2025 Business of Beauty Award Finalists Unveiled
The Business of Fashion has just revealed the finalists for the 2025 Business of Beauty Global Awards, and we couldn’t be more excited to see so many bold, thoughtful, and diverse beauty brands being celebrated. We spoke to Jessica, our Beauty & Wellness recruitment expert and she says, “As someone who spends every day speaking to brilliant people across the beauty and lifestyle space, these awards feel like a pulse check on where the industry is headed — and the results are both inspiring and reassuring.”
Out of over 100 applicants across 17 countries and five continents, 19 standout brands have been shortlisted. Each one is pushing the boundaries of what beauty can (and should) be — prioritising sustainability, science, inclusivity, and a deeper, more authentic connection with the consumer.
Here are just a few of the names that caught her eye:
- Ciele Cosmetics – Clean beauty rooted in dermatological science. A brand that proves you don’t need to compromise between skincare and cosmetics.
- 19/99 Beauty – A makeup brand for all ages. They’re rewriting the narrative that beauty is for the young — and doing so with elegance.
- Topicals – Creating bold, clinically-backed skincare for chronic skin conditions, all wrapped in playful branding that normalises “imperfect” skin.
- Dieux – Transparent, science-first skincare that’s also trend-aware. Think: eye masks that go viral, but with the clinical credentials to back them up.
- Ceremonia – A beautiful blend of culture and clean haircare, spotlighting Latinx heritage in a genuinely respectful and celebratory way.
- Cocokind, Salt & Stone, Nopalera, Saie, Ysé Beauty – All equally impressive in their sustainability credentials and storytelling.
Why Does This Matter?
These brands are more than just businesses — they represent a shift in what consumers value. Transparency. Ethical sourcing. Science-led product development. Diverse representation. The industry has matured rapidly in the past few years, and consumers now expect more. More authenticity. More purpose. More integrity.
From a hiring perspective, these trends are absolutely shaping the roles and the skill sets that brands are looking for. Whether it’s a Head of Growth for a clean beauty start-up or an Operations Manager who understands the nuances of sustainable supply chains — beauty brands today want people who not only get the industry but who live and breathe its values.
What Makes a Candidate Stand Out in This Space?
In the conversations we have every day with hiring managers, the same themes keep emerging. They want candidates who:
- Understand how brand, product, and purpose all connect.
- Can speak the language of both creativity and commerciality.
- Bring operational rigour — particularly across supply chain and finance — without losing sight of the consumer experience.
- Have a genuine love for the industry. You can’t fake it in beauty — enthusiasm shines through.
And What’s Next?
With awards like these setting the tone, we see beauty continuing to evolve rapidly. Purpose-driven brands aren’t niche anymore — they are the mainstream. And that’s brilliant news for people who care about working for businesses that reflect their own values.
If you’re looking for your next role in the beauty and lifestyle space, or you’re a founder seeking standout talent to help your brand scale, Jessica would love to chat. Whether it’s a Head of Finance for a conscious skincare brand or a Marketing Manager who knows the power of storytelling — this is where the exciting work is happening.
To see the full list of finalists, visit Business of Fashion’s official feature.