Celebrating innovation, resilience, and visionary leadership, The Business of Beauty Global Awards 2025 spotlight a remarkable group of entrepreneurs who are not only redefining beauty standards but also reshaping the industry’s future on a global scale. Selected from over 100 applicants spanning 17 countries and five continents, these finalists embody creativity, determination, and a commitment to sustainability and inclusivity. From breakthrough skincare formulations to revolutionary sustainable packaging, each brand tells a unique story of perseverance and passion, reflecting the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the beauty world. As these rising stars prepare to make their mark, their journeys illuminate the pathways for future innovators eager to transform how beauty is experienced and understood worldwide.
A global search for beauty’s brightest innovators
When The Business of Beauty Global Awards launched in 2024, the goal was clear: to shine a spotlight on the next generation of beauty entrepreneurs from around the world whose creativity, vision, and entrepreneurial spirit could transform the industry. These awards were designed to elevate brands that, despite their remarkable potential, might otherwise remain under the radar — not for lack of talent or demand, but often because they lack the connections or backing needed to scale.
In its inaugural year, the awards honored pioneers such as Conserving Beauty from Australia, D’You from India, and Fara Homidi from the United States — all of whom have continued to flourish, proving that recognition can propel growth and open doors to new opportunities. This year, the competition was fiercer than ever, with over 100 applicants representing 17 countries across five continents. After rigorous deliberations, we are proud to announce 13 finalists who embody the spirit of innovation and resilience.
The selection process: Balancing innovation, impact, and potential
Choosing finalists was no easy task. Our judging panel meticulously evaluated each applicant, weighing factors such as revenue, funding status, product innovation, and the ability to influence global beauty trends. The brands were split into two categories to highlight different stages of business growth:
Emerging Track: Start-ups with annual revenues under $2 million, focused on organic growth and establishing market presence.
Breakthrough Track: Scaling brands with revenues up to $10 million, poised to disrupt and lead the industry forward.
Throughout the process, the panel engaged in spirited discussions, sampling products and diving deep into the stories behind each brand. The key question: Which companies have the vision and dynamism to truly reshape the future of beauty?
Spotlight on the emerging track finalists
19/99 Beauty — Canada: Founded by Stephanie Spence and Camille Katona, 19/99 Beauty is built on the radical belief that beauty transcends age. Launching in 2020, the brand’s ethos embraces self-definition at every life stage, offering high-performance, versatile products for people aged 19 to 99. With roots in prestigious beauty houses like Bite Beauty and Shanghai’s Red Earth, the duo has organically grown 19/99 Beauty into a presence at top-tier retailers including Space NK and Holt Renfrew.
Lelive — South Africa: Founded by Amanda du-Pont, Lelive harnesses the rich heritage and botanicals of Africa, blending them with cutting-edge scientific research. Since its South African debut, Lelive has expanded into the UK market, receiving critical acclaim in Elle and British Vogue for its innovative approach to skincare.
Facile — United States: Co-founder Danielle Nadick Levy, a strategist and beauty enthusiast, teamed up with dermatologist Dr. Nancy Samolitis to create Facile — a brand dedicated to simple, effective, and accessible skincare. Their clinical formulations focus on kindness to skin without compromising efficacy, targeting consumers seeking both affordability and quality.
Commune — United Kingdom: Husband-and-wife founders Kate Neal and Rémi Paringaux bring years of luxury fashion experience to Commune, a self-care brand emphasizing sustainability and artistry. With plant-based ingredients, natural oils, and innovative packaging made from recyclable aluminum, Commune’s products reflect a deep commitment to eco-conscious beauty, sold through iconic retailers like Harrods and Liberty.
Unifrom — Sweden: Haisam Mohammed’s Unifrom challenges the Eurocentric norms of the fragrance world by infusing scents with stories of migration and identity. Drawing on his design background and personal experiences, Mohammed crafts fragrances that redefine how scent is experienced — offering a fresh, boundary-pushing perspective.
Soshe — United States: Sahar Rohani, a Computational Neuroscience graduate, founded Soshe Beauty to fill a gap in clean makeup that combines skin-friendly ingredients with refillable, sustainable packaging. Inspired by her mother’s ’90s makeup and driven by innovation, Soshe has quickly gained attention for setting new sustainability standards.
Manasi 7 — Sweden: Founded by makeup artist Susanne Manasi, this brand merges Scandinavian minimalism with ancient Indian remedies. Manasi 7 uses fermented, biotech, and wild-harvested ingredients to create multifunctional, microbiome-friendly products available globally, catering to diverse skin tones with a sustainable approach.
Breakthrough track: brands making a global impact
ESW Beauty — United States: After her own health struggles, Elina Sofia Wang founded ESW Beauty with a focus on clean, plant-inspired skincare. The brand’s success is underscored by an impressive retail footprint of over 8,500 doors, including major chains like Target and Whole Foods. ESW Beauty’s organic growth without institutional funding highlights the power of visionary entrepreneurship.
Olfactory NYC — United States: JJ Vittoria transitioned from finance to fragrance, launching Olfactory NYC in 2017 to bridge the gap between perfumer creativity and consumer experience. His direct-to-consumer model offers customizable, high-quality scents, redefining how people engage with fragrance. Vittoria’s business acumen, honed at Columbia Business School, drives the brand’s strategic growth.
Ruka — United Kingdom:Tendai Moyo’s mission is to revolutionize the hair extension market with sustainable, biomimicry-based alternatives. With a strong academic and consulting background, Moyo’s brand emphasizes community impact and inclusivity, recently partnering with Schwarzkopf Pro Academy to educate on afro-textured hair. Her venture capital success underscores Ruka’s potential to disrupt.
Yse Beauty — United States: Launched by actress and author Molly Sims, Yse Beauty offers effective, simple skincare solutions born from Sims’ own struggle with hyperpigmentation. Backed by years of research and development, the brand combines science and accessibility, with Sims also actively supporting social causes through her platform.
Ciele Cosmetics — United States: Celebrity makeup artist Nikki DeRoest brings her expertise to Ciele Cosmetics, focusing on luminous, skin-driven makeup. Known for working with high-profile clients, DeRoest’s brand is synonymous with flawless complexion and artistry, merging glamour with skin health.
Akt London — United Kingdom: Former West End performers Ed Currie and Andy Coxon founded Akt after experiencing the limits of traditional deodorants. Their plastic-free, aluminum-free Deodorant Balm has become a cult favorite, especially among performers. Their range continues to grow with products tested on dancers and designed for lasting performance.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Beauty: The 2025 Business of Beauty Global Awards finalists represent more than just successful brands — they embody a shift toward inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation that is reshaping the industry. Each founder brings a unique story, from personal health journeys to cultural heritage, highlighting the diversity and dynamism driving beauty forward.
As we celebrate these trailblazers, the awards reaffirm the importance of supporting emerging talent worldwide, providing a platform for visibility and connection to resources that can help them thrive. With these finalists leading the charge, the beauty industry’s future is brighter, more inclusive, and infinitely more exciting.
