Face2Face Makeup Awards - Beauty Expo 2026

Let your creativity run wild!
An annual highlight of the Australian makeup industry, the Face2Face Makeup Awards reward extraordinary makeup artists for their craft, creativity and passion. This is the must-enter competition for any makeup artist serious about their career.

Created to be embraced by artists as a supportive and inclusive space to put their skills under the pressure of a competition, the Awards provide a platform to grow as an artist at any level.

CREATIVE MAKEUP (LIVE): Haute Entomology Saturday 15 August | 8:00am - 11:00am

Haute Entomology reimagines insects through the lens of elevated beauty. This theme explores a hybrid transformation where human and insect characteristics merge.

Artists will create an original creature inspired by an insect, or combination of insects, of their choice. The makeup should blend recognisable insect-like elements such as wings, texture, patterning, or colour. The focus is on enhancing and elevating these features into something striking yet beautiful.

This theme encourages refined application, thoughtful colour, and intricate detailing, highlighting the delicate, iridescent, and ornamental qualities found in insects. The final look should feel otherworldly, recognise transformation, balance, and beauty in its most unexpected form.

BRIDAL (LIVE): The Signature Bride Saturday 15 August | 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Bridal beauty in 2026 is personal, intentional, and elevated. This theme invites artists to create a bridal makeup look that represents their unique vision of the modern bride.

Artists should interpret what bridal means to them in 2026, whether that’s soft and ethereal, modern and sculpted, romantic, editorial, minimalist, or expressive. The look must reflect the artist’s personal style while demonstrating advanced technique, precision, and thoughtful detail.

This is not about trends alone, but about identity, craftsmanship, and innovation as a bridal makeup artist. Show us why you should hold the title of Bridal Makeup Artist of the Year 2026.

FASHION EDITORIAL (LIVE): Runway Ready Saturday 15 August | 2:30 pm - 3:30pm

This category challenges artists to step into the role of a key makeup artist at fashion week. Inspired by the visionary world of Iris van Herpen, artists must create a runway-ready makeup look that embodies her unmistakable aesthetic; where innovation, structure, movement, and organic form intersect.

Think sculptural beauty, ethereal textures, and futuristic elegance. The makeup should feel editorial and directional, designed to complement and elevate.

The final look should appear cohesive, intentional, and suited for a high-fashion runway.

Artists are not expected to create a full costume, but models should be dressed in inspired attire.

“What really is fashion editorial?”

When you think Fashion editorial makeup think graphic eyeliners, bold lip colours, and unconventional blush application. It usually involves one key element like a bold eye or lip. It will sometimes involve some Avant garde techniques or elements but is not to be confused with avant garde makeup. Avant garde makeup is art inspired where as editorial is more fashion based and can generally be adapted into a wearable look for the consumer. 

BEAUTY EDITORIAL (PHOTOGRAPHIC): Colour Alchemy 

Colour Alchemy is a bold celebration of colour theory through makeup. This theme explores how specific colour combinations like complementary, harmonious, monochromatic, and triadic can be used to evoke emotion & create impact.

Rather than colour for colour's sake, this theme is about deliberate, powerful placement. Each look is rooted in the foundational principles of colour theory and translated into vibrant, explosive beauty editorial looks. 

Artists should create two different editorial makeup looks, although different the images should look as though they are part of the same collection and tell a story.