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Celebrate authenticity, individuality, and real beauty.

$15,000 cash prize

Welcome to the Natural Beauty competition, where we highlight the strength of self-expression without filters or heavy makeup. Step into the outdoors and show us who you are—genuine, radiant, and 100% you.

📸  A professional photo shoot in stunning California landscapes
🏖️  Stay in a luxury hotel in Santa Monica, CA
📰  Be featured in Maxim Magazine (print + digital)
💰  Take home $15,000 in cash

Model in white flowing dress posing by sheer curtains in interior
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The Natural Beauty competition invites you to share something real—yourself, in nature, with nothing to prove. Whether you're beneath a wide open sky, moving through trees, or standing still in golden light, this is about presence. It's not about glam—it’s about the spark that shows up when you're fully in your element.

This year’s winner will receive $15,000, a feature in Maxim magazine, and a professional photoshoot set in California’s most breathtaking natural locations—beaches, cliffs, deserts, forests, and maybe even the edge of nowhere.

“My life Changed Forever”

Woman in elegant black dress standing beside luxury car in hotel lobby

“By consistently posting every day, my following grew more and more. Influencers with large accounts reached out to me, and helped me by posting my content on their Instagram Stories. Much of my Instagram growth happened during the Maxim Cover Girl competition.”

- Lexi Kaleiia
Cover Girl 2023
Ballerina in black tutu captured mid-arabesque in monochrome

“Maxim Cover Girl truly helped me refine and learn advertising, networking and marketing skills in my own way, which was and is very beneficial no matter which way one goes in life. Shooting with Gilles and the entire team was truly magical and will forever be held in my heart.”

- Janel Tanna
Cover Girl 2018
Dancer in flowing pink dress spinning on studio floor

“Being on the cover of Maxim is such a huge honor for me. It’s a way for me to represent minorities and bring diversity to the fashion industry. The funny thing is that I signed up literally in the back seat of my dad’s car while we were on our way to the ice rink for practice.”

- Elizabeth Nguyen
Cover Girl 2019
Blonde model in black lingerie posing in high-contrast black and white

“When I competed for the Maxim Cover the world was essentially shut down. Fortunately, with incredible support from my family and friends -my dream came to fruition! It was such an exciting experience to go through and I will forever be grateful and proud to have graced such an iconic cover.”

- Jessica Carter
Cover Girl 2020

Let Nature Do the Talking

Maxim Natural Beauty is an open call for women who want to break into modeling by showing up as their most authentic selves.

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Competition Overview

1

Register

2

Public Voting
Tournament

3

Interview
Round

4

Grand Prize
$15K
  • Maxim Magazine Feature
  • Trip to Los Angeles
  • Maxim Photoshoot

It’s Free & Easy to Sign up.

  • Upload your photos — Half-body and full-body shots tend to stand out the most.
  • Share a quick message telling people why they should vote for you—keep it authentic and memorable.
  • Follow @maximmag_covergirl on Instagram and TikTok to stay in the loop.
  • Want to get noticed? Post on TikTok or Instagram and tag #MaximNaturalBeauty to show us your vibe.

Guidance from Maxim Insiders

From experienced models and past winners to Maxim editors and creative pros, you’ll gain access to a community built to elevate you. Get real advice on how to pose, shape your brand, and build lasting momentum in your modeling career—with support that’s present, personal, and proven.

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The Natural Selection Panel

*Judges subject to change

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Jessica Carter
2020 Maxim Cover Girl, Hair Specialist

"The winner of any Maxim Cover Girl modeling competition should be striking and captivating. One of the most beautiful things about modeling is the personalization and uniqueness of each individual. There is no mold. Art and beauty is subjective, use your edge and compel us to choose you."

Female model in black sleeveless top smiling against dark studio background
Karin Agstam
Maxim Cover Stylist, Emmy Nominated Producer
"As a creative director, I’m always looking for models who bring something authentic and unique to their work. It’s not just about posing; it’s about using every moment in front of the camera to express who you are. I want to see personality shine through the images, that spark of creativity and desire that makes you unforgettable.

Stay true to your dream, set high goals and outline the actions that will lead you there. Remember that failing is a part of the learning process and that success is the result of consistency and hard work."
Black-and-white Maxim cover featuring a seated model
Lexi Kaleiia
2023 Maxim Cover Girl, Professional Model

"Model Photography is a form of expression, an art, it not only captures and freezes a moment in time but it has the potential to tell a compelling story. Use this competition to tell your story, make your images speak for themselves, have them say one thousand words from the very second someone lays eyes on them.

Be your authentic self, be unforgettable. Become the woman you strive to be and portray her using your skills as an elegant and powerful model. I’ll see you at the finish line, I wish every single one of you the best of luck."

Head-and-shoulders of an older man in a black shirt
Gilles Bensimon
World-Renowned Photographer

“I am looking for a Maxim cover girl who exudes confidence, sophistication, and has a magnetic presence.

I want someone who embodies beauty, intelligence, and a strong sense of self.

My ideal cover girl would be someone who embraces her individuality, radiates empowerment, and inspires others. She would represent the epitome of modern femininity but also have a touch of edginess and a dash of glamor that sets her apart from the rest,”

Maxim magazine cover featuring a model in dramatic lighting
Janel Tanna M.D.
2018 Maxim Cover Girl, Award Winning Actress, Producer and Model

"Becoming a part of Maxim is such a special piece of my story. Maxim embraces not only physical, but intellectual and artistic talents. All of what we do combines to make us who we are, and in turn is encompassed in our exterior. Caring about one's mission and health is important. Our own unique features make us beautiful. I see modeling as one's unique beauty, passion and soul combining to create art. Good luck ladies. Shine bright! You are all amazing in your own way."

Color Maxim cover with Asian model
Elizabeth Nguyen
2019 Maxim Cover Girl Competition Winner, U.S. Figure Skating Double Gold Medalist

"My biggest advice is to put yourself out there and share your goals openly with your community—don’t be afraid to ask for support and for people to vote for you.

I’ve decided to leave behind the fear of not measuring up, to fully embrace who I am, and to go after my dreams wholeheartedly. Modeling was always something I dreamed of but never thought possible. Now, I’m living that dream, and I hope others find the courage to pursue their own."

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Deborah Altizio
Maxim Cover Makeup Artist, Award Winning Beauty Specialist

"Showcasing your potential for a cover means submitting both natural and creative photos to highlight your range. Let your energy and personality draw in the audience. Keep it fun, stay relaxed, and take care of your skin. Most importantly, let your confidence and unique essence radiate through every shot!"

Your Natural Beauty Moment

Win $15,000 and star in a Maxim photoshoot set in California’s wild landscapes. You’ll be featured in Maxim Magazine, celebrated for your authenticity, confidence, and natural presence.

No filters. No script. Just you—at your realest.

Woman in orange activewear standing in sunlit desert

Be You

This competition isn’t about fitting into someone else’s mold—it’s about being seen for who you are.
 Maxim has launched careers by celebrating individuality, and this is your chance to join that legacy.  A powerful image doesn’t need perfection—it needs presence. And you’ve got that already.

Female model walking along a sunlit shoreline at dusk