Celebrate your skill. Get recognised.
Take your place in the UK's largest awards dedicated exclusively to permanent makeup. Enter online and put your work in front of an independent judging panel—attendance is not required to enter or become a finalist.
Let your work speak for itself.
- Celebrate your skill and stand out in a competitive industry
- Build trust with clients through recognised, credible awards
- Gain official titles and certificates to showcase your expertise
- Be recognised by independent judges focused purely on technique and results
What makes us different
- The UK's largest awards dedicated exclusively to permanent makeup
- 10th year of one of the most respected PMU awards globally
- Anonymous judging with strict submission criteria, focused on skill and professionalism
- Not-for-profit awards with no popularity or follower bias
- Genuine industry recognition that builds client trust
Set yourself apart. All finalists receive an official finalist title and a bespoke certificate to display in their workspace.
Good to know
- You do not need to attend to become a finalist
- VIP, 2 Day Pass and Gala Dinner guests receive complimentary awards entry
- You may enter multiple categories; a separate entry form is required for each
The UK's biggest awards stage dedicated entirely to PMU.
Sunday 5th June, London Hilton Heathrow T5
The UK PMU Conference & Awards take place on Sunday 7th June 2026 at the Hilton Heathrow T5, London, during the Gala Dinner that closes our two-day conference.
As the UK's largest dedicated permanent makeup awards, the event gives artists a specialist platform where PMU skill—not general beauty, popularity or follower numbers—takes centre stage.
Now in its 10th year, the UK PMU Awards are recognised worldwide for integrity, transparency and credibility.
The awards are not-for-profit and judged anonymously by an independent panel.
The UK's largest dedicated PMU awards—created exclusively for our industry.
Eight specialist categories recognise real technique, healed results and professional standards. This is not a general beauty awards programme: every category, judging criterion and submission requirement is focused solely on PMU.
(2+ years' experience) Newcomer PMU Artist
(under 2 years' experience)
Simple, professional and entirely online.
Entering the UK PMU Awards is simple and completed entirely online.
Choose your category
Choose from the list above. Each category opens its own submission form and you may enter as many categories as you wish.
Upload your photos online
Upload before midnight on 30th April. All entries are based on photo submissions only. There is no live model element.
Submit with confidence
Once your entry is complete, an automated confirmation will be sent to your email for your records.
That’s it. Simple, professional, and designed to showcase your work.
What photos do I need?
Entries are submitted using photo collages of up to a maximum of three images for brow, lip and liner categories, and up to a maximum of two images for the Areola/Medical category.
- You can submit up to THREE models: THREE collages in total.
- For EACH model, submit THREE images in ONE collage: ideally a front-on view for symmetry and left & right side profiles.
- Images may show freshly completed OR healed results. Do not include “before” photos.
- Do not include more than three images in a collage or the submission will not be sent to the judges.
- For EACH model, submit TWO images in ONE collage: a before view showing the before skin condition and a freshly completed OR healed result.
- Images should be high resolution so judges can assess the work in detail.
- All images must be unedited and free from logos or watermarks.
Important
- Please read the Judges' Briefing before submission.
- You can submit up to three models per category, each shown as a collage. Fewer than this may mean you are not showing your best work.
- Brows, Lips and Liner are judged on finished results only. Only the Areola/Medical category requires a before image.
- Do not submit too many images in your collages.
Photo Submission | Collage Examples.
Use the example as a guide when preparing your images, then check every requirement in the Judges' Briefing before you submit.
From submission to the awards stage.
Choose and submit
There are a number of categories and you may enter as many as you like. A separate form is required for each category.
- Choose your category or categories and click the relevant tile or link to open the submission form, which includes access to the Judges' Briefing.
- Complete the details and upload your pictures.
- An automated confirmation will be emailed to you once submitted.
Anonymous independent judging
Your personal information is removed before your work enters the judges' submission file. Work is judged anonymously rather than on industry relationships, social following or other outside factors.
Judges assess elements including symmetry, shape, colour/tone, end result and technical skill in line with the published Judges' Briefing.
To protect anonymity, please do not post or announce your Awards submissions on social media within three months of the event.
Finalists are selected
After the closing date, the ten applicants shortlisted as finalists in each category will be emailed and invited to the Gala Dinner & Awards.
Winners are revealed
Winners and runners-up remain secret until the Gala Dinner & Awards. The top three are revealed at the event and the winner is invited to the stage.
The overall winner receives a trophy; the two runners-up receive framed certificates. All finalists attending receive finalist certificates and an opportunity for professional photography.
Winners and finalists hold their titles for 12 months. First, second and third place are promoted on our website and social media.
Everything you need to know.
How much does it cost to enter?
The UK PMU Awards are subject to a contribution fee per entry. This helps cover the high costs of running and hosting the Awards as a not-for-profit event.
VIP ticket holders receive complimentary entry to up to three categories, and 2 Day Full Access ticket holders receive one complimentary entry. Please contact us for your entry codes before submitting.
Do I need to attend to enter?
No. You can enter and become a finalist whether or not you attend the UK PMU Conference. All entries are judged anonymously by independent judges, and all finalists receive official recognition including an electronic certificate.
Finalists attending the Gala Dinner & Awards receive a framed certificate and professional event photography. To be eligible to win a category, a finalist must attend the Awards Gala or have a valid nominated proxy; please see the Terms & Conditions for proxy eligibility.
Can I enter more than one category?
Yes. Artists may enter as many categories as they wish, provided they have photographs of relevant procedures to support each nomination. A separate form is required for every category.
How many winners will there be?
Each category has a winner, second place and third place/two runners-up. The overall winner receives a trophy and the two runners-up receive framed certificates.
All finalists attending the Awards receive finalist certificates and the opportunity for professional photography.
Are the Awards anonymous?
Yes. Submissions are sent anonymously to the judging panel so work is assessed on the submission, not industry relationships, social-media following or other factors.
Judges never see applicants' names or personal details. They do not know which categories they will judge until after entries have closed.
How are the finalists and winners chosen?
Our independent judges aim to be impartial and assess work in line with the published Judges' Briefing.
All finalists attending have the opportunity to be presented with a winner's trophy at the Awards.
What photos do I need?
Entries use photo collages of up to three images for brow, lip and liner categories and up to two images for the Areola/Medical category.
For all categories
- You can submit up to three models: three collages.
Brow, Lip and Eyeliner
- For each model, submit a front-on view for symmetry and both side profiles.
- Use freshly completed or healed results. Do not include before photos.
- Do not include more than three images in a collage or the submission will not be sent to the judges.
Areola and Medical
- For each model, submit a before view showing the skin condition and a freshly completed or healed result.
Important
- Images must be unedited, high resolution and free from logos or watermarks.
- Submit up to three models per category, each shown as a collage.
- Brows, Lips and Liner require finished results only. Only Areola/Medical requires a before image.
- Brows/Lips/Liner: maximum three images per collage—Front, Left and Right.
- Areola/Medical: maximum two images per collage—Before and After only.
What does an independent judging panel mean?
Our independent panel is carefully selected from leading professionals in the PMU industry. They bring an unbiased perspective, expert knowledge and passion to every decision. Each judge is chosen to ensure they have no connections to participants or organisers that could influence impartiality.
What is the judging criteria?
We are proud to be one of the only PMU competitions to publicly share the judges' notes, giving you transparency before entering. Visit the Judges' Briefing to see exactly how your work will be evaluated.
How do I know if I am a finalist?
All finalists are notified using the contact details supplied with their entry. This normally happens a few days after the closing date, allowing judges time to review every application thoroughly.
When are the winners announced?
Winners remain a closely guarded secret until the Gala Dinner. Multiple judges evaluate each category and all applications are reviewed anonymously, so even the judges do not know the overall winners before the evening.
Are the results transparent and published?
Each applicant receives a unique identification code to maintain anonymity. After the event, the full results of all finalists who attended are published so participants can see how they were scored.
Because of submission volumes, administrative costs and the not-for-profit nature of the event, individual feedback reports cannot be provided to applicants who have not supported the event through attendance. If you request ranking scores without attending, we reserve the right to request a charitable donation before releasing them.
Is there a beginners' category?
Yes. The Newcomer category is open to anyone with less than two years' experience. It is one of the competition's most coveted awards, celebrating rising talent and exceptional achievement at the beginning of a PMU career.
When is the closing date?
Entries close at midnight on 30th April 2026.
Please read before entering.
All applicants are presented with and agree to these Terms & Conditions by ticking the relevant checkbox before completing their submission.
By submitting an entry, entrants acknowledge that they have read and accepted these Terms & Conditions, the Awards Process and the Judges' Briefing. These documents are available to review before submission and payment.
It is the entrant's responsibility to read the Judges' Briefing, understand the criteria and Awards process, and read the Terms & Conditions before submitting. Submissions that do not meet the criteria may be removed by the Organiser or disregarded by the judges.
The UK PMU Conference operates as a not-for-profit event, investing in the PMU community through a number of channels and initiatives. Because the Awards take considerable time to organise, judge and assess, an administration fee—called the entry/application fee—is payable for each category.
Entry/application fees are non-refundable under any circumstances, including withdrawal, disqualification, failure to meet eligibility criteria, failure to attend, failure to become a finalist, duplicate or incorrect submissions, or inability to secure an event ticket.
General Terms & Guidelines
- As part of our not-for-profit initiatives, VIP, two-day and Gala ticket holders receive free entry. Contact us for codes before submitting. Failure to request or use a valid code before submission will not result in a refund or credit because of administration costs.
- All entries are anonymous. Finalists and winners are selected by independent judges. Personal details are removed, and judges do not have access to personal information, social-media accounts or our attendee list.
- After the deadline, judges review submissions and rank entrants in order of preference—first, second, third and so on. The judges' ranks are combined to give an average rank/score.
- We aim to contact the top ten finalists three weeks before the event to invite them to attend.
- All ten finalists receive an electronic finalist certificate. Attendance is not required to enter or become a finalist.
- Finalists attending the Gala Dinner & Awards have the opportunity to progress in their category and receive additional framed certificates and professional event photography.
- All winners receive the coveted winner's trophy, event photography and promotion through our social-media channels.
- Finalists must attend the Gala Dinner & Awards to be eligible to win their category. Attendance through an approved proxy also satisfies this requirement.
- Ticket types including Gala Dinner & Awards attendance are VIP Pass, 2-Day Pass and Awards + Virtual. One-day passes do not include the evening events on either day.
- Finalists who do not attend and do not have a proxy retain finalist status but cannot progress or win their category.
- Nominate a Proxy: A finalist unable to attend may nominate another ticket holder to collect awards; the event can also assign someone. The finalist must hold a valid event ticket to assign a proxy and must notify us before the ticket-purchase deadline.
- The organisers and judges have the absolute right to decline to distribute awards in one or all categories if they do not consider the submitted work worthy.
- Tickets are sold first come, first served. Entering the Awards or becoming a finalist does not guarantee ticket availability.
- Ticket purchase is a separate transaction. If you cannot secure a ticket because of availability, you cannot progress in your category, and no entry-fee refund, credit or transfer will be issued.
- Entrants may enter as many categories as they wish but must not enter more than once per category. Duplicate submissions in a category will be disqualified at random without notice.
- Entrants must have a work address geographically associated with the UK—England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland or other smaller British Isles—and reside in the UK for at least six months of the calendar year. We may request confirmation of a UK Tattoo, Piercing and Electrolysis licence.
- We will attempt to contact all finalists by SMS, email and telephone. Because of the number of applications, we are not always able to contact unsuccessful entrants.
- Entrants must ensure all contact details are accurate and current. If the Organiser cannot make contact using the supplied details, the entrant may be withdrawn from the selection process and, where applicable, an alternative finalist selected.
- After entries close, successful finalists will be contacted. Finalists must confirm attendance no later than two weeks before the event to allow certificate production and trophy engraving. Failure to confirm by this deadline means the finalist will be treated as not attending and cannot progress in their category.
Judging & Submission Guidelines
- Judges use the briefing and criteria when assessing entries. As with any creative competition, experienced judges may place different emphasis on an entry's strengths; this is one reason multiple judges assess each category.
- The Organiser may change categories and the judging panel without prior notice if necessary.
- Applications are judged solely on the application form and its contents. Entrants are responsible for showcasing work clearly and reading the full Judges' Briefing.
- Work must be raw and clear, without filters or makeup. Additional points may be awarded for healed work and consistent lighting. Work suspected of filtering or Photoshopping may be marked down or disqualified at the judges' discretion.
- To support fairness and remove bias, every category is judged by more than one judge.
- Judges rank the entries. Winners and finalists are determined from combined/average scores.
- Because of the number of entries, no feedback can be provided on individual imagery, rankings or other results. If judges provide notes, these will be shared.
- Judging is meticulous and can take many hours per category. Judges may comment on submissions, but individual feedback is generally not possible because of entry volumes.
- Because of GDPR sensitivities, full-face images require the model's express permission. By entering, entrants confirm they have obtained all necessary permissions and accept responsibility for any breach.
- Judges, speakers and demonstrators may not enter without the Organisers' express permission.
- An automated copy of the submission is sent after application. Entrants must review it. Alterations are at the Organiser's discretion and cannot be made after the closing date.
- Entrants must ensure photographs are properly received, high quality and not corrupted, as this may affect the judges' ability to view the work.
- If fewer than the required photographs are received, we will assume those are the images to be considered. If more than the required number are received, extra images will be deleted at random.
- Photos containing logos or distinguishing features may be deleted or disqualified without notice.
- Entries must be submitted as collages of completed work with three aspects: front, left and right. Medical/Areola work requires two aspects: before and after. Entries containing more images than required may have images deleted.
- The Organiser may reject any entry without notice at its absolute discretion.
- Any attempt to bribe or otherwise influence judges' decisions results in automatic disqualification.
- The Organiser's decision is final and binding on all matters affecting the competition. The Organiser may amend these Terms & Conditions at any time.
- Awards administration fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.
- Newcomer-category entrants must have less than two years' experience when submitting. Awards will be rescinded if evidence of certification date cannot be supplied.
- Any request from the Organiser to resubmit images or additional materials is discretionary and offered as a courtesy. Entrants must comply within the stated timeframe. Failure to do so means an entry may be treated as incomplete and disqualified without refund.
- Late applications submitted after the closing date will not be counted, and fees may still be charged because of card-processing fees and administration costs.
Your work deserves the UK's biggest dedicated PMU stage.
Choose your category, read the Judges' Briefing and submit your strongest work to the UK's largest awards dedicated exclusively to permanent makeup.
