There’s something almost electric about the ELLE Beauty Awards — that moment when India’s most influential voices in beauty, wellness, and fashion gather under one roof to celebrate creativity, confidence, and change. The 2025 edition, held in October, lived up to that legacy, shimmering with nostalgia and novelty as it brought together icons who built India’s beauty heritage and new-age creators reimagining it for the future.
From global powerhouses like M·A·C, SSBeauty, Bobbi Brown, and Charlotte Tilbury to homegrown disruptors such as Old School Rituals, Kasaya, Zero Zero, and ClayCo., the evening made one thing clear — the future of beauty is proudly Indian, fearless, and experimental.
Expanding the Definition of Beauty
This year, the ELLE Beauty Awards (EBA) expanded to honour 32 categories, reflecting the evolution of beauty across skincare, makeup, haircare, and wellness. Among the most notable additions were the Sexual Wellness Awards, which brought conversations around intimacy and self-care to the forefront, and the Health and Wellness Award, celebrating India’s centuries-old heritage of holistic living.
The introduction of ‘ELLE Discover’ spotlighted emerging Indian brands championing innovation, transparency, and mindful formulations. These fresh voices are now positioned as global changemakers, redefining conscious beauty.
Adding a new experiential layer, EBA 2025 unveiled a Product Display for Winners — an interactive space showcasing everything from breakthrough sunscreens to sustainable packaging innovations.
Leadership Speaks
“At Ogaan Media, the ELLE Beauty Awards have always been more than a celebration — they’re a statement of intent,” said Mahesh Nambiar, CEO, Ogaan Media. “With the 2025 edition, we reflected the new direction of beauty in India — bold, inclusive, and deeply rooted in both innovation and tradition.”
Nydia Dias, Publishing Director, ELLE India, added, “This year’s edition brought together heritage brands and emerging Indian disruptors, introducing bold categories like sexual wellness and health, while elevating conversations that are often left out of mainstream narratives.”
Echoing this sentiment, Ainee Nizami Ahmedi, Editorial Director, ELLE India, shared, “Beauty in India today is a blend of heritage and experimentation. With categories ranging from sexual wellness to a Legacy Award for Yoga, this edition celebrated stories, identities, and changemakers redefining beauty on their own terms.”
Red Carpet Radiance
The red carpet was a stunning showcase of individuality and grace. Kriti Sanon, Sonali Bendre, and Sushmita Sen epitomized timeless beauty, while stars like Nora Fatehi, Aditi Rao Hydari, Rakul Preet Singh, Diana Penty, Alaya F, and Palak Tiwari brought fresh glamour to the night. Ibrahim Ali Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sargun Mehta, and Raashi Khanna added to the star power, embodying a new-age definition of confidence and style.
The Best in Beauty 2025
From skin saviours and transformative tools to fragrances that captivate, a wide range of products earned the ELLE seal of excellence this year.
In the Expert & Industry Honours, trailblazers such as Sandhya Shekar (Makeup Artist of the Year), Dr. Hansaji Yogendra (Health & Wellness Expert), and Seema Anand (Sexual Wellness Vanguard) were recognised for their pioneering contributions.
The Celebrity Honours celebrated the stars who embody both glamour and grit — Sushmita Sen as Eternal Muse, Kriti Sanon as Beauty-preneur of the Year, Nargis Fakhri as Global Beauty Influencer, and Aditi Rao Hydari as Beauty Muse. Digital stars also took centre stage, with Komal Pandey, Siddharth Batra, and Aashna Hegde being honoured for redefining online beauty narratives.
A Celebration of Self
As the evening drew to a close, one sentiment stood out — beauty is evolving, and so is the way we celebrate it. From dermatologist-founded brands to indie innovators, the ELLE Beauty Awards 2025 stood as a testament to authenticity, inclusivity, and innovation.
This year’s celebration wasn’t just about trends — it was about truths. Because real beauty isn’t defined by perfection; it’s defined by progress.
At its heart, the ELLE Beauty Awards remain not just a night of accolades but a reflection of who’s shaping the story of beauty in India — bold, expressive, and undeniably their own.
