I Love Me 2026 will place mental health, self-understanding and the relationship between mind and body at the centre of its three-day programme in Helsinki, reflecting a wider interest in well-being that goes beyond fitness, appearance and performance.
Northern Europe’s largest well-being event will take place at the Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre from October 16 to 18, bringing together programming on beauty, fashion, health and well-being. This year’s programme looks at how people understand their emotions, listen to their bodies and make choices that support their own way of living well.
Rather than focusing only on trends or ready-made solutions, the event will explore the connection between mental and physical well-being and the role of self-awareness in everyday life. Talks, panel discussions, demonstrations and workshops will examine subjects ranging from mental health and health monitoring to beauty safety, fashion and exercise.
The programme will run across five stages, giving visitors a broad view of the issues shaping the well-being industry and everyday conversations around health and identity.
One of the main stage highlights will come on Sunday, when Sointu and Topi Borg will discuss normality, difference and the courage to be yourself. Their keynote will examine experiences of being treated as an outsider, the prejudices people encounter and the need to create more room for difference in society.
Friday’s main stage programme will end with a live performance by Sara Bee. The Finnish rapper and pop artist, who has received three Emma nominations, will bring music to the opening day of the event.
Beauty programming will look beyond appearance, with a particular focus on safety, research and the relationship between external appearance and overall health. One of the weekend’s more topical discussions will examine the safety and regulation of aesthetic treatments, including botulinum treatments and fillers.
Experts from Fimea, Tukes, LVV and STUK will take part in the discussion, offering perspectives on supervision and safety within the aesthetic treatment sector.
Other beauty topics will include skin longevity, scalp health and Finnish innovation. The event will also see the launch of the first product line based on Chem-less technology from Finnish cosmetics brand Lavliér, which combines research and innovation with Finnish forest expertise.
Fashion will be explored through the changing role of materials, design and domestic production. Sami Sykkö, a familiar figure at I Love Me Fashion, will lead discussions on the direction of Finnish fashion and the value of long-lasting design.
Sykkö will interview representatives of Finnish bag brand Aarni about domestic materials and timeless design. Designer Katri Niskanen will discuss her collaboration with Finnish jewellery brand Lumoava, while entrepreneur Kati Nieme will talk about her path from Hulluhatuntekijä to building a recognised Finnish brand.
The fashion programme will also examine why certain garments become long-term favourites and what distinguishes Finnish clothing culture. A panel moderated by Finnish Textile & Fashion will consider the relationship between quality, value and the lifespan of clothing.
Well-being programming will place particular emphasis on self-understanding and mental health. Exercise will be considered not simply as a matter of performance, but as something that can adapt to different stages of life and everyday circumstances.
A panel featuring HOKA ambassadors will discuss running, changing life situations and the importance of finding enjoyment in movement. Garmin experts will look at how personal health data can be used in everyday life, while microbiome researcher Eveliina Munukka will explore the growing interest in gut health and its place in the wider well-being conversation.
Mental health will have a prominent place throughout the event, with the MIELI Finnish Mental Health Association serving as the main partner. Psychologists Mari Huhtiniemi, Elina Marjamäki and Julia Sangervo will appear during the weekend to discuss subjects including emotional awareness, mental health and ways of responding to emotions as part of everyday well-being.
The Health Hub programme will also address blood sugar, sleep, menopause, heart health and the gut microbiome. New approaches to personal health monitoring, including ferritin testing, will be part of the discussion as interest in self-measurement, home testing and personal health data continues to grow.
Visitors will also have opportunities to take part in practical activities. The I Love Yoga area will offer yoga and pilates classes, with sessions organised by Roots, Fitness24Seven and Elixia. Workshops will also give visitors the chance to make items such as their own piece of jewellery. Reservations for classes and workshops can be made at the Fair Centre during the event.
Competition and entertainment will form another part of the weekend. The Wellnessmalli 2026 final will take place alongside the World Bodypainting Festival’s World & Nordic Award competitions, bringing international creative make-up and bodypainting into the programme.
Beauty professionals including Linda Hallberg and Einat Dan will serve on the competition jury and discuss the future of the beauty industry. They will also take part in Masterclass sessions in the competition area during the weekend.
For industry professionals, I Love Me PRO will take place on Friday, bringing together people working in beauty, hair and fashion. The programme, produced with Fashion Finland, will examine international competition, changing consumer behaviour, responsibility, personal branding and new business opportunities.
The SHAY Hair Summit, organised by Finnish hair industry professionals and entrepreneurs, will also form part of the professional programme. The event is expected to bring together Finnish and international experts while creating opportunities for networking and collaboration. Futurist Perttu Pölönen and futurist Ilkka Halava are among the speakers.
With its mix of health, mental well-being, beauty, fashion, exercise and professional programming, I Love Me 2026 is built around a question that extends beyond any single trend: how people can better understand themselves and make choices that fit their own lives. The programme at the Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre will run from October 16 to 18, 2026.
The full I love me program can be found at: iloveme.fi/ohjelma
