Every year the nonprofit Cosmetic Executive Women, Inc. (CEW) hosts its CEW Beauty Awards, to help find the best and most innovative products on the market right now, judged by beauty industry professionals. At this year's awards there were 149 finalists, 29 product categories and 4500 judges (all beauty industry professionals). Find out which must-have products made the cut:
Anti-aging (facial skin care)
Prestige: Shiseido Cosmetics - Future Solution LX Ultimate Regenerating Serum
Cost: $225 for 30 mL
Why it's a winner: Helps promote the production of healthy skin cells
- Improves visible signs of aging, increases skin's firmness and radiance, and offers incredible age resistance
- Decreases the amount of skin-damaging protein (Serpin B3) that accelerates aging
- Highly concentrated technology
- Prevents cellular damage caused by UV rays and other environmental factors
Mass: L'Oréal Paris - Youth Code Serum Intense
Cost: $24.99
Why it's a winner: Instant gratification: One drop immediately enhances luminosity; skin feels silky smooth and appears hydrated
- After one week, improved texture and tone; Infused with light diffusing micro-pearls which works to immediately restore luminosity
- Dermatologist-tested, non-greasy
Moisturizer
Prestige: StriVectin - TL Tightening Neck Cream
Cost: $89 for 50 mL / 1.7 oz
Why it's a winner: It's the no. 1 prestige neck cream in America, according to NPD Research Group, as it immediately tightens skin and delivers long-term skin firming benefit.
- Works immediately to tighten skin and delivers long-term skin firming benefits
- In a consumer use study, after 4 weeks of use, 100 percent of women reported a change in their neck.
- Offers a big dose of firming and moisture while improving skin tone and tension
- Exclusive NIA-114 molecule helps strengthen the skin barrier, preventing water loss, increasing skin firmness, reducing the appearance of sagging, and improving elasticity
Mass: RoC - Multi Correxion Lift Anti-Gravity Day Moisturizer with SPF 30
Cost: $24.99
Why it's a winner: Fights multiple signs of aging caused by the downward pull of gravity on the skin
- Lifts, firms, and smoothes skin
- Skin is firmer, lines and wrinkles noticeably diminished, facial contouring more defined
Eye treatment
Prestige: Estée Lauder - Idealist Cooling Eye Illuminator
Cost: $58.00
Why it's a winner: Two shades that are good for all skin tones; brightens and de-puffs
- Dramatic brightening and de-puffing results
- First ever patent pending cooling ceramic tip applicator instantly cools and reenergizes the look of tired, puffy eyes
- Two shades suitable for all skintones go beyond traditional cover-up by blurring the look of imperfections and shadows, neutralize discoloration, and create a naturally brighter look
- Roughly 90 percent of women saw a reduction in the look of dark circles and puffiness
Mass: Garnier - Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Eye Roller
Cost: $14.99
Why it's a winner: Formulated specially for fragile undereye skin and instantly smoothes and firms with virtually no irritation
- Massaging roller gently and effectively delivers product to fragile undereye skin
- Skin instantly feels smoother and firmer
- After 4 weeks, crow's feet and fine lines are visibly reduced
Eye product (makeup)
Prestige: Clinique - Bottom Lash Mascara
Cost: $10
Why it's a winner: Exclusive micro-mini brush engineered to grasp even the smallest lower lashes with expert no-smear formula
- Enhances smaller, more delicate lower lashes for a naturally wide-eyed lash look
- Lasts for up to 24 hours without smudging or smearing and is waterproof in cold water
- Smoothly coats and conditions bottom lashes
- Safe for sensitive eyes
Mass: L'Oréal Paris - Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara
Cost: $8.95
Why it's a winner: Blend of two sculpting fibers reinvents the false eyelash look and gives clean impact of professionally-applied false lashes
- Breakthrough architectural brush: wand with 40-degree bend and slender lash-sculpting brush
- During application, the brush turns in several different directions to optimize each coat
- Lays fibers along the grain of the lash instead of against it like with most fiber mascaras
- Adheres to lashes without hardening, crumbling, or flaking
Face product
Prestige: Smashbox - Photo Finish Hydrating Foundation Primer
Cost: $42
Why it's a winner: The first step to flawless, long-lasting, photo-ready skin can be worn alone or as the perfect canvas for foundations.
- Covers imperfections while quenching skin and locking in moisture
- When worn with foundations, you'll get a more flawless finish
Mass: Maybelline New York - Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer
Cost: $9.99
Why it's a winner: Millions of microfibers fill imperfections and instantly erase the appearance of dark circles and fine lines
- Micro-corrector with millions of microfibers that microfill imperfections
- Coverage reaches fine lines and wrinkles
- Easy-to-use sponge applicator
Lip product
Prestige: Fresh Sugar Passion Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15
Mass: Covergirl Blast Flipstick
Beauty accessories
Nails: Sally Hansen - Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips
Cost: $9.99
Why it's a winner: Salon effect any time, any place, lasting up to 10 days; real nail polish; like an accessory!
- Easy and affordable to get intricate, chic designs at home
- Lasts up to ten days, comes off easily with nail polish remover
Suncare
Neutrogena - Wet Skin Sunblock Spray SPF 50
Cost: $11.99
Why it's a winner: The first broad spectrum sunscreen specifically formulated to be applied to wet, sweaty, or humid skin (and also to dry skin)
Fun fact: Nearly 70 percent of Americans do not reapply sunscreen after long periods of time despite dermatologists and medical organizations stressing the importance of doing so
- Adheres to skin dampened by swimming, sweating, or humidity
- Cuts through water to form superior broad spectrum protective barrier in wet and dry conditions
- Doesn't turn white when applied to wet skin
More: DIY: Summer sugar scrub