Category growth, trends and innovation were showcased at this year’s Beauty Creators Awards, held earlier this month at New York’s Ziegfeld Ballroom. Cosmetic Executive Women President Carlotta Jacobson and Jill Scalamandre, CEO, Beekman 1802; and chairwoman, CEW, welcomed guests to the Awards luncheon, which honored the year’s most innovative products across 33 categories. The event included an in-person networking reception and luncheon, hosted by Hena Doba, anchor/breaking news correspondent for Cheddar, Inc.; and guest presenter, Olivia Lux, star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13, taking the stage to present the makeup category; and DJ Tiana Verhage providing the event’s soundtrack.

Jacobson noted the growth and evolution of the Beauty Awards, saying, “When we created the Beauty Awards no one recognized the creators. Today, more than 29 years later, we have more than 1,200 award nominees.”

Scalamandre said, “Beauty consumers have a profound understanding of ingredients; and this year, for the first time, consumers weighed in on the Launch of the Year, as well as Influencer of the Year, and Retailer of the Year.” 

CEW aligned its categories with the most popular trends today, which include personal care and sexual wellness, according to Jacobson. She noted the success of CEW’s first-ever Beauty Bazaar, which showcased the entries, and thanked participating Innovation Partners, Firmenich, CVS Pharmacy, Financo/Raymond James, Amazon Premium Beauty, QVC, Creators Corner, NielsenIQ, New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Snap Inc., Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health, Dyson, Inkbox, Bodymark, Drunk Elephant, P&G Beauty, Glow Recipe, Advent International, L’Oréal Paris, Dove, and Beekman 1802. Event partners included, RPG, PIMS, Badger Agency, Beauty Inc, Cheddar News, Consultancy Media, Fairchild Media Group, Suite-K, Kaplow Communications, The NPD Group, Cosmoprof N.A., and Spa Chicks on the Go. 


Emcee Doba acknowledged the 9,000-strong, diverse membership of CEW, representing leading brands, indies, retailers, fragrance houses, media outlets, and suppliers, and kicked off the program with the Iconic Beauty Award category.

Winners of the 2022 Beauty Creators Awards 

Iconic Award 
La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream

Fragrance, Men’s Scent winners (TIE)
Burberry Hero
Hermès H24 Eau de Toilette

Fragrance, Women’s Scent
Billie Eilish for Eilish 

The Bath & Body Award was presented by Lori Monaco, president, US Beauty, The NPD Group.

Bath & Body
Olay Firming Body Lotion with Collagen

The Sustainability Excellence Award was presented by Robin Mason, president fine fragrance, NAM, Firmenich. CEW and Firmenich have been sustainability partners for the past 10 years.

Sustainability Award
UpCircle Beauty

Wellness Products, Aromatherapy, and Beauty Wellness Supplements
Dr. Teal’s Sleep Spray with Melatonin and Essential Oils

Sexual Wellness
The Honey Pot Company Soothing Vulva Wash

Men’s Grooming
SheaMoisture Men Smoothing Shave Butter

CBD Beauty
Saint Jane Beauty Sacred Sleep Overnight Repair

Personal Care
Dove Ultimate Antiperspirant

The Indie Award in Skincare was presented by Vennette Ho, managing director, global head of beauty & personal care, consumer investment banking, Financo/Raymond James.

Indie Skincare Brand 
Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Serum

Indie Brand
Summer Fridays

The Makeup Category was introduced by Olivia Lux, drag artist, actor, singer and musician of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13.

Makeup

Face Product
Nars Cosmetics Light Reflecting Foundation

Makeup Tools
ELF Cosmetics Putty Primer Brush and Applicator

Eye Product
Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick

Lip Product
MAC Cosmetics Glow Play Lip Balm

Nail Product
Essie hard to resist nail strengthener

Special Awards
The Launch of the Year was presented by Anna Mayo, VP-beauty Vertical, NielsenIQ. This award was based solely on sales and data, and chosen by consumers.

Launch of the Year
Olay Regenerist Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Hydrating Moisturizer

Retailer of the Year and Influencer of the Year Awards were presented by Doba.

Retailer of the Year
Amazon

Influencer of the Year
Mariale Marrero

The Skincare Category Awards were presented by Dr. Michelle Henry, Dermatologist, Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan.

Skincare

Anti-Aging
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum

Eye Treatment
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 2.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine Eye Serum

Lip Treatment
Biologique Recherche Liftkiss

Skincare Tools
FaceGym FaceShot

Suncare Product
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Serum SPF 60 +
Supergoop! (Re)setting Refreshing Mist SPF 40

Moisturizer (Face)
SK-II Skinpower Airy Milky Lotion

Cleanser & Scrub
Beekman 1802 Milk Wash

Face Masks
Kiehl’s Since 1851 Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Face Mask with 10.5% Squalane

Supplier Award: Ingredients & Formulation, presented by New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists
Symrise SymHair Thermo

Hair Care

Hair Shampoo/Conditioner
Briogeo Hair Care Don’t Despair, Repair! MegaStrength + rice water protein + moisture strengthening treatment
Ouai Haircare Detox Shampoo

Hairstyle/Hair Care
Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum

Hair Coloring
Color Wow Root Cover Up

Hair Tools
Dyson Flyaway Attachment

Beauty by the Numbers    

Statistics pertinent to each category were shared throughout the event. In Bath & Body, said to be the fastest growing category within skincare, sales were up 36%, according to NielsenIQ). Online searches for exfoliating rose17%; and online searches for men’s bath & body were up 13%, according to Label Insights Consumer Search data. Bath beads rose 22% and bath salts increased 24%, according to NielsenIQ. 

Fragrance dollar sales rose 16% in the US, with in-store growing 10% and online soaring 42%, according to NielsenIQ. Online searches for refillable packaging surged 89%, according to Label Insights Consumer Search Data. In hair care, online searches for scalp health are up 13% (Label Insights Consumer Search Data. Hair serum outpaced the entire hair care category by 74%. Strong growth was noted in the wellness category, as well, up 33%. Vegan beauty is up 9%, according to NielsenIQ. Men’s bath and body sales were up 13% (NielsenIQ); and CBD product growth continues to be strong.

In Cosmetics, eye cosmetics are up 11%, while eye brow is up 17% (NielsenIQ). Face product sales are up 18%, with growth in face primer (37%); tinted moisturizer (37%); and setting spray (40%). Eye makeup sales rose 11%, accorind to NielsenIQ.

Skincare sales continue to be strong, up 30% this year. Facial cleanser wipes rose 16% (NielsenIQ). Facial treatments gained10%, with in store growth +4%, and online growth +28% (NielsenIQ). Plastic free beauty is jumped 25% (NielsenIQ). Additional growth was seen in artificial nails, up 37%, and Peel-off Nails, up 53%. All statistics shared at the event were provided by NielsenIQ, Label Insights Consumer Search Data, and The NPD Group.