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THE INDUSTRY INSIDERS

2025 awards

Celebrating excellence in your craft

Beginner Awards – Rising Star Category

Open to artists with under two years of experience in the specific technique they are entering.

 

  • Rising Star – Eyebrows
    For new artists in any brow tattooing method: nano, combination, machine, ombré, or microblading.

  • Rising Star – Eyeliner
    For beginners in lash line, winged liner, or shaded eyeliner tattooing.

  • Rising Star – Lips
    For new lip tattooists, including blush, neutralisation, or full-colour styles.

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📝 Important Notes:

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  • The Rising Star categories are the only categories where you must upload a certificate of completion or training for the technique you’re entering.
    This allows us to verify that you have under two years of experience in that specific area.

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* If you trained in brows five years ago, but only trained in eyeliner or lips within the last two years, you are still eligible for the relevant Rising Star category.

 

* Beginners are also welcome to enter any other open categories in this competition.

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ENTRY FEE $40.00 per category 

OPEN PMU CATEGORIES

Celebrate technical skill, artistry, and beautiful healed results across all levels of experience.

 

  • Best Lip Neutralisation
    Showcase your correction work on dark lips.

  • Best Lips
    Includes lip blushing, lip tint, and lipstick effect.

  • Best Nano Brows
    Machine hair strokes using nano needles for natural realism.

  • Best Combination Brows
    A fusion of strokes and shading techniques.

  • Best Machine Brows
    Powder or ombré brows created with a tattoo machine.

  • Best Microblading Brows
    Manual tool only – clean, crisp hairstrokes.

  • Best Eyeliner (Any Style)
    Classic, shaded, winged — all eyeliner styles welcome.

  • Best SMP (Scalp Micropigmentation)
    Hairline correction and density work for male or female clients.

  • BEST SCAR CAMOUFLAGE Scar Camouflage or Inkless Stretch-mark, scar work on any area of the body.

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ENTRY FREE $40.00 per category 

MATURE SKIN CATEGORIES

Honouring artists who specialise in working with mature clients and adapt their techniques with care.

 

  • Best Mature Eyebrows
    For artists demonstrating exceptional technique and results on clients aged 60 and over.

  • Best Mature Lips
    Celebrating beautiful, age-appropriate lip tattooing on clients aged 60 and over.

  • Best Mature Eyeliner
    For artists showcasing soft, age-appropriate eyeliner techniques on clients ages 60 and over, with focus on enhancing the eyes while respecting mature skin.

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ENTRY FREE $40.00 per category 

BEAUTY TREATMENT CATEGORIES

For brow and lash artists delivering exceptional results in beauty services.

Many of our cosmetic tattooists are also talented beauty therapists — this category celebrates that full range of skill.

 

  • Best Lash Lift
    Show us clean technique, perfect lash placement, and natural lift that enhances the eyes.

  • Best Brow Sculpt
    Judged on shaping, precision waxing or threading, tint/stain, and overall brow styling.

  • Best Brow Lamination
    Beautifully laminated brows that maintain structure, symmetry, and a natural finish.

 

BEST SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION

(Free Entry)

Awarded to the attendee who promotes The Industry Insiders 2025 with the most creative, engaging, and impactful content on social media.

 

This award celebrates energy, visibility, and the way you share your excitement with the beauty community. Whether you’re a selfie pro, a storytelling natural, or a reel-making genius — this one’s for you.

 

🆓 Free to enter. Open to all ticket holders.

 

Need ideas? You could…

 

  • Share your speaker crush, favourite panellists, or why you’re excited to attend

  • Film a reel packing your outfit or travel essentials for the Industry Insiders event

  • Create a “Get ready with me for Industry Insiders” video

  • Post a before-and-after of your career journey since joining the industry

  • Do a countdown or creative announcement when you grab your ticket

  • Make a funny meme about solo artist life, burnout, or beauty biz chaos

  • Shout out your industry besties and tag them to come too!

 

 

🎯 Posts will be judged on creativity, clarity, engagement, and how well they capture the spirit of the event.

PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD

(Free Entry)

Awarded to the artist who’s made a meaningful impact in the lives of others in the PMU and beauty industry. This could be your mentor, your trainer, a fellow artist, or a PMU bestie who’s supported you, lifted you up, or inspired your growth.

 

This award recognises heart, generosity, and community. Whether they’ve guided you through your first set of brows, helped you start your own business, or simply been your go-to for encouragement and advice, this is your chance to shine a light on them.

 

 Free to enter. Open to all ticket holders.

 

To enter, email your nomination to industryinsidersnz@gmail.com

Include their full name, Instagram handle (if possible), and a short paragraph on why you believe they deserve to win.

 

Nominate someone who has:

• Been a mentor or educator you’ll never forget

• Supported you through your career in big or small ways

• Inspired you with their kindness, authenticity, or talent

• Been your ride-or-die PMU bestie in the beauty biz

 

 Winner will be selected based on the number of nominations and the strength of the submissions. Let’s celebrate the ones who truly lift others up.

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