Are you a makeup artist, hairstylist or beauty therapist making waves in the New Zealand beauty industry? Do you own a skincare or haircare brand? If so, don’t forget that the nominations deadline for the Viva Beauty Awards is fast approaching—this Friday!

After the successful debut of the Viva Beauty Awards last year, the awards are back with nominations currently open until May 2. This year promises to be “bigger, better, and more beautiful than ever,” showcasing 30 diverse categories that celebrate the innovation and commitment of both local and international beauty businesses.

The second edition of the awards introduces five new categories aimed at highlighting New Zealand brands dedicated to sustainability. Notably, they’ve added a scalp care category, split body care into two distinct categories for Best Body Wash and Best Body Moisturiser, and included a Best For Your Handbag category.

Who can enter?

Viva encourages beauty professionals and industry experts to submit nominations for products they believe are worthy of recognition. This encompasses both established favourites and new launches, with eligibility for products available on shelves by April 16, 2025. Any products set to release after April 17 can be nominated for next year’s awards.

The judges

Once submissions are collected, a discerning panel of expert judges will assess the entries to ensure a fair and thorough evaluation process. This year’s esteemed judging panel includes:

• Ashleigh Cometti, beauty editor at Viva
• Sarika Patel, freelance makeup artist
• Lucy Slight, freelance beauty and lifestyle journalist
• Danny Pato, award-winning hairstylist and co-founder of D&M Hair Design
• Stacey Fraser, Cosmetic chemist and Design Practice Teaching Fellow for the School of Product Design at University of Canterbury
• Jane Joo, Beauty influencer and content creator

How to enter

To enter, complete the entry form and provide a compelling 200-word description explaining why the nominated product or individual stands out. This insight will aid judges in making informed decisions during the shortlisting process.

Award categories

Nominations cover a diverse range of categories, those of note include:

• Brand Founder Of The Year
• New Zealand Beauty Brand Of The Year
• Innovation Award
• Sustainability Award
• Breakthrough Brand Of The Year
• Makeup Artist Of The Year
• Hairstylist Of The Year
• Beauty Therapist Of The Year

For brands, categories range from Best for Hydration and Best in Glow to Best Hair Tool and Best Hair Styling Product or Hair Treatment .

Key dates

Nominations close: 2 May, 2025

Finalists announced: 14 May, 2025

If you’re part of New Zealand’s dynamic beauty sector, don’t miss your chance to gain the recognition for your hard work and innovation!

To learn more head to viva.co.nz

Images: Viva