Nykaa Best in Beauty Awards 2026 Expands to 60 Categories, Introduces Dual Honours System as Voting Opens Nationwide

The initiative, which began as a celebration of consumer-loved beauty, has witnessed substantial growth, expanding from 42 categories at launch to 60 categories in its third edition. The awards span Skincare, Makeup, Haircare, Fragrances, and Bath & Body, reflecting the scale of India’s beauty obsession. Across its first two editions, NBIB recorded over 2.6 lakh votes, underscoring the influence of consumer participation in shaping industry recognition.

At its core, the awards are rooted in Nykaa’s longstanding philosophy that everyday users of beauty products should help define excellence in the category. The platform once again places decision-making power in the hands of consumers, highlighting products that have earned trust and loyalty across the country. From global icons to homegrown innovators, the awards recognise products that deliver exceptional results while maintaining a strong presence on consumers’ vanities.

For over a decade, Nykaa has played a central role in transforming how India discovers and experiences beauty through authentic experiences, expert-led education, and immersive content. The NBIB initiative extends this legacy by creating a platform where consumers actively champion the brands they value. The introduction of separate Consumer Choice Awards and Jury Honours marks a structural evolution, combining public opinion with expert evaluation.

Commenting on the announcement, Anchit Nayar, Executive Director and CEO, Nykaa Beauty, stated that the awards have emerged as one of the most influential initiatives in India’s beauty landscape. He emphasised that the programme reflects Nykaa’s commitment to consumer-centric innovation, adding that the dual recognition system acknowledges both mass consumer voice and expert perspectives. He further noted that the awards capture the rituals, preferences, and passions that define how India engages with beauty.

NBIB 2026 introduces new categories, including Most Loved Gifting Brand, recognising brands consumers prefer for gifting. Returning categories such as Viral Products and Viral New Korean Beauty continue to highlight trends shaping modern beauty culture and the growing influence of K-beauty in India. The Impact Award remains a key category, honouring brands advancing sustainability and responsible practices, reflecting increasing consumer focus on conscious beauty.

To enhance user engagement, the awards incorporate a discover-to-purchase feature, enabling participants to explore and shop nominated products while voting. This integration brings discovery, participation, and commerce into a unified experience, reinforcing the platform’s evolving role in the beauty ecosystem.

The 2026 jury panel comprises a diverse group of industry experts and cultural voices, including Nykaa’s brand icon Sharvari, celebrity makeup artist Elton Fernandez, makeup artist and Mokae Beauty founder Sandhya Shekhar, hair expert Hiral Bhatia, dermatologist Dr. Aanchal Panth, NAKED Coffee founder and luxury content creator Radhika Seth, creator Ankush Bahuguna, Forbes Top Digital Influencer Tarini Peshawaria, and Nandini Bhalla. The panel combines expertise across artistry, dermatology, editorial insight, and digital culture to evaluate shortlisted nominees after the voting phase.

Voting remains open nationwide until June 2026, allowing participants to support products across all categories. Following the voting period, shortlisted entries will undergo jury evaluation to ensure that winners reflect both consumer endorsement and expert validation. Final results are scheduled to be announced in June 2026. Participants will also have the opportunity to win a bumper prize, adding further engagement to the process.

With a customer base exceeding 42 million, Nykaa continues to influence how India engages with beauty by connecting global brands and domestic innovators on a single platform. The NBIB awards serve as an extension of this vision, reinforcing the relationship between brands and consumers while recognising innovation, loyalty, and evolving market trends.

As anticipation builds for the 2026 winners, the awards continue to reflect the dynamic transformation of India’s beauty industry, driven by consumer choice, expert insight, and a rapidly expanding marketplace.