Sunday 27th August saw the who’s who of the Australian beauty industry celebrate as the winners of Australian Beauty Industry Awards 2023 (ABIA’s) were announced. The illustrious ABIA gala awards event was held at The Star, Sydney and saw over 500 of the country’s most aesthetically clinical, creative, and entrepreneurial minds gathered for a night to remember.
Led by Founder and CEO Linda Woodhead, Mocha Group have championed the best in beauty around the country since 2012 through this trusted award platform. The ABIA’s provide a benchmark of excellence across both specialist and individual categories in beauty and make-up, with a wide variety of categories which highlight the leaders and experts in their fields and encompass the industry’s diversity.
The evening was led by long-time MC Will Fennel as the 36 winners were announced, including the acclaimed Beauty Squad program which supports and spotlights four of our next-gen talent. The entertainment for the night showcased a multi-genre performance that spanned the cool, current and contemporary pop culture of now, right through to the artistic, abstract and avant-garde with an unforgettable, emotive multimedia and magical onstage moment. The Star also played host to the much-anticipated after-party in the stunning Grand Foyer, sponsored by Guiya Minerals.
Winners were judged by a comprehensive list of over 30 local and international make-up artists, stylists, business, media and industry expert judges including Rae Morris, Julie Piantadosi, Faye Murray, Cameron Jane Thomas and Narelle Lancaster, whilst ‘Hall of Fame’ inductee Elle Wilson and ‘Humanitarian of the Year’ honourees Otto and Zoe Mitter were nominated by their peers for their incredible impact.
Sponsors for the awards included TAFE NSW, Naked Tan, Dermapen World, TADLI, Circadia, Gay Wardle Skin Institute, Exceed, Timely, Global Beauty Group, Dermalogica, Dermaviduals, Shortcuts, Inskincosmedics, Beauty Biz, Kitomba, Beauty Pro by Dateline, Dermaplaning Australia, Sustainable Salons, Comfortel, Beauty Expo Australia, Biodroga, Ellebanna, Professional Beauty Solution, Your Coach, Mayerling Skincare and Australian Dermal Science Institute.
Linda was proud to announce these hard-working winners;
“The ABIA’s continue to smash our expectations as far as both the number and the quality of entries with a record number of incredible submissions this year. This continued commitment to exceeding industry benchmarks within the beauty industry is truly testament to the incredible individuals and businesses which are propelling the Australian market. Our clinical beauty and make-up experts are operating at a global standard right here at home and making a lasting impact on each of their local communities as they do.”
2023 ABIA WINNERS
Junior Therapist of the Year - Karla Jaudzems, Sana Skin Clinic
Beauty Therapist of the Year - Natalie Herschell, The Skin Coaches
Dermal Therapist of the Year - Alana Giovenco, Bliss Day Spa
Sole Operator of the Year - Karen Geiszler, Karen Geiszler Hair & Beauty
Business Director/Owner of the Year - Gry Tømte, HÜD
Cosmetic Tattooist of the Year - Katherine McCann, FaceBox Cosmetic & Medical Tattoo Clinic
Best Business Performance of the Year (non Salon) - Circadia Australia
Best Marketing - Bella Pelle Body Clinic
Best Salon Training - The Skin Coaches
Educator of the Year – Individual- Chrissy Alger, The Zing Project
Educator of the Year – Organisation- The French Beauty Academy
Educator of the Year - Product/Equipment Company- Dermalogica
Best Salon Design - Indie Spa
Best Eco Salon/Spa/Clinic - House of Samara
Best Newcomer Salon/Spa/Clinic of the Year - Mediluxe
Best Customer Care - Peachy Skin Clinic
Best Salon/Spa/Clinic Team of the Year - Bobbie Charles Skin & Cosmetic Clinics
Bridal/Formal Make Up Artist of the Year - Pearlin McCarthy
High Fashion/Editorial Make Up Artist of the Year - Julia Green
NSW/ACT Salon/Spa/Clinic of the Year (4 Treatment Rooms or Less) - Skintifix
QLD Salon/Spa/Clinic of the Year (4 Treatment Rooms or Less) - Ultra Medi Spa
VIC/TAS/SA Salon/Spa/Clinic of the Year (4 Treatment Rooms or Less) - Luminary Melbourne
WA/NT Salon/Spa/Clinic of the Year (4 Treatment Rooms or Less) - Sapphire Skin Studio
NSW/ACT Salon/Spa/Clinic of the Year (5 Treatment Rooms or More) - Skin Correctives
QLD Salon/Spa/Clinic of the Year (5 Treatment Rooms or More) - Bobbie Charles Skin & Cosmetic Clinics
VIC/TAS/SA Salon/Spa/Clinic of the Year (5 Treatment Rooms or More) - James Vivian
WA/NT Salon/Spa/Clinic of the Year (5 Treatment Rooms or More) - Love Beauty
BEAUTY SQUAD - Chelsea Holmes, Skin Love Clinic / Elise Birchall, LILI Skin Co / Laura Mitchell, James Vivian / Morgan Harris, The Beauty Extract
NATIONAL WHOLESALER OF THE YEAR WINNER - The Global Beauty Group
HALL OF FAME - Elle Wilson
HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR - Otto and Zoe Mitter
AUSTRALIAN SALON/SPA/CLINIC OF THE YEAR (4 TREATMENT ROOMS OR LESS) - Skintifix
AUSTRALIAN SALON/SPA/CLINIC OF THE YEAR (5 TREATMENT ROOMS OR MORE) - James Vivian
