2026 ILM Industry Awards - Business and Industry Awards

You have built something worth recognising. Here is where you prove it.

The ILM Business and Industry Awards exist for the professionals who have moved beyond the chair — the educators shaping the next generation, the mentors transforming businesses, the salon owners running operations that set the standard, the brands changing how this industry works, and the content creators building genuine communities.

This is your moment to stand up and be seen.

Select your category from the variants below to enter.

What are the ILM Awards?

The International Lash Masters Awards recognise excellence across the lash and brow industry in Australia and New Zealand. Part of the International Lash Masters Conference — Australia's leading event for lash and brow professionals — the awards celebrate the people who are raising the standard of this industry every single day.

Winners are announced live at the ILM Conference in Melbourne, 19–20 September 2026. Finalists are promoted across ILM's platforms and recognised as leaders in their field. Winning an ILM Award belongs on your website, your bio, and your booking page. It is a career credential that positions you as the authority in your space.

The Business and Industry Categories

Choose your category from the product variants above. You may enter multiple categories — each requires a separate entry and fee.

Judge scored — winner determined by judges:

Salon of the Year — Open to salons with a team of 2 or more staff. Recognises excellence in client experience, business growth, brand presence, team culture, and community contribution.

Best Studio Salon — Open to solo operators and small studio businesses. Recognises high-quality service, strong branding, and exceptional client experience without the infrastructure of a larger team.

Business Mentor of the Year — Open to mentors working with beauty industry professionals. Recognises real, measurable results for mentees, a defined methodology, and genuine industry contribution.

Judges shortlist finalists — public votes to determine the winner:

Lash Educator of the Year — Recognises lash educators delivering exceptional student outcomes, a structured curriculum, and industry authority. Finalists are voted on by the community.

Brow Educator of the Year — Recognises brow educators delivering high-quality training, strong student success, and meaningful impact on the profession.

Best Content and Marketing in Beauty — Recognises excellence in content creation, marketing strategy, and audience building within the beauty industry.

Brand of the Year — Recognises a standout product-based beauty brand with strong product quality, brand identity, and genuine industry presence.

ILM Industry Icon — The most prestigious individual recognition in the ILM Awards. Nomination only. No entry fee. Candidates are nominated by ILM and must have a minimum of 5 years industry experience. Self-nominations are not accepted.

How judging works

Every entry is scored out of 100 points across weighted criteria specific to your category. Judges are independent industry leaders selected for their credibility and expertise. The top 3 highest-scoring entries in each category become finalists, announced publicly in August 2026.

In judge scored categories, the winner is determined entirely by judges' scores.

In public vote categories, judges shortlist the finalists — the community then votes to determine the winner.

Winners are announced live at the ILM Conference in Melbourne, 19–20 September 2026.

What you need to submit

• Written responses to 4–5 questions (100–150 words max per question — varies by category)
• 3–10 supporting assets: photos, screenshots, testimonials, metrics, or case studies
• Links to your website and relevant social media profiles
• Business metrics where applicable — ranges and percentages are acceptable

Full submission guidelines are sent to you after your entry is received.