Entries are now open for the Global Indigenous Beauty Awards 2026, a groundbreaking global platform created to recognize and elevate Indigenous excellence across beauty, wellness, and cultural innovation.
Spanning regions from Aotearoa to the Pacific, Turtle Island to Latin America, and the Arctic Circle to Africa, the awards center on Indigenous-led brands and stories that are reshaping the future of beauty through culture, land-based knowledge, and community impact.
This is the first global awards program dedicated entirely to Indigenous beauty. More than a recognition platform, it serves as a call to action, highlighting the depth, diversity, and influence of Indigenous founders, ingredients, and practices across the industry.
Open to Indigenous-owned brands as well as aligned companies working ethically with Indigenous communities, the awards welcome entries across skincare, haircare, body care, fragrance, and wellness. Beyond product categories, the program also honors storytelling, sustainability, innovation, packaging and design, and community impact, reflecting a more holistic understanding of what beauty means within Indigenous contexts.
Key dates for the 2026 awards cycle are already underway. Entries opened on March 23, with early bird pricing available through April 25. Final submissions will be accepted until May 30, with finalists announced June 11 and winners revealed during a digital ceremony on June 20.
At the center of the awards is a strong and intentional judging panel made up of Indigenous leaders and industry experts. Among them is Jenn Harper, founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty, widely recognized for advancing sustainability and Indigenous representation while giving back significantly to community initiatives. She is joined by Tiila Abbitt, founder of ATHR Beauty and former Sephora executive, known for her leadership in clean beauty and product innovation on a global scale.
Also on the panel is Kaye-Maree Dunn, a Māori tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Making Everything Achievable, whose work spans governance, blockchain innovation, and community development across Aotearoa. Completing the initial lineup is Rawinia Rimene, founder and CEO of Girl Native and the creator of the Global Indigenous Beauty Awards. Rimene launched her brand from her kitchen, inspired by traditional rongoā Māori healing practices, and has since grown it into a multi-award-winning company rooted in culture, care, and community.
Together, the panel reflects a balance of cultural leadership, technical expertise, and lived experience, ensuring that entries are evaluated through both industry standards and Indigenous values.
Award categories highlight both product excellence and broader impact. These include Best Skincare Product, Best Haircare Product, and Best Fragrance, alongside distinctions such as Best Indigenous Storytelling, Best Use of Indigenous Ingredients, Sustainability Award, Innovation Award, and Community Impact Award. Founder-focused honors, including Emerging Brand of the Year, Established Brand of the Year, and a Youth Founder Award for ages 18–25, further spotlight the next generation shaping the industry.
The awards are designed as a digital-first experience, making participation accessible to brands around the world without the need for physical submissions. Entrants are asked to provide product details, imagery, and cultural context to support their applications, ensuring that each submission reflects not just a product, but the story and lineage behind it.
As Indigenous beauty continues to gain global momentum, the Global Indigenous Beauty Awards arrive at a critical moment, offering visibility, validation, and a platform built by and for Indigenous communities.
For brands connected to culture, committed to sustainability, and driven by purpose, this is more than an award. It’s an opportunity to be seen, recognized, and celebrated on a global stage.
