Ahead of an in-person judging panel early next month, the judges from this year’s Viva Beauty Awards share the products that impressed them lately, plus what they’ll be looking for from this year’s entries.
An integral part of our process is putting every nomination in The Viva Beauty Awards
2026, presented by Glow Lab, in front of a panel of judges to cast their all-important vote.
This year, we’ve brought together six powerhouse women excelling in their fields, from the content creators who connect with their audiences on a whole new level, to the cosmetic chemist teaching the next generation of product developers.
Below, they share their favourite discoveries and what keeps them passionate about beauty in 2026.
Tallulah McLean
Freelance makeup artist and Viva Beauty Award Makeup Artist Of The Year 2024 winner
What’s one of the most disruptive beauty trends you’ve witnessed in the industry over the past year?
TikTok beauty “gurus”. Unfortunately, there has been a huge influx of creators who aren’t professionals in skincare or makeup offering up advice which nine out of 10 times only works for them. Without proper research for what works for an individual we’re ending up with damaged skin barriers and all looking the same. I look to reputable people within the industry who have already made impacts on previous trends to see what they are really doing and follow suit.
What do you believe makes a product truly inclusive in today’s beauty market?
Accessibility for everyone. A great price point and available internationally wherever you are.
What was the last beauty product that truly impressed you?
Kit: Urban Hand Salve. I have extremely dry hands always and hate the feeling of most hand creams as they feel sticky. This is amazing. Absorbs instantly, keeps in the hydration, fantastic price point and comes in a mini and big size, so perfect for my kit.
Packaging: Aesthetic vs environmentally friendly? Aesthetics.
Skincare: Instant results vs long-termLong-term benefits? Long term benefits.
Makeup: Bold and impactful vs natural and everyday? Bold and impactful (of course!).
Kelly Manu
Director of hair salon UNA, session stylist and educator
What’s one of the most disruptive beauty trends you’ve witnessed over the past year?
I think the move away from “perfect” has been really refreshing. Things feel a bit softer, a bit more real, and a lot more individual. For me, trends tend to come and go quite quickly. A real shift is something that changes how people feel, and how they approach what they do in a more long-term way.
What do you believe makes a product truly inclusive in today’s beauty market?
It needs to genuinely work for a wide range of people – different tones, textures, lifestyles – and not feel like anyone’s been added in as an afterthought. And it also needs to be accessible. If it’s too complicated or out of reach, it becomes quite limiting, no matter how it’s positioned.
What was the last beauty product that truly impressed you?
The Glowwa Hair Food Supplement because it takes a more holistic approach. We often focus so much on what we’re putting on the surface, but so much of it starts internally.
I’ve been testing the new Keratin Alpha Sleek from L’Oréal Professionnel, which hasn’t launched yet. It’s so good for anyone with frizzy or thick hair – it gives you that control and polish without making the hair feel flat or overworked. It still moves, feels like real hair, and lasts for 10 washes.
Packaging: Aesthetic vs environmentally friendly? Environmentally friendly but still considered. I think we should be able to have both now.
Skincare: Instant results vs long-term benefits? Long term. The instant results are nice, but it’s the long-term ones that really matter.
Makeup: Bold and impactful vs natural and everyday? Both, depending on the moment. But I’ll always lean towards something that feels like you, just elevated.
Varsha Reddy
Fashion and beauty content creator @varshaslife and @browngirlcertified
What keeps you passionate about the future of beauty in Aotearoa?
How much more access we have in New Zealand. New brands are entering the market, full shade ranges are arriving and people can finally find products built for their actual undertone, skin type, and preferences. Being able to help guide that, especially for people with brown skin who have historically had the fewest options, is what keeps me proud to be part of this industry.
What’s one of the most disruptive beauty trends you’ve witnessed in the industry over the past year?
What’s genuinely caught my attention over the past year is how much conversation there is around exosomes, growth factors, and PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide, a compound derived from salmon or trout sperm). These were clinic ingredients not long ago, things people were booking appointments for. Now they’re showing up in everyday skincare that can actually be worked into a daily routine.
What was the last beauty product that truly impressed you?
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Anti-Dark Spot Fluid SPF50+. I have high standards for sunscreen and low patience for ones that don’t deliver. This one delivered. It uses UVMune 400, the most advanced UVA filter available, plus Melasyl, which actively intercepts melanin production before dark spots can form. No white cast. Lightweight. Perfect under makeup. For someone whose top concern is hyperpigmentation, this product was made for me.
Rachel Soo Thow
Former beauty development executive, literature, fashion and beauty content creator @thelitlist__
What’s one of the most disruptive beauty trends you’ve witnessed in the industry over the past year?
PDRN is the must-have in any skincare routine – it can be injected, but also applied topically. From cleansers to moisturisers to face masks and serums, consumers are looking for results and longevity in their results with consistent use – the skin-repairing benefits that also improve skin texture and glow are attractive and to see the benefits in as little as three months is huge.
What do you believe makes a product truly inclusive in today’s beauty market?
Consumers today engage with beauty in a far more informed and intentional way, and that’s something that continues to shape the future of the industry. Scientific backing, ingredient transparency, and clinically proven results build credibility but it’s the lived experiences of everyday people that bring those claims to life.
What was the last beauty product that truly impressed you?
The VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot 50. The micro-sized, mineral-derived particles allow for deeper absorption, while ingredients including aloe extract provide moisturising, revitalising, and soothing care. You get a slight tingling sensation but, after just three months, I’ve noticed plumper skin and refined pores.
Packaging: Aesthetic vs environmentally friendly? I’m a sucker for aesthetics.
Skincare: Instant results vs long-term benefits? Long term benefits.
Makeup: Bold and impactful vs natural and everyday? Natural and everyday. The less amount of time I can spend on my makeup, the better!
Stacey Fraser
Cosmetic chemist and design practice teaching fellow at the School of Product Design at the University of Canterbury
What keeps you passionate about the future of beauty in Aotearoa?
I’m constantly inspired by the level of innovation and creativity we see coming out of Aotearoa. It never ceases to amaze me how New Zealand can stand confidently alongside some of the world’s leading beauty brands. We’re also at one of the most exciting intersections of beauty, science and sustainability – the best is still ahead of us.
What’s one of the most disruptive beauty trends you’ve witnessed in the past year?
It may not be a popular opinion, but “dupe culture” has been one of the most disruptive trends. It’s fast, accessible, and appealing but it’s also contributing to the rise of “fast beauty,” where products are quickly consumed and just as quickly replaced.
What was the last beauty product that truly impressed you?
The new Sans [Ceuticals] Perpetual Activator 7 really stood out to me. It appears to strike a strong balance between design-led sustainability and product efficacy, which is difficult to achieve. It’s a great example of a product that feels both considered and future-focused.
Packaging: Aesthetic vs environmentally friendly? Ideally both and I truly believe we can achieve that. But if I had to choose, environmentally friendly takes priority.
Skincare: Instant results vs long-term benefits? Long-term benefits. Instant results rarely last – true skin health is built over time.
Makeup: Bold and impactful vs natural and everyday? Natural, always. I love the feeling of wearing almost nothing on my skin.
Ashleigh Cometti
What keeps you passionate about the future of beauty in Aotearoa?
In 2026 alone, we’ve already heard of a handful of beauty brands that have set their sights on global expansion. Brands dreamed up and developed on home soil gaining traction abroad will always feel so exciting to me. I’m so grateful that my 9-5 allows me to tell the stories of the people who were unafraid to dream big.
What’s one of the most disruptive beauty trends you’ve witnessed in the industry over the past year?
The antithesis of the “clean girl” aesthetic, messy and experimental is back in a major way. Intentionally smudged liner, mismatched colour palettes and vivid glitter feels more expressive and non-curated – makeup is designed to be fun and this movement is exactly that.
What do you believe makes a product truly inclusive in today’s beauty market?
In 2026, being inclusive goes far beyond shade ranges – instead it represents catering to a range of skin tones, types, textures, ages, genders and abilities.
A number of brands have turned their attention to adaptive packaging, and in recent weeks I’ve received PR parcels that use braille on the labels. Magnetic closures help those with limited dexterity, as do clever designs that can be used one-handed.
What was the last beauty product that truly impressed you?
I interviewed Sarah and Will Kirkland earlier this year about their new brand, Elm Lab, which heroes A2 colostrum in its range of skin and body care. Born out of the desire to heal their son’s severe eczema, the Otago sharemilkers did their own research into this nutrient-rich first milk, and what developed was a range of products that combine the pair’s farming roots with modern science. I’ve loved using the range on my family.
Packaging: Aesthetic vs environmentally friendly? Environmentally friendly.
Skincare: Instant results vs long-term? Long term benefits.
Makeup: Bold and impactful vs natural and everyday? A little bit of both. I love getting glam for night time, but also appreciate the beauty and simplicity of an easy, everyday look.
The finalists in the Viva Beauty Awards 2026, presented by Glow Lab, will be announced on May 13.
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