Photo: Miriam Smotrich Dr David Smotrich, and designer Yigal Azrouel
In an industry obsessed with what’s next, true longevity belongs to the brands and creatives willing to redefine what beauty actually means. The 2026 Gurus Beauty Awards returned to New York City on June 23 with exactly that mission, bringing together entrepreneurs, artists, innovators, and cultural tastemakers for an evening that celebrated beauty not simply as aesthetics, but as influence, craftsmanship, and community.
Hosted by Hilaria Baldwin alongside Gurus Magazine founder and editor-in-chief Derek Warburton, this year’s ceremony transformed Manhattan’s Docks Off Fifth into an immersive botanical escape, where lush floral installations, towering garden-inspired sculptures, and vibrant design blurred the line between awards show and experiential art installation.
Rather than relying solely on celebrity spectacle, the evening focused on the people and products shaping the future of the beauty and wellness industries—from skincare breakthroughs and cult-favorite haircare to beauty accessories and legacy brands continuing to evolve alongside changing consumer expectations.
Among the evening’s standout honorees, Sunrider International received Best in Skin for its Oi-Lin® Deep Moisture Lotion, while luxury silk favorite Blissy took home Best Beauty Accessories. Legendary cosmetics house FACE STOCKHOLM was recognized as the evening’s Legacy Beauty Brand, reaffirming its decades-long influence on modern beauty culture, while British M Matcha Shampoo earned Best in Hair Care for its innovative approach to hair wellness.
One of the night’s most personal moments came as acclaimed stylist Eliut Rivera, founder of ELIUT Salon, accepted Celebrity Hairstylist of the Year, recognizing a career built on artistry, precision, and decades of transforming some of entertainment’s most recognizable faces.
The awards were presented by an eclectic mix of fashion, television, and cultural icons including Nicole Miller, Candace Bushnell, Sutton Stracke, Margaret Josephs, Kara Francis, and Lauren Falcione, reinforcing the increasingly fluid relationship between beauty, fashion, entertainment, and lifestyle.
That crossover was equally reflected throughout the guest list, which included designer Yigal Azrouël, television personality Nolé Marin, actor Nick Barrotta, fertility specialist Dr. David Smotrich, entrepreneur Vanessa Coppes, members of The Trouble with Billy cast, and numerous leaders from across publishing, wellness, luxury retail, and media.
The experience itself felt intentionally immersive. Guests arrived through a cascading floral entrance before gathering beneath vibrant botanical installations that transformed the venue into something closer to a contemporary garden party than a conventional awards gala. Elegant floral-inspired table settings, curated dining experiences, and a dedicated portrait space for winners reinforced the event’s commitment to celebrating beauty through every detail rather than simply discussing it.
As conversations throughout the evening made clear, today’s beauty industry extends far beyond makeup counters and skincare routines. It intersects with wellness, self-expression, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and culture in increasingly meaningful ways—a shift the Gurus Beauty Awards embraced from beginning to end.
Now only in its second year, the event has already positioned itself as one of New York’s emerging celebrations of beauty innovation, bringing together founders, creatives, media voices, and industry veterans under one roof to recognize not only successful products, but the people redefining how beauty is experienced.
If this year’s ceremony offered any indication, the future of beauty isn’t simply about looking good—it’s about building communities, championing creativity, and creating experiences that linger long after the lights come down.
