It’s that exciting time of the year again in the beauty community! We are getting ready to gear up for the 2018 CEW Beauty Awards. It’s like the Oscars for us. More than 1,000 products across 42 categorizes are running for the coveted title! CEW announced the finalists for the 2018 Beauty Awards, shared live via its Twitter account, @CEWInsider. The Awards, which celebrate the most innovative new products of the year, are the industry’s highest honor – so this is a big deal!

The 252 finalists were selected from over 1,000 entries from more than 500 brands exclusively by CEW members, all beauty industry professionals. CEW’s Board of Governors and select industry influencers will vote to determine the winners, which will be revealed May 18 at the CEW Beauty Awards Luncheon at the Midtown Hilton in New York.

Photo from last year’s CEW Annual Beauty Awards.

“For more than two decades, the CEW Beauty Awards continue to be a primary resource for consumers to help navigate the crowded beauty aisles. There are countless products that launch each year across all categories. The products that become finalists are voted on by the industry – those who know the best in beauty,” says Carlotta Jacobson, President of CEW. “Further, the breadth of innovation makes these awards even more important to consumers, who use them as another indicator as to what’s best in the marketplace.”

Innovation among all entrants was at an all-time high this year – this holds especially true for indie brands. CEW saw a 10% increase of indie entrants from 2017, which demonstrates the prominence of these blooming brands in the industry. Additionally, CEW added five new product categories this year: Indie Hair, Nutricosmetic Product, Niche Fragrance, Packaging Innovation, and will recognize industry suppliers for the first time with the Formula Innovation awards.

So without further adieu…

2018 CEW Beauty Insider Award Finalists

Acne Treatment (Blemish Busters)

• Differin Gel
• Honest Beauty Younger + Clearer Spot-on Remedy
• Ole Henriksen Counter Balance Oil Control Hydrator
• Philosophy Purity Made Simple Pore Extractor Exfoliating Clay Mask
• REN Skincare Evercalm Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask
• Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Sleeping Mask

Anti-Aging Mass (Turn Back Time)

• AHAVA Mineral Radiance Instant Detox Mud Mask
• Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare C + Collagen Brighten & Firm Vitamin C Serum
• NEUTROGENA Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream
• No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum
• Olay Regenerist Whip
• Pixi Beauty Rose Caviar Essence

Anti-Aging Prestige (Turn Back Time)

• Clarins Double Serum
• Cle de Peau Beaute Le Serum
• Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Boosted with Pure VItamin C 10%
• Estee Lauder Perfectionist Pro Rapid Firm + Lift Treatment Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Serum
• LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask

Bath and Body Mass (Does A Body Good)

• AHAVA Mineral Hand Cream
• Aquaphor Ointment Body Spray
• Aveeno Positively Radiant Body Lotion
• Dove Dermaseries Dry Skin Relief Expert Repairing Balm
• Jergens Nourishing Honey Dry Skin Moisturizer
• Olay Fresh Outlast Purifying Birch & Lavender Body Wash

Bath and Body Prestige (Does A Body Good)

• frank body Shimmer Scrub
• Jurlique Softening Rose Body Lotion
• Molton Brown Rosa Absolute Sumptuous Bathing Oil
• OUAI Haircare Rose Hair & Body Oil
• Tom Ford Beauty Soleil Blanc All Over Body Spray
• Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Sugar Scrub

Best Beauty App ((H)appy Beauty)

• bareMinerals Made-2-Fit Fresh Faced Foundation Customized by Matcho
• NYX Professional Makeup App
• Olay Skin Advisor
• Perfect Corp. You Cam Makeup
• Sephora Virtual Artist
• Skin Genie

Cleanser & Scrub (Keep It Clean)

• boscia Charcoal Jelly Ball Cleanser
• Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme + Global Anti-aging Instant Refinishing Facial
• GLAMGLOW Galacticleanse
• Olay Luminous Micellar Water
• Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Exfoliating Cleansing Powder
• Shiseido Cosmetics America Waso Soft + Cushy Polisher

Eye Product Mass (All Eyes On Me)

• COVERGIRL Peacock Flare Mascara
• L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise
• Maybelline New York The City Mini Palette in Rooftop Bronzes
• NYX Professional Makeup I Love So Mochi Eyeshadow Palette in Electric Pastels
• Physicians Formula Killer Curves Mascara
• Revlon Colorstay Exactify Liquid Liner

Eye Product Prestige (All Eyes On Me)

• Buxom Cosmetics Big Tease Plumping Mascara
• Clinique Workout 24-hour Mascara
• Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Lash Multi-effects Mascara
• Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour Matte
• Shiseido Cosmetics America Inkstroke Eyeliner
• Urban Decay Naked Heat Eyeshadow Palette

Eye Treatment (Eye On The Prize)

• belif Cosmetics Moisturizing Eye Bomb
• Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix Synchronized Recovery
• Fresh Creme Ancienne Supreme Eye Serum
• IT Cosmetics Confidence In An Eye Cream
• Olay Eyes Deep Hydrating Eye Gel
• Shiseido Cosmetics America Future Solution LX Eye & Lip Contour Regenerating Cream

Face Product Mass (#NoFilter)

• COVERGIRL Vitalist Healthy Elixir Foundation
• Flower Beauty Flower Pots Powder Blush
• L’Oreal Paris Infallible Total Cover Foundation
• NEUTROGENA Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint
• Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation SPF 20
• Revlon Photoready Insta-filter Foundation

Face Product Prestige (#NoFilter)

• Bare Escentuals Bare Pro Performance Wear Liquid Foundation SPF 20
• BECCA Cosmetics Sunlit Bronzer
• Clinique Even Better Glow Light Reflecting Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15
• Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup SPF 30
• NARS Cosmetics Soft Matte Complete Concealer
• Shiseido Cosmetics America Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20

Hair Coloring Product (Dying For Color)

• Clairol Color Crave Hair Makeup
• Garnier Nutrisse Nudes Collection
• Joico Color Butter
• L’Oreal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color
• Schwarzkopf Kertain Color Anti-Age Hair Color
• Zotos Professional Agebeautiful Intense Lifts

Hair Shampoo/Hair Conditioner (The Mane Attraction)

• Aveda Pramasana Purifying Scalp Cleanser
• Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-Powder Tres Invisible (Nourishing) Dry Shampoo
• Drybar On The Rocks Clarifying Charcoal Shampoo
• Herbal Essences Argan Oil Of Morocco Shampoo
• Joico Blonde Life Shampoo
• Oribe Gold Lust Pre-shampoo Intensive Treatment

Hair Style/Hair Care (Hair-spiration)

• Aveda Texture Tonic
• Drybar Double Standard Cleansing & Conditioning Foam
• Living Proof Perfect Hair Day-in Shower Styler
• Oribe Swept Up Volume Powder Spray
• OUAI Haircare Memory Mist
• Pantene Gold Series Hydrating Butter Creme

Hair Tools (DIY Style)

• Amika The Antidote Silk Wrap Styler
• Aveda Pramasana Exfoliating Scalp Brush
• Drybar Wrap Party Curling & Styling Wand
• InStyler Cerasilk Woven Ceramic Styling Iron
• R+Co Round Brushes
• T3 Micro, Inc. Cura

Iconic Consumers’ Choice Beauty Awards – Mass

• Biore Deep Cleansing Pore STrips
• Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
• Dove White Beauty Bar
• NEUTROGENA Body Oil
• Olay Daily Facials Daily Clean 4-in-1 Water Activated Cleansing Cloths
• OPI Products, Inc. Nail Lacquer

Iconic Consumers’ Choice Beauty Award – Prestige

• Bare Escentuals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15
• The Original Beautyblender
• Clinique Almost Lipstick Black Honey
• Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-place Makeup
• Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
• Tom Ford Beauty Black Orchid Eau de Parfum

Indie Brand Beauty Award (New Game In Town)

• ColourPop Cosmetics
• Commodity
• Drunk Elephant
• Farmacy Beauty
• Ouai Haircare
• Pat McGrath Labs

Indie Hair (New Game In Town)

• Briogeo Hair Care Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Shampoo
• For Life Pure Shampoo
• Cuvee Beauty Volumizing Mist
• dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub with Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
• Seven Haircare Kente Bond Conditioner
• The Mane Choice Heavenly Halo Herbal Hair Tonic & Soy Milk Deep Hydration Pre-poo

Indie Makeup Beauty Award (New Game In Town)

• 100% Pure Green Tea Fiber Brow Builder
• Ilia Satin Cream Lip Crayon
• Jouer Cosmetics Ultra Foil Shimmer Shadows Palette
• LashFood Browfood Aqua Brow Powder + Pencil Duo
• The BrowGal The Weekender
• treStiQue Matte Blur Stick

Indie Skincare Beauty Award (New Game In Town)

• Babo Botanicals Sensitive Skincare for Adults All Natural Healing Ointment
• Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
• First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer
• Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask
• Milk Makeup Matcha Toner
• Skyn Iceland Arctic Hydration Rubberizing Mask

Lip Product Mass (Seal It With A Kiss)

• COVERGIRL Melting Pout Matte Liquid Lipstick
• L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-matte Liquid Lipstick
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Shine
• Pixi Beauty Matte Liquid Lip
• Revlon Kiss Plumping Lip Creme
• Ulta Beauty Lip Plumping Transforming Top Coat

Lip Product Prestige (Seal It With A Kiss)

• Becca Cosmetics Lush Lip Colour Balms
• Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Crushed Lip Color
• Buxom Cosmetics Plumpline Lip Liner
• Cle de Peau Beaute Lipstick
• Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sheer Matte Sculpting Lipstick
• NARS Cosmetics Powermatte Lip Pigment

Lip Treatment (Lip Service)

• Bite Beauty Agave Lip Scrub
• Burt’s Bees All-weather SPF 15 Lip Balm
• ChapStick Total Hydration Vitamin Enriched Lip Oil
• Clinique Pep-start Pout Restoring Night Mask
• Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm
• Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Makeup Tools (Tools Of The Trade)

• Beautyblender Swirl
• Clarisonic Sonic Foundation Brush
• Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Cheek-hugging Highlight Brush 120
• Shiseido Cosmetics Americana Inkstroke Eyeliner Brush
• Smashbox Cosmetics Photo Filter Gel Cushion Applicator
• Tweezerman Expertweeze Lighted Slant Tweezer

Men’s Grooming (Man Made)

• American Crew Fiber Cream
• Clinique for Men Maximum Hydrator Activated Water-gel Concentrate
• Dove Men + Care Elements Body and Face Wash
• Lab Series Skincare for Men Max LS Maxellence The Singular Cream
• Old Spice Steel Courage Hydro Body Wash
• Tom Ford Beauty Shave Cream

Man’s Scent (Male Attraction)

• Acqua di Parma Colonia Pura Eau de Cologne
• AXE You Body Spray
• Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau Intense Pour Homme
• Hugo Boss Boss Bottled Tonic
• Prada L’Homme Intense
• YSL Beauty Y Eau de Toilette

Moisturizer Mass (S.O.S. – Save Our Skin)

• Aveeno Positively Radiant Overnight Hydrating Facial
• Avon Nutraeffects Active Seed Complex Hydration Daily Cream SPF 15
• Burt’s Bees Skin Nourishment Hydrating Gel Cream
• Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Night Cream
• La Roche-POsay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer UV
• Soap & Glory Speed Plump Overnight Moisture Mousse
• Ulta Beauty Waterful Gel Cream Moisturizer

Moisturizer Prestige (S.O.S. – Save Our Skin)

• Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharge Concentrate
• Estee Lauder DayWear Matte Oil-control Anti-oxidant Moisture Gel
• GLAMGLOW Volcasmic Matte Glow Moisturizer
• IT Cosmetics Secret Sauce
• Origins Original Skin Matte Moisturizer with Willowherb
• Shiseido Cosmetics America Future Solution LX Total Regenerating Cream

Most Buzzed About Beauty Collaboration

• BECCA Cosmetics Becca x Chrissy Teigen Glow Face Palette
• GLAMGLOW Sonic Blue Gravitymud Firming Treatment
• Maybelline New York Gigi Hadid x Maybelline The Jetsetter Palette
• Sally Hansen + Crayola Insta-dri Collection
• Too Faced x Kandee Johnson Banana Pudding Powder
• Tweezerman x Huda Beauty Special Edition Collection

Nail Product (Nailed It)

• CND Vinylux Weekly Polish
• Essie Treat Love & Color in Sheers to You
• JINsoon Milieu
• Revlon Nail Enamel Holochrome Collection
• Sally Hansen Insta-dri 3.0
• ZOYA Nail Polish in McKenna

Niche Fragrance

• Clarins Fragrance Group Mugler Les Exceptions Wonder Bouquet
• Derek Lam 10 Crosby Parfum Stick
• Giorgio Armani Beauty Armani/Prive New York
• goop by Juice Beauty Edition 02 Shiso
• Nest Fragrances Black Tulip Eau de Parfum
• Pinrose Sun Saint Eau de Parfum

Nutricosmetic Product

• goop by Juice Beauty Goopglow
• HUM Nutrition Inc. Hair Sweet Hair
• OUAI Haircare Thinning Hair Supplements
• Perricone MD Skin Booster
• Sakara Life Beauty Chocolates
• Skinade Better Skin from Within

Skincare Tools (Device Advice)

• Clarisonic Smart Profile Uplift
• Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Spectralite Eyecare Pro
• NEUTROGENA Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment
• NuFACE Nu Body
• Rodan + Fields Redefine Amp MD Micro-exfoliating Roller
• Tweezerman Bright Complexion Facial Dermaplaner

Sun Product (Bring On The Sun)

• COOLA Organic Sunless Tan Dry Oil Mist
• Jergens Natural Glow Wet Skin Moisturizer
• NEUTROGENA Sheer Zinc Dry-touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
• Shiseido Cosmetics America Ultra Sun Protection Lotion SPF 50 with Wetforce Technology
• St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Face Sheet Mask
• Supergoop! Super Power Sunscreen Mousse SPF 50

Women’s Scent Mass (It Makes Sense)

• Avon Prima Noir
• Demeter Fragrance Library Kitten Fur
• Katy Perry Indi
• Pacifica Beauty Aromapower Hardcore Happy
• Paris Hilton Fragrances Rose Rush
• Shawn Mendes Signature

Women’s Scent Prestige (It Makes Sense)

• AERIN Tuberose Le Jour Eau de Parfum
• Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau Intense Pour Femme
• Glossier Inc. You
• Gucci Bloom
• Narciso Rodriguez Parfums For Her Fleur Musc
• Tom Ford Beauty Sole di Positano Eau de Parfum

Packaging Finalists

• Albea Americas, Inc., Rouge Louboutin Œil Vinyl Luminous Ink Liner
• Derek Lam 10 Crosby, Parfum Stick
• Fenty Beauty by Rihanna, Match Stix Trio
• lilah b., Glisten + Glow ™ Skin Illuminator
• Michael Kors, Sexy Ruby
• Victoria’s Secret Beauty, Love

Innovation Finalists

• BASF Corp, Dermagenist™ PW – Waking Up Sleeping Beauty
• Biomod, Skinsmart Dry Mask – City Protect
• Clariant, Eosidin
• Geltor, Inc., N-collage
• Kamedis Dermatology, Calm Eczema Therapy Cream
• Stepan, Naturally-derived Gentle Exfoliating Facial Wash with Charcoal

Sustainability Finalists

• Alaffia
• Avalon Organics
• Biossance
• NaturaBrasil
• Plantoxidants
• The Devine Company

QVC 2018 Beauty Quest Finalists

• ABLE Cosmeics
• Alba 1913
• Caolion
• Chuda
• Rouge Bunny Rouge