A few months back I was honored to be asked to judge the Independent Cosmetics Manufacturers and Distributors (ICMAD) Beauty awards, and accepted. Testing and reviewing 85 products, the categories we’re built under three pillars, best new breakout products, packaging, and advertising campaigns.
Winners were selected by myself and four other judges and experts from the beauty, design, and marketing industries which included Ron Robinson, former cosmetics chemist and founder of BeautyStat.com, Maria Corbiscello, president of creative beauty concept firm Studio MC², Jerome Bérard of Bérard Associates strategic thinking consultants, Kaye Karch, Vice President at Laura Mercier Cosmetics.
The award ceremony took place at Battery Gardens, beginning with a cocktail reception followed by dinner and the awards presentation. Three finalists we’re announced followed by the winners of each category. Opening statements were made by ICMAD’s Pamela Jo Busiek and Ian Ginsberg and Senior Vice President and Global General Manager of Clarisonic, Dr. Robb Akridge, delivered the keynote address and presented the awards.
So without further adieu, here are the winners of the 2014 ICMAD Cosmetic Innovator of the Year (CITY) Award Winners are:
Product Innovation Categories:
Best Product Color Cosmetic: Grande Naturals” Grande Liner
Best Product Skincare Face: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare: Ferulic + Retinol Fibroblast Anti-Aging Moisturizer
Best Product Bath & Body: KALLISTA: Daily Moisturizing Cream for Creative Hands
Best Product Fragrance: Lux Beauty Group: Jasmine Vine
Best Product Haircare: Ecru Lifestyle Beauty: Little Green Lice Guard Collection
Best Nail Color & Treatment: ProStrong: ProBite Natural Nail Whitener
Best Accessories & Tools: IT Cosmetics: Tightliner 10-in-1 Custom Cut Brush
Package Design Innovation
Best Color Cosmetic & Nail: Japonesque: Velvet Touch Finishing Powder
Best Skincare Face: Foreo: LUNA
Best Bath, Body and Haircare: Lux Beauty Group: Holland Park Cream Crème
Best Fragrance: Thymes: Jade Matcha Cologne
Best Accessories & Tools: Patchology: Energizing Eye Patches
Marketing/Advertising Innovation
Best Print: Orly International: “It All Started with Pink” Ad campaign
Best Social Media: NYX Cosmetics: NYX Cosmetics 2013 FACE Award
Best Grass Roots Marketing: The Elixery: Roller Girls Team Lipsticks
Member’s Choice Product
Clarisonic: Deep Pore Detoxifying System
Member’s Choice Package Design
Iredale Mineral Cosmetics
ABOUT CITY AWARDS: ICMAD, the Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors, created the coveted “Cosmetic Innovator of the Year” prize nine years ago to recognize small companies who are creating revolutionary new skin, makeup, hair, and fragrance products and put them on even ground to compete with large multinationals. The CITY Awards “Cosmetic Innovator of The Year” honors standout global products that have advanced their categories and gives them a prestigious platform to launch to wider acclaim. Judged by an esteemed panel of expert industry insiders and media editors, past winners include breakout companies like IT Cosmetics, Murad Skin Care, and NYX Cosmetics.
