Nancy Jeffries, Contributor11.09.23
Large or small, established or newly independent, this year’s winners at Cosmetic Executive Women’s (CEW), 2023 Beauty Awards, came away with hard-earned recognition, peer acknowledgement, and industry-wide accolades.
The awards were presented on November 7, at New York’s Hilton Midtown at the 29th Annual CEW Beauty Awards luncheon, which honored the most innovative beauty products across 34 categories.
Here's a recap of everything that happened at the glamorous afternoon gala.
DJ Tiana Verhagen provided the soundtrack, as the beauty products of the year took center stage.Jill Scalamandre, CEO, Beekman 1802 and chairwoman of CEW, welcomed attendees and traced the growth of the awards program from its beginning.
It has become the pre-eminent beauty honor in the industry, this year garnering 1,100 entries; and holding the distinction of being the only award voted on by industry insiders, including brand executives, VIPs, and leaders in beauty-related industries.
Carlotta Jacobson, president, CEW, said, “I am thrilled to announce the winners of the 2023 CEW Beauty Awards. These represent the best of the best in innovation, creativity, and performance. This year, all finalists will be shoppable on CEW.org, so you can explore and experience the excellence of these award-worthy beauty products firsthand.”
Scalamandre highlighted the impact of receiving a CEW beauty award, saying:
“As an individual who has worked at both large and small companies, winning a CEW beauty award is all about quality and differentiation. Beyond the tangible benefits, awards are a source of pride; and regardless of a company’s size, we have the power to make a significant impact.”
She noted strong performance in the men’s market this year, the rising trend of the sexual wellness category, and strong performance in skin care.
Lisa Klein, senior vice president of CEW, highlighted the success of this year’s Beauty Bazaar, its innovative range of beauty entries, CEW’s efforts to advance women in the industry, and the creation of leadership platforms so crucial to the future of the industry.
Klein introduced the host of the afternoon, Jessel Taank, star of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York franchise, and the first Indian actress on the reality show. She's also as a brand consultant, and founder of "The Know."
CEW Beauty Winners—Highlights
Taank kicked off the awards by setting the stage for “the beauty products we can’t live without,” and introduced the Iconic Beauty Award winner of the day, Clinique Almost Lipstick, in Black Honey.Tiffany Masterson, founder of Drunk Elephant, is shown above as she accepts the award for the brand's Bouncy Brightfacial in the Skincare — Face Mask category.
In total, 35 category awards were announced over the course of the afternoon. Here's a few highlights:
- Sustainability Award: Amika, owned by Bansk Group—is the colorful hair care brand with 11 collections that has pledged to reach 0 emissions and has packaging made with up to 90% PCR.
- People’s Choice Vote for Launch of the Year: e.l.f. Power Grip Primer, and it was featured in the brand's first-ever TV spot starring Jennifer Coolidge
- Ingredients and Formulation Award: Givaudan Active Beauty PrimalHyal Hydra+, an ingredient that marks a new generation of hyaluronic acid, delivering higher hydration levels in both rinse-off and leave-on applications. The company says the benefits are doubled due to a low molecular weight, improved skin adhesion, and more. (Read more about it at cew.org and see the other finalists in the category.)
- Influencer of the Year: Rose Siard—the TikTok beauty influencer with a following of over 1.4 million. She's known for her unique makeup tutorials and launched her cosmetics brush brand, Rose & Ben Beauty, in 2021.
- Amazon Customer Obsession Award: Laneige—the K-beauty brand known for deeply moisturizing skincare that delivers a dewy glow.
A Beauty Market Overview at the CEW Awards Luncheon
Throughout the event, market statistics were shared which highlighted performance in all beauty categories. Following is a recap of the beauty market overview—and key takeaways.Tracking the Skincare & Makeup Markets
- Skin care continues to be a strong performer, with facial moisturizer up +15.0% in dollars vs YA (Source: NielsenIQ Omnipanel Shopper Total US latest 52 weeks ending 6/17/2023).
- Facial treatments are +24.9% in dollars vs YA (Source: NielsenIQ Omnipanel Shopper).
- Prestige facial serums are nearly 30% of the anti-aging market and brought in close to half of the $152 million gains. (Source: Circana/Beauty Trends/Total Measured Market, year-to-date August 2023).
- Sunscreen is up +12.3% in dollars vs YA (Source: NielsenIQ Omnipanel Shopper Total US latest 52 weeks ending 6/17/2023.
- Prestige makeup continues to be the fastest growing segment across both prestige and mass markets, increasing +17% vs. last year. (Circana/Beauty Trends/Total Measured Market, year-to-date August 2023).
Bath & Body and the Men's Market
- Bath and Body revealed an increase in online searches for eco friendly products, up +41% vs YA (Source: Label Insights Consumer Search data, latest 6 months through 7/31/23).
- The Hand/Body Lotion market exceeded $4 Billion in 2023, growing +8%. (Source: Circana/Beauty Trends/Complete Beauty, Prestige + Omnichannel. Hand and Body Lotion, dollar sales, year-to-date August 2023).
- In the Men’s grooming category, Body Cleansers are just 12% of the men’s grooming market, but growing +17% this year, driving 29% of the gains. (Source: Circana/Beauty Trends/Total Measured Market, Men’s Skincare and Hair Dollar Sales, year-to-date, August 2023).
Hair Care & Fragrance Sales
- Hair Care is up +8.2% in dollars vs YA with accessories +11.9%, hair growth product +11.7%, men’s grooming +34.7%, and hair treatments +10.9%. (Source: NielsenIQ Omnipanel Shopper Total US latest 52 weeks ending 6/17/2023).
- Fragrance is +15.1% in dollars vs YA for total US (Source: NielsenIQ Omnipanel Shopper Total US latest 52 weeks ending 6/17/2023); and fragrance searches reveal growing interest in ingredients and packaging.
Tracking Online Searches
- Online searches for refillable packaging are up +119% s YA; as are online searches for travel size, up +76% vs YA (Source: Label Insights Consumer Search Data, latest six months through 7/31/23)
- Top online searches in total volume that are also growing for ingredients are vanilla, musk, strawberry, coconut, orange blossom, cherry, and chocolate (Source: Label Insights Consumer Search Data, latest 6 months through 7/31/23).
A Growing Demand for Wellness Products & Indie Brands
Additional performance areas of significance include Sexual Health, Supplements, and Indie Brands.
- Sexual health is up +1.3% in dollars vs YA (Source: NielsenIQ Omnipanel Shopper Total US latest 52 weeks ending 6/17/2023)
- Supplements are up +9.0% in dollars vs YA (Source: NielsenIQ Omnipanel Shopper Total US latest 52 weeks ending 6/17/2023)
- Indie beauty brands have $30.5B in sales and capture 32% dollar share of the Indie brands category.
- Indies are now outpacing the growth rate of the total beauty and personal care market, growing 15.7% year over year (Source: NielsenIQ Omnipanel Shopper Total US latest 52 weeks ending 6/17/2023)
Trending Packaging & Formula Claims
Brand owners may want to consider the growing appeal of the following claims.- Plastic-free beauty is up +14.9% in dollars vs YA
- Vegan beauty is up +12.6% in dollars vs YA
- Biodegradable beauty is up +11.1% in dollars vs YA (Source: NielsenIQ RMS Total US xAOC L52 week ending 9/16/2023).
Future Insights
Over the course of the afternoon, guest presenters shared statistics and information that revealed the latest trends in the market, as well as insights into what consumers will covet in the future.Stay tuned for more insights.
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