Because the Dunedin Town Hall was unavailable, as it is undergoing renovations, the awards were combined with the Southland region this year, for the first time.
The judging of the two regions was separate, but both competitions were held at the Invercargill Workingmen's Club.
Forty competitors from eight Otago salons joined 49 hairdressers from 18 Southland salons to compete on Sunday.
Southland Hairdressers Association president and competition co-ordinator Marie Bewley said it was great to have such an amazing group of people come together for the event.
"The technical ability and colouring techniques of some of the hairdressers was just amazing."
Categories included creative cutting ("out there and crazy" styles), urban cutting (the everyday look), and night hair ("beautiful" styles).
Zaibatsu Hair Art, of St Clair, celebrated notable success, six of its hairdressers winning 12 awards, including the Oceanic hairdressing master award and top apprentice for cutting.
The Oceanic hairdressing master award is presented to a hairdresser at each Regional Hair Design Awards and is judged on haircutter's skills and the conversion of a haircut into a couture catwalk look.
Anna King, of Zaibatsu Hair Art, won the award and has the opportunity to compete in Australia later in the year.
Koren Potter won the night style competition and Nicole Knox the top apprentice for cutting award.
Zaibatsu Hair Art owner Jaime Smith said she was proud of Miss Knox.
"She has only been in the industry for two years and has done so well."
Winning was no easy feat, either, Ms Smith said.
"Dunedin is regarded as one of the strongest competitions in the country."
The prize winners were.
• Oceanic hairdressing master award, Anna King, Zaibatsu Hair Art.
• Cutting: apprentice, Nicole Knox, Zaibatsu Hair Art; senior, Heidi McGill, Klone Hair.
• Styling: apprentice, Kimberley Cox, Moha Egli Amici; senior, Laura Simpson, Scott Base Hairdressing.
• Overall champion: apprentice, Kimberley Cox, Moha Egli Amici; senior, Laura Simpson, Scott Base Hairdressing.
- Rebecca Ryan
