5 Questions with NAHA-Nominee Aisling Campbell

The North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) honor the professional salon industry’s top talent each year during the Cosmoprof North America show at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. In anticipation of this year’s event, we talk to the nominees who share their inspiration, excitement, and advice. 

The Student Hairstylist of the Year award recognizes visionary students for their creativity, determination and hard work. The work demonstrates the harmony between the photographer’s execution and the stylist’s creativity and world-class hairdressing. Aisling Campbell of the Aveda Institute Tucson shares her thoughts on her first-ever nomination. 

What was the inspiration for your collection?

I was inspired by the strong women of the world, women whose beauty is enhanced by their culture, history, experience, environment and faith.

How were the looks created?
As an Aveda student, I used all Aveda color and styling products! The support and mentoring team was invaluable to teaching and showing me how to best create the vision. The team was amazing! Thanks to Danell Hildman, Ely Sanudo, Sam Downes, Brad Van Dyke, Heggy Gonzalez and Anne Skubis.

What inspired you to enter NAHA?
I work part-time at a women and children’s shelter and I see women every day working hard on their sobriety, education, parenting skills and getting their lives back. I wanted to honor that strength and commitment by doing something I would have called impossible two years ago. Nothing is impossible, nothing is permanent and we can always grow and become who we really want to be. The women I see each day living that reality inspired me. With them and my amazing educators at Aveda Institute Tucson giving me encouragement and support, many times in ways they were unaware of, I felt confident to create and work on this collection.

What was your reaction when you heard you were a nominee?
I was shaking and crying! I feel so blessed and encouraged!

What advice do you have for others who are thinking of entering NAHA?
Go for it! I learned so much from the experience and it totally changed the education experience for me. I gained so much confidence after working on the collection. The collection itself was rewarding enough, being nominated is the unbelievable and wonderful cherry on top!