Three days that celebrate the craft of skin
Estheticians from around the world meet in Dallas for live finals, education from leading educators, a vendor floor and an awards dinner show. Come to compete, to learn or to cheer.
- 9 to 11 September 2027
- Dallas, Texas
- 2017 First Skin Games
- 40+ Credentialed judges
- $10,000 Top prize
- 6 Divisions
Entries close 15 June 2027. Send yours early.
What is The Skin Games?
The Skin Games is an international skills competition for licensed estheticians. Think of it as the Olympics of skin: players from around the world compete in six divisions, are scored by a panel of credentialed judges, and the best are crowned at a live final.
It is also a three day industry event. Alongside the finals there are education panels, live demos, a vendor marketplace, Spa Tank business pitches and an awards dinner show. You can take part as a player, or simply come to learn and watch.
Why attend The Skin Games?
You do not have to compete to get a lot from the three days in Dallas. Tickets and venue
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Watch the best at work
See the finalists perform live and hear how the judges think. It is the fastest way to understand what excellent looks like.
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Learn from leading educators
Education panels, demo day and advanced sessions cover new techniques, treatments and the business side of skin.
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Meet the brands
The vendor marketplace puts the products and equipment you use, or want to try, in one room.
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Build your network
Meet players, judges, educators and brands from across the world, all in one hotel for three days.
Come for the competition. Stay for the friends.
Ask anyone who has been and they will tell you the same thing: the people are the reason they go back. Players, judges, educators and brands spend three days in one hotel, and by the awards dinner show strangers have become a support network.
Many return year after year, to compete again, to cheer on friends or to share what they have learned. The conversations carry on long after Dallas, in group chats, referrals and friendships for life.
Helen Ward has gone back every year since 2019.
Moments from the stage
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Winners on the night
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The judges at work
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The awards dinner show
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Friends together
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The competition floor
Raising the bar since 2017
The Skin Games began in 2017 to give skin professionals a stage of their own.
So the format was built around how the work really happens. Waxing, sugaring and facial massage are judged live on the floor. Skincare players treat one real client over eight weeks and show the change they made, step by step.
Today the competition covers six divisions, from skincare and waxing to brow and lash and Compassion, the division for professionals using their skills to support their community. More than 40 credentialed judges take part, and every player goes home with written feedback on their work.
It is the work that counts, not who you know.
Compete your way
Waxing, sugaring and facial massage are performed live in front of the judges. Brow and lash has live and online paths. Skincare players treat one real client over eight weeks and send in a case study. Compassion recognises professionals using their skills to support their community.
Six divisions, live and online: from live waxing rounds to eight week skincare case studies.
Every player receives written feedback, so even a first season makes you a better therapist.
Six divisions, one stage
Choose the division that shows your craft best. You can enter more than one.
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01Skincare
Nine categories, from Acne and Pigmentation to Open Medical and New Esthetician.
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06Compassion
For skin professionals giving back through community and nonprofit work.
- $10,000 Esthetician of the Year
- $5,000 Wax Artist of the Year
- $3,000 Sugar Artist of the Year
Your road to Dallas
Finalists must be in Dallas to win. Every player receives written feedback.
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Now: Registration open
Choose your division and categories and register on the official site.
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15 June 2027: Skincare case studies close
Skincare photos, written case study and videos must all be in.
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After judging: Finalists announced
Finalists in every division are named. We share them here.
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9 to 11 September 2027: Finals in Dallas
Live rounds, education and the vendor floor, ending with the awards dinner show.
What competing tells you
An esthetician who enters The Skin Games has opened their work to some of the most experienced people in the industry. They have documented a full treatment plan, explained every decision and accepted honest feedback on the result.
That takes commitment to the craft, long before anyone reaches a stage. It is why we show Skin Games players on their directory profiles, so clients looking for skin treatments can see who has put their work to the test.
Book a professional who competes
Members who compete are tagged on their profiles, so clients can see it. Finalists and winners are featured across the directory.
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VerifiedFinalist, Vegas · Judge, 2026
Show clients the work behind your results
Join the directory for a verified profile, add your Skin Games entry and be found by clients searching near you.
Questions about the event?
Questions about entries, tickets or rules go straight to the organisers.
Want this for your event?
Everything you see here: a dedicated page, coverage on our blog, social posts on three channels, a newsletter feature and your competitors celebrated on the directory.