New Name. New Categories

Introducing the Global Hair & Makeup Awards

Global Hair & Makeup Awards 2026: New Name, New Categories, Entries Now Open

The Global Makeup Awards has a new name. For 2026, we’re introducing new categories across hair, alongside makeup, skincare, body, fragrance, electrical devices and supplements.

From Best Shampoo and Best Hair Treatment to Best Hair Styling Device and Best Hair Brand, there are even more ways to enter for 2026. And of course, our much-loved makeup and skincare categories are back too.

Entries are open until 23 October 2026, and you can send samples to either our UK or EU address.

Now in our eighth year, we welcome independent brands and established beauty names from around the world. The new Global Hair & Makeup Awards name reflects the breadth of products taking part, with a more extensive hair offering joining our existing beauty awards.

A bigger year for hair

The new hair categories cover the full routine, from shampoo and conditioner to scalp treatments, colour care and finishing products.

Alongside Best Hair Mask and Best Hair Oil or Serum, the 2026 line-up includes Best Scalp Care Product, Best Curl Care Product, Best Product for Damaged Hair and Best Anti-Frizz Product. There are separate categories for hair colour itself and the products used to care for coloured hair.

Styling has its own dedicated awards, with Best Hair Styling Product covering formulas such as mousses, gels, creams and finishing sprays. Hairdryers, straighteners and other electrical styling tools feature separately, including multi-stylers, heated brushes, curling tools and wavers.

Best Hairbrush and Best Hair Accessory complete the product categories, while Best Hair Brand gives entrants the opportunity to submit a selection from across their collection.

Skincare remains a major part of the awards

Our skincare categories return for 2026, covering cleansers, moisturisers, masks, facial oils, eye care and SPF, alongside more targeted treatments.

Serums have dedicated categories for hydration, brightening, anti-ageing and calming or barrier support. Best Anti-Ageing Skincare Product also covers other formats, including creams, masks and oils.

Best Product for Sensitive Skin and Best Luxury Skincare Product feature alongside the overall Best Skincare Product award. For skincare brands entering this year, the choice extends from a daily cleansing essential to a specialist treatment.

Makeup favourites are back

The name may have changed, but makeup remains central to the awards.

Foundation, mascara, eyeshadow and lipstick all return, together with categories for base, cheek, brow and setting products. Lip oils and lip care have their own awards, as do false lashes, makeup brushes and beauty tools.

Best Overall Makeup Product is also back, alongside Best New Makeup Product. Both the new makeup and new hair product categories welcome launches from 1 January 2023 onwards.

There are also awards for brands as a whole, including Best Indie Beauty Brand, Best Hair Brand and Best Woman-Owned Beauty Brand. These take three products from your collection into consideration, and you can use products already submitted to individual categories.orking

Brand Award entrants submit three different products from their range. These can include products already entered into individual categories, with no duplicate samples required.

Entries close on 23 October

The Global Hair & Makeup Awards 2026 are now open for entries. Brands can send samples to either our UK or EU address, with winners announced on 1 December 2026.

Explore the full list of hair, skincare, makeup and beauty award categories, or enter the Global Hair & Makeup Awards 2026.