Essenza brought the beauty community together for its second Beauty Enthusiasts of Essenza (BEE) experience, held on September 25 and 26, 2026. The two day event welcomed beauty and fragrance enthusiasts, creators, and industry taste makers for an immersive celebration of discovery, connection, and luxury.
Over the course of two days, guests explored an exceptional edit of international beauty, skincare, and fragrance brands. The lineup included Jo Malone, Yves Saint Laurent, Estée Lauder, Clinique, The Ordinary, M·A·C, and Tom Ford, all joining Essenza for the occasion.
Each brand presented its own distinctive expression, creating immersive touch points that invited attendees to explore products in new ways. Interactive games, product discovery sessions, gifting, and exclusive offers available only at BEE were designed to make beauty feel personal, engaging, and memorable.
Abiola Kasumu, Executive Director of Essenza Int’l, reflected on the experience. “At Essenza, we believe that the future of beauty is deeply rooted in community. BEE allows us to bring that belief to life by creating a space where beauty enthusiasts, creators and brands can come together, share experiences and inspire one another. The response to this year’s edition has been incredibly rewarding, and we are proud to continue building a community that celebrates beauty in all its forms,” he said.
At the heart of BEE was a celebration of connection. Guests met fellow beauty enthusiasts, discovered new favourites, engaged directly with brands, and became part of the wider Essenza community.
A dedicated Content Room added another dimension, providing a space for guests and creators to capture, create, and express their individual perspectives on beauty. It reflected the increasingly personal way people experience and share beauty today, moving seamlessly between discovery, creativity, and conversation.
The experience was further enhanced by BEE’s event partners. Patrón, Drinkstail, and Chivas Regal brought a sophisticated social element, with Drinkstail also introducing its matcha experience to guests. SKN Analytics offered an opportunity to engage with skincare discovery driven by technology, while 13th Fragrance added to the fragrance experience, complementing BEE’s focus on discovery, personal expression, and the wider beauty culture.
AI Takes the Stage on Day One
Day One took the conversation beyond products, exploring one of the most transformative forces shaping the industry today: artificial intelligence. The panel, themed “The Influence of AI on the Beauty Industry,” was hosted by Ayirike Dimples. It featured Layo Ogunbanwo, CEO of Splice; Denise Ezeimokumoh, Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire; Jude Chikiezie, Founder and CEO of Splice; and AI entrepreneur Dr. Lola Olukuewu.
The discussion explored the growing influence of AI across beauty, from creativity and content to consumer behaviour, engagement, and innovation. It also considered how technology can continue to evolve the industry while leaving space for the human creativity, expertise, and individuality that remain at the heart of beauty.
Celebrating the Creators Behind Beauty Culture
Creativity took centre stage on Day Two with the unveiling of the winners of the Creator Essenza Challenge. Oscar Chihurumnanya emerged as the first place winner, followed by Mariam Mariamly Aworinde in second place and Glamified in third.
The challenge celebrated the distinctive ways members of the BEE community engage with beauty, creating their own interpretations and bringing products and stories to life through their individual creative voices. It also reflected the evolving relationship between beauty brands and creators. Today’s beauty community is not simply consuming trends; it is participating in the culture, shaping conversations, and influencing how beauty is discovered and experienced.
Across two days, BEE brought together beauty, skincare, fragrance, creativity, and conversation in an environment designed to be experienced rather than simply observed. From discovering iconic beauty houses and exploring new products to creating content, meeting fellow enthusiasts, and engaging in conversations about the future of the industry, the experience offered something beyond a traditional beauty event.
It was a celebration of the community itself: the beauty lovers who continue to explore, the creators who continue to shape the conversation, and the brands and partners creating experiences that invite people to see beauty from a new perspective.
With its second edition, Beauty Enthusiasts of Essenza continues to create a space where luxury, beauty, creativity, and community meet, bringing people closer to the brands they love and to one another.
