Criteria & Eligibility 

SALONS

Best Hair Salon

The hair salons nominated in this category should boast a team of dynamic stylists and expert colourists who collectively offer clients the highest standard of service in hair styling and health. These salons must push the boundaries when it comes to defining new trends and cultivating young talent, while simultaneously respecting their clients’ needs and lifestyles. They must offer an above-par salon experience, appointment bookings and management, and maximum client comfort.

Best Aesthetic Clinic 

In order for an aesthetic clinic to be nominated, it must offer a wide variety of both tried and trusted skin treatments that safely harness the latest technological developments in dermatology. Staff with a medical background and training is a must, and the administering of treatments must be done in the safest environment that adheres to the highest hygiene protocols. Results derived from treatments must be aesthetically pleasing and the clinic’s good reputation should precede them.

Best Nail Salon

The nail salons nominated in this category must deliver on all levels of this grooming indulgence. The hand and foot treatments offered must be exceptional and their finish perfect. The longevity of the manicure or pedicure is also taken into account, as are the salon facilities and the enjoyment factor of a visit. A variety of nail treatments and finishes (including on-point nail art) must also be on offer, along with the latest industry innovations.

Best Beauty Salon

Here’s where the magic happens… Ireland’s best beauty salon should offer spectacular services, professionally performed in a great atmosphere and setting. The winning salon will offer the perfect combination of a great team, excellent know-how and results clients return for again and again. Salons can be nominated in specific specialist areas (i.e., waxing, brows and lashes, holistic therapies) but in all cases, nominated salons continually innovate with product and treatment trends, as well as knowing what really works is key. Comfort, ambience, appointment management and feel-good factor are equally essential.

Best Spa

The spas nominated in this category should provide clients with a world-class spa facility, which boasts a unique spa experience, a broad and innovative treatment menu, and partners up with first-rate spa and skincare brands. The spa’s therapists should execute treatments to the highest standard, demonstrating superior skill and client rapport. Consistently excellent customer service from all spa staff is crucial to the nomination.

INDIVIDUALS

Best Brow Artist

The brow artists nominated here must have the ability to understand how to sculpt the best brow shape to flatter both the client’s eye shape and facial contours. They must have a loyal clientele and be well-practised in various brow-grooming techniques.

Best Lash Artist

Nobody wants uneven lashes. These eyelash artists must be the most sought-after technicians. Offering everything from tinting to extensions, curling to lifts, they are the go-to in the industry. They must have excellent visual spatial ability and be able to judge the perfect length and volume for each of their clients. 

Best Nail Technician

The nail technicians in this category must offer above-par hand and foot treatments, and achieve a durable, perfect finish. They must boast a loyal clientele and be experts in all types of nail finishes and styling. Staying on top of the latest nail trends, social media presence and success in international competitions is also considered.

Best Make-up Artist

The make-up artists nominated must first be available for regular appointments in a store, salon, or studio; or manage a full-time on-call business. They must boast an innate ability to create flawless make-up looks that work for all occasions, from fashion-forward to red carpet, corporate to occasion. They must be up on current catwalk trends if not part of the teams that create them, yet be able to translate new trends in a way that flatters their clients’ contours and colouring. A good, wide product knowledge is also essential.

 Best Therapist

While standards of beauty therapy are high in Ireland, there are those gifted with a magic touch. Our winning therapist will be someone who can diagnose skin and/or other systemic issues, along with a client’s holistic needs, and then perform a bespoke treatment using their professional experience and training, human empathy and product knowledge.

 Best Facialist

Bringing expertise, experience and diagnostic skills to the fore, nominees for Best Facialist must understand skin and the face’s muscular-skeletal composition, and how to treat it for best results. Facialists in this category should be familiar with massage and the key tools – from holistic to high-tech – which can be effectively incorporated into a treatment. Nominees should be experts on skincare, and able to create bespoke client protocols. 

Best Advanced Aesthetician

As the variety of cosmetic procedures and treatments grows, our outstanding aestheticians in this category should be fully familiar with the latest innovations, with superior qualifications, experience and client rapport. Nominees will take a gentle and long-term approach to aesthetics, bringing the client through suitable options that are fully appropriate, effective and value for money, conducted in medical-grade surroundings.

*NEW Best Tanning Professional

The winner should excel at creating beautiful, even bronzing, using premium, reliable products, applied artfully and effectively. Pre-application preparation should be meticulous, and an explanation of post-treatment procedures for best results should be clearly communicated. Nominees will also have excellent rapport with clients throughout the experience.

*NEW Best Waxing Professional

This is a highly specialised sector of the beauty business. The winner of this category will combine expert skills with superior product knowledge and hygiene standards, demonstrate empathetic customer care and excel in the full range of waxing treatments for all genders. Our winner will also take time to execute appropriate pre- and post-treatment care, along with comprehensive aftercare advice.

Best Hair Stylist

This category requires a stylist who can wield a scissors with both dexterity and flair to craft cuts that work for both clients’ everyday needs and also for when something more glam is required. They must have a knack for creative styling inspired by catwalk trends, which they can adapt for formal and casual events as needed. Nominees should have a body of published editorial or commercial work, and be regarded as Irish industry leaders.

Best Bloody Brilliant Blow-dry

Everyone knows the transformative effects a great blow-dry can bring, and a bloody brilliant blow-drier is the most essential number in your little black beauty book. The winner of this category will be the hairstylist who can add bounce, remove static and tame curls for happy hair and a delighted client. In short, a life-changer.

Best Hair Colourist

To be considered for this category, the hairdresser must have a proven track record and adequate experience as a colourist. They must boast a loyal clientele, and have strong relationship-building skills. They should challenge themselves to evolve and develop by using their skills outside the salon for creative projects, and success at global hair competitions is also taken into account.

Most Creative Talent in Hair 

The winner of the Most Creative Talent in Hair award will have shown precision, outstanding creativity and flair in hairdressing. He or she will have a reputation as one of Ireland’s most in-demand hair heroes and versed in a variety of tools and techniques – from extensions to updos. 

Men’s Hair Specialist

Whether a barber or a salon stylist, nominees in this category should have extensive experience and have gathered a considerable reputation in men’s hairdressing. Precision cutting is key, as is authority on scalp and hair care. Nominees in this category should have a busy client list, with additional experience in education, competition and editorial/commercial work considered a bonus.

INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS & CREATORS

Best Beauty Influencer

Who do you look to for beauty product knowledge and expertise? Whose opinion do you rate? Our winning influencer will combine strong content with their unique personality posted regularly across key social channels that we can’t wait to see. Their collaborations and sponsored content should be creative, appropriate and authentic, and their style should be highly engaging and entertaining.

*NEW Best Content Creator 

While many look to social media for solid beauty information and recommendations, we also want to be entertained. Our winning content creator will be someone who is thoroughly engaging and has us following, liking and sharing as we want more! They can be industry-based or working on content creation for a living, but their content delivery should be reflective of their persona, so whether it’s storytimes accompanying a GRWM or slick editing and production, as long as we’re riveted, and you’re all about the hair and/or beauty world, you’re in!

Outstanding Wedding Creative

The wedding industry in Ireland is a booming one with the highest standards in hair and make-up for bride, bridal and groom’s parties. There are so many challenges involved in creating magical makeovers for such a special occasion, and our winner is a hair and/or make-up professional who’s proven they can deliver world-class looks whilst also being empathetic, on-budget and punctual. We’re looking for someone who has exceptional skills, stays informed on trends and puts their heart and soul into transforming others for the most important day of their lives.

Hall of Fame

Spanning all areas of the beauty, aesthetics and hair business, the IMAGE Business of Beauty Hall of Fame Award will be presented to an individual who has made an impact on the industry that extends beyond their business or appointment book. Bringing innovation, creativity, personality and impact to the Irish scene, nominees in this category deserve recognition for their (possibly ongoing) contribution amongst their peers, now and for future generations to come.

BRANDS

Irish Haircare Brand

Our Irish Haircare Brand of the Year is one that we want to see represent our country and industry with pride. The brands in this category can be anything in the world of hair, hair care and hairdressing, including (but not limited to) products, accessories, tools and extensions/wigs. Shortlistees must have been innovated and/or made in Ireland and should be trading for at least two years. 

Overall Brand of the Year

A big award for an Irish hair, skincare or beauty brand which, we feel, has a great reputation and strong track record. The winner should have strong Irish roots, have been innovated and/or made in Ireland and must be widespread available in Ireland, with at least nationwide distribution. All nominees should have a strong brand identity, a great founder story and possibly international status. 

Irish Sustainable Brand

A crucial category in our industry and one that welcomes and applauds all endeavours to prioritise people and the planet. Wearing their sustainable credentials on their sleeves, the award in this category will go to an Irish-founded and produced brand that displays ESG credentials across all facets of their business – from product ingredients to packaging, distribution and messaging. We’re keen to see relevant accreditation/certification on shortlistees’ businesses and products and welcome any innovation and firsts to market.  

Irish Skincare Brand

Skincare is fundamental to physical and personal health and we want to recognise Ireland’s key industry players. Our winner will be an established brand with a proven track record. Nominees’ brands will have at least five SKUs in their well-curated product range, each of which consists of considered formulations that list top-grade ingredients targeting specific skincare needs and conditions. Lab tests and trials to highlight efficacy are a bonus.

New Irish Brand

Highlighting Ireland’s most impressive newcomers, nominees should be available to the consumer since January 2023, gathering momentum in the industry. Product range should be enticing and scalable, with high recognition and traction – a viral moment or two adding to the brand allure. Shortlisted brands in this category must be innovated in Ireland.

Irish Supplement Brand

Contributing to population health in a significant way, our nominees should own their own intellectual property rights, blending therapeutic-standard formulations for products which at least meet the RDAs. Supplement ingredients should minimise bulking agents/fillers if used, hold integrity and honour the consumer’s trust. Independent tests and trials are a bonus.

Irish Makeup Brand

Makeup is the most liberating form of self-expression and so we welcome the chance to acknowledge the Irish brands who offer us a chance to get creative with our look. Nominees in this category should have a range of products that contain everyday essentials, heroes and pieces we love to play with. Innovation is key, as is a brand that is inclusive and welcomes customers across the most diverse universe imaginable. Our winner will show evidence of growth in the past 12 months, must be easily accessible (and enjoyable) to purchase, with a strong brand identity, point of sale display, strong social media communication and memorable marketing. 

Irish Fragrance Brand

While fragrance is a big international industry, our Irish creators are punching strong. Shortlistees for our fragrance award should own their own blends, creating signature scents identifiable to their brand. The creator/founder/perfumer must be Irish and/or living in Ireland, and bring a strong brand story to the fore. A proven track record is a must, and associated product packaging should be sustainable, but also desirable.

 

Previous category winners are ineligible for inclusion in their winning category shortlist in the subsequent year.

If you have any questions or require any assistance, please email events@image.ie