American crew's face off 2013 global final

Six gifted men's hairdressers from six nations competed in the first ever American Crew Face Off Global Final in the glamorous city of Los Angeles. 

The lucky half dozen had each won a national photographic competition in their own country and now faced the challenge of creating an image from scratch at the famous Milk Studios in LA. 

American Crew provided each finalist with a professional male model from LA Models, a team of stylists and a top photographic team to help them create their image - although it was down to each stylists to take charge of their shoot.

Representing the UK, Miguel Gutierrez did his country proud with a perfectly executed cut on model Eric. "I went for something slightly different, something edgier but still masculine," said Miguel. Of the Milk Studios, Miguel said: "I was told I would be blown away by them, and I was."

Miguel was joined at Milk Studios by finalists from Canada, New Zealand, USA, Spain and Australia, each of whom created looks for their models which they felt represented the American Crew ethos while reflecting some of their own vision.

Each finalist was given a strict time limit in which to create their look, oversee the photoshoot and then pick an image to represent them in the global final.

The awards evening saw a host of special guests join finalists and their models and a panel of judges, including American Crew creative director, Craig Hanson at the Sunset Tower Hotel, West Hollywood.  

Poolside cocktails were followed by a three course meal, after which finalists were asked to present their model to the audience and talk through the look they had created.

"It's good to see how stylists interpret American Crew," said Craig. "Face Off helps elevate the winning stylists' careers, offering exposure to world-wide press. For American Crew, Face Off is a way of connecting with the stylist to inspire them to push themselves to be the best at doing men's hair."

Before the ultimate winner was announced, judge Sandra Nygaard, senior fashion and grooming editor for Men's Health,  USA, announced the winner of the Men's Health special award, which went to Australia's Dean Tsopanis.

And finally it was time to learn who was taking home the title of Face Off Global Winner. The honour went to Spain's Jose Sheridan.

The Six Face Off Global Finalists were: