Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards Selfie Contest: Your Ultimate Guide
Get the scoop on the Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards Selfie Contest, including how to enter, selfie tips, rules, and the beauty prizes you could win.

Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards Selfie Contest: The Ultimate Insider’s Guide
Ready to put your best face forward—and possibly win stacks of the latest cult-favorite beauty products? Cosmopolitan’s annual Beauty Awards Selfie Contest is back, and it’s bigger than ever! Each year, thousands join in to showcase their selfie skills, flaunt their favorite features, and contend for the year’s most coveted cosmetics and gadgets. This guide covers everything: contest rules, entry instructions, expert selfie tips, key judging criteria, and what prizes are up for grabs. Whether you’re a selfie superstar or a beauty enthusiast hoping to capture the perfect shot, you’ll find all the details you need to enter and win big.
What Is the Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards Selfie Contest?
The Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards Selfie Contest is a high-profile event where beauty lovers, skincare junkies, and makeup gurus submit their best selfies for the chance to win a treasure trove of beauty prizes. The contest celebrates confidence, individuality, and creative self-expression through photography. It coincides with Cosmopolitan’s renowned annual Beauty Awards, spotlighting top products and trailblazing trends in skincare, haircare, and makeup.
Main Prizes & Why You Should Enter
- Exclusive Beauty Award Winners: Winners receive curated boxes packed with the latest award-winning products hand-picked by Cosmopolitan’s editorial team.
- Next-Level Gadgets: Prizes often include tech-forward devices like pro-quality cameras—perfect for future selfie sessions.
- Feature in Cosmopolitan: The ultimate brag: top selfies are featured across Cosmopolitan’s print issue and digital platforms, giving your skills and style massive exposure.
With such irresistible incentives, entering the contest is a must for selfie lovers and beauty fans alike.
How to Enter the Beauty Awards Selfie Contest
The entry process is refreshingly simple. With just a few steps and a single fabulous selfie, you could be in the running for serious beauty swag and editorial fame.
- Snap your best selfie showing off your favorite beauty look, hairstyle, or signature feature. Bonus points for creativity and confidence!
- Make sure your photo follows the contest’s technical requirements: good lighting, clear focus, and high quality (see selfie tips below).
- Upload your selfie. Depending on the contest rules for the year, submissions typically happen either through Cosmopolitan’s entry page, via email, or by posting on social media (Instagram or Twitter) with a designated contest hashtag (for example: #CosmoSelfieContest).
- Double-check you’ve met all requirements. Include your contact details and a short caption if needed.
- Submit your entry before the published deadline.
Tip: Always consult the current contest page for the latest information, as details such as eligibility, hashtag, and entry platform may change year to year.
Official Contest Rules & Eligibility
Each year’s contest comes with specific guidelines to ensure fair play, inclusivity, and a fun community vibe. Here’s what participants typically need to know:
- Who Can Enter: Competitions are usually open to anyone 18 years or older (or the age determined by your jurisdiction).
- Entry Limitation: Only one entry per person is generally allowed. Duplicate or ineligible entries are disqualified.
- Originality: Submitted selfies must be original photos and not previously published for any other contest. Heavily edited or filtered images may be disqualified—Cosmo celebrates real beauty.
- Image Use Rights: By entering, you typically grant Cosmopolitan the right to reprint or feature your selfie in print or digital content.
- Deadline: All entries must be received by the published deadline on the contest page (often found at the bottom or within the entry section).
All official rules, including eligibility exceptions and fine print, are posted on the contest web page each year. Always read the terms carefully before entering.
The Judging Process: How Winners Are Chosen
Cosmopolitan prides itself on a judging process that’s both editorially rigorous and public-facing. Here’s what typically happens after entries close:
- Editorial Panel: Cosmopolitan’s team of beauty editors, photographers, and digital strategists review all eligible selfies. They shortlist the most striking, authentic, and creative entries.
- Reader Engagement: In some years, readers are invited to vote on their favorite selfies from the shortlist. The combined weight of editorial scores and public votes determines the final winners.
- Announcement: Winners are contacted directly and featured on Cosmo’s website, in social media spotlights, and in Beauty Awards issue layouts.
Criteria | Description |
---|---|
Originality | Is the selfie fresh, creative, or uniquely styled? |
Technical Quality | Is the lighting, focus, and resolution high enough for print or online? |
Confidence | Does the photo communicate personality and positivity? |
Relevance | Does it capture the year’s hottest beauty trend or award winner? |
Expert Tips for the Perfect Beauty Selfie
Want your contest entry to stand out from thousands? Try these pro-level selfie strategies, inspired by Cosmopolitan’s resident beauty and photo experts.
- Find Your Light: Natural daylight is your best friend. Face a window and avoid harsh overhead or backlighting that casts shadows.
- Frame It Right: Fill the frame with your face and a bit of background. Experiment with angles (try slightly above head height for flattering lines).
- Highlight Your Signature Look: Whether it’s bold brows, glossed lips, or a statement hairstyle, make one feature pop. Subtle makeup tricks can highlight cheekbones, eyes, or lips.
- Keep It Real: Skip super-heavy filters. Embrace your natural texture, freckles, and personality—Cosmo loves authenticity.
- Accessorize Lightly: Add interest with a fun clip, bold earrings, or pretty backdrops, but don’t let things overpower your face.
- Steady and Sharp: Clean your phone’s lens and hold steady. Use a tripod or timer app if needed.
- Express Yourself: Smile, wink, laugh, or give a fierce look—show energy and personality!
Review your shots and pick the one that makes you feel most confident.
Showcasing Last Year’s Winning Selfies
Previous winners prove that the best selfies don’t require professional lighting, heavy makeup, or expensive gadgets. Instead, the standouts wowed judges with creativity and a fresh perspective on their beauty routine. Some of the most memorable entries included:
- A close-up highlighting glistening skin and vibrant lipstick after a night out
- A sun-kissed, makeup-free selfie taken at sunrise, embracing natural beauty
- Inventive mirror shots capturing dramatic hair flips or bold eye art
- Playful themed selfies celebrating the latest award-winning products, like colorful eyeshadow palettes or glossy highlighters
Each photo captured not just technical skill, but the personality and confident spirit behind the camera.
Spotlight on the Prizes
The contest prizes are legendary among beauty lovers. Here’s what’s often up for grabs for the top entries:
- Beauty Product Hauls: Winners receive curated boxes loaded with the latest Cosmopolitan Beauty Award picks, including luxe skincare, bestselling hair tools, and trendsetting makeup must-haves.
- High-Quality Camera: Capture even better pictures with top-tier tech, such as an Olympus digital camera included in past contests.
- Cosmopolitan Feature: Publication in the magazine and website, including the winning selfie and a personal beauty story or routine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I enter if I live outside the US?
A: Most years, the contest is open solely to US residents due to shipping and legal considerations. Always check the current rules to confirm eligibility in your country.
Q: How many selfies can I submit?
A: Only one entry per person is allowed to keep things fair for all participants.
Q: Are edited or filtered photos allowed?
A: Light edits for brightness or contrast are fine, but heavily filtered or obviously retouched photos may be disqualified. Authenticity scores major points with the judges.
Q: When will winners be announced?
A: Winners are typically announced several weeks after the contest closes, both online and in the next print issue.
Q: Do I keep the rights to my photo?
A: You retain ownership of your selfie, but Cosmopolitan may use your entry for promotional purposes, including online galleries, magazine features, and social media posts.
How to Stay Updated on Contest News
Don’t miss deadline reminders or announcements! Cosmopolitan shares updates and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks on all major social platforms. Follow along at:
- Instagram: @cosmopolitan
- Twitter: @Cosmopolitan
- Official Website: Head to the Beauty Awards contest page for entry links and rule updates
Inspiration: Beauty Selfie Trends from Recent Years
Each edition of the contest spotlights the year’s hottest trends. Recent favorites have included:
- Glowy, Dewy Skin: Lightweight foundations, highlighters, and a “lit from within” radiance
- Bold Brows: Full, natural-looking brows that frame the face
- Statement Lips: Vivid shades of fuchsia, orange, and classic reds
- Artful Eye Makeup: Floating eyeliner, pastel shades, and geometric accents
- Effortless Hair: Messy buns, tousled waves, and sleek ponytails
Still, the top trend is individuality: Judges love selfies that reflect a unique approach to beauty and personal style.
Beauty Tips for Contestants
- Hydrate and Prep: Drink water and moisturize skin before photographing; glowing skin looks best up close.
- Polish Your Look: A swipe of mascara or a pop of blush can make features pop on camera.
- Avoid Shiny Zones: Gently powder the T-zone if needed, but retain skin’s natural radiance.
- Have Fun: Don’t stress about perfection—energy, joy, and confidence always shine through.
Ready to Enter? Here’s Your Action Plan
- Read all contest rules and check eligibility requirements.
- Find a bright, flattering light source and select your favorite beauty look.
- Take multiple selfies so you can select the very best one.
- Double-check technical details: clear focus, high resolution, minimal background clutter.
- Submit your entry using the correct social media hashtag or via the official contest page, and fill out any required information.
- Share, have fun, and cross your fingers—you might just see your face in print!
For full details, always refer to Cosmopolitan’s official Beauty Awards Selfie Contest page each year.
References
- https://pdfcoffee.com/cosmopolitan-july-2014-usa-pdf-free.html
- https://www.scribd.com/document/318415638/Cosmopolitan-May-2014-USA
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/news/a30956/the-2014-cosmo-beauty-awards/
- https://fitnessontoast.com/2014/10/14/cosmopolitan-best-lifestyle-blogger-award/
- https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/cosmopolitan-beauty-awards?page=4
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a23924/cosmopolitan-2014-beauty-awards-selfie-contest/
- https://camerareadycosmetics.com/collections/cosmopolitan-beauty-awards
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jketaql7Yfs
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