Could you be named Ireland's best professional make-up artist?


Are you a professional make-up artist and want to showcase your skills and gain feedback from some of the industry's leading names? Then the Irish National Make Up Competition hosted by AIT and Irish Beauty is an event you won't want to miss.

Taking place as part of Professional Beauty & Hair Ireland in partnership with Irish Beauty, the competition for professional MUAs will be held on Sunday 28th May at the RDS. A separate category for Students will be held the following day.

There are three Professional categories take to part in:

  • Hollywood Glamour (Face & Costume)
  • Into the Future (Face & Body)
  • Carnival Couture (Face & Costume)
Hollywood Glamour (Face & Costume)
We want you to showcase what your idea of Hollywood Glamour is through make-up application and costume. Think over-the-top glamour, an ‘all eyes on me' spectacle that's Met Gala ready with your own twist! 

Into the Future (Face & Body)
With technology and AI taking a huge step forward recently, we want to see ‘Into the Future' with your creativity and make-up application. Think about how extreme you could take your look with prosthetics or how you could incorporate technology into the creation or overall look. Can you push the boundaries and see ‘Into the Future' of our make-up industry?

Carnival Couture (Face & Costume)
When it comes to carnival it's all or nothing! Think the colourful streets of Rio carnival meets an association of circus acts, and then modern them for the present day. It's time to create your own colour palette and throw all the energy you have into this look, gain the confidence of those dizzying circus heights, and leave it all on the streets of Rio… or Dublin!

As well as naming winners in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each category, the competition will award the overall Irish National Professional Makeup Artist of the Year 2023. All competitors who are placed first will automatically be entered into the overall winner competition and the winner will be announced at the awards presentation on Sunday 28th May 2023.

The live competition will be judged by a panel of independent industry experts, who will be on the floor while you work. Make sure you familiarise yourself fully with the Competitors' Pack and rules and regs to see where you can pick up extra marks and get the most out of your competition experience.

How to enter the Irish National Make Up Competition 

Entry for the Professional competition is open now priced at €35 per category per professional and closes on Monday 15th May. You may still be able to enter on the day of the competition however places are not guaranteed and a late entry fee of €50 will apply for each category, so it's well worth securing your place early. Why not talk to your colleagues and team mates and encourage them to enter alongside you! A little healthy competition will push you to achieve more, plus the competition is always great fun.

Find out more about Professional Beauty & Hair Ireland in partnership with Irish Beauty and get your free exhibition ticket using this exclusive link.