Australian beauty founders are among the finalists in the 2026 Australian Ladies in Business Initiative (ALIBI) Awards, with entrepreneurs spanning skincare, cosmetics, salons and hair recognised across the program.
Catriona Wordsworth, founder of handmade skincare and self-care brand Blossom ’n’ Bloom, has been named a finalist in two categories – Handmade Heroine and Overcoming the Odds.
The dual recognition highlights both the product-led side of Wordsworth’s business and the resilience required to continue building an independent brand in a challenging retail and small-business environment.
Wordsworth is also the founder of artisan soap brandLady Gray, expanding her footprint within Australia’s independent beauty sector.
In the Handmade Heroine category, Wordsworth is one of four finalists alongside April Dumbleton of Rubywood Laundry Booster, Megan Patterson of Magical Megs and Sandy Naidoo of Durbalicious Pickles & Spices.
She is also one of 10 finalists for Overcoming the Odds, where fellow beauty entrepreneur Ashley Johnson of Antares Beauty is also in contention.
Blossom ’n’ Bloom specialises in handmade soaps and positions itself around natural beauty, sustainable self-care and small-batch production. Its soaps are made using botanical oils, butters and essential oils, with an emphasis on considered ingredients and more sustainable everyday beauty rituals.
Beauty founders make the finalist list
Wordsworth isn’t the only beauty industry entrepreneur recognised in this year’s awards.
Tasmanian makeup entrepreneur Deb Frost, founder of Mooie Makeup, is a finalist for Product-Based Business of the Year.
Founded in 2012, Mooie Makeup has evolved around personalised and refillable beauty, including its Facci System of reusable magnetic palettes and refill pans. Frost, a professional makeup artist with more than three decades in the beauty industry, developed the system with a focus on customisation, mature consumers and reducing packaging waste.
NSW beauty entrepreneur Michal Gabriel of MG Beauty & Brow has secured two finalist positions, in Aspiring Leader of the Year and Enduring Brilliance.
Gabriel’s Penrith beauty business spans brows, skin treatments, lashes, hair removal, makeup and spa services, with Gabriel bringing more than 23 years of industry experience to the business.
Professional hair is also represented, with Rose Zahrooni of Roses Hair Studio named a finalist in two categories – Creative Service of the Year and Lady Tradie.
Johnson’s inclusion alongside Wordsworth in Overcoming the Odds adds another beauty business to the finalist field through Antares Beauty.
Independent beauty recognised
The beauty representation across the 2026 awards reflects the breadth of Australia’s independent sector, from handmade skincare and cosmetics to beauty services and professional hair.
It also puts a spotlight on the founders behind these businesses, with several securing recognition across multiple categories.
Now in its fifth year, the 2026 ALIBI Awards span 28 categories celebrating Australian women across product, service, creative, regional and entrepreneurial businesses.
The Awards Night will be held in Orange, NSW, on Saturday 24 October 2026, marking the event’s first regional awards night.
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