Our judging panel has decided the finalists across all 35 categories, now it’s over to you to crown the winners.
It’s been a busy week for the judging panel in this year’s Viva Beauty Awards 2026, presented by Glow Lab.
Our six judges came from across the country and
Together, they had the difficult task of reviewing submissions by the brands, agencies and founders who continue to make waves in the local and global beauty industry – from the beloved beauty stalwarts worthy of the Hall Of Fame Award, to the category disruptors deserving of the Breakthrough Brand Of The Year Award.
Judges Rachel Soo Thow (former beauty executive and content creator), Stacey Fraser (cosmetic chemist and Design Practice Teaching Fellow at the University of Canterbury), Kelly Manu (award-winning hairstylist and founder of UNA), Tallulah McLean (freelance makeup artist and shade matching expert) and Varsha Reddy (beauty influencer and content creator) joined me to assess the entries and offer honest feedback.
Some submissions were so strong our ratings were tied, so in many of the categories below you’ll see more than five finalists.
Now it’s time to have your say. Voting is open until May 27.
Discover our finalists across all 35 categories below, and scroll to the bottom of the page to cast your all-important vote. It’ll only take you five minutes (promise).
Plus, everyone who votes is automatically entered in to win The Ultimate Beauty Weekend at SO/ Auckland, valued at $2000*.
One lucky winner will enjoy:
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Advertise with NZME.- A one-night stay for two at SO/ Auckland
- $250 food and beverage voucher to spend at Harbour Society
- 60-minute massage for two at SO/ Spa, including wellness facility day pass access to use the 25m lap pool, jacuzzi, sauna and fully equipped gym
- A Viva Beauty Awards Prize Pack valued at $800
Keep your eyes fixed on Viva.co.nz for updates, and be sure to pick up your copy of Viva inside the New Zealand Herald on June 10, where we’ll reveal the Beauty Awards 2026 winners.
Brand Founder Of The Year
The founder of a New Zealand beauty brand that has demonstrated leadership excellence in all areas to achieve success on a local and global scale.
- Ashleigh Scott, The Facialist
- Chloe Zara Munro, CZE Hair
- Emma Lewisham, Emma Lewisham
- Katey Mandy, RAESO
- Kristen Teo, The Spa Nomad NZ and Numa Skin & Body Club
- Lara Henderson, Pure Mama
- Lucy Vincent, Sans [Ceuticals]
- Tessa Stockdale, Nomu Matcha
New Zealand Beauty Brand Of The Year
The New Zealand brand that has disrupted the local beauty landscape over the past 12 months.
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Advertise with NZME.- Emma Lewisham
- Pure Mama
- RAESO
- Sans [Ceuticals]
- Tronque
Innovation Award
The beauty brand that has pioneered change in its respective field, whether through a sustainability initiative or by implementing new technologies.
- Elm Lab Skincare
- DermalogicaPRO ExoBooster
- Ghd Speed
- Pure Mama Complex Scar Serum
- Sans [Ceuticals] Perpetual range
Sustainability Award, presented by Ecoya
The beauty brand striving to reduce its environmental impact thanks to its ongoing focus and commitment to circularity and/or sustainability.
- Abel
- Aotea
- EcoStore
- Emma Lewisham
- Sans [Ceuticals] Perpetual range
- The Virtue Seakeeper EDP
Hall Of Fame Award
An award that recognises the longstanding contribution of a local beauty brand to the industry (minimum entry requirement: 10-plus years).
- Antipodes
- Ashley & Co.
- Caci
- Dermalogica
- East Day Spa
- Weleda
Breakthrough Brand Of The Year, presented by Pure Mama
The emerging beauty brand that has experienced growth and success in the past 12 months.
- Bonnie
- Bowie
- Elm Lab Skincare
- GULP
- The Whitening Co.
Makeup Artist Of The Year
The makeup artist who continues to demonstrate creativity and excellence in their field.
- Gabrielle Houghton
- Kasia Stanicich
- Kiekie Stanners
- Liz Hyun
- Sarika Patel
- Tallulah McLean
Hairstylist Of The Year, presented by Beautiful Environment (Davines NZ)
The hairstylist who continues to demonstrate creativity and excellence in their field.
- Abbey Schrafft, McInnes & Co.
- Danny Pato, D&M Hair Design
- Kelly Manu, UNA
- Michael Beel, Salute Hair Salon & Day Spa
- Michael Mendel, Ghd
- Sean Mahoney, Colleen
Beauty Therapist Of The Year
The beauty therapist who continues to demonstrate excellence in their field.
- Bianka Dalton, Skintopia
- Bex Hunt, Saint Beauty
- Isa Varga, Numa Skin & Body Club
- Nicky Watkins, My Beauty Room
- Samantha Hunkin, About Face
Spa or Clinic Of The Year
The day spa, skin therapist, body contouring, or grooming clinic that combines visible results with outstanding customer care.
- About Face
- East Day Spa
- My Beauty Room
- Saint Beauty
- Spring Spa
- Skintopia
- The Facialist
- The Spa Nomad NZ
Best Base Product
The makeup products that help you ace your base – foundation, concealer, pressed powder and more.
- Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Foundation SPF15
- Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation
- Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
- M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Matte Foundation + Oil Control
- Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation
Best Pop Of Colour
Awarding the bright and the beautiful – bold eyeshadows or eyeshadow palettes, punchy lip products and more.
- Bobbi Brown Crystal Eyes Shadow Stick
- Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturising Colour Balm
- M.A.CXIMAL Silky Matte Lipstick in the shade Lady Danger
- Tom Ford Runway Lip Colour in the shade Scarlet Rouge
- YSL Make Me Blush Bold Blurring Blush
Best In Glow
The glow-getting products – highlighters, complexion perfectors and more.
- Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
- M.A.C Skinfinish Lightstruck Liquid Highlighter
- MCo Beauty Super Glow Bronzing Drops
- Tom Ford Soleil Glow Highlighter
- Youngblood Pro Glow Creme Highlighter Stick
Best For Lips
The products to make you pucker up – lip balms, tints, stains, glosses, lipsticks and more.
- Aleph Beauty Aura Gloss
- Burt’s Bees Lip Balm in Vanilla Bean
- Clinique Almost Lipstick in the shade Black Honey
- Ed&I Lip Smudge
- Frankie Apothecary Kawakawa & Spearmint Lip Calm
- YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss
Best For Lashes Or Brows
The products that love lashes or are best for brows – mascaras and eyeliner, or brow gels, tints and waxes.
- Jane Iredale Lash Fixation Length & Definition Tubing Mascara
- Kevyn Aucoin The Volumizing Mascara
- MCo Beauty XtendLash Growth Serum Mascara
- Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
- RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner
Best For Cleansing
The skincare that helps deep clean your dermis – foams, oils, micellar waters, creams and more.
- Allies Of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser
- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
- Emma Lewisham Supernatural Creme Cleanser
- Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
- RAESO Golden Nectar Manuka Honey Enzyme Cleanser
Best For Hydration
The skincare that leaves skin hydrated and soothed – from nourishing serums or eye creams to cosseting moisturisers.
- GULP Super Skin
- Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
- Lancome Absolue Longevity The Soft Cream
- La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+
- Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream
Best For Overnight
The skincare that does its best work while you sleep.
- Emma Lewisham Supernatural Sleeping Mask
- IMAGE Skincare Ageless+ Retinol Overnight Masque 0.5%
- L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Collagen Night Cream
- Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight Treatment
- RAESO Yellow Moonbeam Retinal Elixir
Best For Mature Skin
Skincare tailored to suit the needs of mature skin types.
- Aesop Resolute Facial Concentrate
- Dermalogica Phyto Nature e2
- Elizabeth Arden Prevage Multi-Restorative Day Cream SPF30 PA++
- Emma Lewisham Supernatural Vitale Elixir
- L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Age Defying Serum Le Duo
Best For Acne
The cleansers, serums, treatments and more that support a clear complexion.
- CeraVe Salicylic Acid SA Smoothing Cleanser
- Dermalogica Breakout Biotic Moisturiser
- La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo +M Moisturiser
- Medik8 Niacinamide Peptide
- The Breakout Hack Spot Cleanser
Best SPF
The broad-spectrum SPFs that fend off harmful UV rays and keep skin protected.
- Avene Sunsitive Sunscreen Fluid SPF50+
- Glowguard by Melitta Skin SPF50+
- IMAGE Skincare Daily Prevention Pure Mineral Tinted Moisturizer SPF30
- La Roche Posay Anthelios UVMune400 Anti-Dark Spot Fluid SPF50+
- Sol Goods Everyday Mineral Sunscreen SPF50
Best Beauty Gadget
The beauty tools, masks and devices to elevate at-home beauty rituals.
- Bowie At Home Microneedling Kit
- Environ Electro-Sonic DF Mobile Skincare Device
- Tronque Body Gua Sha
- Sculpta by Deesse Pro
- Shark CryoGlow Cooling + LED Mask
Best For Your Scalp
The product designed with the unique needs of the scalp in mind.
- Briogeo Scalp Revival Rosemary Pre-Wash Oil
- Bouf Flouf Factor Growth Tonic
- CZE Refine Scalp Serum
- Dyson Amino Leave-In Scalp Bubble Treatment
- The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
Best Shampoo & Conditioner Duo
The haircare duo that cleanses and conditions hair to perfection.
- CZE Silk Wash & Silk Condition
- Davies OI Shampoo & Conditioner
- FINNE Volumising Duo
- Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo & Conditioner
- Sans [Ceuticals] Perpetual Hair Cleanser & Conditioner Rich+ Kit Duo
Best Hair Styling Product Or Hair Treatment
The hair styling or treatment product that is a must-have in any haircare routine.
- Davines Beautiful Things Hair Mask
- Ghd Volume Forever Volumizing Blow Dry Cream
- LolaVie Intensive Repair Treatment
- L’Oreal Elvive Growth Booster Serum
- Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-In Treatment
Best For Curls Or Coils
The product that is specifically designed to care for curly, kinky or coily hair (hair types 3 and 4).
- Davines More Inside Curl Gel Oil
- Garnier Fructis Curls Method Spray
- Ghd Curly Ever After Curl Hold Spray
- Redken Acidic Bonding Curls range
- The Body Shop Jamaican Black Castor Oil Curl Activator
Best Hair Tool To Try
The hot styling tool that has experienced widespread success or pioneered new technology in its field, and gets great results every time.
- Dyson Airwrap Coanda 2x Multi-Styler and Dryer
- Ghd Chronos Straightener
- Mermade Digital Hot Rollers
- Shark FlexStyle Build Your Own Air Styling & Hair Drying System
Best Body Wash or Scrub
The body wash or scrub that is sure to elevate any shower ritual.
- Ashley & Co. Washup All-Over Body Wash in Tui & Kahili
- EcoStore Vanilla Bean & Coconut Body Wash
- ECOYA Sandalwood & Amber Hand & Body Wash
- Embodyme Joy Hand & Body Wash
- Pure Fiji Coconut Sugar Scrub
Best Body Moisturiser
The body care product that nourishes from top to toe – think body creams, serums, oils and more.
- CeraVe Moisturising Lotion for Dry Skin
- Embodyme Peace Nurturing Body Oil
- Kiehl’s Ultra Body
- Pure Fiji Hydrating Body Lotion
- Tronque Firming Butter
Best For Hands & Nails
The products that care for hands and nails – think hand creams or cuticle oils.
- Ashley & Co. Soothe Tube Bonberry Hand Cream
- Elm Lab Skincare A2 Colostrum Hand Cream
- Mixa Urea Cica Repair+ Hand Balm
- The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector
Best Signature Scent
The personal fragrance that leaves everyone asking: “What perfume are you wearing?”
- Abel Miami Split EDP
- Aesop Above Us, Steorra EDP
- Jo Malone London Cypress & Grapevine Cologne Intense
- Maison Francis Kurkdjian Gentle Fluidity Gold EDP
- Prada Pardigme EDP
- Tom Ford Ombre Leather EDP
Best Home Fragrance Scent
The home fragrance that uplifts and inspires – candles, diffusers, oil burners, plug-ins and more.
- Abel Room Spray Scene 01
- Diptyque Baies Candle
- Ecoya Guava & Lcyhee Sorbet Madison Candle
- Flamingo Estate Roma Heirloom Tomato Candle
- RAAD Pepper & Silk Candle
Best Supermarket Buy
Awarding the accessible beauty brand that demonstrates excellence in its field but without the designer price tag.
- Ecostore Vanilla Bean & Coconut Hand Wash Pump
- Essano Certified Organic Rosehip Oil
- Glow Lab Coconut and Sandalwood Body Wash
- Nomu Matcha
Best For Travel
The portable beauty product that is perfect for toting in your carry-on.
- Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Over Makeup UV Mist
- Ghd Flight + Travel Hairdryer
- Lifestream Probiotics 14 strains (30 caps)
- No Bad Days Himalayan Pink Salt Facial Spray
- RevitaLash Cosmetics Trial Kit
Best In Wellbeing
The ingestible beauty product, supplement or tincture that has experienced widespread success.
- BYRE After Dark Coco
- Daeli Hydration
- Jeuneora Hormone Hero
- Nomu Matcha
- Noody Bedtime Bestie
- Two Islands Electrolyte4
CREDITS
Photography | Babiche Martens
Beauty editor | Ashleigh Cometti
Styling | Troi Atkins
Styling assistant | Chloe Hulme
Hair and makeup | Leisa Welch
Makeup assistant | Nicole Willemse
Models | Crystal Lim from 62 Management; Omari Vigille and Sydney Johnson from Unique Model Management.
Each model’s skin was prepped for our shoot using a combination of products from Glow Lab, including the new Vitamin C skincare range.
*Competition terms and conditions apply.
