Frequently Asked Questions

Where do the Awards take place?

The Professional Beauty GCC Awards 2026 will take place on Tuesday 31st March 2026 in the InterContinental Festival City, Dubai.

How do I get a ticket?

Ticket bookings will go live at the end of the year, keep an eye on the website for updates

Can we take the team?

Yes, please do! We would recommend getting in touch with the Awards Team if you are looking to do this so that we can make sure you get the seat as they tend to sell out fast!

Do you have hotel recommendations or booking service?

Yes, details and links will follow shortly but if your enquiry is more urgent do get in touch with the team at [email protected]

Do I have to attend Professional Beauty Dubai to attend the awards?

No, you do not have to attend Professional Beauty Dubai to attend the Awards. But we recommend you do so you can see the gallery of finalists and perhaps see them speaking and performing on stage. Details can be seen here.

How To Enter The PB Awards

What is the last date to get my entry submitted?

The entry deadline is Friday 14th October 2024.

Can I post a hard copy of my entry?

No - ALL entries must be submitted online.

Can I enter if I live outside of the GCC?

You can only enter if you live in the Middle East region namely: Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

What are the eligibility dates for entry?

Entrants eligible for consideration must have been opened before 1st June 2023.

Can I enter more than one category?

If entering more than one category, please ensure you have submitted each entry separately. Make sure each entry is unique in its content. The judges can become familiar with repeated entries.

If I reach the shortlist, is there anything else I need to do?

Second-Round Judging – Salon & Spa Categories

• All entrants will receive an email detailing whether they have made the shortlist.
• Mystery visitor – A ‘mystery’ client will visit all the finalists. The mystery client will book unannounced in the normal way and experience some treatments. Afterwards he/she will complete a questionnaire and report back to the judges. Entrants are expected to cover the cost of the mystery client’s treatments.
• Judges conduct a conference call. The official visitor also attends and talks judges through the visits to each finalist.
• Judges do not agree on a winner as a group but instead score independently using pre-defined criteria.
• Judges submit their final scores to the Professional Beauty Awards organising team, who then total up all the scores from all the judges. The finalist with the highest collective score wins.

NOTE: Finalists will be responsible for providing treatments free of charge for the mystery visitor and in the case of the spa category an overnight stay

Second-Round Judging – Individual Practitioner Categories

• All entrants will receive an email detailing whether they have made the shortlist.
• Shortlisted finalists will be asked to attend a practical trade test in Dubai on a date to be confirmed
• Following this practical trade test, each finalist will be interviewed by the judges.
• Judges do not agree on a winner as a group but instead score independently using pre-defined criteria.
• Judges submit their final scores to the Professional Beauty Awards organising team, who then total up all the scores from all the judges. The finalist with the highest collective score wins

Second-Round Judging – Business Director and Manager of the Year

• All entrants will receive an email detailing whether they have made the shortlist.
• Shortlisted finalists will be asked to attend an interview in Dubai on a date to be confirmed.
• Judges do not agree on a winner as a group but instead score independently using pre-defined criteria.
• Judges submit their final scores to the Professional Beauty Awards organising team, who then total up all the scores from all the judges. The finalist with the highest collective score wins

Second-Round Judging – Bridal Hair Stylist & Colour Technician of the Year

• All entrants will receive an email detailing whether they have made the shortlist.
• No further action is required from the finalists
• A Second round of scoring is contacted by the judges
• Judges do not agree on a winner as a group but instead score independently using pre-defined criteria
• Judges submit their final scores to the Professional Beauty Awards organising team, who then total up all the scores from all the judges. The finalist with the highest collective score wins