Clinton Norris

Since its humble beginnings in 1989, NAHA finalists and industry elite have brought this iconic photographic beauty competition to new heights year after year. NAHA continues to recognize the beauty industry’s most talented artists and advance the careers of stylists around the world. Nothing makes us happier than meeting artists we REALLY want to root for… Good people who love the industry, value education and aren’t afraid to put in the hard work

Tell us your life story in 3 sentences

Obstruction of social norms fuels me. I became a musician, haircutter, and moved from Texas to California to prove that I could. Im a romantic rationalist.

Beyond hair, what other creative outlets do you have?

I love to surf. I’ve been blessed with the ability to live a half block from my favorite surf spot in southern California. Being in the water, not being in control and having to respond and adapt to anything the ocean gives you forces you to widen your comfort zone. Creativity is a huge part of style and tools that you use to connect to the wave.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to enter competitions?

Have fun! Having anxiety about making a shoot perfect ruins it. I don’t believe in the “Thriller Album” mentality, meaning that everything in your career depends on the outcome of this one project.

Have you ever been victim of a hair travesty?

I had a friend cut my hair one time and she was straight out of hair school. Scene hair was in at the time and I believe I wanted some sort of man fringe and shorter layers. I left looking like I had Lego snap on hair or ted from Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure.

Whats your biggest fear in life or your career?

My biggest fear to be honest is settling and drifting off into obscurity. I just want to create cool stuff with my friends. I want to always surround myself with people who are better than me. I want to create a community of hair dressers who love doing what they do as much as I do. If I stop wanting that or get lazy in my pursuits then my worst fears will come true.

Whats the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Its so hard to narrow it down to one thing. But if I had to it would be “Don’t cheat the craft”. Far too often we compromise little things along the way. Since I heard that Ive tried to always have the mentality that this is a craft. Not just smoke and mirrors disguising our lack of ability or knowledge. This is a craft. Honor the craft. Be a Keeper the craft.

I knew i was a Hair Nerd when..

I knew I was a Hair Nerd when I was in hair school. I saw DJ Mldoon do a demo and they way he spoke about hair and the way he controlled it made me want to pursue that kind of mastery and never let go. He made this craft come alive