The Viva Beauty Awards are back for 2025, showcasing the best in beauty and wellness across New Zealand and around the world. This year’s awards are bigger and better than ever, with five additional categories added to the line-up to celebrate New Zealand brands and their commitment to sustainability. We’re excited to see which products, people, and practices will take out the top spot. The Viva Beauty Awards are presented by Glow Lab, a leading beauty brand that shares our passion for innovation and excellence in the beauty industry. Our expert judges, comprising leading professionals in beauty journalism, cosmetic chemistry, and hair artistry, will narrow down the entries to the top five finalists for each category. The winners will be determined by a public vote, ensuring that our valued readers are at the heart of the awards.
Categories and Nomination Process
We’re calling on industry experts to nominate the products they think deserve to be awarded in each of our 30 categories, spanning skin care, makeup, hair care, body care, fragrance, and wellbeing. To enter, fill out our online form and provide a 200-word explanation as to why you believe this product or person is a standout in their respective category. The categories include:
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- 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
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Makeup
Our Best Base Product category is looking for the perfect foundation, concealer, pressed powder, or more. We also have Best Pop Of Colour for bold eyeshadows, eyeshadow palettes, punchy lip products, and more. Our Best In Glow category is for glow-getting products, including highlighters, complexion perfectors, and more. We also have Best For Lips for lip balms, tints, stains, glosses, lipsticks, and more. Best For Lashes Or Brows is for mascaras, eyeliner, brow gels, tints, and waxes. *
Skincare
Our Best For Cleansing category is for skincare that helps deep clean the dermis. We also have Best For Hydration, Best For Overnight, Best For Mature Skin, and Best SPF. Our Best Body Moisturiser category is for body care products that nourish from top to toe. *
Hair care
Our Best For Your Scalp category is for products designed with the unique needs of the scalp in mind. We also have Best Shampoo & Conditioner Duo, Best Hair Styling Product Or Hair Treatment, and Best Hair Tool To Try. *
Body care
Our Best Body Wash category is for body washes that elevate any shower ritual. We also have Best For Hands & Nails for products that care for hands and nails. *
Fragrance
Our Best Signature Scent category is for personal fragrances that leave everyone asking “What perfume are you wearing?” We also have Best Home Fragrance Scent for home fragrances that uplift and inspire. *
Extras
Our Best Supermarket Buy category is for accessible beauty brands that demonstrate excellence in their field without a designer price tag. We also have Best For Your Handbag for portable beauty products that are perfect for toting in your bag. Best In Wellbeing is for ingestible beauty products, supplements, or tinctures that have experienced widespread success.
Meet the Judges
Our panel of expert judges includes:
* Ashleigh Cometti, Viva beauty editor
* 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
Nominate Your Favourites
Fill out our online form and share your favourite products and people with our community. We can’t wait to see which ones will be crowned winners.
The Process
Selecting the best in beauty requires a team of industry experts to lead the discussion around which products have that wow factor. Our judges will narrow down all entries to the top five finalists for each category. Our finalists will be announced on May 14. The winner for each category will be determined by a public vote, ensuring that our valued readers are at the heart of the awards. The Viva Beauty Awards are a celebration of beauty innovation, and we’re excited to see which products, people, and practices will take out the top spot. Stay tuned for updates and announcements leading up to the awards.
