MAKE-UP ARTIST AWARD 2026

BEAUTY DÜSSELDORF is looking for THE outstanding make-up talent in the beauty industry!

The Make-up ARTIST AWARD is a brand new competition that takes creativity, precision and innovation to a new level. The focus is not only on craftsmanship, but also on individual visions and the courage to create something new.

This competition is open to everyone who lives make-up as a passion - regardless of whether they work as a self-made artist or as a professional. What counts here is creative potential rather than CVs or formal qualifications. The Make-up ARTIST AWARD encourages participants to look beyond their brushes and present their own personal signature.

This platform promotes a new generation of make-up artists who set trends and tell stories through their style.

APPLY NOW!

Are you ready to compete with the best and take your career to the next level? Then apply now and become part of the new edition of the Make-up ARTIST AWARD at BEAUTY Düsseldorf!
You can apply now at this link.

Closing date: 15.02.2026, 24:00 h

Apply now!

THE WAY TO THE MAKE-UP ARTIST AWARD

YOUR APPLICATION

What you should bring with you:

Creativity
Let your imagination run wild and show us what makes you unique as a make-up artist! Experiment with colors, textures and techniques to create impressive and original looks. Your creativity is the key to success!

Your signature look
Every artist has their own style. Bring your own personal “signature look” that embodies your signature and individual approach to make-up. Whether it's dramatic eyes, radiant skin or fancy lips - show what sets you apart and what you do best!

Technical skill
Perfect technique is the foundation. Precise lines, flawless transitions and mastery of various techniques are an absolute must.

Your application video (max. 60 seconds): Convince us in advance with a short video in which you introduce yourself and your work. Show us who you are, what drives you and why exactly YOU will shine in this competition. Let your passion and personality shine through!
Your portfolio with representative work (e.g. as a PDF or PowerPoint) or alternatively a link to your website or social media profile with sufficient examples of your work.
A portrait photo that we may use for advertising communication - ideally in the high-resolution file format ‘jpg’ or ‘tiff’ (min. 500 pixels wide or 2 MB data volume)
Your declaration of consent for applicants with signature (download here)

What you can expect:

Receive recognition
The winners will be selected by a high-caliber jury of industry experts. Let your work shine and get the recognition you deserve!

Build a network
Meet like-minded people, exchange ideas and make valuable contacts. The Make-up ARTIST AWARDS are not just an awards ceremony, but also a meeting place for the entire beauty community.

Prizes
Win a live campaign with Natascha Lindemann and a renowned make-up brand.

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

Minimum age: 18 years
Required qualification: Passion for make-up - participation independent of training or professional experience
Required application documents: A portfolio (format of your choice: PDF, PowerPoint presentation, website or social media link) and an application video (for details see “Your application” above)

Important: No digital post-processing of the make-up work in photos/videos desired - no skin retouching either!

Application: Online via our application form
Closing date: 15.02.2026, 24:00 h
Jury evaluation: The expert jury will evaluate the submitted work according to originality, versatility and creativity. It is important that the looks show your unretouched work - excessive digital post-processing is undesirable. The only thing that counts is how you work and whether your style stands out from the crowd of artists and is convincing. The jury is looking forward to creative techniques and passion, whether special effects, beauty, bridal, airbrush or editorial - show what you are particularly good at and what characterises your style.
Final places: An expert jury will select 50 participants from all submitted applications to compete live on stage at the ‘Top 50 Face Offs’ on Friday, 28 March 2025 as part of the BEAUTY trade fair in Düsseldorf.
Models: You must organise and bring your own model for the Top 50 Face Offs. Travel and accommodation for themselves and the model will be at the participating make-up artists' own expense.
In the Top 10 Final, the finalists will be assigned a model by lot, who will be provided by the organiser.

THE COMPETITION IN DETAIL LIVE AT BEAUTY DÜSSELDORF

Photo: Dancers on stage at BEAUTY PLAZA at BEAUTY DÜSSELDORF: Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH/A. Wiese

“Top 50 Face Offs” on BEAUTY Friday, 20.03.2026

The competition starts with the Top 50 Face Offs. Ten make-up artists will compete against each other live on stage in five groups. Each participant will create a personal signature look within 30 minutes - the look that sets him or her apart from others. The choice of look is completely free: whether special effects, beauty, bridal, airbrush, editorial or other techniques - all participants can show what sets them apart and what they do best! The task: to stand out from the crowd with their individual style and impress the jury. What counts is originality, personality and passion. The best 10 make-up artists will be selected for the grand final.

Photo: Prominent faces on stage at BEAUTY PLAZA at BEAUTY DÜSSELDORF; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH/A. Wiese

“Top 10 Final” on BEAUTY Sunday, 22.03.2026

The ten most outstanding talents will compete against each other in the final. This time, the focus will be on themed work: the finalists will be given a specific theme that they have to realize creatively and technically perfectly. The aim is to bring the theme to life with their make-up.
The finalists will have the opportunity to demonstrate their artistic signature and skills in front of a top-class jury and the expert audience at BEAUTY Düsseldorf.

Photo: Winners of the BEAUTY ARTIST AWARDS at BEAUTY DÜSSELDORF; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH/A. Wiese

Award Ceremony Show

Following the grand live final, the winner of the Make-up ARTIST AWARD will be chosen in a festive and emotional award ceremony.
The winner will be given the exclusive opportunity to accompany a major campaign shoot with Natascha Lindemann and a renowned brand as a make-up artist. The other winners can also look forward to attractive prizes.

One thing is certain: all participants will gain valuable experience and unforgettable moments on the big stage at BEAUTY DÜSSELDORF!

Ein Blick auf die Bühne der BEAUTY PLAZA während der Messe 2025; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Andreas Wiese

Mehrere Personen während des Make-up Artist Awards auf der Bühne der BEAUTY PLAZA; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Andreas Wiese

Eine Frau mit blonden Haaren schminkt eine dunkelhaarige Frau; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Andreas Wiese

THE SPONSORS

DIE SPONSOREN

Would you like to support the MAKE-UP ARTIST AWARDS as a sponsor and present yourself and your company in an attractive event and press environment? We would be happy to inform you about your options.

Please send us an email with the subject line ‘Sponsoring Permanent BEAUTY Masters to congressinfo@messe-duesseldorf.de