2026 ILM Industry Awards - Skillset Awards

Your work has a standard. Now it has a stage. The ILM Skillset Awards are the most prestigious technical recognition in the Australian and New Zealand lash and brow industry. Judged by an independent panel of industry leaders using a standardised scoring rubric, these awards are designed for the artist who takes their craft seriously and is ready to be recognised for it. This is not a popularity contest. Your work is assessed on its merit — technique, design, execution, and client result. No filters. No shortcuts. Just skill. 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. Launched as 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. The Skillset Categories Choose your category from the product variants above. You may enter multiple categories — each requires a separate entry and fee. Lash Artist of the Year — The highest individual lash title. A body-of-work award requiring multiple submissions across different styles. For the artist who has mastered the craft across the board. Brow Artist of the Year — The highest individual brow title. A body-of-work award requiring submissions across multiple brow services. For the brow artist with range, consistency, and a standard that speaks for itself. Emerging Artist of the Year — Open to lash or brow artists with 18 months or less of professional experience. Judged on an adjusted rubric built for early-career skill. Because talent deserves recognition at every stage. Best Creative Lash Set — For innovation and artistry in lash design. Wispy, anime, wet set, volume, mega volume — any advanced creative style. If you pushed boundaries, this is your category. Best Lash Lift and Tint — For flawless lash lift results. Lift consistency, symmetry, lash health, and overall finish all scored. The category that proves a lift done properly is an art form. Best Brow Lamination — For clean, well-executed brow laminations with strong shape, direction control, brow health, and finish. Best Brow Sculpt (Tint/Dye) — For precision brow shaping combined with tint or dye application. Shape design, client suitability, hair stroke precision, and skin finish all assessed. 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 expertise and credibility. The top 3 highest-scoring entries in each category become finalists. The winner is determined by judge scores alone — no public vote. Finalists are announced publicly in August 2026. Winners are announced live at the ILM Conference in Melbourne, 19–20 September 2026. What you need to submit Required photos at specified angles (full details provided after entry) Before photo — natural lashes or brows, no product, no makeup Written statement answering 4 questions (100 words max each) Full submission guidelines are sent to you after your entry is received.