Inside the 2026 Hair BRA-Zaar: Where Beauty Chose Sides

On Thursday, June 18th, Summit Salon Academy in Tacoma turned our campus into a battleground of beauty for our annual Hair BRA-Zaar. This year’s theme, Heroes vs. Villains, had our students going head-to-head with jaw-dropping looks inspired by the characters we love to root for—and the ones we love to hate.

Doors opened at 5:30pm, the show started at 6:30pm, and once again, our community showed up in full force for a night of creativity, connection, and cause.

What Is the Hair BRA-Zaar?

The Hair BRA-Zaar is one of our most cherished traditions—a hair show built around a powerful symbol: a decorated bra, honoring the strength of those affected by breast cancer. Each year, our students and graduates transform that symbol into show-stopping looks, all in support of a meaningful cause.

It’s part runway show, part fundraiser, and entirely representative of who we are as an academy.

Heroes vs. Villains: This Year’s Theme

“Where Beauty Chooses Sides” set the tone for 2026, and our student teams delivered. Looks drew inspiration from iconic heroes and villains, giving each team the chance to interpret their character through hair, makeup, and styling—light versus dark, good versus evil, all built around that same symbol of resilience.

Every look told a story, but the mission underneath the drama stayed the same: raising funds for HairToStay and the Sydney Berry Fund, organizations that help people afford scalp cooling treatments to reduce hair loss during chemotherapy.

A Night Built by Community

Putting on a show like this takes more than talent—it takes teamwork. Cosmetology students worked side by side, mentored by educators, to plan looks, coordinate models, and pull off a live show from start to finish. For many students, it was their first time collaborating with classmates outside their own program.

Guests arrived to a silent auction filled with items donated by local businesses, industry partners, staff, students, and supporters, along with sweet treats before the runway show began.

We were honored to have Sydney Berry at the event, along with Darya Mead from HairToStay. Both shared inspiring messages about the mission of HairToStay and the impact the evening’s fundraising would have on helping fund cooling caps for those unable to afford them.

Real-World Experience, Real Impact

Beyond the glitz, the Hair BRA-Zaar gives students a chance to practice skills that go well beyond the chair—planning, time management, communication, and performing under pressure. It’s a hands-on lesson in how the craft of cosmetology can be used to give back.

Thank You for Supporting the Cause

Thanks to the generosity of our community, this year’s Hair BRA-Zaar raised $47,200 to benefit HairToStay and the Sydney Berry Fund—funds that go directly toward helping people preserve their sense of self during cancer treatment. Whether you attended, donated, bid in the auction, or cheered us on from afar, thank you for being part of it.

Looking Ahead

The Hair BRA-Zaar keeps growing every year, and it remains one of the clearest examples of what Summit Salon Academy Tacoma is all about: artists using their craft to make a difference. We’re already looking forward to next year’s show.

Want to stay involved? Check out our Events Page for upcoming opportunities to support our students and our community causes.