, tension consistency, neatness, professional finish
- Creativity, originality, degree of difficulty, theme interpretation
- Balance and proportion, structure and security
- Overall visual impact, required sponsor-product usage
Online People's Choice Award
Online voting takes place September 9–27, 2026 through the official voting platform. The eligible student receiving the highest number of verified public votes receives the Online People's Choice Award.
Online voting does not affect technical judging scores, selection of the Top 20 or Top 10, or First/Second/Third Place results.
Top 20 Live Semifinal Requirements
Each Top 20 Semifinalist must bring their original submitted mannequin, mannequin stand, one eligible live model, required sponsor products, styling tools and supplies, additional extension hair, makeup, wardrobe, accessories, and approved decorative materials.
Live Model Requirements
The live model must be at least 18 years old, sign all required releases and waivers, be able to stand, walk, turn, and present safely, arrive during the assigned check-in period, follow all competition instructions, and refrain from assisting the student during the competition.
Hairstyle Completion
The live model may arrive with approximately two-thirds of the hairstyle completed. At least one-third of the visible hairstyle must remain unfinished and must be completed during the timed Semifinal Round.
Live Semifinal Round
The Top 20 Semifinalists compete live on October 10, 2026, with 30 minutes to complete the unfinished portion of the live-model hairstyle. Only the registered student may perform work — models, instructors, classmates, school representatives, family, friends, and assistants may not braid, style, pin, secure, construct, hold tools, pass products, or otherwise assist.
All work must stop immediately when time is called; continuing after time is called may result in deductions.
Live Semifinal Judging
70% Technical Judges · 30% Celebrity Industry Judges. The ten highest-scoring students advance to the Championship Round.
Championship Round
The Top 10 Finalists receive 20 minutes to transform and elevate the live-model presentation. The transformation must remain connected to the Nature's Wonders theme, with at least two clearly visible changes (braid configuration, shape, height, silhouette, color placement, structure, styling direction, accessories, or overall presentation). Adding only one accessory or a minor adjustment does not qualify as a complete transformation. Braiding must remain the primary focus.
Championship Judging (70% Technical / 30% Celebrity Industry)
Technical: braiding technique, parting precision, tension consistency, neatness and finish, degree of difficulty, structure and security, creativity, originality, theme interpretation, balance and proportion.
Celebrity Industry: overall artistic impact, storytelling, visual transformation, stage presentation, wardrobe and makeup integration, creativity, overall wow factor.
Awards
Grand Prize
$3,000 cash prize · Trophy · Additional products and recognition as announced · Recognition during the Beauty Icon Awards on the evening of October 10, 2026
Second Place
$1,500 cash prize · Trophy · Additional products and recognition as announced
Third Place
$500 cash prize · Trophy · Additional products and recognition as announced
Special Recognition
- Vivace Spotlight Awards — Vivace by KISS may select two students from the Top 20 for recognition based on creativity, innovation, product use, artistic potential, or brand alignment. Does not affect Top 10 advancement or official rankings.
- Online People's Choice Award — presented to the eligible student with the highest number of verified online votes during the September 9–27, 2026 voting period.
- Live Audience Choice Award — presented based on verified on-site audience voting during the Student Summit.
Safety & Presentation Standards
Students must maintain a clean, organized, and safe workstation. All tools, structures, accessories, costumes, and electrical components must be secure. Designs may not obstruct the model's vision, restrict movement, create a tripping hazard, contain exposed sharp items, place excessive weight on the model, or create a risk of injury.
Hot tools must be placed on heat-resistant mats. Unsafe, contaminated, or improperly maintained tools are prohibited.
Professional Conduct
Students must treat judges, staff, sponsors, instructors, models, competitors, volunteers, and venue personnel respectfully. Bullying, harassment, threats, intimidation, discrimination, unsportsmanlike conduct, intentional interference, touching another student's materials, damaging another competitor's work, photographing another student's work without permission, and refusing to follow official instructions are all prohibited.
Check-In & Attendance
Students and models must arrive during the assigned check-in period. Late arrival may result in deductions or disqualification. Competition time will not be extended because of traffic, parking, security screening, travel delays, missing supplies, model delays, or personal emergencies.
Media Permission
By entering, students and models authorize Bronner Bros., KISS Colors & Care, Vivace by KISS, RED by KISS, event sponsors, media partners, and authorized producers to photograph, record, livestream, interview, publish, edit, distribute, and promote their name, image, likeness, voice, school affiliation, competition design, submitted materials, and event participation.
Materials may be used for promotional, educational, editorial, advertising, archival, and marketing purposes without additional compensation.
Deductions & Disqualification
Deductions or disqualification may result from, among other things: late arrival, incomplete registration, false enrollment documentation, submission fraud, plagiarism, vote manipulation, misrepresentation of authorship, outside assistance, failure to use required sponsor products, excessive live-model pre-completion, continuing after time is called, unsafe tools or materials, unsportsmanlike conduct, failure to follow staff instructions, use of prohibited materials, violation of venue policies, or conduct that threatens fairness, safety, or competition integrity.
Final Authority
Judges' scores, rankings, deductions, and advancement decisions are final. Judges will not discuss or revise individual scores.
Ready to Register?
By continuing, you confirm that you have read and understood the complete Official Competition Rules above, and that you meet every eligibility requirement listed in Section 1.
Register for the Fantasy Braid Competition