MakeUp in NewYork 2026 Opens September 16 at the Javits Center

MakeUp in NewYork 2026 runs September 16-17 at the Javits Center with 160+ exhibitors, 14 sessions across three tracks, and two new IT Awards debuting this year.

By Olivia HartSeptember 22, 20263 min read

Updated September 23, 2026

MakeUp in NewYork 2026 Opens on September 16wallyg / Openverse

The takeaway

MakeUp in NewYork 2026 takes place September 16-17 at the Javits Center in Manhattan with more than 160 exhibitors.
The conference program includes 14 sessions across three tracks, with FIT as a new partner and CEW returning.
The 2026 IT Awards received a record number of submissions and debut two special awards: Ready-to-Market and Full-Service.

MakeUp in NewYork 2026 runs September 16-17 at the Javits Center in Manhattan, with more than 160 exhibitors specializing in packaging, contract manufacturing, formulations, ingredients, and accessories.

The show positions itself as an all-inclusive sourcing event. Beauty brands can compare solutions across these specialties under one roof and find partners to move projects forward. The two-day program also includes conference sessions, Beauty Talks, trend presentations, networking opportunities, and the Innovation & Trends (IT) Awards.

"MakeUp in NewYork has always been more than a marketplace; it's where the industry comes to read what's next," says Asmaa Cherraf-Bonneville, show director for MakeUp in New York. "This year, the program looks straight at the forces reshaping beauty: AI moving from the lab to the shelf, the growing crossover between beauty and health, and a new generation of key players redrawing the map. Visitors can expect two days built to help decision-makers see around the corner, not just across the aisle."

Three Conference Tracks

The conference program includes 14 sessions organized into three tracks: Beauty Business & Market Dynamics; Innovation, Tech & Science; and Creativity, Culture & Community.

One session will explore how AI is transforming retail while shortening R&D timelines. Another will examine why diagnostic devices are moving from clinics to consumers' homes. Speakers will address the increasingly blurred line between beauty and health. Other experts will discuss the rise of C-beauty and the role of color as a form of communication.

The program targets professionals in product development, formulation, and R&D. It also serves executives in marketing and communications, packaging and design, and brand development, plus retailers and e-commerce experts.

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) joins as a partner this year. FIT will present an exhibition created for the show and participate in the conference program. CEW returns as a longtime partner, hosting a conference session and joining the U.S. jury for the IT Awards.

The IT Awards Add Two Special Prizes

Since 2012, the Innovations & Trends (IT) Awards have highlighted breakthrough ingredients, unexpected textures, and packaging solutions that introduce new gestures and application experiences.

A record number of innovations were submitted for the 2026 competition. An international jury in Paris will select the finalists across four categories: Formulation & Ingredients; Contract Manufacturing, Private Label, OEM, and ODM; Packaging; and Accessories. A U.S. jury will then select the winners in New York.

Two new special awards debut this year. The Ready-to-Market IT Award recognizes innovations designed for a rapid market launch. The Full-Service IT Award honors a solution that excels in both formulation and packaging.

The entries already signal several emerging directions: water-based, wax-free lipsticks; second-skin complexion formulas; SPF 50 products combining sun protection with skincare benefits; hybrid hair care; and mono-material packaging designed to improve dosing precision and ease of use.

Visitors can pre-register online through the MakeUp in NewYork website to skip on-site lines and access the latest program information.

With AI, beauty-health convergence, and a new generation of industry players placed at the center of the agenda, the show aims to give decision-makers a preview of the forces set to shape beauty sourcing and product development over the coming cycle.

Source: Beauty Packaging