The 7th edition of the Beautyworld Dubai Awards takes place at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre on 7 October 2026, during Beautyworld Dubai – the show where the global beauty industry convenes across beauty, hair, fragrance and wellbeing.
85 finalists across 17 categories have been shortlisted by a panel of 20 independent judges drawn from the international beauty industry.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 9 September 2026 – The shortlist for the Beautyworld Dubai Awards 2026 has been revealed featuring 85 finalists across 17 categories as part of the Beautyworld Dubai programme, taking place from 6-8 October, at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Now in their 7th edition, the Beautyworld Dubai Awards bring together established international names, homegrown Gulf brands and first-time challengers competing side by side, a shortlist that reflects a region increasingly shaping the direction of global beauty. Recognising achievement across the entire supply chain, from the products on the shelf to the packaging, retail and technology behind them, the Awards celebrate the brands, products and people driving the industry forward.
This year’s category highlights include:
Popular Fragrance of the Year, reflecting the Gulf’s rising global influence in scent, with finalists including Assaf, Kayali and Lattafa.
Niche Fragrance of the Year, spotlighting craftsmanship and distinctive composition, with names such as Adamo Parfum, Clive Christian and Oman Luxury.
Media Campaign of the Year, showcasing the power of celebrity and cultural moments, including Huda Beauty’s Easy Bake Intense Eau de Parfum, Assaf’s campaign with Karim Benzima, and Armaf’s Club de Nuit Bling.
Hair Product of the Year, recognising performance and innovation in haircare, with finalists including Living Proof’s PhD Style Refresh Mist, Danger Jones’ Gloss Toners with Bonder, and Color Wow’s Dream Coat Supernatural from L’Oréal Groupe Middle East.
Personal Care Product of the Year, reflecting the crossover of skin-care-led innovation into everyday care, with finalists including Medicube and SKIN1004.
The strength of the Beautyworld Dubai Awards shows in who does the judging. This year’s shortlist was assessed by 20 independent judges from across the international industry – brand leaders, perfumers, editors and educators – including Kelly Kovack, Founder & CEO of BeautyMatter; Olivia Phillips, Founder of The Desk and Editor at Large at Harper’s Bazaar Arabia; Kirsty Doolan, Editor of Cosmetics Design Europe; and Ahaana Khosla, trend forecaster and editor for Vogue and BeautyMatter.
“Judging the Beautyworld Dubai Awards gave us a close-up view of where the industry is heading,” said Kelly Kovack, Founder & CEO of BeautyMatter. “This year’s finalists show a region that isn’t just keeping pace with global beauty, but increasingly helping to set its direction, in fragrance, in technology and in how brands are being built.”
The 2026 categories span the full breadth of the industry, from Popular and Niche Fragrance to skincare, packaging, media campaigns and beauty technology, recognizing achievement across the entire value chain. The full list of finalists is available at the Beautyworld Dubai Awards 2026 website.
“Seven editions in, the Beautyworld Dubai Awards have earned their place as one of the most respected recognitions in this industry. Look at the names on this shortlist. These are companies, brands and individuals setting the pace for beauty, and they've been judged by an independent panel on the strength of the work alone,” said Ravi Ramchandani, Event Director, Beautyworld Dubai. “That's what makes the finalist list matter. It isn't a popularity contest. It's a read on where the real energy in beauty is right now, and this year it's coming from well beyond the region.”
“This region is one of the most dynamic and influential markets in global fragrance and these awards provide a valuable platform to recognize the creators and brands shaping the future of our industry. We are proud of our partnership with Beautyworld Dubai and the opportunity to celebrate the talent, innovation, and achievements driving fragrance forward,” said Oumayma Tabet, Managing Director at Eurofragance, Middle East.
The 17 Beautyworld Dubai Awards 2026 categories are: Conscious Brand of the Year; Cosmetic Product of the Year; Hair Product of the Year; Hair Styling Device of the Year; Homegrown Brand of the Year; Innovative Packaging of the Year; Luxury Packaging of the Year; Male Grooming Product of the Year; Media Campaign of the Year; Nail Product of the Year; Newcomer Brand of the Year; Niche Fragrance of the Year; Personal Care Product of the Year; Popular Fragrance of the Year; Retailer of the Year; Skincare Product of the Year; and Technology Innovation of the Year.
The Beautyworld Dubai Awards gala takes place on 7 October 2026 at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, bringing beauty industry professionals together for an evening celebrating the year’s standout brands, products and people.