How every entry is judged
More than 40 credentialed professionals judge The Skin Games, with its own panel for every category. Live divisions are scored on the floor. Skincare case studies are scored blind first.
How each division is judged
Each category has its own panel of five judges. The official rules hold the full criteria for every category.
Case study and live interview
Players treat one real client over eight weeks. Photos and the written case study are scored blind, then the videos. The top 10 in each category are interviewed by the judges for 15 minutes.
Points, out of 100: Before and after photos 30. Written case study 20. Treatment videos 20. Live interview, top 10 only, 30.
Live on the floor
Brazilian, brows and legs are performed live on a model, in front of the judges in Dallas.
Categories judged: Brazilian, Brows, Legs.
Live on the floor
Brazilian, brows and legs are performed live with sugar paste, in front of the judges in Dallas.
Categories judged: Brazilian, Brows, Legs.
Live and online
Brow lamination and lash lift, with a live path in Dallas and an online path for players who enter from home.
Categories judged: Brow Lamination, Lash Lift.
Live on the floor
Performed live and judged on how the massage is delivered from start to finish.
What the judges look at: Technique, Flow, Touch.
Submitted entry
For skin professionals using their skills to support their community or a nonprofit. Entries show the work and the difference it has made.
What the judges look at: The work itself, Who it helped, The difference it made.
Skincare: from entry to finalist
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Five judges per category
Each category has its own panel of five judges.
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Blind review
Photos and your written case study are scored before the judges see your videos.
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Videos
Your treatment videos are scored next.
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Live interview
The top 10 in each category meet the judges for 15 minutes to talk through their work.
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Finals
Finalists must be in Dallas to win. The judges’ decisions are final.
What the judges look for
Every player receives written feedback. Scores and rankings stay private.
Honest, consistent photos
The same light, angle and distance in every shot, with no filters or editing.
A case study that explains your thinking
How you assessed the skin, why you chose each treatment and how you adjusted along the way.
Confidence in the interview
It is a conversation about your work, so know your client’s journey well.
Meet the panel
The 2026/27 skincare panel, led by the Director of Judges and made up of credentialed professionals from across the skin industry.
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Kelly WolcottDirector of Judges
Licensed esthetician and CIDESCO Diplomat, serving her fifth term leading the panel. Founder of How-To: Esthetics and WISH Esthetics in Atlanta.
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Faith YanezSkincare judge
Award winning esthetician and certified acne specialist. Owner of AZ Skin Rehab in Chandler, Arizona.
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Aggie SinghSkincare judge
Skin clinic owner in Cleethorpes, UK, and Aesthetician of the Year at The Skin Games 2023/24.
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Nichelle MosleySkincare judge
Licensed esthetician and corneotherapy specialist. Founder of The Skin Barrier Academy.
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Brooke KennedySkincare judge
Master esthetician and owner of Suite B Hair and Skin Lounge in Issaquah, Washington.
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Jessica CooleySkincare judge
Multi award winning esthetician, licensed educator and founder of Jessica Cooley Education.
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Jordyn N WarrenSkincare judge
Licensed aesthetician with more than 14 years in skin. Founder of Jordyn Warren Esthetics.
More from the panel
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Lynn LaporteSkincare judge
Licensed esthetician and instructor in Massachusetts and South Carolina.
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Tess MathisenSkincare judge
CIDESCO certified beauty and spa therapist, educator and skin clinic owner in Sweden.
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Genice ZacatencoSkincare judge
Owner of Amora J Studios, a skin and wellness centre serving Los Angeles and Orange County.
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Anastasiia HukSkincare judge
Licensed esthetician and acne specialist. Founder of H.A. Skin Lab in California.
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Jessica LaversSkincare judge
Licensed esthetician specialising in oncology skincare. Owner of Skin Junkee Skin Studio in North Reading, Massachusetts.
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Skin judge, 2026Founder of The Hair and Beauty Directory. Player since 2019 and finalist in Vegas.
Keep exploring
More from The Skin Games and the directory.
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Next
How to enter
Divisions, rules, fees and the deadline.
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Read
From Player to Judge, by Helen Ward
Helen on seeing the competition from both sides.
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Next
Your questions answered
Quick answers for players and visitors.
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.