Beauty Launchpad's
2026 Readers' Choice Awards Nominations

Welcome to the nomination page for Beauty Launchpad's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards.

The Readers' Choice Awards recognize the best professional hair and nail products in the beauty/salon industry.

Nominations end October 30, 2026, and the winners will be announced January of 2027 on the Beauty Launchpad website and social media.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER YOUR NOMINATIONS

2026 Categories

Brows/Lashes

• Best Brow/Lash Serum: Serums designed to nourish and support fuller-looking brows and lashes.

Hair Care

• Best Bond Builder: Products designed to strengthen and protect hair bonds during or after chemical services.

• Best Dry Shampoo: Products that refresh hair, absorb oil and extend time between washes.

• Best Hair Loss System: Hair care lines and systems designed to address hair thinning and hair loss.

• Best Hair Mask: Intensive treatments designed to deeply condition, repair and nourish hair.

• Best Hair Oil/Serum: Oils and serums designed to nourish, smooth, protect and enhance the hair.

• Best Leave-In Product: Leave-in conditioners and styling products designed to care for and style hair.

• Best Scalp Care Product: Products designed to support a healthy, balanced scalp.

• Best Shampoo and Conditioner: Shampoo and conditioner systems designed to cleanse, condition and improve hair health.

• Best Smoothing Product/Treatment: In-salon or at-home products designed to smooth, tame and reduce frizz.

Hair Color

• Best Bleach: Lightening products designed for professional hair color services.

• Best Color Care Line: Product lines designed to maintain vibrant, healthy-looking color between services.

• Best Color Line: Permanent, semipermanent and demi-permanent hair color systems.

• Best Foils: Professional foils designed for highlighting, balayage and other color services.

• Best Blowdryer: Professional blowdryers designed for efficient drying and styling.

• Best Brush/Comb: Professional brushes and combs designed for detangling, styling and finishing.

Hair Tools

• Best Clipper/Trimmer: Professional clippers and trimmers designed for precision cutting and detailing.

• Best Haircutting Razor: Professional razors designed for precision cutting, texturizing and finishing.

• Best Hot Tool: Professional curling irons, flat irons and other heated styling tools.

• Best Shears: Professional shears designed for precision cutting, texturizing and finishing.

Best New Launch (Hair)

• New hair product launches from Fall 2025 through Summer 2026.

Hairstyling

• Best Curl Product: Products designed to define, enhance and maintain curls and textured hair.

• Best Hair Extensions: Professional hair extensions designed for added length, volume and versatility.

• Best Hairspray: Styling sprays designed to provide hold, control and lasting finish.

• Best Heat Protectant: Products designed to protect hair from heat damage during styling.

• Best Texture Spray: Styling sprays designed to add texture, body and effortless definition.

• Best Volume Spray: Styling sprays designed to add volume, lift and body to the hair.

Salon Solutions & Innovation

• Best Salon Disinfectant: Professional disinfecting products, including sprays, wipes and other salon solutions.

• Best Salon Furniture: Professional salon furniture, including styling chairs, shampoo units, pedicure chairs and salon mats.

• Best Salon Management Innovation: New tools, features or developments that improve salon management and operations.

• Best Salon Management System Software and systems designed to streamline salon management and operations.

• Best Sustainable/Eco-Friendly Line Sustainable and eco-conscious product lines for professional hair and nail care.

• Best Sustainable Salon Solution: Sustainable solutions that help salons reduce waste and operate more responsibly.

Nails

• Best Acrylic System: Professional acrylic systems designed for nail enhancements and sculpting.

• Best Base Coat: Base coats designed to prepare, protect and extend the wear of nail color.

• Best Builder in a Bottle (BIAB): Builder gel systems designed to strengthen, build and enhance natural nails.

• Best Cuticle Oil: Oils designed to nourish, hydrate and condition the cuticles and surrounding skin.

• Best Gel Polish Line: Professional gel polish collections offering color, durability and long-lasting wear.

• Best Mani/Pedi Tool: Professional manicure and pedicure tools, including clippers, nippers, e-files and more.

• Best Moisturizer: Lotions, creams, masks and scrubs designed to hydrate and nourish hands and feet.

• Best Nail Art Brush: Brushes designed for precision nail art, detailing and product application.

• Best Nail Art Tool: This category recognizes tools and accessories designed to create, apply, or enhance nail art. Eligible products include stamping kits and plates, dotting tools, magnets for magnetic gel polish, sponges, silicone tools, tweezers, rhinestone pick-up tools, striping tape dispensers, palettes, mixing tools, decals application tools, and other specialty nail art accessories. NOTE: Nail art brushes should be entered in the Nail Brushes category.

• Best Nail Curing Lamp: UV/LED lamps designed to cure gel and enhancement products.

• Best Nail Enhancements/Extensions: Nail extensions, press-ons, gel extensions and other enhancement systems. 

• Best New Launch (Nails): New nail product launches from Fall 2025 through Summer 2026.

• Best Top Coat: Top coats designed to protect, seal and enhance the finish and wear of nail color.