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Star Gazing

The 9th Annual Stars Hair and Fashion Photo Makeover Competition, sponsored by Cosmetologists Chicago and America's Beauty Network, gives working stylists the opportunity to submit before and after photos of a model or client. More than 80 talented salon pros entered this year and trend-setting stylist and founder Aquage Luis Alvarez selected the winners. Alvarez also created all the fashion imagery produced for ABS 2009.

The winners joined Alvarez on the ABS Runway where motivational coach Geno Stampora introduced them to the audience.

"In today's culture, you have to communicate visually," Alvarez said. "Individuals have a short attention span and every salon and stylist must have an image of who they are as an artist."

Sandra Carr of Sheer Professionals in Wooster, Ohio, DJ Victory and Amanda Forrai of Enzo's Salon & Spa in North Royalton, Ohio, and Kim Ha Tran and Laurentius Purnama of Laurentius Salon in Philadelphia received a trophy and an $850 cash prize.

Visit americasbeautyshow.com to learn about the upcoming 2010 competition.