Throngs of beauty-loving professionals attended the Second Annual Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) Beauty Bazaar, held at Chelsea Industrial in New York City on September 21. The interactive, in-person event, which took place in two sessions over the course of the day, showcased the finalists of this year’s Beauty Awards and celebrated an array of innovative products, with new product demos and a range of beauty services. Included among them were hairstyling stations, provided by Dyson; brow bar, nail designs, and hand and shoulder massages by Spa Chicks On the Go; Amazon Live on-site studio; makeup services and photo-ops by CVS; skincare consultations by Drunk Elephant, and more. The Experiential Lounge, designed by RPG, provided ample space for attendees to unwind and network, before they rejoined the excitement on the show floor.

This year, attendees entered the demonstration area, where products could be sampled and tested, akin to previous CEW beauty product demos; and then proceeded to the exhibition floor, where all of the categories and featured products were on view. The venue was divided into specific category areas, including Skincare (comprised of cleansers and scrubs, eye treatment, pro-aging, face masks, lip treatment, moisturizer (face), skincare tools, and sun products); Makeup, (including eye, lip, face and makeup tools); Hair (including haircolor, shampoo, conditioner, hairstyling and haircare tools); Bath/Body and Scent; Wellness (featuring personal care, sexual wellness, wellness products aromatherapy and beauty wellness supplements); Nails and Brows; Men’s (unisex) Grooming; and Special Awards, including the Iconic Beauty finalists, Indie Brands, Indie Skincare, Ingredients and Formulation, Sustainability Excellence, Launch of the Year, and Influencer of the Year. Event partner, New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists (NYSCC), also congratulated the CEW Beauty Creator Award finalists, for their achievements in the ingredients and formulations category.

A Guide to the CEW Finalists

Upon entering the exhibition floor, attendees received a map of the venue, a guide to the extensive list of finalists, and an invitation to interact with category finalists and ultimately cast their votes for the year’s winners. The 258 product finalists on view were chosen from a pool of 1,120 product entries, and selected by CEW’s membership, consisting of more than 9,000 beauty industry executives from around the globe. Winners in each category will be honored on November 7, 2023, at CEW’s “Ultimate Beauty Insider’s Event,” the 2023 Beauty Awards, where product launches, and the creators behind them, will be recognized.

This year’s Beauty Bazaar was sponsored by Platinum sponsors, Amazon, DSM-Firmenich and Dyson. Gold sponsors were Financo/Raymond James, CVS Pharmacy, Nordstrom, Presperse, and QVC. Silver sponsors included NIQ, Therabody, Drunk Elephant, Beekman 1802; and event partners, New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists (NYSCC), Cosmoprof North America, Beauty Inc, Fairchild Media Group, RPG, Pims, Anaïk, Cheddar News, City Scenic, Spa Chicks, TM-Tonnie’s Minis, Circana, Kaplow and Consultancy Media.

Beauty and the Environment

In addition to an immersive experience, an overflowing gift bag and plenty of networking opportunities, attendees were able to meet with sponsors and brands to learn about some of the latest initiatives being undertaken to increase sustainability, support social responsibility, and affirm the greater good in the beauty industry.

Nordstrom introduced its BeautyCycle initiative, a commitment to environmental sustainability. The retailer explained that more than 120 billion pieces of beauty packaging are produced every year, and many of them are impossible to recycle due to curbside recycling programs. Through BeautyCycle Nordstrom’s goal is to recycle 100 tons of beauty packaging by 2025. Its commitment to environmental sustainability and this goal, is part of its  JWN Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy to reduce environmental impact and conserve resources. The program is currently available at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack and Nordstrom locations in the continental US.

Beekman 1802 Showcased Potato Peel Rapid Resurfacing Milk FacialBeekman 1802 encouraged the cultivation of kindness and beautiful skin, with a three-step system: Cleanse with Milk Wash Exfoliating Cleanser; Treat with Milk Drops Probiotic Ceramide Serum; and Hydrate with Bloom Cream Probiotic Moisturizer. The brand, which features the nourishing benefits of goat milk, shared a philosophy of “Clinically Kind For Sensitive Skin.” It’s combined with a message of patience without judgement, kindness and thoughtfulness, seeing the good in people, recognizing that our differences aren’t flaws, and urging us to be “catalysts for change in the fight for a kinder world.”

Plant-Based Personal Care Is Well-Represented

Conscious messaging, earth-positive ingredient stories and innovation were evident throughout the exhibit floor. Many finalists offered wellness, climate protection and plant-based ingredients in products. In hair care, Mielle Organics offered Pomegranate & Honey Air Dry Styling Lotion. Carol’s Daughter Born to Repair Defining Leave-In Cream, featured shea butter, Amazonian nut oil and babassu. In skincare, First Aid Beauty’s Bounce Boosting Serum with Collagen + Peptides, featured algae as a key ingredient to tone and firm the skin; and Farmacy Beauty’s Wake Up Honey Eye Cream with Vitamin C brightens undereyes with cranberry, bitter orange fruit extract and sunflower seed oil. In the nail category, Dazzle Dry, touted a long-wearing natural manicure made with vegan ingredients, and supports the planet by planting a tree with online purchase. Drunk Elephant continued the eco-friendly initiative, with its moisturizer finalist, Wonderwild Miracle Butter, entirely plant-based, vegan, and cruelty-free, with rosehip oil, shea butter, cupuaçu butter and green tea.

Inspiring and innovative entries across all categories were on view at every turn, with leading brands, as well as rising stars represented. Stay tuned for the winners, which will be announced on November 7, 2023, at CEW’s Beauty Awards 2023 at the New York Hilton Midtown Hotel in New York City.