This past weekend was nothing short of electric at Cutting Loose University! Our talented protégés stepped up in a major way as they prepared to enter the prestigious Intercoiffure Nouveau contest, open exclusively to stylists with five years of experience or less.

The 2025 theme? Rock & Roll. And they delivered.

On Sunday, the salon buzzed with energy as our up-and-coming stylists worked on their model transformations—executing bold hair color, precision cuts, and edgy shapes. Then on Monday, it was time for final styling, makeup, and photography with the incredibly talented Paige Recupero, who captured each look’s rebellious spirit and unique vision.

This competition is more than just a creative outlet—it’s a national platform. The top 10 finalists will be invited to New York City this September, where they’ll showcase their work in front of some of the most influential leaders in our industry.

We couldn’t be prouder of the creativity, teamwork, and hustle our protégés showed this weekend. These behind-the-scenes shots give just a glimpse of the magic in progress—stay tuned for the final looks and updates if we land a top spot!

We are grateful to be a part of Intercoiffure and to continue investing in the future of this industry through education, mentorship, and opportunity.