How to Prepare a Winning Entry for the Universal Beauty Awards 2026 - entries open tomorrow

If you’re thinking about entering the Universal Beauty Awards 2026, which open for submissions on October 16, 2025, it’s worth taking a little time to get your entry just right. With so many great brands and products competing—from skincare and makeup to haircare, beauty tools, and wellness—it pays to be prepared.

Over the years, well-known brands like Ole Henriksen, Rituals, and Mary Kay have taken home Gold by putting their best foot forward. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you get ready to submit your product and stand out to the judges.

1. Pick Your Best Product

Start by choosing the product you feel most confident about. It should be something you believe genuinely delivers on its promises. For example, Ole Henriksen’s Après Skin Multi-Use Rescue Crème Overnight Moisturiser + Mask won Gold in 2025 for Best Night Mask because it offered real results and filled a unique need.

Focus on what makes your product special, whether that’s an innovative ingredient, a clever formulation, or just something customers love.

2. Choose the Right Category

Getting your product into the right category is key. The Universal Beauty Awards cover everything from skincare and makeup to haircare, beauty gadgets, and wellness products.

To give you an idea, Rituals won Gold for Best Foaming Cleanser in 2025 with The Ritual of Namaste Velvety Smooth Cleansing Foam—a perfect fit for that category.

Take a good look at the categories and be honest about where your product belongs. It helps your entry be judged fairly and on its strengths.

3. Gather Your Product Details

Make sure you have everything you need to show off your product properly:

• Ingredients list

• What the product does and its benefits

• Any test results or feedback you can share

• Photos that show the product clearly, including packaging and in use

Mary Kay’s Nourishing Oil won for Best Facial Oil in 2025, partly because the judges could clearly see and understand what made it stand out.

4. Tell Your Story

A good story can make your product memorable. Think about what inspired it, how it improves daily routines, or what makes it different from everything else on the market.

Don’t just list facts. Share the passion behind your product.

5. Prepare Your Materials Carefully

If the category needs samples or extra materials, make sure these are ready and arrive on time. Professional photos and clear packaging go a long way.

6. Follow the Rules

Before you submit, double-check all the guidelines on www.globalmakeupawards.com. That includes formats, deadlines, and anything specific your category requires.

Remember, entries open on October 16, 2025.

7. Know What Judges Are Looking For

The judging panel is made up of industry experts who focus on:

• How well the product works

• Whether it brings something new or different to the table

• The packaging and presentation

• How well it connects with consumers

Keep these in mind while preparing your entry, and you’ll be on the right track.

Winning a Universal Beauty Award can really shine a spotlight on your brand. It’s a chance to get noticed by retailers, press, and consumers around the world. Brands like Ole Henriksen, Rituals, and Mary Kay didn’t just win because their products were good—they also took the time to prepare clear, honest, and well-presented entries.

So if you’re thinking about entering, start gathering your information now and make sure you’re ready when entries open in October 2025.