THE CATEGORIES
AGENCY
Best Creative Agency
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Recognizes agencies responsible for crafting brand strategies and execution of design services.
Who Should Apply?
Creative agencies of any size
Best Digital Agency
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Recognizes agencies that provide best in class strategic direction, creative design, technical development and execution for screen-based products and services.
Who Should Apply?
Digital agencies of any size
Best Marketing Agency
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Recognizes agencies that excel in strategic thinking, creative execution of marketing initiatives across all platforms, driving brand awareness and revenue.
Who Should Apply?
Marketing agencies of any size
Best Public Relations Agency
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Recognizes agencies for developing and executing best in class communication strategies across media and content platforms.
Who Should Apply?
Public relations or communication agencies of any size
Best Social Media + Influencer Agency
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Recognizes agencies responsible for the development of social media strategies, campaign execution, content creation and connecting influencers with brands.
Who Should Apply?
Social media and influencer agencies of any size
DESIGN
Best Ad Campaign
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Recognizes outstanding creativity, design, and execution in advertising campaigns across online and offline mediums.
Who Should Apply?
Design agencies, brands, or retailers
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Brand Identity
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Recognizes design, content, strategy, and execution tied to brand identity, website, packaging design, etc. Can be a business at any stage.
Who Should Apply?
Design agencies, brands, retailers, suppliers
Best Product Packaging Design (Brands)
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Recognizes unique concept and execution tied to packaging design including concept, componentry, material selection, and decoration for a finished product; can be a new-to-market brand or relaunch.
Who Should Apply?
Design agencies, brands, or retailers
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Spatial Design
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Recognizes unique concept, design, and execution of a permanent physical space, such as a retail store, salon or spa.
Who Should Apply?
Design agencies, architects, spas, salons, or retailers
Best Sustainable Packaging Design (Brands)
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Recognizes unique concept and execution tied to packaging design that address the full life cycle of the product, carbon footprint and material selection/reduction; can be a new-to-market brand or relaunch.
Who Should Apply?
Design agencies, brands, or retailers
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
IMPACT
Best Impact Initiative
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Companies who are involved in the creation, marketing, and selling of beauty and wellness products or services that implement initiatives that provide measurable impact on DEI or ESG.
Who Should Apply?
Brands, retailers, spas, or salons
Best Supply Side Impact Initiative
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Suppliers that provide goods or services to brands or retailers in the beauty and wellness sector that have rolled out initiatives that provide measurable impact on DEI or ESG.
Who Should Apply?
Manufacturers, suppliers, agencies, or technology solutions
Best Sustainability Breakthrough
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Recognizes a pioneering innovation advancing sustainability through materials, processes, or practices that significantly reduce environmental impact.
Who Should Apply?
Manufacturers, suppliers, agencies, or technology solutions.
INNOVATION
Best Breakthrough Beauty Brand
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Recognizes innovation by a beauty brand stemming from the creation of a product/service, consumer engagement, marketing or design; can be a new brand initiative from an existing brand or a new-to-market brand launch.
Who Should Apply?
Creative agencies, brands, spas, or salons
Best Breakthrough Technology (Ingredient)
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Recognizes the creation of a new ingredient/technology or innovative use of an existing ingredient/technology associated with the formulation of cosmetic products.
Who Should Apply?
Raw material, ingredient, fragrance, or flavor suppliers
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Technology (Omnichannel)
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Recognizes the creation of technology (app, platform, SAAS) to enable the execution of omnichannel consumer experiences.
Who Should Apply?
Apps, platforms, or SAAS
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Technology (Supply Side)
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Recognizes the creation of a new technology or the innovative use of existing technology that created a material impact to a part of the beauty and wellness value chain.
Who Should Apply?
Suppliers and manufacturers
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Wellness Brand
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Recognizes innovation by a wellness brand stemming from the creation of a product/service, consumer engagement, marketing or design; can be a new brand initiative from an existing brand or a new-to-market brand launch.
Who Should Apply?
Creative agencies, brands, spas, or salons
Best Packaging INNOVATION (Suppliers)
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Recognizes innovation by companies that create and manufacture packaging; may include componentry for primary and secondary packaging, GWPs, gift sets or sampling.
Who Should Apply?
Packaging suppliers and manufacturers
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Use of Technology (Brands)
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Recognizes the use of technology (app, platform, SaaS) by a brand or retailer to solve a pain point, create an experience, or provide transparency.
Who Should Apply?
Brands, retailers, spa, or salons
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
DEAL OF THE YEAR
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Recognizes the investors and advisors who have facilitated deals from complex corporate carve-outs to founders raising seed funding and set the standard for the market.
Who Should Apply?
Investment bankers, private equity, venture capital, angel investors, brand portfolio, or strategics
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
MARKETING
Best Community Engagement
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Recognizes the building, nurturing and activating communities attached to brands or businesses.
Who Should Apply?
Brands, retailers, agencies, or suppliers
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Content Activation
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Honors a creative and impactful activation that effectively brings content to life, driving audience engagement, brand awareness, and memorable consumer experiences across platforms.
Who Should Apply?
Design agencies, brands, retailers, or suppliers
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Event
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Recognizes the concept and execution of a digital event, live event, or event series as an extension of a brand or business.
Who Should Apply?
Agencies, brands, retailers, or suppliers
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Influencer Campaign
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Recognizes a standout campaign that effectively leverages influencer partnerships to drive brand awareness, engagement, and measurable impact.
Who Should Apply?
Agencies, brands, or retailers
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Loyalty Program
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Honors a standout loyalty program that drives customer engagement, brand loyalty, and repeat business through innovative rewards and experiences.
Who Should Apply?
Brands or retailers
Best New Category Launch
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Recognizes design, content, strategy, and execution tied to a new product category launch.
Who Should Apply?
Agencies, brands, or retailers.
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Performance Marketing Campaign
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Recognizes strategy initiative/activation and execution tied to a performance marketing campaign.
Who Should Apply?
Agencies, brands, or retailers.
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Product Launch Campaign
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Recognizes design, content, strategy, and execution tied to a product launch; can be a new-to-market brand or relaunch.
Who Should Apply?
Agencies, brands, or retailers
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Strategic Collaboration
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Recognizes unique relationships, effective partnerships or initiatives across the beauty and wellness landscape and value chain.
Who Should Apply?
Brands, retailers, agencies, or suppliers
Best Use of Social Media
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Recognizes strategy, initiative/activation, content creation and execution tied to the use of social media.
Who Should Apply?
Agencies, brands, retailers, or suppliers
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Virtual Activation
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Recognizes unique concept or initiative and its execution creating new immersive experiences, services and products in the Metaverse/Web3 or gaming platform.
Who Should Apply?
Agencies, brands, retailers, or suppliers
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
PRODUCT
Best Breakthrough Bodycare
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Recognizes innovation in a finished bodycare product launched to market either formulation, delivery system, new format type, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Bodycare (MOISTURIZER)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished body moisturizer related to advancements in formulation, delivery system, texture or format, use of technology, or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Bodycare (SCRUB/WASH)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished body wash or scrub related to advancements in formulation, cleansing or exfoliation technology, delivery system, use of technology, or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Bodycare (TREATMENT)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished body treatment related to advancements in formulation, delivery system, targeted efficacy, use of technology, or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Color Cosmetics (Complexion)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished complexion product related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Color Cosmetics (Eye/Brow)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished eye or brow product related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Color Cosmetics (Lip)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished lip product launched to market related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Color Cosmetics (Nail)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished nail product related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Color Cosmetics (Palette)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished palette launched to market related to new format, packaging design or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Color Cosmetics (Tool)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished color cosmetics tool related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Haircare (Accessories/Tools)
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Recognizes innovation in haircare accessories or tools that enhance the hair styling experience through creative design or functionality.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Haircare (Conditioner)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished conditioner product launched related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Haircare (Shampoo)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished shampoo product related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Haircare (Styling)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished styling product related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Haircare (Treatment)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished haircare treatment product related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Fragrance
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Recognizes innovation in a finished fragrance product related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough FragranceD PRODUCT
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Recognizes innovation in a finished fragrance product related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Home Fragrance
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Recognizes excellence in fine fragrance creation, celebrating olfactive composition and artistry in a finished Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, or similar fine fragrance format.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Hybrid Product
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Recognizes innovation in a finished hybrid product (any product that is multifunctional or combines efficacies from multiple product categories) related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology, or claims.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Men's Product
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Recognizes innovation in a finished men's product launched to market either formulation, delivery system, new format type, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Personal Care
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Recognizes a finished personal care product launched to market that reimagines everyday hygiene or grooming through innovation in formulation, delivery, format, technology, or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Skincare (ACNE)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished acne product related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Skincare (Eye/Brow)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished eye or brow product related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Skincare (lip)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished lip product launched to market related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Skincare (Moisturizer)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished moisturizer related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Skincare (Scrub/Cleanser)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished scrub or cleanser related to formulation, delivery system, format, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Skincare (Tool)
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Honors innovative skincare tools that enhance effectiveness through unique design or technology.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Skincare (Treatment)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished treatment product related to either formulation, delivery system, format type, use of technology or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Suncare
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Recognizes innovation in a finished suncare product either formulation, delivery system, new format type, use of technology, or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Youth Product
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Recognizes innovation in a finished product created for specifically for use by children and tweens.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Wellness (Food + Beverage)
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Recognizes innovation in a food or beverage product related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology, or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Wellness (Supplements)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished supplement related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology, or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Wellness (Tools)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished wellness tool launched to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology, or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Breakthrough Wellness (Topicals)
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Recognizes innovation in a finished topical wellness product related to either formulation, delivery system, new format, use of technology, or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Brands
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Product COLLABORATION
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Recognizes unique partnerships or collaborations between any two or more brands, businesses, individuals or organizations.
Who Should Apply?
Design agencies, brands, or retailers
This award is for products launched after Jan 1, 2025.
RETAIL
Best Amazon Storefront
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Recognizes an Amazon storefront that effectively showcases products, drives sales and builds brand awareness.
Who Should Apply?
Retailers, brands, or sellers with a strong Amazon presence
Best Indie Retailer
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Recognizes an independent online or offline retailer that excels in a unique merchandise assortment and delivering an exceptional customer experience.
Who Should Apply?
Independent retailers, online stores or marketplaces.
Best Pop-Up
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Recognizes unique concepts from design through execution for a short-term beauty or wellness pop-up retail concept.
Who Should Apply?
Creative agencies, brands, or retailers
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Retail Activation
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Recognizes unique training, visual merchandising, activations, events or activities carried out by brands to support brick and mortar retail partners.
Who Should Apply?
Brands, creative, or retail marketing agencies
This award is for projects launched after Jan 1, 2025.
Best Service Concept
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Recognizes a stand-alone or chain concept providing beauty and/or wellness services and/or treatments.
Who Should Apply?
Spas, salons, or wellness service providers
Best TikTok Shop
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Recognizes a TikTok shop that successfully leverages the platform to drive sales and engage customers.
Who Should Apply?
Brands, or retailers utilizing TikTok for e-commerce
SOLUTION PROVIDERS
Best Business Service Provider
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Recognizes a business service provider that delivers exceptional support, solutions, and value to industry. Examples law firms, accounting, regulatory, banking etc.
Who Should Apply?
Law firms, accounting firms, financial advisors, regulatory firms, business advisors etc.
Best Contract Manufacturing
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Recognizes companies that provide services related to the production, formulation and filling of beauty and wellness products.
Who Should Apply?
Production, formulation, or filling manufacturers
Best Ingredient Supplier
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Recognizes companies that provide raw material ingredients used in formulating beauty and wellness products; it may include active ingredient, fragrance, flavor or pigment suppliers.
Who Should Apply?
Active ingredient, fragrance, flavor, or pigment suppliers
Best Logistics Solution
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Recognizes companies that provide third-party logistics services as outsourced services related to distribution, warehousing and fulfillment.
Who Should Apply?
3pls, warehouses, logistics, or fulfillment suppliers
Best Packaging Supplier
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Recognizes companies that create and manufacture packaging; may include componentry for primary and secondary packaging, GWPs, gift sets or sampling.
Who Should Apply?
Primary/secondary packaging, GWP, gift sets, or sampling suppliers
Best Technology Solution Provider
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Recognizes businesses that provide technology to help beauty and wellness companies run their operations more efficiently from sourcing through supplychain to managing and training retail support staff and everything in between.
Who Should Apply?
Apps, platforms, SAAS
VISIONARIES
Changemaker of the Year
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Person who has profoundly changed the business of beauty by bringing about positive change linked to equity, health, climate or sustainability.
Who Should Apply?
Founders, executives, or investors
Entrepreneur of the Year
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An entrepreneur who has built a business that matters through inspired innovations, demonstrated vision, leadership and success.
Who Should Apply?
Founders
EXECUTIVE of the Year
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Recognizes a C-suite executive who has demonstrated visionary leadership, driving the success and growth of their company while fostering a strong culture and strategic direction.
Innovator of the Year
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Person who has made meaningful contributions to the business of beauty by pursuing and executing novel thinking, challenging the status quo and/or using creative problem solving to move the industry forward.
Who Should Apply?
Founders, executives, or investors
Investor of the Year
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Recognizes an investor who has demonstrated visionary leadership through investments made and their contribution to the industry.
Marketer of the Year
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Recognizes a marketing professional who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, strategic vision, and impact in driving brand growth and engagement.
Product Developer of the Year
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Recognizes a product developer who has made a significant contribution through innovative product creation, formulation, or design that raises the bar.
Leadership Team of the Year
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Recognizes an executive leadership team that has demonstrated exceptional strategic vision, operational excellence, and collective impact in driving business growth, innovation, and industry influence over the past year.
Who Should Apply?
Leadership teams
Person of the Year
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Every year, one person becomes shorthand for what beauty and wellness got right. Not the loudest voice in the room, necessarily—but the one whose decisions, vision, and leadership moved the industry forward.
Retailer of the Year*
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Operator who understands something the algorithms don't: curation is a point of view, not just an assortment strategy. Through innovative store design, brand partnerships, and customer experience, they have reshaped the retail landscape.
*Nominees and winners chosen by committee.
Company of the Year*
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Recognizes the organization that made the boldest, smartest, most consequential bets, backing them up with results. A company that didn't just have a strong year; they set the tone for how the industry thinks about performance.
*Nominees and winners chosen by committee.
STUDENT AWARDS
FUTURE FOUNDER
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Recognizes a student(s) who has developed a differentiated business concept that would live in the beauty and wellness sector. The project should exemplify strategic rigor, clear market relevance, and potential to launch and scale.
EMERGING MARKETER
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Recognizes a student(s) whose campaign, branding, or growth strategy reflects deep consumer understanding and creative thinking. The project should articulate a clear brief, demonstrate strategic rigor, and deliver executional excellence.
EMERGING SCIENCE INNOVATOR
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Recognizes a student(s) advancing beauty and wellness through innovation in formulation, R&D, sustainability, or materials. The work should demonstrate a clear brief that balances technical performance and execution.
EMERGING CREATIVE
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Recognizes a student(s) whose work in packaging, video, graphic and retail design, or interactive visual content for digital platforms that would live in the beauty and wellness sector. The work should demonstrate a strong point of view, a cohesive creative vision, and executional excellence.