LASH INDUSTRY AWARDS
ONLINE COMPETITION
The Online Lash Competition is an annual event that provides lash artists with an opportunity to showcase their skills, creativity, and artistry in our field. This competition started in 2023 and is in its 4th year. It's a virtual competition eliminating geographical barriers with digital, making it accessible to lash artists regardless of their location.
KEY INFORMATION
REGISTRATION
Entries open 12.00am 27th March 2026
Cost $65 per entry
One ticket equals one entry
SUBMISSION
Entries close 1pm 14th June 2026
Submission cut off is 11.59pm 14th June 2026 via the online awards portal
No deadline extensions permitted
LEVELS
Intermediate - less than 2 years experience
Advanced - more than 2 years experience
Open - all levels of experience
JUDGING
Panel of industry experts from around the world
Judging occurs end of June
Coded / Blind judging (entries are anonymous)
LEGALS
Media Release forms are compulsory download here
Permissions/credit must be obtained from other creatives
View all Terms and Conditions here
PRESENTATION
Category winner receives a trophy
Lash Industry Awards - 22nd August 2026
Rydges Rotorua
Winners published in Lash Press Magazine
CATEGORIES
CLASSIC
1:1
Classic lashing technique.
0.10 - 0.18 max lash weight
(or flat lash alternatives)
Intermediate | Advanced
CREATIVE
LASH ART
LASH
LIFT
Lash lift / lamination
With or without tint
Open
VOLUME
HANDMADE
Handmade volume fans only.
0.03 - 0.07 lash weight
Intermediate | Advanced
TREND
STYLING
Classic or Volume
Wet look, foxy eye, whispy, and other on trend mapping, colour sets.
Intermediate | Advanced
MALE
STYLING
Classic or Volume
Male nude styling
Open
VOLUME
PREMADE
Premade Volume Fans.
0.05 - 0.07 lash weight
Intermediate | Advanced
BROW DESIGN
Best brow transformation
with shape, tint/stain
Open
PMU
LASH LINER
PMU lash liner
Open
Why are the Lash Industry Awards judged by international judges?
To ensure the highest level of fairness, integrity, and professionalism, we use international judges for the Lash Industry Awards. Here's why:
Unbiased Judging: By selecting judges from outside of your country, we minimise the risk of personal bias, recognition, or favouritism. Our judges generally don’t know the artists, salons, or brands entering which keeps the focus purely on the quality of work submitted.
Integrity Matters: In a close-knit industry like ours, it's easy for local judges to unintentionally recognise styles, names, or even models. Using international judges helps protect the integrity of the competition and gives every entrant a fair and equal chance.
Global-Level Recognition: Our judges are respected professionals from around the world, many of whom are innovators, educators, or competition veterans. Having your work assessed by these experts means you’re being recognised at an international standard and that’s something to be proud of.
Raising the Bar: We’re not just celebrating the best in New Zealand, we’re showcasing Aotearoa lash talent on a global stage. Being judged by international leaders helps raise the standard for what’s possible and puts our industry on the map.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Participants are required to create lash sets or preform treatments according to the competition guidelines and criteria provided by Lash Industry Awards They will capture high-quality images or videos of their work to submit to the judging panel. Once the submission period ends, a panel of experienced and respected lash industry professionals will review and evaluate each entry based on the predetermined judging criteria. The judging process will consider various aspects such as lash application technique, lash styling, lash isolation, lash line symmetry, overall aesthetics, client comfort, and more.
The judges will assign scores to each entry based on their assessment of the lash sets / treatment. The scores will determine the winners in various categories. Only the Winners who place first in their category will receive a trophy.
For full competition guidelines and judging criteria click here.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Read the competition rules
Start by thoroughly reading the competition rules and guidelines provided by Lash Industry Awards. Pay attention to any specific requirements for photo size, format, composition, or any other instructions provided.
High-quality photos
Ensure that your photos are of high quality and clarity. Use a good camera or smartphone with a high-resolution camera to capture clear and detailed images. Avoid submitting blurry or pixelated photos as they may not showcase your work effectively and lead to disqualification.
Lighting
Good lighting is crucial for showcasing your lash work. Make sure the lighting is even, and there are no harsh shadows or reflections that could obscure the lashes. Natural light or a ring light can provide ideal lighting conditions for capturing your work.
Background
Choose a clean and uncluttered background that doesn't distract from the lashes. A solid color backdrop or a neutral setting can help emphasise the lashes and make them the focal point of the photo.
Focus on the lashes
The lashes should be the main focus of the photo. Capture them in a way to showcase the symmetry and precision of your work. Avoid extreme angles or close-ups that might distort the lashes' appearance.
Consistency
This competition requires multiple photo submissions. Maintain consistency in your style, application, and presentation across all the photos. This helps demonstrate your skill and professionalism.
Edit and enhance carefully
CREATIVE LASH ART ONLY: If post-processing or editing is allowed in your Category, use it carefully. Enhancements should be subtle and not alter the actual appearance of the lashes. Avoid excessive retouching, colour filters, or other edits that may misrepresent your work.
Submit required information
Along with your photos, provide any necessary information as requested. This may include your name, contact details, description of the lash application technique used, or any other information required for your chosen category.
Respect copyright
Only submit photos that you have taken yourself and have the rights to share. Do not submit someone else's work, even if you have permission. Infringing entries will be disqualified.
Submit before the deadline
Make sure to submit your entry before the specified deadline. Late submissions are not accepted, so give yourself enough time to prepare and submit your photos.
When submitting photos to enter an online lash competition, it's important to follow the guidelines to ensure your entry meets the requirements and has the best chance of success. Here are some guidelines to consider:
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
We have included the terms and conditions that outline the rules and guidelines for participation, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all participants.
It is important to carefully follow all guidelines when submitting an entry.
You can view the Terms and Conditions for the Online Lash Competion here.
How to submit your work.
All submissions will be managed through a professional platform, providing a streamlined and secure experience for both entrants and judges. You will receive detailed instructions via email on how to submit your work through the platform. Submissions can be uploaded at any time, with no fixed submission date, as long as they are received before the final deadline of 15th June 2026.
Moving to a platform allows us to ensure greater consistency, integrity, and clarity across all entries, while also creating a more efficient and seamless judging process.