General

• By entering The Skin Games sponsored by The Extraordinary Esthetician, participants accept and agree to be bound by these Official Rules. Any violation of these rules may, at Sponsor’s discretion, result in disqualification. All decisions of the judges regarding this competition are final and binding in all respects.

• The Extraordinary Esthetician reserves the right to disqualify any participant based on a decision made by the panel of judges.

• This contest is void where prohibited by law.

• Participants understand and acknowledge that this is a competition for licensed estheticians and The Skin Games sponsored by The Extraordinary Esthetician is not responsible or liable for any injury or health related problems resulting from participation in the contest. Participants are encouraged to seek the advice of trained medical professionals.

• People with heart conditions, diabetes, history of health problems, and pregnant women should consult their physicians.

• Participants release and hold harmless The Extraordinary esthetician, its principles, and employees, for any harm or injury resulting from participation in this contest.

Eligibility and Rules

• Participants must be licensed in their state or country of residence and that license must be valid and not expired.

• Participants must bring a copy of their unexpired license or certification to the LIVE event. This copy may be digital or hardcopy.

• This competition is designed to showcase the skills of Licensed Estheticians. In all categories except Open Medical, only techniques, treatments, and products within the standard scope of practice may be used. Widely recognized medical or medical esthetic procedures are prohibited except in the Open Medical category, where you must list the medical professional with whom you have partnered. The Holistic category may utilize alternative/holistic practitioners in the treatment plan. You must list the practitioner’s name and area of expertise.

• Participants must abide by the laws governing the state or country in which they practice.

• Participants cannot switch Models during the competition timeframe, however, the participant can adjust treatment protocols to achieve desired results.

• Participants agree to disclose all home care products used throughout the competition time frame.

• Participants may use the same Model in no more than two categories.

1. 1. • A separate study for each category must be created and submitted.

• Participant is responsible for all travel and or expenses incurred while participating in “The Skin Games”.

• Participant agrees that the Extraordinary Esthetician may use any information submitted (including likeness and image) for its marketing purposes. Participants further agree that all treatment protocols and photos are the final property of “The Extraordinary Esthetician”, participants further agree to extend publishing rights to the “The Extraordinary Esthetician et al”, whereby their treatment protocols and photos will be published at a later date determined by the “The Extraordinary Esthetician”.

• Participant Models must be at least 18 years of age or a signed release form from a guardian.

• Participants and Models are responsible for all expenses incurred while participating in “The Skin Games”. 

• Model further agrees to hold harmless The Extraordinary Esthetician et al., its sponsors, vendors, and/or contractors.

• Models agree that the Extraordinary Esthetician may use any information submitted (including likeness and image) for its marketing purposes. Models further agree that all treatment protocols and photos are the final property of “The Extraordinary Esthetician”, Models further agree to extend publishing rights to the “The Extraordinary Esthetician et al.”, whereby their treatment protocols and photos will be published at a later date determined by the “The Extraordinary Esthetician”.

• Models understand that no monetary compensation will be given for participation in “The Skin Games”.
• Participants agree that all results of the judges are final.

How to Enter

• Submit completed registration entry form with photos and video of the selected model for the category in which they choose to enter by the required deadline.  Signed Model Release Form must accompany registration entry forms and final entry forms missing information will be deemed invalid.

• Photo ID and Esthetician license are required to complete registration and final entry.

• Entrants represent and warrant that their submissions are truthful, are the original treatment protocols of such entrants, have not been copied from others, and it does not violate the rights of any other person or entity.

• Participants may enter more than one category and may enter a single category multiple times with different studies; they must, however, pay a separate registration fee for each additional entry. The highest score of the multiple category entries, if it qualifies, will move onto the finalist round.

• All entrant information, including e-mail addresses, is subject to the respective Privacy Policy of the applicable Sponsor.

• The Skin Games competitions are as follows:

• Skin Categories
  • Acne
  • Age Management
  • Compromised Skin
  • Holistic
  • New Esthetician (licensed 2 years or less *some exceptions may apply)
  • Open
  • Open – Medical
  • Pigmentation
• Brow Lamination
• Lash Lift
• Compassionate
• Facial Massage
• Waxing
• Sugaring
• People’s Choice

• Participants further acknowledge and warrant that their submissions are truthful, are the original treatment protocols of the entrant, have not been copied from others, and do not violate the rights of any other person or entity.

• Expired licenses will automatically disqualify an entrant.

• Submission deadline for all case studies with photos, written, and videos by February 1, 2026.

• Registration Fee is non-refundable.

• No entry will be accepted without full payment.
• Entries submitted during the week prior to the submission deadline are not guaranteed to be uploaded to The Skin Games YouTube and may not receive the same promotion and promotional materials as entries submitted prior to deadline week.

Before and After Photos, Written Case Study, and Video Diary

Photo Requirements

• • • Participants must take “Before” photos of their Model on the start date and “After” photos on the end date of their 8-week treatment.
    • 8 weeks is defined as 65 days or less.
    • Each before and after photo set must contain 3 photos:
      • One front view and one of each side (left and right profile) view of face or body part.
      • Photos must be taken with the Model UPRIGHT/STANDING.
      • Camera angle must be level to the Model’s face or body part.
      • Each photo view should have the same background. Example: “After” left view must have the same background as the “Before” left view, etc.
    • Each photo must strive for consistent lighting.
    • If using a newspaper, the actual date in the newspaper must be within 3 days of the photo.
    • NO photos using device photo date (e.g. iPhone, Android, etc.)
    • Photos using device photo date may be subject to point deduction.
    • Players may use a time stamp app. (Timestamp photo and video or similar app)
    • When using an app, ONLY the date may be displayed on each photo.
      • Do NOT include any identifying information such as location, your name, name of business, street name, city, etc. in photos.
      • Including these may result in point deduction.
    • Only photos submitted in JPEG or PNG format will be accepted.

Written Case Study Requirements

• • • Players must use the provided template to complete Written Case Study.
    • Click here for template.
    • No handwritten case studies will be accepted.
    • Players must complete an update for each week, even if no treatment was performed on the model.
    • The maximum total of pages per case study is 10.
    • Minimum font size is 10.
    • Bullet points may be used.
    • Only PDF files will be accepted for Written Case Studies.
    • Product brand names are not necessary. The ingredients, modalities, protocols used, and their benefits are most important. There is no point deduction if brand names are listed.
    • Click here for an example.

Video Requirements

1. 1. • Participants must submit a weekly video diary of their model’s treatment progress.
      • All videos must be less than two minutes in length and uploaded to The Skin Games website using dropbox, wetransfer, google etc.
      • Only Videos submitted in .mov, .mp4, and .avi formats will be accepted.
      • Videos do not need to be timestamped.

• Video Submissions

1. 1. • • Video 1
          • You and your Model must be present in the video.
          • Must include an introduction of your Model. Your Model does not have to speak.
          • Include a brief discussion of the skin condition you are treating.
        • Video 2
          • A discussion about creating your treatment plan. Include why you chose the modalities and/or protocols and how they work to achieve your intended results.
        • Video 3
          • A demonstration of you doing a treatment on your Model. You and your Model must be included in the video.
        • Video 4
          • A demonstration of you doing a treatment on your Model. You and your Model must be included in the video.
        • Video 5
          • Open topic discussion video. Show us your expertise!
        • Video 6
          • A discussion about performance ingredients, include why you chose the ingredients and how they work to achieve your intended results.
        • Video 7
          • A demonstration of you doing a treatment on your Model. You and your Model must be included in the video.
        • Video 8
          • You and your Model must be present in the video. Your Model does not have to speak.
          • Include a summary of your case study and how you achieved your results.

• During the case study, videos do not have to be recorded in this order. When submitting your videos each file must be named with the entered category name, Video number, and topic. See the examples below:

1. 1. • Pigment_Video1_Intro.mov
      • Holistic_Video2_TreatmentPlan.mp4
      • Acne_Video3_Demo1.avi
      • Age_Video4_Demo2.mov
      • Compromised_Video5_OpenTopic.mp4
      • Open_Video6_Ingredients.avi
      • OpenMed_Video7_Demo3.mov
      • New_Video8_Summary.mp4

• Best practices for filming:

1. 1. • Record video in Landscape rather than Portrait format.
      • Use a good light source (e.g. ringlight, Cosmoglo light, etc.)
      • Adhere to the two minute or less time limit.

• The Extraordinary Esthetician et al. and The Skin Games are not responsible for any internet transmission problems or issues and will not be held liable for late or misdirected online submissions. We encourage you to submit your finished case studies early to allow time for any necessary corrections.

Winner Selection and Notification

• All participant entries will be judged and ten finalists will be selected in each of The Skin Games categories no later than 03/01/2026.

• Judging will be based on the participant’s photos, videos, and information submitted by the contest deadline of 02/01/2026.

• Final judging of the finalists will be held at the Live Show.

• Finalists must attend the Live Show to be considered for an award. The Live Show is to be held 04/16/2026 – 04/19/2026.

• Finalists will be interviewed by a panel of judges at the Live Show. Interview questions to remain confidential.

• Judges will be screened and put through a verification process by the TSG Director of Judges.

• Scoring will be based on the following criteria:

• Quality of results achieved over the 8 week period.
• Model selection, did the Participant choose the appropriate Model for the category in which they entered. Refer to Category descriptions for assistance.
• Participants’ understanding of the skin type and skin condition being treated.
• Participants’ ability to clearly explain their treatment protocols, detail the ingredients used, and how results were achieved—with an emphasis on scientific validity over marketing claims.
• Participants knowledge of products/ingredients used.
• Documentation of results achieved over the 8 week period.
• Adequacy of photos and videos.
• Adherence to contest rules.

• Scoring breakdown:

1. 1. • Photos 30 points
      • Written 20 points
      • Videos 20 points
      • Interview 30 points

• Scoring information is confidential and proprietary and will not be released. The decisions of the judges are final.

• Judges will be screened and put through a verification process by the TSG judging director.

• Winners will be announced at the Live Show, to be held 04/18/2026.

1. • Participants MUST be present to win.

Participant Prize

• Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.

• Esthetician of the Year

• $10,000 Cash prize for Esthetician of the Year.
• Estheticians must compete in a minimum of 3 qualifying categories to qualify.
• The winner is determined by combining the Player’s (participant) total points from their top 3 qualifying category scores. 
• Winner is NOT determined by the number of category placement wins.
• Player (participant)  with the highest combined score wins and does not need to win a placement in any qualifying category to be eligible.
• Must be present at the LIVE event awards to win.
• Qualifying categories:

• Age Management
• Acne
• Compromised Skin
• Holistic
• Pigmentation
• Open
• Open Medical

• Sugar Artist of the Year 

• $3,000 Cash prize
• Estheticians must compete in all 3 categories to qualify.
• Scoring is based on the Rules and Regulations
• The winner is determined by combining the Player’s (participant)  total points from their 3 category scores. 
• Winner is NOT determined by the number of category placement wins.
• Player (participant) with the highest combined score wins and does not need to win a placement in any category to be eligible.
• Must be present at the LIVE event awards to win.

• Wax Artist of the Year

• $5,000 Cash prize
• Estheticians must compete in all 3 categories to qualify.
• Scoring is based on the Rules and Regulations.
• The winner is determined by combining the Player’s total points from their 3 category scores. 
• Winner is NOT determined by the number of category placement wins.
• Player (participant) with the highest combined score wins and does not need to win a placement in any category to be eligible.
• Must be present at the LIVE event awards to win.

Note to Participants and Sponsors

**  We encourage you to network with any or all of our sponsors throughout the entire competition year. All of our sponsors welcome your calls and are happy to help you with education, consulting and sometimes even products and modalities. Please reach out and network!!!