Those in search of inspiration for a new hairdo would do well to drop by the National Museum next Wednesday.

On show will be photographs of the hair-raising works by 41 hairstylists vying for top honours at the biannual Schwarzkopf Singapore Hairdressing Awards (SHA).

The winners will be announced later that night at a closed-door awards ceremony there.

Held for the fifth time in Singapore, this is one of many hairdressing contests organised by hairstyling products brand Schwarzkopf Professional since 1985.

First held in London that year, SHA aims to recognise hairdressing talents around the world and has staged contests in Britain, France, Australia and Hong Kong.

The winners in Singapore will go on to compete in the Asian Hairdressing Awards in Manila in November.

There they will battle other award-winning hairstylists from countries like China, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Past winners from Singapore include Eddie Tan, a hairstylist at X'pect Studio who has worked with MTV VJs May and Choy.

This year's 41 finalists were shortlisted from 180 entries. They will vie in six categories - Avant Garde, Commercial, Men, Newcomer Of The Year, Team Of The Year and Hairdresser Of The Year.

Each winner will receive a trophy and a travel voucher worth $750. Vincent Lee, creative director of Hair Inn Salon, has reaped rewards since winning the Commercial category in 2005.

"It's given me more confidence and the publicity hasn't hurt. More people come by because they've seen me in magazines," he says.

The Schwarzkopf Singapore Hairdressing Awards Art Exhibition will be open to the public at The Salon, Level 1, National Museum next Wednesday from 3 to 5pm.

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