There’s something almost electric about the ELLE Beauty Awards, that moment when a room full of India’s most influential voices in beauty, wellness, and fashion converge to celebrate creativity, confidence, and change.
The 2025 edition lived up to that legacy. Held in October, the night shimmered with a mix of nostalgia and novelty, bringing together the icons who built India’s beauty heritage and the new creators reimagining it. From powerhouses like M·A·C, SSBeauty, Bobbi Brown, and Charlotte Tilbury to break out Indian names like Old School Rituals, Kasaya, Zero Zero, and ClayCo., the awards proved one thing: the future of beauty is proudly homegrown and fearlessly experimental.
What truly stood out this year, though, were the new inclusions that mirrored the changing heartbeat of the industry, each one a reflection of where beauty is headed next.
EBA 2025 expanded its scope to honour 32 categories, covering a wide spectrum of innovation across skincare, makeup, haircare, and wellness, a true reflection of how beauty continues to evolve in both depth and direction.
The introduction of the Sexual Wellness Awards felt especially timely. By bringing conversations around intimacy and self-care into the beauty fold, ELLE acknowledged a reality often left out of glossy narratives that true beauty begins with comfort in one’s own skin.
Then came the Health and Wellness Award, a heartfelt nod to India’s own centuries-old wellness heritage. The recognition celebrated a pioneer who has redefined beauty from within reminding everyone that glow isn’t just topical; it’s spiritual.
Meanwhile, the debut of ‘ELLE Discover’ brought fresh energy to the room, an award dedicated to emerging brands making their mark in a fast-growing category. By spotlighting innovation, transparency, and mindful formulation, ELLE gave these young homegrown labels a global platform, positioning them as the next generation of changemakers in conscious beauty.
And for the first time ever, the event introduced a Product Display for Winners, a sleek, interactive space that turned the awards into a live experience. From luxurious serums and breakthrough sunscreens to sustainable packaging innovations, each product told its own story of why it deserved to be there.
In many ways, this thoughtful curation captured the essence of what EBA stands for celebrating not just what’s beautiful, but what’s meaningful.
“At Ogaan Media, the ELLE Beauty Awards have always been more than a celebration — they’re a statement of intent. With the 2025 edition, we set out to reflect the new direction of beauty in India: bold, inclusive, and deeply rooted in both innovation and tradition. This year’s event brought together iconic global names and fearless Indian innovators under one roof, showcasing the strength and diversity of our industry. From honouring emerging disruptors to introducing transformative categories, we’re proud to have created a platform that doesn’t just keep pace with change, but helps lead it.” says Mahesh Nambiar, CEO, Ogaan Media
“The ELLE Beauty Awards 2025 were a powerful reflection of where beauty in India stands today — at the intersection of legacy and innovation. From the beginning, our goal was to create a platform that not only celebrated excellence but also mirrored the evolving values of our audience. This year’s edition did just that. We brought together heritage brands and emerging Indian disruptors, introduced bold new categories like sexual wellness and elevated conversations that are often left out of mainstream narratives. It was a proud moment for us at ELLE to spotlight a beauty landscape that’s more inclusive, transparent, and forward-thinking than ever before.” says Nydia Dias, Publishing Director, ELLE India
Red Carpet Radiance: When Glamour Met Grace
The ELLE Beauty Awards 2025 red carpet was a masterclass in effortless elegance. From Kriti Sanon’s timeless charm, to Sonali Bendre’s understated grace and Sushmita Sen’s eternal aura, the evening was a dazzling display of individuality and inspiration. Nora Fatehi, Nargis Fakhri, Diana Penty, Aditi Rao Hydari, Rakul Preet Singh, Alaya F, and Palak Tiwari turned heads with looks that balanced glamour and confidence. As Ibrahim Ali Khan, Sargun Mehta, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Raashi Khanna joined the celebration, the message was clear: the new age of beauty is diverse, expressive, and deeply personal.
Year after year, the platform has continued to evolve not just as a glamorous celebration, but as a cultural moment that reflects where India’s beauty narrative is heading. With its strong digital and social media presence, a red carpet that rivals fashion’s biggest nights, and an unwavering focus on storytelling, EBA remains a space where influence meets intention, honouring those who are shaping the future of beauty in India.
“Beauty in India today is a blend of heritage and experimentation, a meeting of tradition and bold self-expression. This year, we expanded our lens to include everything from sexual wellness to a Legacy Award for Yoga with each category chosen to challenge convention and celebrate authenticity. The night was more than a celebration of products; it was a celebration of stories, identities, and the changemakers redefining beauty on their own terms. With the 2025 edition of the ELLE Beauty Awards, we’re pushing the narrative forward by spotlighting the voices and brands that are reshaping what beauty means in our context. It’s bold, it’s personal, and most importantly, it’s ours.” Ainee Nizami Ahmedi added, Editorial Director, ELLE India
Winners Highlights:
The Best in Beauty, 2025
From skin saviours and transformative tools to fragrances that captivate, these are the products that earned the ELLE seal of excellence this year.
Makeup:
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Best Base: thou. Beauty Hue Drops
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Best Blush: CHANTECAILLE Cheek Shade – Bee Emotion
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Best Lip Product: Bobbi Brown Extra Color Shine Lipstick
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Best Setting Product: Huda Beauty Easy Bake Duo Loose Powder
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Best Kajal/Liner: Simplynam The Ultimate Kajal – Metallic Blue
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Best Mascara: Jeffree Star Cosmetics F*ck Proof Mascara
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Best Brow Product: Staze 9to9 All Eyes On You Brow Definer
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Best Eyeshadow: Charlotte Tilbury Palette Of Beautifying Eye Trends – Pink Love
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Best Nail Product: Ray Of Sunshine Beauty Nail Stickers
Skincare:
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Best Cleanser: Elizabeth Arden White Tea Skin Solutions Gentle Purifying Cleanser
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Best Makeup Remover: Into Doubling Down Nourishing Rinse-Off Cleansing Balm
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Best Serum/Essence/Face Oil/Face Mist: The Ordinary GF 15% Solution
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Best Mask/Peel/Exfoliator: Clay Co Matcha Enzyme Scrub with AHA & BHA
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Best Moisturiser: Asaya Running Deep Moisture Cocoon Crème
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Best Eye Care Product: Oteria Time Travel Eye Serum
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Best Sunscreen: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua Fresh
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Best Lip Balm: La Mer The Lip Volumizer
Haircare:
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Best Shampoo: Hair Sensitively Scalp Shampoo
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Best Conditioner: milk_shake Curl Passion Shaper
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Best Hair Mask: 3TENX Ultimate Revitalize Hair Mask
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Best Hair Oil/Serum: Fix My Curls Frizz Control Stick
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Best Leave-In Product: Sachajuan Hair In The Sun
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Best Hair Tool: House of Beauty LED Hair Brush (5 in 1)
Bodycare & Fragrance:
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Best Body Cleanser: Sol De Janeiro Delicia Drench Shower Oil Cheirosa 59
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Best Body Moisturiser/Oil: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
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Best Women’s Fragrance: Dear Diary National Crush
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Best Men’s Fragrance: Ajmal Aristocrat Eau De Parfum
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Best Face Tool: FitFace They See Me Rollin Spike Facial Roller
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Best Hand & Foot Product: Mintree UPF 50+ Protection Handwraps
Men’s & Wellness:
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Best Men’s Grooming Product: Ikonic Professional Bullet Hair Shaver
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Best Sexual Wellness Product: Be. Alpha – Supports Strength, Stamina, and Vitality
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Best Health & Wellness Product: Terrapy Menopause Support
EDITOR’S CHOICE: Beauty Beyond Boundaries
ELLE’s editorial team spotlighted products that broke barriers and sparked conversation from innovation to impact, these were the year’s personal favourites.
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Best Anti-Ageing Skincare Product: Neude Skin Rewind Age Reversing Gel Crème
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Skincare Innovation: Personal Touch Skincare
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Title TBD: Nexxus Product TBD
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Best Sun Care Product: Embryolisse Sun Stick SPF 50+
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Best Everyday Cleanser: O3+ Brightening Face Wash
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Best Intimate Grooming Tool: Philips OneBlade Intimate Bikini & Underarm Trimmer & Razor
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Best Contemporary Perfume: OLFA Raja Rose’42
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Foundation of the Year: PAC Cosmetics Studio HD Liquid Foundation
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Best Body Butter: FloraSoul Ayurveda
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Best Skin Renewal Serum: Lakmé Retinol Advanced Renewal Serum
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Best All-Round Skincare Serum: Hyphen Double Shot Face Serum
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Everyday Sun Protection Formula of the Year: Etude Soonjung Director’s Tone-Up Correcting Sun Cream
EXPERT & INDUSTRY HONOURS: The Pioneers of Beauty 2025
Recognising the trailblazers and transformative figures behind the industry’s evolution:
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ELLE Makeup Artist of the Year: Sandhya Shekar
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ELLE Hair Expert of the Year: Amit Thakur
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ELLE Skin Expert of the Year: Dr. Jewel Gamadia
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ELLE Health & Wellness Expert 2025: Dr. Hansaji Yogendra (The Yoga Institute)
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ELLE Fitness Expert of the Year: Pooja Makhija
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Mental Wellness Expert of the Year: Pika Dubey
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ELLE Sexual Wellness Vanguard: Seema Anand
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Sexual Wellness Expert of the Year: Sangya Project Founders
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ELLE Getting Greener Beauty Brand: Old School Rituals
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ELLE Beauty Innovation of the Year: Kasaya
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ELLE Discovers: Zero Zero
CELEBRITY HONOURS: Where Stardom Meets Substance
A night of icons, dreamers, and disruptors, celebrating not just beauty, but the grace and grit behind it.
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ELLE Eternal Muse: Sushmita Sen
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ELLE Effortless Elegance: Sonali Bendre
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ELLE Beauty-preneur of the Year: Kriti Sanon
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ELLE Global Beauty Influencer: Nargis Fakhri
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ELLE International Power Performer: Nora Fatehi
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ELLE Beauty Muse: Aditi Rao Hydari
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ELLE Beauty Trailblazer: Diana Penty
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ELLE Pure Presence: Rakul Preet Singh
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ELLE Fit & Fabulous: Alaya F
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ELLE Game Changer of the Year: Fatima Sana
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ELLE Rising Star: Ibrahim Ali Khan
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ELLE Crossover Star of the Year: Sargun Mehta
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ELLE Next-Gen Star: Palak Tiwari
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ELLE Beauty with Impact: Raashi Khanna
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ELLE Beauty Creator of the Year: Aashna Hegde
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ELLE Digital Creator of the Year (Female): Komal Pandey
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ELLE Digital Creator of the Year (Male): Siddharth Batra
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ELLE Digital Disruptor – Beauty: Radhika Seth
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ELLE Digital Voice of the Year – Beauty: Shivshakti Sachdev
Each award recognised excellence, innovation, and storytelling, with winners dedicating their accolades to teams, mentors, and fans who have supported their journey.
Partners in Glow
The event was made possible with the support of XYZ (Presenting Partner), XYZ (Hydration Partner), and gifting partners including XYZ .
A Celebration of Self
As the night came to a close, the mood was clear: beauty is evolving, and so is the way we celebrate it. From dermatologist-founded formulations to indie disruptors and homegrown innovators, the ELLE Beauty Awards 2025 stood as a testament to an industry that’s as experimental as it is empathetic.
This year’s awards weren’t just about trends, they were about truths. We’re celebrating products that champion authenticity, inclusivity, and innovation. Because real beauty is not defined by perfection; it’s defined by progress.
Here’s to the winners and to the stories that make them shine.
Because at its heart, the ELLE Beauty Awards aren’t just about who wins, they’re about who’s shaping the story.