Makeup Shows in the UK

Makeup artists in the UK have a varied calendar to choose from, with trade shows, competitions, permanent makeup conferences and awards that celebrate the best products on the market.

For seeing brands and trying products, Tones of Beauty Expo brings makeup to ExCeL London at the start of summer, and the Natural Beauty Expo focuses on clean and natural brands each June. Queen's Night in Coventry each October is a full makeup event, combining competitions, conferences, education and awards over two days. Students and rising talent compete in the WorldSkills UK SFX Makeup for Film and TV National Final and the Beauty Therapist final in Cardiff each November. Permanent makeup artists can look ahead to the UK PMU Conference near Heathrow in March 2028. Makeup products are celebrated at the CEW UK Beauty Awards in March, The Beauty Awards in November and the Pure Beauty Awards each October, and British Beauty Week fills London with events each October.

Every makeup show in the UK is listed below with dates, venues and who can attend, so you can plan your year of learning and competing.

Getting around

ExCeL London is served by the Elizabeth line and the DLR, with direct links from central London and Heathrow. Coventry is about an hour from London by train, and Cardiff Central has direct services from London too. The UK PMU Conference is at the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, a short shuttle ride from the terminal.

Where to stay

For ExCeL, Royal Victoria Dock hotels are right next to the halls. Queen's Night and the UK PMU Conference are both held in hotels, so you can stay where the action is and avoid early travel with your kit.

Tips for makeup artists

• Pack your kit in a wheeled case, especially if you are competing.
• For competitions, check brief, timing and model rules well before the day.
• Bring business cards and a digital portfolio for networking.
• Take note of new launches you see; clients love hearing about the latest products.