Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Before the winners make it to your vanity, there’s a little movie magic.
Go behind the scenes of our 2026 ESSENCE Beauty Awards shoot, where every frame was crafted with one mantra in mind: let the beauty breathe.
Here’s a look at the creativity, collaboration, and care that brought this year’s celebration of beauty to life.
See the full list of winners at ESSENCE.com
and credits:
ESSENCE Beauty Awards Credits
Photographer: Brendan WixtedVideo Director of Photography: Kiymora SmithHair Stylist: Jawara Makeup Artist: Mila ThomasNail Artist: Dawn Sterling Wardrobe Stylist: Dione DavisModels: Angeer Amol at Muse, Coco Mitchell at Muse, Delar Gaston at Muse, NadiaBlocker at One, Ayak at New York Models Photography Assistant: Justin Mulroy Digital Technician: Tisha Harmsen Hair Assistants: Jadis Jolie, Tiffany BlakeMakeup Assistant: Lauryn Scriber Styling Assistant: Keanu Mohammed Production Assistant: Eddie Claudon
ESSENCE Team
Visuals Director: Breanna Hall Senior Beauty Editor: Akili King Art Director: Sophia Little Production Director: Lauren DiLello Stair Producer: Sharon Viera Casting & Talent Management: Anne Marie Andrews Writers: India Espy-Jones, Akili King, Mecca Pryor, Danielle Wright, Breanna Harmon
Subscribe to ESSENCE - ow.ly/QXFD50lRgPz
ESSENCE is the Black woman’s guide to what’s hot now — our stars, our style, our lives.
Connect with ESSENCE Online:
► Website: essence.com
► Facebook: facebook.com/essence
► Twitter: twitter.com/essence
► Instagram: instagram.com/essence
Before the winners make it to your vanity, there’s a little movie magic.
Go behind the scenes of our 2026 ESSENCE Beauty Awards shoot, where every frame was crafted with one mantra in mind: let the beauty breathe.
Here’s a look at the creativity, collaboration, and care that brought this year’s celebration of beauty to life.
See the full list of winners at ESSENCE.com
and credits:
ESSENCE Beauty Awards Credits
Photographer: Brendan WixtedVideo Director of Photography: Kiymora SmithHair Stylist: Jawara Makeup Artist: Mila ThomasNail Artist: Dawn Sterling Wardrobe Stylist: Dione DavisModels: Angeer Amol at Muse, Coco Mitchell at Muse, Delar Gaston at Muse, NadiaBlocker at One, Ayak at New York Models Photography Assistant: Justin Mulroy Digital Technician: Tisha Harmsen Hair Assistants: Jadis Jolie, Tiffany BlakeMakeup Assistant: Lauryn Scriber Styling Assistant: Keanu Mohammed Production Assistant: Eddie Claudon
ESSENCE Team
Visuals Director: Breanna Hall Senior Beauty Editor: Akili King Art Director: Sophia Little Production Director: Lauren DiLello Stair Producer: Sharon Viera Casting & Talent Management: Anne Marie Andrews Writers: India Espy-Jones, Akili King, Mecca Pryor, Danielle Wright, Breanna Harmon
Subscribe to ESSENCE - ow.ly/QXFD50lRgPz
ESSENCE is the Black woman’s guide to what’s hot now — our stars, our style, our lives.
Connect with ESSENCE Online:
► Website: essence.com
► Facebook: facebook.com/essence
► Twitter: twitter.com/essence
► Instagram: instagram.com/essence
