Beacon Awards 2022

 

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Winners

  • Incredible Innovations

    Topflight brands see the need and set the trend with new designs, spirited campaigns and genuine purpose

    • Best Social Media

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      Bathtubs, shelfies, and viral overshares might win likes—but truly exceptional brands go beyond the algorithm. The smartest social players use their platforms to spark connection, foster community, and stay authentic in a space that’s always shifting. In a world where one misstep can spark a backlash and one TikTok can sell out an entire SKU, these brands showed up, stayed true, and stood out.

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    • Best Packaging

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      Refillable, functional, and impossibly chic—great packaging is more than just a pretty face. It protects the product, elevates the unboxing moment, and becomes a physical expression of a brand’s identity, all the while executing a noble mission. Whether it’s a sculptural glass jar or a cleverly designed carton, this is the packaging that made us pause, admire, and maybe even keep the empty.

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    • Inclusivity Champion

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      Inclusivity can be niche, driven by a desire to serve overlooked communities—or it can be expansive, aiming to reflect the full spectrum of today’s beauty consumer. However it manifests, we applaud the brands making inclusivity a guiding principle, not a marketing tactic.

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    • Sustainability Champion

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      Building a better beauty industry means building a better world. These brands are proving that sustainability and innovation can go hand-in-hand, from reducing waste to rethinking ingredients, packaging, and supply chains.

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    • Product Innovation

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      Does the world need another product? Intellectually, we say no—until something so simple and brilliant comes along and we realize this is a bit of genius in a bottle that we can’t do without. Kudos to the brands whose products will turn heads for years to come.

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    • Philanthropy Champion

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      In beauty, impact isn’t just about transformation on the outside. The most inspiring brands see their business as a vehicle for broader change—whether that means championing mental health, advancing racial equity, supporting local communities, or amplifying underrepresented voices. These brands don’t just write checks or run campaigns; they make giving back a part of how they create, operate, communicate, and lead. For them, philanthropy isn’t a side project—it’s an extension of their purpose.

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  • Inspiring Brands

    Success! Behind every winning product there is an idea that turned into a story told well—and worth retelling.

    • Brand Launch

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      A first impression doesn’t just introduce a brand—it sets its trajectory. The most successful launches do more than drop products; they establish a point of view, signal purpose, and ignite curiosity. From the visual identity to the voice, from the initial assortment to the rollout strategy, everything must click into place to create early momentum and lasting impact. These brands nailed that high-stakes moment, landing with clarity, cohesion, and cultural resonance.

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    • Best Brand

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      Building a beauty brand takes guts. Growing one takes grit. But to thrive over time—amid shifting trends, fierce competition, and evolving consumer expectations—requires something more: vision, adaptability, and unwavering purpose. These brands have done just that. They’ve scaled with intention, stayed true to their core values, and continued to lead with creativity, community, and commercial strength.

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    • Indie Deal

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      Securing funding as an emerging brand is no small feat. With limited resources, little room for error, and everything still to prove, only a few manage to cut through the noise. These brands did just that—capturing the attention (and capital) of investors by showing they had something truly special. Whether through product innovation, market insight, or mission-driven focus, they demonstrated the potential to create long-term value and shape the future of the industry.

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    • Best Campaign

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      The best campaigns don’t just grab attention—they shape perception and spark action. They take a powerful, often complex idea and distill it into something clear, resonant, and unforgettable. Then they bring it to life across channels, touchpoints, and formats—each execution reinforcing the message while expanding its reach. By the end, you can’t help but notice it, feel it, and be moved by it. These are the campaigns that didn’t just make noise—they made impact.

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    • Product Launch – Skincare

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      Skincare is the biggest category in beauty and the hardest to break through. With shelves saturated and consumers more informed than ever, standing out requires more than just good ingredients. It takes strategic clarity, a clearly defined need, and a launch that captures attention and builds trust. These standout skincare launches did exactly that—filling a whitespace, generating authentic buzz, and giving consumers a reason to lean in and, ultimately, buy in.

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    • Product Launch – Cosmetics

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      Cosmetics have the power to transform not just how we look, but how we feel—in an instant. But in a space as trend-driven, SKU-intensive and saturated as color, making a lasting impact requires more than great pigment. These launches stood out by filling a clear gap in the market and pairing bold product innovation with thoughtful execution—from smart social strategy and earned media to organic community buzz. These are the cosmetic products that didn’t just show up—they made a statement.

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    • Product Launch – Wellness

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      Wellness is one of the hottest—and most loosely defined—categories in beauty and personal care. It’s a space crowded with hype, half-truths, and fleeting trends, where brands must fight to be taken seriously. To stand out, a product must do more than promise results; it must introduce a thoughtful, credible solution to a need that may not even be fully recognized yet. These launches cut through the noise with clarity, purpose, and proof—inviting consumers to try something new, and trust it enough to make it part of their lives.

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    • Product Launch – Home + Fragrance

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      Once an afterthought in beauty, fragrance and home essentials have now claimed their own spotlight—ushering in a new era where scent and setting are central to self-care. From sensorial room sprays to sophisticated candles and skin-adjacent perfumes, this category blends emotion, memory, and mood with design and utility. The best launches in this space don’t just smell amazing—they tell a story, elevate a space, and evoke feeling. These products filled a whitespace and captured consumer imagination through sharp positioning, thoughtful storytelling, and launch strategies that made discovery irresistible.

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    • Product Launch – Haircare

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      Haircare has become one of the most exciting frontiers in beauty innovation. What was once limited to shampoo and conditioner now spans scalp health, styling science, hair growth, color technology, and holistic hair wellness. Today’s consumers expect more—better performance, cleaner formulas, and real solutions to long-standing challenges. These launches are leading the charge, combining scientific advances, cultural insight, and elevated experience to redefine what haircare can deliver.

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  • Outstanding Contributions

    Beauty entrepreneurs are a breed apart, and we celebrate the best of their achievements.

    • Entrepreneur

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      What sets a true entrepreneur apart isn’t just the boldness of their vision—it’s the grit to keep pursuing it when the odds are stacked against them. In beauty, where trends shift quickly and competition is fierce, the ability to persist, adapt, and lead with purpose is what transforms a good idea into a lasting brand. These individuals have captured the attention of consumers, retailers, investors, and peers alike—not just for what they’ve built, but for the way they’ve built it: with creativity, resilience, and unwavering drive.

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    • Industry Icon

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      The beauty industry runs on entrepreneurial energy—whether it’s coming from an indie founder or a global executive. But true icons go beyond personal success. They lead with vision, inspire with action, and uplift others along the way. Their impact isn’t just measured in milestones, but in the lasting influence they have on the people and the industry around them. It’s that rare combination of trailblazing achievement and generosity of spirit that earns them iconic status.

      • Jackie Aina

        Jackie Aina

        Learn More

      • Dr. Gregory Bays Brown

        Founder,

        RéVive Skincare

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      • Wende Zomnir

        Founder, Caliray & Founding Partner, Urban Decay

        Learn More
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    • Seed + Small Growth Investor

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      Spotting a breakout brand before the rest of the world takes more than capital—it takes conviction, imagination, and the willingness to embrace the unknown. These investors saw something special in early-stage companies others might have overlooked. They looked beyond what was currently “hot” and placed bold bets on a different future. With their support—financial, strategic, and emotional—these investors helped lay the foundation for brands to not just grow, but thrive. They’ve embraced the messiness of early stages, guiding founders through teething pains with patience, insight, and a belief in what’s possible.

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    • Growth Investor

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      The best growth investors aren’t tourists in the beauty industry—they’re true believers. They’ve committed meaningful capital across multiple investments, building a track record of helping brands scale without losing their edge. These investors know that money alone isn’t enough. They bring the right mix of discipline and empathy, guiding brands through the complexities of growth while respecting the creative instincts that made them special in the first place. They offer more than funding—they offer partnership: advising without overreaching, supporting without suffocating, and always keeping the long game in sight.

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    • Brand Builder

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      Not every brand-shaping force is a founder. Some of the most impactful leaders step in after the early chapters have been written—amplifying what’s already there and unlocking what’s yet to be imagined. These executives build on a brand’s foundation with clarity, vision, and skill, elevating its potential and expanding its reach. They honor the brand’s roots, but aren’t bound by them—helping transform promising businesses into breakout successes.

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  • Game-Changing Retailers

    The best outlets entice passionate consumers by championing new beauty and exploration.

    • Large Retailer

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      With more than five doors and each building a thriving community instore and online, these champions of indie beauty are independently owned themselves. Their challenges to large chains are changing consumer perceptions for the better.

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    • Small Retailer

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      Boutique beauty stores provide the lifeblood to emerging brands and local communities. Personality-driven and speaking to some of the most opinionated consumers, they represent a chance for a brand to break through the clutter.

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    • Online Retailer

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      The best e-commerce platforms in beauty know how to draw attention to innovation, and foster the spirit of exploration among even the most jaded, time-pressed customers who never even step foot in a store.

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    • Online International Retailer

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      Innovative digital strategies, unique brand curations, effective external communications and global reach are enabling these online international platforms to elevate the conversation around beauty and the use of beauty products. These are the gold standard.

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  • Best Social Media
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    Brow Code

    A Word From The Nominee

    As we always have our finger on the pulse in the forever-changing social media space, we are excited to be considered and hopefully take home the award for Best Social Media.

    With a monthly reach of 6 million online users, Brow Code’s social media platform is one of the most important channels for building brand image, sharing marketing initiatives, optimising influencer marketing strategies and content production, and promoting new product launches. Over the past 5 years, Brow Code has built a cult-like following of professional brow stylists and consumers alike worldwide!

    Who They Are

    Brow Code has been leading the way in the brow styling game since 2016. Their revolutionary range of brow-focused products is developed to the highest of standards, exceeding the expectations of professional stylists and DIY enthusiasts worldwide. They have raised the bar in brow styling, which is why our products are stocked by over 100,000 salons and retailers worldwide.

    They have grown by always paying the utmost attention to quality. Every product is tried and tested by Founder and Celebrity Brow Stylists Melanie Marris, ensuring each formula offers high-performing results and a flawless finish. Covering all aspects of Brow Styling, we have developed the Brow Code line to meet the growing demands of consumers across the world to create and maintain the perfect brow.

    From Tint, Henna, and Lamination Kits to Cosmetics and Styling Accessories, Brow Code truly offers an end-to-end product line for professionals and consumers alike.

  • Best Social Media
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    Cheeky Bonsai

    Who They Are

    Cheeky Bonsai is the social-media-forward company redefining women’s vaginal health and personal care for generations to come. Launched amidst the pandemic, this women's health company features a range of all-natural, over-the-counter health products to treat UTIs and is expanding into other women's health products.

    Co-Founders, Elise Orthwein and Catherine Nguyen believe everyday vaginal health should be normalized and with the help of medical experts - they did just that by creating products that can sit on bathroom counters and start open conversations around sexual wellness. With an education-first mindset, they’re making everyday women’s health accessible so women can be their own best health advocates. The brand first launched on TikTok, where they are now viral and use the platform to educate Gen Z and other women on sexual health topics ranging from vaginal smells to periods. With almost half a million followers, they’re one of the fastest-growing women’s health brands on the platform.

  • Best Social Media
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    Glisten Cosmetics

    A Word From The Nominee

    This means the world to us, we work very hard on creating authentic, fun and exciting content that people can enjoy even if they don't have our products! We hope that you all agree and give us a vote.

    Who They Are

    Glisten Cosmetics is a bright, vibrant and affordable option for editorial makeup, designed for the artist in all of us.

    With one of the biggest ranges of 'feel good' colour options currently on the market, they aim to spark fun and excitement in everybody!

  • Best Social Media
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    K18 Hair

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    Social media is where we are reaching hair stylists, science influencers and beauty experts who are vouching for our product and our mission. We took a big bet on TikTok because we believe it’s the beauty platform of the future with its ability to both educate and entertain. We have gained hundreds of millions of views, comments, and posts on TikTok, the impact is that we are quickly winning the hearts and minds of communities everywhere.

    Who They Are

    K18 is the first biotech breakthrough in haircare that reverses damage in 4 minutes with less time and less frustration so you can enhance your expression without compromising hair health.

    Why They Won
    Not only have they created an inclusive and innovation-driven brand, but they’ve also merged education and entertainment that has made their hair content super relatable and easy to digest. Their community is also a huge part of their brand DNA, and they are constantly engaging with their followers, listening to what they want to see and learn.
  • Best Social Media
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    Monday Haircare

    A Word From The Nominee

    At Monday, we're all about making luxury more inclusive, and believe everyone is entitled to look and feel good. We're thrilled that our approach resonates with so many people around the world who make up our community of Good Hair Enthusiasts. We'd be so grateful for your vote, which would help us take our Monday M.O. even further.

    Who They Are

    Monday Haircare is an award-winning, modern beauty brand that aims to make luxury more inclusive. Monday was conceptualised and co-founded by Auckland-based entrepreneur and beauty enthusiast Jaimee Lupton. Monday’s ethos is that modern consumers shouldn’t have to pay more for products that reflect modern values like being cruelty-free, 100% recyclable, sustainably minded, and free from harmful ingredients such as SLS and parabens. Making its products widely available at an affordable price point is at the crux of the brand’s approach. First launched in New Zealand and Australia in March 2020, Monday Haircare is now available in 14 countries with over 50 of the world’s biggest retailers, and in almost 30,000 doors around the world.

  • Best Social Media
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    The Hair Diagram

    A Word From The Nominee

    Its an honor to have my hard work noticed. I love social media and creating Innovative and trendy content that not only help grow the brand but help educate people. People should vote for me because I've continued to dominate on multiple platforms and not only does my content continue to go viral but I've managed to teach and inspire thousands with my original content.

    Who They Are

    Master hair care educator and wig stylist, parent company of Bod Hold, the worlds #1 adhesive for hair pieces.

  • Best Packaging
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    Bossy Cosmetics Inc

    A Word From The Nominee

    Design excellence is at the core of our product packaging. We are so in love with our customer that we created packaging in homage to her elegance, strength, ambition, resilience, and beauty. Everything that we create is with her in mind and our sleek rose gold bottles were made to symbolize our passion and dedication to her.

    Who They Are

    Igniting confidence in ambitious women thought exquisitely-crafted cosmetics and topical content.

  • Best Packaging
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    Common Heir

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    We’re thrilled that Common Heir has been nominated for Best Packaging in this year’s Beacon Awards! We founded Common Heir in 2021 to reimagine better skincare traditions that we'll feel proud to pass down to future generations – the same way we were passed down our beauty traditions from our loved ones, which led to us finding our own respective paths to the beauty industry. With more than a decade's worth of clean and indie beauty experience under our belts, we know firsthand the challenges of reducing waste in beauty while still maintaining a luxe, premium feel that everyone craves. Even though we were total strangers before starting this company together, we felt such conviction in our vision for Common Heir: to disrupt the beauty industry through science-backed results, inclusive product development, and setting the standard for sustainability by reimagining high-performance skincare in plastic-free packaging.

    Each product is housed in 100% biodegradable plant-based capsules that dissolve in hot water after use, leaving no trace of packaging or product behind. The single-dose capsules made from algae and other plant-based starches help protect the formulation inside from oxidizing, retaining the potency it loses in pumps or droppers, therefore extending its shelf life. The capsules have been tested against international standards (OECD) for ready biodegradability.

    For the exterior packaging, we chose FSC-certified textured paper with soy-based inks, and we said no to coatings that typically impact recyclability - creating a luxurious experience that doesn’t compromise on sustainability or aesthetics.

    We are honored to be recognized amongst other trailblazers and innovators in this field, but we are even more excited to be raising industry standards in terms of sustainability. Our hope is to continue to create better versions of conventional beauty and personal care with products that are thoughtfully designed and formulated without plastic, so we are grateful that our work is being recognized for this meaningful award.

    Who They Are

    Founded by clean beauty experts Cary Lin and Angela Ubias, Common Heir was created on the belief that change starts with us. In 2020, Common Heir launched with its hero product, the 10% Vitamin C Serum, in completely vegan and biodegradable capsules. Now, with the recent launch of the brand's second product, the 0.2% Retinol Serum, Common Heir is transforming traditions with clean, plastic-free, high-performance skincare products. In addition, the brand has partnered with Ocean Blue Project to donate a percentage of annual sales to the organization. For more information, please visit www.commonheir.com or @commonheir.

    Why They Won
    We examined packaging that checked everything from outer boxes to componentry, sustainability, exceptionally functional and works synergistically with the products it contains. The committee made this decision because of the Commonheir's guilt-free packaging. The intentionality behind 100% biodegradable capsules, paper inserts, packaging, boxes, leaves no trace of packaging behind.
  • Best Packaging
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    Good Juju

    A Word From The Nominee

    At Good Juju it is their goal to help consumers realize that going zero waste doesn't have to come with a compromise in quality. It can be a beautiful, diverse, luxurious experience, right from the moment you pick up the packaging through to using the product and seeing the amazing results. That is why they are beyond thrilled that they have been recognized for our excellence in packaging. Our beautifully designed, zero plastic packaging is made from 100% FSC certified materials and is fully compostable or recyclable. Thank you Beauty Independent for this honor!

    Who They Are

    Good Juju Body & Home makes plastic-free body & home essentials that are naturally derived, and free from chemicals commonly found in their traditional liquid counterparts. Good for you, and good for the planet, too. Good Juju is a female founded, BIPOC, Canadian brand, who have grown rapidly in awareness, influence, and cultural importance by tackling two of the largest issues of our time: the climate crisis and diversity & inclusion. With each transaction Good Juju removes unnecessary plastic from the waste stream, with the goal of removing 50 million plastic bottles by 2030. As a 1% for the Planet member, 1% of each sale is donated to environmental causes, ranging from tree planting to ocean cleanup to kelp reforestation. Essentially, a portion of every dollar spent and earned at Good Juju is going towards making a real environmental impact. Moreover, Good Juju consistently champions diversity and inclusion because it's a central component of creating a more just and sustainable world. Our motto is “zero waste with zero compromise” making zero-waste a diverse, beautiful, luxurious experience.

  • Best Packaging
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    No. 8

    A Word From The Nominee

    Taking care of your mind should be as routine as brushing your teeth. No. 8 is a mental wellness platform that brings body and mind into balance through effective products and everyday practices. We enable people to build a foundation of mental wellness that helps them realize their potential and live happier lives, every day.

    Who They Are

    No. 8 is on a mission to show the world that incorporating scientifically-proven tools like nootropics and thoughtful habits into our daily routines measurably improves how we feel every single day.

  • Best Packaging
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    Press Pause

    A Word From The Nominee

    Our mantra to Press Pause is much larger than our brand. Through our packaging, it was our intention to present a lens through which we view everything we do as women- recognizing that moment looks different to everyone. We want this to be a reminder that in order to take care of the world, we must prioritize caring for ourselves. Our imagery is a story telling tool to attract a strong sense of community.

    Who They Are

    Wellness Products for Women supporting the 4 Pillars of Women's Health- Mental Wellness/Cognitive, Hormonal Wellness, Physical Wellness & Sexual Wellness. Their mission is bold as they strive to help women around the world improve their everyday lives. They will empower them to embrace their imperfect moments, allow themselves the time to press pause and heal in whichever way they need in order to be their most vibrant selves. Bold? Yes. Achievable? Most definitely.

  • Best Packaging
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    Uni

    A Word From The Nominee

    After over two years of extensive research and development, they are thrilled that Uni’s refillable and design-forward packaging is being recognized by the community. They hope that Uni’s innovation will continue to influence other brands and show that this type of system is not only possible but powerful, moving the industry forward toward a more sustainable future.

    Who They Are

    Uni set a new standard in the personal care industry across formulation, packaging and impact as the first ever closed-loop bodycare refill system. Currently, the personal care industry contributes 1/3 of all single-use plastic in our oceans & landfills. Uni offers products that keep our reefs safe by looking at the process holistically – from sustainably sourced ingredients, to 100% recycled aluminum packaging that is infinitely recyclable, to a modular system that keeps our bottles in an endless cycle of use and reuse, and eliminates the need to use single-use plastics.

  • Inclusivity Champion
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    Bomba Curls

    A Word From The Nominee

    My entrepreneurship is about the fight for representation and inclusion within the beauty space. I want the world to see the beauty of the diaspora. I will not stop until we've broadened the spectrum of beauty and show the world why representation matters!

    Who They Are

    Bomba Curls represents the celebration of curls, kinks and melanin! Bomba's mission is to honor their ancestors through their traditional plant based blends, which have been passed on over generations. Their award-winning natural hair products aim to empower curlistas across the world to celebrate the skin that they are in and define their own standard of beauty.

  • Inclusivity Champion
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    Cocokind

    A Word From The Nominee

    Cocokind serves botanical-forward skincare with a side of self-acceptance. All formulas in their line gently deliver the function they promise while being designed for the skin barrier, which they believe is a requirement for glowy, happy skin. Founded by Priscilla Tsai in 2015, cocokind merges results-driven skincare, community, and transparency to consistently challenge the status quo in the beauty industry.

    Who They Are

    Cocokind serves botanical-forward skincare with a side of self-acceptance. All formulas in their line gently deliver the function they promise while being designed for the skin barrier, which they believe is a requirement for glowy, happy skin. Founded by Priscilla Tsai in 2015, cocokind merges results-driven skincare, community, and transparency to consistently challenge the status quo in the beauty industry.

  • Inclusivity Champion
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    Maison 276

    A Word From The Nominee

    I’m ecstatic for Maison 276’s nomination because it further exemplifies how the Maison 276 Community is redefining and celebrating the amazing, diverse experiences of all middle-aged women (aka “Silveristas”)! Each day, I’m reminded, humbled, and proud of the way our Maison 276 Community authentically portrays the power, vibrancy, confidence, diversity, and ingenuity of our Silverista tribe. It’s an honor to be nominated and we’re very excited to be included among such an incredible group of leaders and brands.

    Who They Are

    They are the leading beauty brand for middle-aged women that want to address the changes in their hair and skin with clean, innovative formulations, while also authentically celebrating the vibrancy of their diverse lives. Their name is inspired by Angel’s childhood home in New Orleans.

  • Inclusivity Champion
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    Maude

    A Word From The Nominee

    At Maude, our take is that sex is human and few brands have inclusively spoken to people throughout their adult lives in a smart, factual way.

    We've created an ecosystem that creates, supports, and fosters sexual wellness throughout a person's adult life via inclusive products, an informative platform, and thoughtful partnerships with organizations that drive change by access and education. By rethinking the approach through universal design and marketing with inclusive content built less around just sex and more about overall intimacy and health, we've found that we resonate across audiences and have made inroads into retailers and press where before sexual wellness was not covered. We are honored to have those efforts recognized through this nomination.

    Who They Are

    Launched by Latina founder Éva Goicochea, Maude is a modern sexual wellness company built on quality, simplicity, and inclusivity. Through a holistic approach to intimacy, Maude creates body-safe and mood-setting essentials for before, during, and after sex. Since its launch in April 2018, Maude has been featured in 1200+ publications including The New York Times, Vogue, and Vanity Fair, and was heralded as “redefining the sex essentials industry for modern consumers" by Forbes. In July of 2019, Maude was one of CircleUp’s 25, an "annual award recognizing some of the most innovative consumer brands on the market” and was part of The Lead’s Foremost 50 in both 2021 and 2022. In 2022, the company launched in Sephora, one of the first sexual wellness brands ever carried in the retailer’s 52-year history. To further their mission of making sexual wellness accessible for all people, Maude works closely with Peer Health Exchange, Advocates for Youth, and SIECUS (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States).

  • Inclusivity Champion
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    Unsun Cosmetics

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    The sun doesn’t see color or skin tone. It’s time that the beauty industry recognizes the need for mineral sunscreens that don’t leave a frustrating white residue.

    Who They Are

    They create clean mineral-based sun protection for all skin tones. After looking everywhere to find a mineral tinted sunscreen that worked for their dark skin tone, they were terribly disappointed that there weren’t any available. We have tinted and non-tinted options that are for everyone, regardless of skin color!

    Why They Won
    Unsun Cosmetics makes amazing sunscreens that suit all skin tones, even the deep tones that have traditionally been excluded from this category. Not only are they making sunscreen more inclusive, their elegant formulas are pushing other companies to step up and become more inclusive with their own offerings. They also value diversity at all levels of their organization, and their marketing and visuals include people of all shapes, races, and sexual and gender identities—making them a true example of inclusivity in 2022.
  • Sustainability Champion
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    Conscia

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    We're so excited to be nominated as a sustainability champion because it's such a core part of our mission. Conscia’s ultimate aim is to offer a premium self-care experience that combines holistic philosophy, social purpose and eco-responsibility, and to build a community united by a more aware way of living. Our shampoo and conditioner stones combine ancient wisdom and modern science, using artisanal, natural, high-performance ingredients. They are made without water and packaged without plastic, preserving our health and our planet.

    Who They Are

    Conscia is a premium, natural, no-waste, anhydrous hair care company looking to revolutionize the way people care for their hair, amplify consciousness around what we put in our bodies, and inspire consumers to effect change through daily rituals. Conscia’s shampoo and conditioner stones elevate the experience of hair care by focusing on total head wellness, not just hair but also scalp and mind.

    Why They Won
    Conscia's commitment to promoting conscious consumerism and ensuring sustainable business practices throughout their supply chain, from material sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, through end-of-use for each product, has secured them the Sustainability Champion title. Conscia aims to ‘Think Globally, Act Locally’ through their commitment to local sourcing and manufacturing, using only functional ingredients, and purposefully creating products that minimize the need for use of precious natural resources like water and energy to manufacture.
  • Sustainability Champion
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    Intelligent I-N

    A Word From The Nominee

    At Intelligent I-N, we are rooted in our love for plants and for the planet. We believe the only right and sensible solution to so many global problems is to embrace earth conscious, sustainable alternatives and plant-based over petroleum (and other synthetic or pseudo-natural) ingredients. At I-N we do the best we can until we can do better and we are committed to a more sustainable future for the health of you and the planet. Sustainability is everything, there is no Planet B.

    Who They Are

    Intelligent™ beauty is about harnessing the natural powers of plants without harming the environment. They’re a women-owned company devoted to organic, earth-conscious, cruelty-free, non-toxic beauty products that are proven to work. Their hair and skin care products are supremely effective with plant-based active ingredients that fuse nature and science—and they smell delicious, naturally.

    Co-owners Kiran Stordalen and Nicole Rechelbacher lead I-N while maintaining rigorous standards. Their meticulous selection of plant-derived, clinically proven, active ingredients are always cruelty-free and responsibly produced to minimize impact on the environment. They strive to exceed the standards of their certifiers, and aspire to make every component of their packaging recyclable. They're devoted to doing the best they can—until they can do better.

    I-N is rooted in their love for plants and for the planet. They believe the only right and sensible solution to so many global problems is to embrace earth conscious, sustainable alternatives and plant-based over petroleum (and other synthetic or pseudo-natural) ingredients. That’s why they call their approach Intelligent beauty over “clean” or “green” beauty: there’s so much scientific innovation and clinical research that goes into their products, it goes beyond simply committing to supporting organic agriculture and limiting our impact on the planet.

    In an industry that's largely self-regulated, they choose to have their products certified and regulated by third-party organizations with the strictest standards. Transparency is in their DNA, as are our sustainability efforts and their eternal sense of responsibility to the planet.

    They believe that everything they do makes a world of difference. Self-care isn’t just about looking good today, it’s an investment in a brighter future for your body and for the planet. Hair and skin care can and should be truly high-performance and organic, sustainable, and safe for the environment. They’ll never settle for less.

  • Sustainability Champion
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    Kadalys

    A Word From The Nominee

    I am honored that Kadalys is nominated for a Beacon Award! Kadalys is the result of my lifelong commitment to sustainable activism. That's why sustainability is woven into every aspect of the brand, and why I am so proud of the environmental and social impact we are making. Kadalys is tacking food waste and rescuing ocean plastic to improve planet health. We're also helping to reduce the social and economic inequities in the Caribbean. Innovation and green science now play a greater role in this region where we continue to make the local agriculture even more sustainable. It reinforces the idea that every action can make a difference, something that the Beacon Awards proudly celebrate.

    Who They Are

    Kadalys believes in the power of bananas to improve our communities and the world. Kadalys upcycles banana agri-waste into patented and proven bio-actives that rejuvenate skin. Backed by 10 years of research, Kadalys is certified organic, natural, vegan, and cruelty-free. They adhere to an ethical supply chain with sustainable and fair-trade practices. All planters are also shareholders as part of our circular economy. They rescue ocean plastic and support women's education as part of our social commitments. Kadalys is Black and female-founded.

  • Sustainability Champion
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    Nuniq

    A Word From The Nominee

    We strongly believe that taking care of one’s self is important, but it should not come at the cost of the environment.

    And we are not alone… Consumers around the world are seeking out more information on ingredients, packaging and formulations to find ones that are in line with their greener lifestyle choices. But, they are not willing to compromise product efficacy for all-natural product.

    We are working hard to ensure that we have a clearly differentiating offer in the highly competitive world of cosmetics, making sure to deliver according to the high-quality standards of our products without compromising the environment.

    Initiating a new enterprise has enormous emotional demands and being nominated to the Beacon Awards as "Sustainable Champion" is a great boost... and also a great responsibility. We cannot fail you now, however hard we need to work!

    Who They Are

    The world doesn’t need more beauty products, just better ones. They’re here to pave the way for a more sustainable future, with high-quality products that are all for less waste and more good, contributing to more responsible consumption habits and closing the circle of refill, reuse, repeat without generating single use plastic waste.

  • Sustainability Champion
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    Plaine Products

    A Word From The Nominee

    Plaine Products replaces disposability with reuse, placing value on the resources in packaging and empowering consumers to reduce waste. A vote for Plaine Products promotes reuse and prioritizes combating plastic pollution across the globe.

    Who They Are

    Plaine Products is on a mission to get single-use plastic out of the bathroom. Founded by two sisters, all of the products are vegan, cruelty-free, and toxin-free in reusable, returnable aluminum bottles. Good for the body and the planet.

  • Sustainability Champion
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    Sk*p

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are absolutely thrilled to be nominated for this incredible title of Sustainability in Beauty – it validates our belief that deep passion can create the change needed to save our planet.

    Sk*p is more than clean, conscience, efficacious hair and bodycare products that are eco-aware, we are a movement that is on a mission to break the beauty industy’s addition to plastic!

    The beauty industry creates over 80 billion pieces of plastic packaging yearly, much of which ends up in the environment and plastics take over 400 years to decompose..
    Currently, hair and body care containers meant to live in our showers are nearly all made of plastic – Until now…

    Sk*p’s proprietary eco-friendly BeautyCarton™ packaging is the first paper based. Fully recyclable carton packaging for this category that is shower-sturdy -- and Sk*p wants to make it an industry-wide standard.
    Sk*p products are made of clean, ethically sourced ingredients and free of: parabens, sodium chloride, synthetic fragrance, synthetic preservatives, dyes, silicones, sulfates, PEGS, or heavy metals. The key ingredient in all products is our proprietary G-HoneyBiome™ complex made from honey collected on our own organic bee farm at the base of the Catskills in upstate NY. This honey rivals and exceeds the wellness properties of Manuka honey – we bio-ferment the honey which creates G-HoneyBiome™.

    Genomic testing revealed that this complex supports, strengthens and balances the skin’s microbiome as well as strengthens the skin’s barrier function – so Sk*p is kind to you as well as kind to our planet.

    Sk*p is the first in the beauty industry to activate an all-youth board who are involved in making key decisions from product design and marketing to formulas and philanthropy initiatives while being mentored in building their own eco-entrepreneurial passion projects. We want to support changemakers to lead important decisions that will impact the world they’ll inherit.

    With the help of Earth Day Network, Sk*p is developing a platform for extending environmental literacy and community give back programs to schools and campuses nationally (Sk*p on campus), making climate education permanent, easily accessible and universal. We are also supporting the mission of www.sea-trees.org with their blue carbon initiative to reforest oceans by planting kelp and mangrove forests as our oceans sequester over 10 times the amount of CO2 of any other ecosystem on earth.

    Please vote Sk*p and join our movement to save our planet, one BeautyCarton™ at a time.

    Who They Are

    Sk*p (Simply be Kind to our Planet) is a conscious hair and body care brand featuring microbiome boosting products that are kind to you and kind to our planet -- Packaged in the beauty industry's first and only fully recyclable, shower-sturdy BeautyCarton™, made with paper sourced from sustainably managed forests! Their BeautyCarton™ is designed to be destructible, that’s the point, but they had it 3rd party tested, and the results show that it stands up in the shower for 3 plus months – and while it may not look as perfect as day one, it will not leak or break or compromise the product inside!

    Every Sk*p product contains their proprietary key ingredient -- G-HoneyBiome™ complex – made from honey collected on their own organic Sk*p Farm at the base of the Catskill Mountains in upstate, NY. They bio-ferment the honey to create the complex and genomic testing revealed its ability to strengthen and balances the microbiome on your skin and scalp and strengthens the barrier function of your skin.

    Sk*p is more than a clean hair and body care line of products, we are a movement, and our mission is to break the beauty industry’s addiction to plastic and help save the planet, one BeautyCarton™ at a time.

  • Product Innovation
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    Alkaglam

    A Word From The Nominee

    I am so excited for our tool to be nominated, we strongly believe in the technology behind our product, not only can we show that the product is sustainable but that we can change how ingredients can be delivered. I am honored to be selected, we have worked on the technology for the past 8 years.

    Who They Are

    The Alkaglam tool converts distilled water into super mineral mist in 20 seconds that can last for an entire year. Their proprietary technology combines water filtration and skincare into results-driven products that can be refilled for an entire year, releasing high amounts of magnesium, zinc, tourmaline and silver. Founded by Michelle Vidal in 2018, Alkaglam’s mission is clear: revolutionizing how we take care of our skin, while minimizing environmental impact.

    Family First

    For the past 25 years, founder Michelle’s father, Freddy Vidal has been a leader in creating innovative products in the water industry for companies such as Brita, General Electric and Home Depot. Freddy tested out his expertise in water filtration at home when Michelle came to him looking for a solution for her acne. His idea was to create a mineral filter for Michelle’s sink to treat her skin with high amounts of zinc in thermal water. In just 4 weeks, her skin was left clearer than ever before. Michelle saw firsthand the benefits of the use of minerals in treating skin concerns.

    The Magic Is In Our Minerals

    Michelle saw an opportunity to share this knowledge with other individuals facing her same concerns. She began her research and quickly learned that other facial mists on the market had mineral properties that depleted much faster, therefore losing their effectiveness over time. Michelle knew that the only way to truly change the composition of the water was to invent a device that would have its ingredients in constant contact with distilled water – hence, the original Mineral Facial Mist was born.

  • Product Innovation
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    Dr Elsa Jungman

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    Over 70% of women suffer from sensitive skin, yet we are using more skincare products than ever. So what exactly is going on? The answer lies within our microbiomes, the invisible shield made up of trillions of microbes on your skin’s surface.

    Our microbiome protects our body and our skin and is the first line of defense. For too long we have ignored the power of our microbiome and have sought out treating skin issues the wrong way. Stripping our barrier and delicate microbiomes can lead to further issues in the long run.

    Our Skin Microbiome Kit allows people to discover the state of their microbiomes with science-backed data, and learn tangible ways to protect & balance their skin health. When it comes to skincare, protecting our microbiomes should be front of mind, and we are proud to spearhead the change, one microbiome test at a time!

    Who They Are

    Dr. Elsa Jungman started her skincare line in 2018, with a goal to revolutionize how we define skin health, starting with our delicate microbiomes.

    Why They Won
    When we evaluated this category we wanted to honor and recognize innovation that solves a need or addresses an issue in an exciting, efficient, new way! Dr. Elsa Jungman is doing exactly that with her Skin Microbiome Kit, helping to accurately assess the microbiome of the skin to best address the overall needs and solutions we felt was revolutionary and opens the dialogue further into how we can all better care for our skin and target our needs.
  • Product Innovation
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    Parfait

    A Word From The Nominee

    At Parfait, we build and dream ambitiously, and we do it for our community. Our mission is to build beauty experiences, with technology that finally recognizes and prioritizes all people, by prioritizing black women, because when you solve problems for the margins, it improves product and service outcomes for everyone.

    Who They Are

    Parfait, an AI technology company built to serve people of color and solve AI biases in tech, is the first direct-to-consumer wig customization platform that uses computer vision to accurately detect head measurements and skin tone to provide truly tailored hair wigs and extensions, utilizing just four pictures. Customers select and customize the features that matter most, like texture length, and style, with opportunities to connect directly with a stylist to answer any questions, from what hairstyles will work best for your needs, to the best ways to install your wig and care for your hair.

  • Product Innovation
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    Poof!

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are super excited to be nominated in product innovation. As we are committed to our success and being nominated is a perfect statement that people value good hygiene and the environment. Poof! is a toilet tissue spray that leaves you feeling confidently clean. People who love using wet wipes, as much as we do. But also recognize that “flushable” wipes aren’t truly flushable as it ends up clogging sewage systems and damaging the environment. Knowing how important hygiene and self care is for everybody, we know Poof! is a great solution and why people should vote for Poof! Everybody nowadays takes pride in their appearance and cleanliness. Our vision is clean and simple, we want to elevate bathroom cleanliness one product at a time. Poof! is like your personal bidet in a bottle or pocket spray. Cleaning with convenience and environmentally conscious. “Treat your butt like your face.” —Antonio C.

    Who They Are

    Transform your bathroom experience with Poof! The clinically proven spray that turns your toilet paper into a refreshing wet wipe. Leaving you clean, revitalized and wondering how you ever went about your business without it.

  • Product Innovation
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    Rebundle

    A Word From The Nominee

    We're ecstatic to be nominated for such a prestigious award and grateful to our community, who has shown tremendous love and excitement for our product! It brings us so much joy to know that we are addressing a real problem for women everywhere who wear hair extensions, saving scalps and the planet with every single bundle.

    Who They Are

    As the first U.S. made plant-based braiding hair brand, Rebundle is revolutionizing hair extensions with more comfort and less waste. Made from naturally extracted banana fiber, their products are designed to match textured hair, are lightweight, itch-free, and biodegradable after use.

  • Product Innovation
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    Vush

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are so proud to be redefining period care. It's not about staying in on the couch, drinking your peppermint tea with your hot water bottle and popping pain killers. Aura empowers us to continue living our lives without pain, and enjoying life as a form of self care. We are revolutionizing this category by bringing tech to period wellness for consumers who are more than ever aware of their bodies and proactive in exploring alternatives. We are so excited to have this platform to not only be recognised but to share with the industry this market leading innovation that is going to alleviate so much unspoken pain for so many.

    Who They Are

    Vush is here to give health and wellbeing the makeover it deserves, because no one said looking after yourself had to be boring.

    Vush is here for you. They’re for beginners and for pros: for the nervous, the curious, and the brave. For anyone who ever felt shame or insecurity about their body. For anyone who is prioritising their wellness above anything else. They’re working to change the conversation around wellness and create products worth talking about.

  • Philanthropy Champion
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    Grande Cosmetics

    A Word From The Nominee

    It is truly an honor to be nominated for Philanthropy Champion for Beauty Independent’s 2022 Beacon Awards. As a leader in beauty, I created Grande Gives Back as a vow to use our platform to support those who need it most in the here and now. I hope to inspire others to do the same.

    Alicia Grande, Founder & CEO of Grande Cosmetics

    Who They Are

    Grande Cosmetics is a cult favorite beauty brand with breakthrough, salon-service inspired DIY formulas that empower women to embrace their own natural features. With a product line inspired by transformations of all kinds & over 90 industry award wins, they’re on a mission to encourage everyone to live large & embrace their most authentic selves. Specifically, they specialize in powerful serums & skincare-infused cosmetics that give you bigger, bolder looking lashes, lips, brows, & hair.

  • Philanthropy Champion
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    John Paul Mitchell Systems

    A Word From The Nominee

    Within all of us here at John Paul Mitchell Systems®, there is the fire to make a difference. We're proud to do our part to help the industry—and the world beyond. From training our Future Professionals at Paul Mitchell Schools to philanthropic partnerships aimed at preserving the planet, igniting change across the globe is just another part of our culture. We are so excited to be nominated for the "Philanthropy Champion" award because giving back is truly at our core, and we are so thankful that we're able to help make a difference in every way we can.

    Who They Are

    John Paul Mitchell Systems® (JPMS™), a top manufacturer of salon-only professional hair care products, has been serving the professional beauty industry for over 40 years. The company produces salon-quality hair care, hair color, and styling tools through a family of brands, including Paul Mitchell®, Paul Mitchell Clean Beauty, Paul Mitchell® Professional Hair Color, Paul Mitchell® Pro Tools™, Tea Tree, Awapuhi Wild Ginger®, MITCH®, MVRCK®, Neuro®.

  • Philanthropy Champion
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    Loum

    A Word From The Nominee

    We're thrilled that Loum has once again been nominated Philanthropist Brand for our work in raising awareness and driving education around mental health. With 1 in 5 American adults experiencing a mental illness each year, 63% of those with anxiety disorders not receiving treatment and 50M+ of US adults now living with mental illness, mental health is the signature issue of our time and we believe that the actions we're taking now, both as a brand as well as in leading cross-industry action via #BeautyCares, can positively impact the beauty industry as well as society for generations to come.

    Who They Are

    Loum Beauty of Calm was developed with a leading psychodermatologist (an expert in the mind-skin connection) to stop stress getting under your skin by dialling down and reversing the effects of stress hormones to leave skin luminous and stress-free.

    But they also have a powerful social mission - "where there is stress we will bring calm". A partner of NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) they provide ongoing support for anyone suffering stress, anxiety and burnout and we're proud to lead 'Beauty Cares', the beauty industry's cross-industry action on mental health, which has seen us provide mental health content to a combined audience of over 38MM in the last year.

  • Philanthropy Champion
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    Musee

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    Musee is thrilled to be nominated for Philanthropic Champion because our employees are at the heart of the work that we do. We hire women coming out of prison, women with disabilities and in recovery, and people living in chronic poverty to restore their lives by providing dignified work. Musee handcrafts a variety of bath products to share healing and nourishment through the packaging and ingredients. We hope that our story encourages people everywhere to give back to the local community, give second chances, and that they bathe the world in love through our handmade products!

    Who They Are

    Musee makes handcrafted, natural bath products in Madison County, Mississippi with the mission of restoring lives by providing dignified work for vulnerable people in their community. They primarily hire women in recovery, people with disabilities, and people who have lived in chronic poverty. Their products are handmade in the USA with ethically sourced, natural ingredients. Their bath balms are cruelty-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free and safe for all skin types.

    Why They Won
    Musee partners with a local organization to help women have a second chance by guaranteeing them a job in the final stages of their recovery as they work towards a second chance after incarceration. Musee does not judge women for their past, but rather offers them a future through work in their beauty and wellness company - inspiring confidence, connection, self-worth and an opportunity to forge a new future. By offering their second chance employees clothing drives, yoga classes and community support - they are making a big impact in their small community in Mississippi. Their work is strengthened by small, but generous donations to partner organizations that support their bigger mission, making them a true philanthropy champion.
  • Philanthropy Champion
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    Valdé Beauty

    A Word From The Nominee

    I am excited to be nominated by a group of which I share values in support of indie brands. A vote for Valdé is a vote for a vision toward a future that is more purposeful, imaginative and impactful in brand creation.

    Who They Are

    Founder of Valdé Beauty Margarita Arriagada is a first-generation Peruvian American with an extensive beauty resume. She has spent the last three decades discovering and cultivating many great designers, artists, and founders in beauty, fashion, and home interiors and served as Chief Merchant of Sephora USA. She earned a reputation as an inspirational leader, mentor, and passionate talent developer. In 2020, she introduced Valdé Beauty.

    Valdé Beauty began as an homage to her mother’s courage and determination and became an artistic tribute to all women. A call to action for each individual to overcome fear, strip away preconceptions, and write her destiny. The brand currently consists of a refillable lip collection featuring richly pigmented shades, impossibly sensual textures, and clean, cruelty-free, vegan formulas. Each lipstick and balm fits interchangeably into a Valdé Armor of your choosing. These collectible vessels have been crafted with meticulous attention to aesthetic form and performance.

    In January 2022, Margarita led Valdé into the NFT space hosting the first-ever beauty launch in the Metaverse. The event celebrated Valdé’s Divine Collection, a phygital launch consisting of a unique lipstick vessel made out of pure crystals, accompanied by multiple NFTs. The crystal lipstick vessels will only be available in rare quantities, with Edition #1 auctioned off. Always with the community top of mind, all the net proceeds from the collection supported the Valdé Latinx Beauty Entrepreneur Grant, which provided a $10K award and over $200K in supporting services to an emerging Latinx-owned beauty brand.

  • Brand Launch
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    Gen See Beauty

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are delighted to be nominated for 'Best Brand launch of the year' and thrilled to be recognised by such a reputable and well respected awards body.

    Who They Are

    They want to make swapping out to clean makeup a no brainer.

    Gen See was born of the need many of us share these days, to See things differently. They see the earth and our effect on it, they see others and their effect on them.

    They wanted products for themselves that are not only clean but also sustainable and created ethically - and that were amazing formulas and that brought a smile to their face with their design.

    With this laundry list in mind they started working on Gen See, setting out to make products with a color palette and design that spark joy and bring a smile to your face each and every time you use them.

    Their ingredient standards are compliant with the EU and with those of the leading clean beauty retailers in the US. But the way they see it, clean is about so much more.

    That's why so much of their work in bringing Gen See to life was sourcing sustainable packaging. And why they insist on ethical and diverse working practices. And why they aim to be so transparent about everything - every product page on their site will tell you everything from ingredients to what the packaging is made of. Because they really want you to know what you're buying.

  • Brand Launch
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    Indē Wild

    A Word From The Nominee

    Indē Wild is determined to change the beauty narrative and celebrate unique differences. Our products are people powered, rooted in tradition, backed by experts and perfected by science. Each formulation is a beautiful, seamless juxtaposition of ingredients coming from Ayurveda and modern chemistry – a little something we've coined as Ayurvedistry™.

    Who They Are

    Indē Wild is a conscious beauty ecosystem, made especially for the unique needs of South Asian and melanin-enriched skin. As the first in it's category, Ayurvedistry™, we combine the finest from Ayurveda and modern dermatology.

  • Brand Launch
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    Jolie

    A Word From The Nominee

    It's an honor to be nominated for such a prestigious award. When we were building Jolie we set out to create a new category in the beauty in wellness space that would be complimentary to the existing brands. Jolie solves an problem that we all simply forgot about, the water. Sadly our water has become more contaminated and contributes to many of the skin and hair issues so many people have. From dry skin and eczema to frizzy hair and itchy scalp. Jolie is able to help these issues by improving the water and removing many of the contaminants that contribute to these issues.

    Who They Are

    Jolie is a beauty wellness company that purifies your water for better skin, hair and wellbing. Jolie is step 0 in our daily routines and regardless of whether we have a 1 step routine or a 10 step routine, use drug store brands or luxury skin care, if our water is contaminated (sadly all of it is) we are unnecessarily harming our skin, hair and health. Jolie solves this problem by removing harmful contaminants from the water we shower in.

  • Brand Launch
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    Plantkos

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    I am thrilled to have Plantkos nominated in this category because it proves that having the right team in place is critical in launching a brand successfully. Especially, for a beauty industry novice like myself. The launch team not only successfully helped articulate the brand story and positioning but also helped with strategic placements with retailers, editors and consumers. Showcasing a brand that is pharmacist founded and formulated, ingredients driven and clinically tested specifically to address skin hyperpigmentation, dehydration and redness - concerns more frequently occuring in those with melanated skin but experienced by all. You should vote for Plantkos to help support an ingredients and science driven skincare brand committed to delivering products that are clinically tested to address targeted skin concerns.

    Who They Are

    Plantkos is the first pharmacist-developed, science-lead skin care brand that sees your skin beneath the surface to address the most common concerns associated with melanated skin: inflammation, dehydration, and hyperpigmentation — layer by layer. Founder Sejal Patel was inspired by the lack of skincare products for melanated skin, and became an expert in understanding ingredient synergies. She then looked to the Ayurvedic wisdom rooted in her Indian heritage and turned to her training as a pharmacist. Through this powerful fusion of Eastern plant-based medicine and Western clean science, Plantkos® (Kos, or "Kosha" in Sanskrit, means layer) was born.

    Why They Won
    Plantkos has successfully mixed Western actives with Ayurvedic herbs to create great skincare products. Plantkos is focused on hyperpigmentation, dehydration, and irritation. Founder, Sejal Patel and her husband Ketul Patel , pharmacies themselves, created Plantkos—our winning brand launch.
  • Brand Launch
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    Pound Cake

    A Word From The Nominee

    We're incredibly excited to be nominated! It took us *four years* of working with several chemists and manufacturers to nail down a new method for creating non-nude colors for different skin tones (Tone Variant Technology) and our custom formula—ensuring that beauty lovers of various skin *and* lip tones could achieve a true red with Cake Batter. It means so much that folks understand and wish to further Pound Cake's mission to reshape the standard for color cosmetics while uplifting Black/brown, fat-identifying, and queer folks.

    The beauty industry and how it has/n't catered to BIPOC is long overdue for a reckoning :)

    Who They Are

    Pound Cake is a pro-Black, pro-fat, and pro-queer cosmetics company revolutionizing the way color is made for different skin and lip tones.

    With years of formulation, its Tone Variant Technology™, help from Glossier, and an Allure Best of Beauty Award, Pound Cake launched a one-of-a-kind inclusive line of five clean red liquid lipsticks for five different lip tones -- so everyone can achieve the perfect red. Pound Cake sold out the next day, was featured on Good Morning America, and received a Glamour Beauty Award for Best in Clean.

    There are no one-size-fits-all "universal" shades at Pound Cake, and that's what its community loves about it.

  • Brand Launch
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    Veriant

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are humbled and honored to be nominated by Beauty Independent, a publication we deeply respect and value. As a tiny team of two, we created a business model that enables us to solve people’s real problems sustainably, with as few products as possible.

    Our multi-tasking phytomelatonin products bring new meaning to “skincare,” working with your skin’s natural melatonin system to do what melatonin supplements cannot. First of it’s kind, Mella takes melatonin beyond sleep aid and boosts skin health day and night.

    In a labor of love and diligence, we put performance to the test. Prior to launch, Mella gained dermatologist and consumer approval through two 4-week trials. Panelists experienced improvement in their skin, sleep, and focus.

    We believe so strongly in sustainability that we built it into the very foundation of our company. That’s why our products exclusively use 100% biodegradable ingredients – that each offer proven skin benefits – as well as 100% plastic-free, curbside recyclable packaging with compostable labels. It’s also why we are a certified B Corporation and certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny.

    We’re so proud that Mella helps people look and feel better with a truly sustainable and impactful product offering.

    Who They Are

    Veriant was created to deliver sustainable solutions to real-life problems. In 2021,  Mella was launched – a skincare brand with products infused with plant-derived melatonin to give people a dreamier sleep at night and glowing skin always, without daytime drowsiness.

  • Best Brand
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    Gussi

    A Word From The Nominee

    We’re thrilled to be nominated for Best Brand! We’re a super passionate small team of haircare professionals, here to change up the game and cheerfully enable endless great hair days for everyone! We bring the power of salon results into your own hands with safe, clean, and effective formulas. We’re all about pushing boundaries, expressing our true selves, having a ball and looking darn good while doing it all.

    Who They Are

    Gussi is an innovative hair care company that created a new category within the space: a clean, easy to DIY at-home keratin treatment. Gussi is for anyone looking to achieve more manageable, sleeker, shinier hair while helping to cut down on blow drying time and enjoying the freedom to embrace their natural texture. The clean keratin formula forgoes formaldehyde plus other nasties, and delivers up to six-weeks of smooth, healthy, frizz-free hair! The treatment works for all hair types, textures, and tones, and it’s also safe for color-treated hair. Plus always certified cruelty-free. Gussi is a disruptor within the hair category and especially for at-home options given that it is achievable for every texture, budget, and lifestyle. We’re here to help you smooth it your way!

  • Best Brand
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    Kate McLeod

    Winner

    Who They Are

    Pastry chef turned beauty entrepreneur, Kate McLeod launched her collection of Stone solid moisturizers from her Brooklyn kitchen in 2018. Body Stones soften on warm, dry skin. Gliding on like silk, they melt and absorb, leaving skin soft, supple, and glowing. Each Body Stone starts with a blend of five antioxidant rich ingredients: cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, and fractionated coconut oil. That's it. From there, Kate adds pure essential oils that provide benefits for both body and mind. Simple, powerful ingredients to give you moisturizing results you can see and feel. When used regularly, the Stone provides a welcome moment of self care in even the busiest of lifestyles. It's everyday magic.

    Why They Won
    Kate McLeod brings us what is not expected. They do not color inside the lines nor do they check the requisite boxes. The founder, Kate McLeod, has successfully and elegantly created the product you didn't know you needed and now, cannot live without.
  • Best Brand
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    Le Prunier

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are so honored that Le Prunier has been nominated for the Beauty Independent Beacon Brand of the Year Award! It’s truly a full circle moment – we launched Le Prunier at Indie Beauty Expo in November 2017 with prototype packaging and big dreams of championing The Power of Plum®. Since our debut, Le Prunier has undergone dramatic year over year growth built upon its loyal customer base, strong innovation, solid omni-channel strategy and international expansion. Customers seek out Le Prunier for efficacious products, ingredient transparency and an unparalleled commitment to organic and sustainable practices. In 2021, our cult-favorite Plum Beauty Oil sold out world-wide overnight, amassed a 25,000+ person waitlist and 30,000 orders on our DTC site alone thanks to a celebrity shoutout on Instagram. Our latest award-winning launch, Plumscreen® Broad Spectrum SPF 31, featuring our patented Plum Superfruit Complex®, pairs the very best of skincare and sun protection without leaving a white residue typical of many mineral sunscreens and has already garnered four category-defining awards. We’re so passionate about the future of clean beauty, devoted to our customers, and excited to continue building this heritage brand.

    Who They Are

    In September 2017, siblings Jacqueline, Allison and Elaine Taylor collectively founded Le Prunier, an organic beauty line based on The Power of Plum®. The sisters built Le Prunier from an ancestral legacy that began in 1916 with their great grandfather who farmed the rich soils of Northern California, laying the seeds for four generations of family-operated farming. While maintaining the family’s sustainable, organic farming practices, the Taylor sisters unlocked the extraordinary beauty benefits of this powerful fruit. Today, the sisters carry on the farm’s legacy with a 4th generation perspective—Tradition Meets Innovation®.

  • Best Brand
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    Melanin Haircare

    A Word From The Nominee

    Melanin Haircare has been devoted to creating innovative, non-toxic, and naturally beneficial haircare products since conception, and so to be seen and nominated by Beauty Independent is an honor!

    Who They Are

    Melanin Haircare is rooted in passion for natural haircare products that deliver on high-quality, luxury, and affordability for the everyday woman, man, person, and child.

  • Best Brand
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    Ogee

    A Word From The Nominee

    Ogee offers the highest standard of clean beauty with our NSF certified organic line of high-performance, multi-functional beauty. Our clinically effective line of skincare, and makeup-meets-skincare approach to beauty, paired with our commitment to sustainable luxury, are why we are proud to be Beyond Clean Beauty. We are honored to be nominated for Best Brand in Beauty Independent’s 2022 Beacon Awards.

    Who They Are

    At Ogee, they are committed to creating the ultimate certified organic collection of high-performance, multi-functional beauty. Their pledge to provide a true organic difference is why they are proud to be Beyond Clean Beauty.

    They are proud to be certified organic to the stringent NSF standard and free from animal testing or cruelty, silicones, petroleum derivatives, phthalates, parabens, artificial fragrances, synthetic dyes, or GMOs. Their straight-from-the-earth formulations are consciously crafted from the farms to your face, seed to skin.

  • Best Brand
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    Urban Hydration

    A Word From The Nominee

    Now an adult and making a difference in the beauty industry I too was once a girl playing in cosmetics. My story was a bit different because the cosmetics I searched for were ones that could change my beauty and make me look like other people's accepted definition of what was beautiful. I am beyond elated to be nominated because not only do I know who I am and love who I am but I’ve created a business and brand that celebrates and supports unique and different definitions of beauty. I get to use my platform with Urban Hydration to allow the beauty industry as a whole to be a catalyst for people with dryness. By creating a safe space through products that responds to dry skin and dry hair and that donates fresh drinking water to people in dry communities. I am honored to be a nominee for being an advocate for change.

    Who They Are

    Urban Hydration began as a collection of natural body butters for a charitable initiative that evolved into a carefully curated portfolio of clean, plant-based skin, hair, and body care products distributed nationwide. In partnership with WaterIsLife, Urban Hydration provides lifesaving hydration to global communities in need with every product sold.

  • Indie Deal
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    Hazel

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    We’re excited to be nominated for this category because it so accurately represents the journey we’ve been on with Hazel.

    When we started Hazel, we focused on an underserved and overlooked population, women over 50. We quickly learned that the needs she was experiencing were still deemed “taboo.”

    While younger women were discussing periods and sex, infertility and postpartum, all formerly “taboo” topics, no one was discussing the needs women were experiencing as they got older.

    So we dug deeper into those needs. We found that 1 in 2 women over 50 experience leakage. But there had been no radical innovation when it came to the products. She was left with brands and products that didn’t meet her needs.

    A taboo category, outdated products with negative brand equity, and a population that wanted a better solution. That was our opportunity to make the greatest impact.

    Who They Are

    Hazel is a luxe, innovative femme care brand for the ever-evolving woman. Their mission is to empower her with thoughtful, ground-breaking products and the elevated experience she deserves.

    They think it’s super rude of leaks to interrupt a good laugh. That’s why we designed the High & Dry Brief, a super chic, disposable brief for leaks. It's strong and absorbent enough to take care of light dribbles, serious dampness, and everything in between. So she can giggle more and stress less.

    Why They Won
    There has been relatively little innovation in the women’s incontinence space in recent decades. Hazel has leveraged patented technology to offer a solution to empower women to take control of their lives and take the shame and stigma out of the condition… and look great doing it. Its $2.5M investment round attracted interest from far and wide—including H Ventures, BAM Ventures, Springdale Ventures and Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator—and is further evidence of the strong appeal of the brand’s vision and strategy.
  • Indie Deal
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    Rael

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are thrilled that Rael has been nominated for a Beacon Award. We are on a mission to empower people to make healthier choices for their bodies through safe and high-performance personal care products. We believe people should vote for Rael as we are on the path to continue product innovation, accelerate retail growth, expand our offerings utilizing a 360-degree approach to wellness, and advance our global expansion. We hope our dedication shines through our products!

    Who They Are

    Rael is made by women for all people who bleed. Founded by three Korean American women in Los Angeles, including CEO Yanghee Paik in 2017, Rael empowers women to make healthier choices for their bodies through its safe and high-performance personal care products accessible to women around the world. Thoughtfully designed with natural and sustainable materials, Rael’s products are manufactured with cutting-edge South Korean manufacturing technology to deliver the latest innovations in feminine and skin care, providing a 360° holistic solution for the modern woman. Rael products can be found at getrael.com, as well as major retailers including Amazon, Target, Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens. Rael is backed by Unilever Ventures, BAM Ventures, PGVC, Softbank Ventures Asia, and Atinum Partners among others.

  • Indie Deal
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    RMS Beauty

    A Word From The Nominee

    It’s such an honor to be recognized by our industry peers for our partnership. RMS Beauty has been innovating in this category since 2009, so we are thrilled that this award acknowledges all of the hard work and vision that Rose-Marie and the RMS Team have brought to both clean beauty and sustainability and how together, with Highlander Partner, we can drive more awareness about this exceptional brand.

    Who They Are

    If you know...you know. Just ask the world’s top supermodels and a community of loyal followers who have worn RMS since professional makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift founded the brand in 2009. RMS Beauty's mission is to give the world groundbreaking clean beauty with skin-loving ingredients and undeniable expertise. RMS Beauty received a Majority Investment from Highlander Partners, a firm that invests in outstanding management teams of exceptional companies with a clear vision for growth.

  • Indie Deal
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    Scotch Porter

    A Word From The Nominee

    To be recognized on this scale empowers the mission of the Scotch Porter brand — to deliver accessible, affordable, multi-purpose solutions that arm men with the tools needed to feel and live their best, most fulfilled lives. We are dedicated to not just merely being a company that provides a product, but at the heart of our existence is a commitment to promoting the importance of 360-degree wellness. This belief is reflected in every facet of our work, and will continue as we introduce innovative solutions to the real issues men face daily. Thank you to Beauty Independent for creating a space that celebrates the dedication and impact of beauty innovators.

    Who They Are

    Scotch Porter develops multi-functional products to enhance the everyday guy’s experience because their hair, skin, and body benefit from key ingredients such as Kale protein, Biotin Liposomes, and Pomegranate Enzymes. It’s with that same spirit that Scotch Porter continues to build out their fresh, handmade better-for-you grooming and wellness products; solutions to the real issues men face daily.

    Founder Calvin Quallis and the Scotch Porter team are married to the idea that men shouldn’t have to use products packed with harmful chemicals just to look and feel like a boss. So that’s the Scotch Porter promise; to provide healthier grooming and wellness products that are highly effective and easy to use- the rest, as they say, is up to you. Stay Fresh. www.scotchporter.com

  • Indie Deal
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    Underlining Beauty

    Who They Are

    Underlining® is reimagining beauty & wellness with custom developed high quality & conscious products that save money & time for customers. They pride themselves in product quality, performance, inclusivity and community.

  • Best Campaign
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    Cheekbone Beauty

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are so proud of our newest campaign, #GlossedOver, which launched in June 2022 for Indigenous History Month in Canada. This campaign was in collaboration with Sephora Canada and SidLee, to bring awareness to the ongoing water crisis that Indigenous communities across Canada are experiencing. It is always an honour to be nominated for awards, because we believe that representation saves lives, and all the Indigenous youth who see Cheekbone Beauty in the media can see that they have such an enormous value and potential in the world.
    People should vote for us, or particularly for our #GlossedOver campaign, because everyone should have the right to clean drinking water. Through our #GlossedOver campaign, all proceeds from Cheekbone Beauty sales in June from Sephora Canada were donated to Water First ngo - which collaborates with and assists Indigenous communities to educate them on water infrastructure.

    Who They Are

    Cheekbone Beauty is an Indigenous-owned and founded, digitally-native, Canadian cosmetics company established in 2016. Based out of St Catharines, Ontario, Cheekbone Beauty is known for creating high-quality, vegan, sustainable, and cruelty-free beauty products, all designed for low environmental impact and maximum wearability. Their mission is to ensure that every Indigenous youth on the planet sees and feels their enormous value in the world, as we wholeheartedly believe that representation saves lives.

    Why They Won
    Our Winner for Best Campaign took a huge risk to bring awareness to a serious ongoing issue affecting Indigenous Communities: the fact that 1 in 6 Indigenous communities currently do not have access to clean water. Their approach with the #GlossedOver campaign showed such audacity and boldness, delivering a message loud, clear and so unequivocally powerful.
  • Best Campaign
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    Experiment

    A Word From The Nominee

    We're thrilled to be nominated for this award! Experiment's mission is to build a future beauty world that evolves what science means in the beauty category– from a serious, one note, black and white world to a ridiculously fun, sustainable, and efficacy-driven universe. By “re-branding” science to be cooler and more accessible, we’re ultimately fulfilling our mission to encourage the next generation of consumers to tune into the science and tune out the marketing misinformation and greenwashing.

    As two young chemists launching a Gen Z focused brand, we wanted to truly think outside the rigid box of "science" in beauty and evolve it to be the way we see it as scientists. To us, science is absurd, colorful, weird, fascinating, and eye-opening.

    Our launch campaign for Avant Guard solidified that stance– marrying full bleed color, science-nostalgia, and humor. We asked ourselves questions like "what are your earliest memories of science and experimentation?" and "how do we launch a fundamentally odd beauty product that doesn't take itself too seriously?" In a beauty landscape saturated with white and pastels we wanted something bold and experimental to enter the market unapologetically.

    It also helps that Avant Guard is so unique in its design and color. We knew this product had to stand out on social media and be "meme-able" which is precisely why we chose the incredibly memorable acid lime color.

    Voting for us, means voting for a new science-driven, diverse, sustainable, and of course fun, beauty world.

    Who They Are

    Founded by two chemists, Experiment is building science-backed beauty 2.0 for the next generation of consumers. They create the new unexpected beauty essentials that are clinically proven, thoughtfully sustainable, and ridiculously fun.

  • Best Campaign
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    pH-D Feminine Health

    A Word From The Nominee

    Improving the lives of women is at the heart of our mission. As a part of that, it is imperative for us to create content that represents all women and normalizes the conversations about vaginal health. This national campaign was groundbreaking in its content and subject matter. We are humbled and excited to see our work be nominated for its authenticity in representing all women and real issues.

    Who They Are

    pH-D Feminine Health provides trusted, accessible, holistic feminine care products. They created the category of Boric Acid Vaginal Suppositories, and they are proud that they are not only the #1 Doctor Recommended Brand, and the #1 best-selling brand, and the fastest growing brand, but also the only certified woman-owned brand in the feminine remedy category. Their products are sold at over 40,000 retailers nationwide.

  • Best Campaign
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    Protéger

    A Word From The Nominee

    Beauty Independent has been an integral part of our brand's journey. We are honored to be recognized by those we admire and turn to for guidance. Consider casting your vote for Protéger in the Best Campaign category if being swept off to paradise in an otherwise mad world appeals to you, too.

    Who They Are

    Protéger creates versatile and conscious skincare designed for everybody. They do not compromise on ethics, nor on efficacy. Their results-driven products leave customers with a clear complexion and conscience alike. Their community of users transcends demographic consumerism: rather than focus on what makes people different, they focus on what makes them similar. Their customers love Protéger for its comprehensive approach to full-body skincare, regardless of age, sex or skin type. Their eco-luxe formulas go beyond neck-up skincare by delivering results, head to toe.

    All formulas are botanically derived, vegan + cruelty free, non-GMO, gluten free and fragrance free as well as EU, Health Canada, and Ecocert-COSMOS compliant. They are proudly woman and LGBT-owned.

  • Best Campaign
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    Redoux

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are very excited and honored to be nominated for Best Campaign. We believe a campaign, big or small, is more than just nice pictures and witty copy. We see it as an opportunity for someone to step into the world of Redoux and experience the vision we have for it. We should be voted for because we push creative boundaries and take risks, all while drawing on cultural references that keep our campaigns extraordinary.

    Who They Are

    Founded in 2019, Redoux is a New York luxury brand best know for its elevated scents and vegan skincare for modern nostalgia. Launched by Asia Grant and Alejandro Cuevas, two lifelong friends with a passion for skincare and crafting experiences, the brand was built from a shared curiosity and exploration of memory's impact on our collective experiences.

  • Product Launch – Skincare
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    Nº38 Cucumber Mister

    A Word From The Nominee

    We're honored that our Nº38 Mister is nominated for skincare product launch of the year – and especially excited that the Beauty Industry is waking up to the primacy of sunscreen in skincare and the massive opportunity to meet the next generation of sunscreen users with innovative sunscreen products.

    Who They Are

    Next generation sunscreen for the next generation.

  • Product Launch – Skincare
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    Sea Kale Sunscreen Serum

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    Our mission at Mara is to re-imagine tried-and-true skincare staples in a modern, elevated, efficacious way, and our Sea Kale Sunscreen Sérum does just that. It's a first-to-market entirely oil-based SPF using non-nano, reef-safe zinc oxide housed in superfood oils moringa, hemp seed and avocado. Plus, our algae actives for anti-aging and blue light protection, sea aster to soothe sunburns and raspberry to boost environmental protection. It's your favorite face oil with the added bonus of Broad Spectrum UVA UVB HEV PA+++ SPF 30, and we are so honored to be nominated for best skincare launch of 2022. This has been our most successful launch to date and has quickly earned a spot as one of Mara's top sellers.

    Who They Are

    Mara is an award-winning prestige line of algae-infused skincare. Mara is powered by their wild collected, proprietary algae blend sourced sustainably in Ireland and France along with superfoods, nutrient powerhouses, and clinically proven clean actives for gorgeous, glowing skin. Get ready to Sea the Glow®

    Why They Won
    SPF is a fast growing and increasingly competitive category. Mara’s innovation as the first to market SPF oil with moisturizer and sun protection all-in-one combined with the use of active skincare ingredients in a clean, beautiful formula caught the attention of our expert committee.
  • Product Launch – Skincare
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    Foundational Face Mist

    A Word From The Nominee

    As a new skincare brand, this Beacon Award nomination means so much to us! The mission of S'eau Prima mission is to create innovative products based on powerful formulas and by doing so, we aim to give women the aegis and the space to put themselves first. With our first product, the Foundational Face Mist, we intend to shake things up in what we feel is a sleepy face mist category. We believe Hypochlorous Acid is an ingredient that will have a major impact on the skincare of all women.

    Who They Are

    S’eau Prima is a modern, premium skincare brand inspired by a little-known superpower ingredient, Hypochlorous Acid. Born out of a global pandemic, S’eau Prima makes iconic products based on powerful formulas and aims to give women the aegis and space to put themselves first.

  • Product Launch – Skincare
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    R&R Sun Serum

    A Word From The Nominee

    The beauty/wellness industry has historically had one face and she was skinny, blonde, affluent, white. But I believe we ALL deserve access to high quality products that don’t cost your first born child—Undefined is bringing that gap with performance-driven, prestige quality formulas at accessible prices. We are focused on changing the narrative and elevating clean, conscious, inclusive plant magic. Inclusivity for me isn’t just a buzzword—its multifaceted and integral to my Undefined value system. It’s showcasing the beauty of diversity in action by incorporating inclusive illustrations on product packaging that ties back to the ancient plant magic in the formula or end benefit of the product—inclusivity in action. Representation matters. Seeing is believing is becoming. But inclusivity is broader than just the color of your skin—its bringing people into the conversation that have historically been left out either because they don’t know where to start—therefore it’s information inclusivity—or they can’t afford it—so it’s economic inclusivity. Undefined meets people where they are on their beauty & wellness journey and ultimately, I want folks to feel comfortable, empowered and able to find tools to help them thrive. Wellness shouldn’t be illusive or exclusive—let’s democratize it.

    I also operate by the value system of Conscious Capitalism—partnering with Female-Founded, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ businesses across my supply chain because business empowers business. It’s about the power we all hold to vote with our dollar to be part of societal evolution/progress and I use this tool to amplify and support business like Undefined that have been historically not given a seat at the table. We build our own table.

    Who They Are

    Undefined Beauty is clean, conscious, inclusive plant magic. Their mission is to democratize beauty and “undefine” what the beauty & wellness industry looks like through high-performance, plant-based solutions that help you adapt to modern day stress.

    Clean: They formulate with a "clean-ical" approach fusing Mother Nature's plant wisdom with powerful active ingredients to create plant-based solutions.

    Conscious: Conscious Capitalism is a key Undefined value and they partner with Female-Founded, BIPOC and LGBTQ businesses across our supply chain because business empowers business.

    Inclusive: They incorporate diverse illustrations across our packaging to tie back to the ancient plant magic in the formula or end benefit of the product—showcasing the beauty of diversity and inclusivity in action.
    Representation matters. Seeing is believing is becoming. Economic inclusivity is also important with a focus on accessible luxury with high quality yet accessibly priced products.

    Plant Magic: Their goal is to demystify plant-based tools that can have an immense impact on our skin health and internal wellness. It’s about making wellness understandable—simplifying it—and bringing people into the conversations that have been historically left out.

    Beauty is wellness and wellness is beauty. Undefined meets people where they are on their beauty & wellness journey and ultimately, they want folks to feel comfortable, empowered and able to find tools to help them thrive. Wellness shouldn’t be illusive or exclusive—let’s democratize it.

  • Product Launch – Skincare
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    Age Disrupting Skin Emulsion

    A Word From The Nominee

    According to Joe Gubernick, former head of R & D and Global CMO at Estee Lauder for 37 years, "I-On and it's De-Ironizing Inducer (DII) technology is the biggest scientific discovery in skin care since Retinols." Only I-On can do what no other antioxidants can do. It actually helps remove iron overload from the skin's surface with its breakthrough patented technology, before it becomes skin-aging free radicals. With less free radicals to combat, I-On's rich formulation and combination of ingredients can help restore and rebuild the skin.

    Developed by a world renown scientist on iron and it's impact on health, Dr Xi's 30 years of research and last decade of teaching at NYU school of medicine led him from studying iron and black lung disease to women's health initiatives to skincare eventually.

    Who They Are

    I-On is an innovative skincare brand that uses patented DII technology that addresses iron on the surface of the skin. Everybody has excess iron and there are only 2 ways to release; it exfoliation and menses. When women go through menopause there is +42 % increase in iron on the surface of the skin. When Iron interacts with sunlight and environmental factors damaging free radicals are produced. Most skincare products try and combat free radicals. I-On is able to inhibit free radical production. Less iron, less free radicals, less visible signs of skin damage. Clinical trials report radical results for visible improvement in the appearance of; fine lines and wrinkles, dark circles, softer skin, better texture and overall healthier looking skin across all of our DII skincare products.

  • Product Launch – Cosmetics
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    G.L.A.M Refillable Mascara

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are ecstatic that an idea we came up with while we were struggling through midterms in college has become something that excites people we’ve never met. From 3D printing our refillable mascara prototypes in a dorm room to having mascara testing parties in our co-founder's sorority house, it’s been a wild three-year journey to finally bring our mascara to market. We couldn’t be more grateful and humbled by the overwhelming support we’ve received from our community who inspire us every day to continue pushing for a cleaner, greener beauty community.

    Who They Are

    SOSHE stands for “So she decided to be the change”. The SOSHE Beauty team is a trio of young innovators that believe in reimagining makeup with non-toxic, high performance products and responsible refillable packaging. They believe they can revolutionize the waste problem in the beauty industry. Makeup made by and designed for the next generation.

  • Product Launch – Cosmetics
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    Status Stick

    A Word From The Nominee

    DIBS was founded with the mission of reimagining your everyday beauty staples. We aim for Desert Island Beauty Status: makeup so good, you'd take it with you everywhere you go. The Status Stick represents over a year of R&D spent making a true face-and-body highlighter that's portable, mess-free, transfer-resistant and loaded with skincare benefits. It's exactly what our brand represents: innovation that lends itself to multiple uses from eyeshadow to body contour, while offering up mistake-proof, buildable and blendable color that anyone can enjoy.

    Who They Are

    DIBS is headquartered in Austin, Texas and aims to serve people in all 50 states who want their makeup to be fun again. Founded by Courtney Shields and Jeff Lee, DIBS is direct to consumer through its website and Revolve Beauty. Simple without being minimalistic, flexible without being overly complicated, and full of incredible color payoffs without the intimidation factor, every DIBS product is developed from scratch and tested against the simple question: what's the makeup that's so good, you'd take it with you to the desert island?

  • Product Launch – Cosmetics
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    The Bloss

    A Word From The Nominee

    As a celeb makeup artist I've tested thousands of products through the years and I put all of that knowledge and skill into these products for you. I’ve built this brand with the hopes that everyone can feel like they're walking the red carpet when they leave the house. The products are all vegan, cruelty free, made in the USA, and I hope you love them. I'm honored to be nominated!

    Who They Are

    As a celebrity makeup artist, they're making all the behind-the-scenes, two-in-one, quick-fix, how-the-heck-do-they-look-so-damn-good secrets available to everybody. It’s all clean. It’s all red carpet-tested. It’s all from the heart.

  • Product Launch – Cosmetics
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    Matte Fluid Eye Paint

    A Word From The Nominee

    It has been a labor of passion and persistence to get the Matte Fluid Eye Paint product to perform to perfection. I am literally its number one fan but I am so humbled and honored that the industry professionals artists, buyers and consumers really appreciate the specialness of this product. I really love what I do and it means the world to me to be nominated. I don't take even one second of this level of consideration from the industry for granted.

    Who They Are

    About-Face is a multi-dimensional color cosmetics brand featuring super-performing formulas that deliver. Founded by Ashley Frangipane, professionally known as Halsey, About-Face is inspired by and for a diverse and artistic community. About-Face creates makeup made with integrity and intention. The brand is built on the truth that no one is just one thing and we all have our own personal methods to becoming our greater selves. Creative, innovative, cruelty free and vegan, these are the tools that play and perform.

  • Product Launch – Cosmetics
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    Forget The Filler Lip Plumping Gloss

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are so honored to be nominated for this year's Beacon Awards as it humbling to be spotlighted and recognized for our accomplishments among other independent beauty entrepreneurs who are all breaking into uncharted territory and paving the way for others within the industry.

    Lawless is the only clean beauty brand that believes in high quality, high performance products that work better than conventional - without all the problematic ingredients. Founded by Annie Lawless, a wellness expert and 2 time health/beauty entrepreneur - Lawless isn’t just another beauty brand. Lawless was created out of Annie’s personal need for clean, perfectly formulated products due to her own autoimmune health concerns. She realized that what she put on her skin was just as important as what she put in her body - and Lawless was born. Every product is deeply personal, rigorously formulated, and created to meet the needs of busy makeup lovers, moms, artists, and anyone who wants to have a little good clean fun with their makeup.

    Who They Are

    Lawless is a mission-driven cosmetic brand committed to challenging the status quo and striving to do better in beauty. The main principles that support the brand’s mission are creating clean, quality, effective, and fun products for consumers. The brand’s name serves as the founding filter for all they do by breaking through the “laws” of clean beauty and creating clean makeup that doesn’t f*ck around but does give a huge f*ck about ingredients, color, and health.

    Why They Won
    Our committee was won over by the Lawless Beauty mission to create high-performance makeup products for real makeup lovers but remain true to being clean (or as the company says, clean AF). The Forget the Filler Lip Plumping Gloss fit perfectly into that mission providing a clinically proven way to increase the volume of your lips without the sting and irritation of other products on the market. As such, Forget the Filler Lip Plumping Gloss has been featured across countless publications, won multiple awards and is now a hero product for Lawless Beauty.
  • Product Launch – Wellness
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    Women’s Pleasure Serum

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    Beauty Independent is a true champion of independent brands like Vella, and always the first to celebrate future forward innovations. So, it's an honor to be nominated for the Beacon awards. Vote for Vella if you believe in science in service of sexual empowerment. Vella stands for pleasure equity and promotes a culture of sex positivity.

    Who They Are

    Vella Bioscience, Inc. is a Femtech company driven to put science in service of every woman’s sexual empowerment. Their flagship launch, Vella Women’s Pleasure serum, is a first-of-its-kind pre-play topical serum that promotes more frequent, intense and satisfying orgasms for women at any age and life stage. With Vella, the company now has a technology platform to advance a product portfolio of clinically proven, radical innovations through a women-first approach.

    Why They Won
    Sexual wellness is a hot category. We loved the simple and compelling promise—power over your pleasure—the strong customer reviews, the science-backed approach, and that this serum will be part of a lineup that serves needs in menopause, menstruation and the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Product Launch – Wellness
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    MOJO – Forest Bathing Candle

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are excited to bring the emerging science of aroma to the forefront of wellness - being nominated for the Beauty Independent Beacon Award represents a breakthrough for this growing field of research, and we look forward to watching this new wellness category flourish.

    Our sense of smell is often overlooked. The truth is that our sense of smell, or olfactory system, directly impacts our physical and mental health. It is a direct link to our brain and body, and plays a key role in regulating our neurological functions, our mood and emotions, and the various systems that keep our body healthy. Most people do not know that olfactory receptors were discovered only about thirty years ago, and not only exist in our nose, but in other parts of our body - making our sense of smell a whole body health experience.

    We are excited to tap into the knowledge of centuries’ worth of experience of the benefits of aromatic plants, with emerging and cutting edge scientific research to offer a lineup of products with fresh and sophisticated scents that are 100% botanically powered without the use of synthetics, sustainably sourced, all containing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Our hero ingredient Beta-Caryophyllene is an aromatic molecule that interacts with the CB2 receptor of our Endocannabinoid system, promoting homeostasis.

    At CandaScent Labs we believe in supporting an entire ecosystem of wellness from soil to final product. It is our hope that our botanically powered product lineup will help get people back in touch with Mother Nature - and hopefully inspire us to care for her in the process.

    Who They Are

    CandaScent Labs is a health & wellness brand that delves into the science of aroma to deliver its therapeutic benefits. Their products, including diffuser blends and waterless diffuser, botanical mists, candles and more, promote whole body wellness, featuring fresh and sophisticated aromas that are backed by science and formulated for scent and effect. Their formulations are 100% botanically powered, synthetic-free, sustainably sourced, and contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients. Bring nature indoors to create your home sanctuary.

  • Product Launch – Wellness
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    Daily Harmony

    A Word From The Nominee

    We’re so excited to be nominated for Product Launch - Wellness! We’re a brand committed to democratizing access to the ancient wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine, in order to improve the future of people with period’s health. Life is already so stressful, hormonal imbalances shouldn’t make things worse.

    Who They Are

    Elix is the first digital platform to use modern technology to personalize Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), by combining time-tested knowledge, medicinal botanicals, and clinical research to empower self-healing. Built on the principle that menstrual cycles are a vital sign for our overall health, Elix formulates pure and potent liquid herbal extracts clinically proven to treat hormonal imbalances that are the root cause of painful and life-disrupting symptoms. Beyond herbal treatments, Elix is committed to breaking women’s health taboos and bridging the gap in healthcare knowledge through community events and their content vertical The Wisdom.

  • Product Launch – Wellness
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    Ancient Forest Bathhouse

    A Word From The Nominee

    I have poured every ounce of my creativity and imagination into building Inoki Bathhouse and creating these curated relaxation experiences to help people heal. I created this company at the lowest point in my own mental health when all I wanted to do was to escape from all the stress and find my balance again. Naturally, this has guided my product development process for Inoki Bathhouse. My purpose is to help people create a sanctuary of peace at home to prioritize their mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. It's a mission that has brought me a deep sense of fulfillment and gratitude. I am truly grateful to be nominated and I just hope I can help one more person with their own mental health journey.

    Who They Are

    Inoki Bathhouse is a re-imagination of Asian bathing rituals. They curate the end-to-end at-home bathhouse experience so that you have a sanctuary of peace to prioritize your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

  • Product Launch – Wellness
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    Anti-G-OX

    A Word From The Nominee

    Everything from Vida Glow's beginnings, our philosophy and scientific innovation reflect the brand's drive for helping beauty consumers discover real and clinically proven results with ingestible solutions. We are so excited to be recognised with the 2022 Beauty Independent Beacon Awards nomination, which is supporting our journey in driving the possibilities of ingestible beauty further, one product at a time.

    Who They Are

    Science-backed ingestible beauty brand for real, visible results. Vida glow targets modern beauty concerns with scientifically formulated ingestible solutions.

  • Product Launch – Home + Fragrance
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    Worthy SuperCharged SkinScent™ Dry Oil Perfume

    A Word From The Nominee

    Being one of the very few woman-founded and Black-owned fragrance brands visible in today's market, to be nominated as an organization pushing the industry into uncharted waters feels almost surreal! It's such a privilege. One that we don't take lightly, given Moodeaux's humble origin story dating back to 2018. What started out as a personal quest aimed at harnessing the benefits of "aromatherapy" through clean, edgy, innovative formulations — each crafted around the scientific link between our strongest sense and its ability to influence our moods — has evolved over nearly four years to encompass so much more. Namely, a global self-care movement marked by our 2021 launch that's since been supported by thousands and fueled by a mutual core belief that true beauty is felt, not seen. As dynamic individuals with unique lived experiences, our emotions are valid and worthy of celebration! If nothing else, we're honored to challenge any status quo suggesting otherwise in setting a better course forward.

    Who They Are

    When the world commands you to shrink, they say do the opposite: Flaunt How You Feel.™ As a clean fragrance label rooted in the scientific connection between scent, memory and emotion, Moodeaux® turns accessorizing your mood into mindful self-care and "luxury" into a lifestyle — all minus any harsh alcohol, weird chemicals or unnecessary dyes. And at less of a cost to the environment! It's through this attitude, along with their unique blends of drool-worthy accords and skin-nourishing ingredients, they're ushering in a new era in beauty and changing the game forever.

  • Product Launch – Home + Fragrance
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    Fire / 리 Eau De Parfum

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are thrilled to be nominated for a Beacon Award amongst the most innovative and inspiring brands on the planet. We hope this award in the Product Launch in Personal Care & Fragrance category is a bold statement in an insular, Western-focused fragrance industry. While we started the brand in the fragrance category, our aspirations are to open up possibilities for an Asian American luxury house that can go head to head with more established European brands.

    Who They Are

    Elorea takes inspiration from Korea's rich but little-known history of fragrance and culture. Starting with their inaugural Eau de Parfum collection, The Elements, and accompanying candles, their mission is to capture, preserve, and share the stories of our heritage with a global audience. Their products are made with the utmost care in small batch production using celebrated regional ingredients from the Korean peninsula like Jeju lime and Bosung green tea.

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    Aromatic Shower Steamer Set

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are absolutely honored to be nominated in the company of these hand-picked, incredible brands. We launched the Aromatic Shower Steamer Set in direct response to our consumer's desire to replicate that luxurious bath experience in their showers. Whether it's because they didn't have the time or didn't have a bath tub, we wanted to give people the opportunity to take that time for themselves in the bathroom. Our game-changing tablets are an aromatherapeutic experience that utilizes zero dyes and zero added fragrance. Plus, we've taken the extra step to create a hand-carved carrara marble holder with drain that prevents slippery mess on your shower floor. Our mission is to help transform bathrooms into personal sanctuaries, and we are so proud of this launch. Thanks, Beauty Independent!

    Who They Are

    Esker was launched in 2018 by Shannon Davenport. After a decade of working in New York City as a trend forecaster, where she helped major corporate brands shape their identities based on her research across beauty, design, art, and consumer trends, she decided to launch Esker as a way to act on her own ideas and build the brand she wanted to see in the world. She knew she wanted to create a brand with integrity and honesty as its cornerstones, and to make clean, safe products that nourish the body and elevate the way we care for it. They believe that the best things to put in and on your body are derived from the natural world around us. They create products using clean essential oils that are powerful and effective, and most importantly, are safe and nourishing for the skin.

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    Gentle Green Oil Pulling

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are so excited to be nominated and introduce the next generation of mouthwash. Meet Gentle Green Oil Pulling by Terra & Co! An Ayurvedic practice of gently swishing oil in the mouth. Instead of drying alcohol, think mouth rinse supercharged with nano-hydroxyapatite, a prebiotic, and antioxidants, to strengthen tooth enamel and repair sensitive teeth. Proudly vegan, cruelty-free, and made with love in California. Terra & Co. is a certified woman-owned business.

    Who They Are

    Inspired by ancient healing practices of Ayurveda, Terra & Co. developed a premium line of oral care to live in harmony with nature and your oral microbiome. Thoughtfully formulated with non-toxic ingredients to strengthen enamel, whiten teeth and promote a healthy pH balance and fresh breath. All while consciously packaged with Mother Earth in mind.

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    The Wanderlust Fragrance Collection

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    We're so grateful, and beyond excited, to be nominated for this esteemed award! Brown Girl Jane was designed to reimagine what a modern, multicultural wellness brand could achieve - linking targeted solutions in unexpected forms with sisterhood and community. We're thrilled that BGJ has resonated with so many people in such a short amount of time, and we remain energized by the possibilities of serving our Tribe with the most beautiful and effective mood-boosting and stress-relieving products on the market.

    Who They Are

    Brown Girl Jane is a luxury, wellness + beauty company centering the needs of dynamic women of color. Owned and founded by sisters and business leaders, Malaika and Nia Jones, along with media and beauty industry veteran Tai Beauchamp, Brown GirlL Jane creates innovative and targeted plant-powered solutions designed to boost mood and reduce the appearance and feeling of stress.

    Named Refinery29s Beauty Innovator of the Year, WWD's Top Wellness Player, and numerous "Best in Beauty Awards", Brown Girl Jane has taken wellness outside of the vitamin aisle with a collection and community rooted in inclusivity, quality and transparency.

    Why They Won
    We’re thrilled to highlight a brand that has brought an exciting and inclusive lens to all things self-care. For crossing over from supplements into a new line of functional fragrance, Brown Girl Jane is a winner.
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    Honey Infused Scalp Treatment

    A Word From The Nominee

    We’re excited and honored that our Honey Infused Scalp Treatment is nominated for Product Launch! This treatment is truly one-of-a-kind; it’s supercharged with 99% natural ingredients that transform the hair and scalp. Of course, as with all of our Gisou formulations, our hero ingredient Mirsalehi Honey helps hydrate and nourish. When combined with our proprietary Mirsalehi Bee Garden Oil Blend and 5 natural scalp-targeting actives derived from botanical sources in our Mirsalehi Bee Garden, our Scalp Treatment helps reset, rebalance and revitalize from the root, eliminating (and preventing) excess dryness, oil, irritation and flaking for healthier, shinier hair.

    Who They Are

    Gisou is born out of a passion for bees, haircare and natural beauty. Based on a six-generation beekeeping heritage, each Gisou product is inspired by and made with the finest, sustainably sourced ingredients from their very own Mirsalehi Bee Garden. Here, their founder Negin and her father continue the family tradition of beekeeping. Gisou hair care and complexion harnesses the transformative benefits of Mirsalehi Honey and rich botanical sources, selected to enhance your natural beauty.

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    KurlsPlus Paddle Comb

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are extremely honored to be nominated for the Product Launch - Haircare Beacon Award! We designed our KurlsPlus Paddle Comb to minimize breakage and reduce detangling time while being gentle on the hair and scalp. As curly girls, we were all too familiar with the wash day pain points and decided to take matters into our own hands by developing a quality hair tool that delivers the wash day experience we deserve. With our KurlsPlus Detanglers, we have been able to change the way women, men, and kids around the world care for themselves and their hair. We are also the first and only hair tool company to be Certified Plastic Neutral through our partnership with rePurpose Global, which allows us to remove plastic from the environment that is equivalent to the amount of plastic we use in production. So not only are our tools good for your hair, but they are good for the environment too. A vote for us is a vote for product innovation that turns everyday pain points into moments of self-care!

    Who They Are

    Made for curls, coils, and kinks. Great for all hair types! At Kazmaleje, we are on a mission to help our customers experience better wash days by designing innovative hair tools and accessories, such as our KurlsPlus Detanglers, that are not only great for their hair but eco-friendly too.

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    Sea Salt Hair Spray

    A Word From The Nominee

    We couldn't be more excited to be nominated for a Beacon Award. To us, this award is a symbol of innovation and integrity within the beauty industry. We believe people should vote for us as we make clean haircare products that are wildly effective and effortless to use, leaving you with your best hair ever. Our Sea Salt Spray is all you need for easy, beach waves and soft, shiny hair. The organic plant and mineral-based formula is housed in infinitely recyclable aluminum packaging for perfect beachy hair year round you can feel good about.

    Who They Are

    Since its inception, Captain Blankenship has been on a mission to create more beauty while leaving less waste behind. That means consciously sourcing the most potent, time-honored ingredients, creating beautiful products that are effective for multiple hair types, and mutually beneficial partnerships with our sources. As they continue their journey in a direction that sustains both people and planet, they deepen their purpose to be a wild force for good.

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    Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are thrilled to receive this nomination for a product that we are so passionate about! Because sharing knowledge is at the center of everything we do at The Inkey List, through this launch we have had an opportunity to really educate the consumer on what Glycolic Acid – an ingredient that they may be familiar with from their skincare routine – can also do for their scalp. We are also excited that it will be launching with Sephora this month, broadening the accessibility to this game-changing formula that is only $12.99.

    Who They Are

    Founded in 2018 in the U.K. by Colette Laxton & Mark Curry, The Inkey List’s mission is to lead with knowledge, demystifying the beauty category through knowledge-driven solutions at an accessible price point, as well as to support consumers throughout their personal skincare journey. Their single-ingredient led skincare, hair and scalp treatments offer simple to understand and easy-to-use formulas. To date they have had nearly 4 million consumer interactions through their askInkey service, a 24/7/365 offering that enables the curious and confused to have their skin, hair, or scalp questions answered by human experts in real-time. The Inkey List is available exclusively in Sephora/on Sephora.com in over 32 countries, as well as Cult Beauty, Boots, and on www.theinkeylist.com. @theinkeylist

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    Can’t Stop Me Now Scalp Foundation

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    Me Cosmetics is elated to be nominated among an outstanding peer group for Haircare Product Launch of the Year.

    Over 50% of women experience hair loss, which can dramatically impact self-confidence. My own struggle with both female pattern and postpartum hair loss surfaced an significant opportunity to fill a void where no compelling solution previously existed by creating a luxurious and elegant cosmetic product that effortlessly makes hair appear thicker and fuller.

    While creating an entirely new product category - Scalp Foundation - certainly comes with its challenges, the overwhelming response from customers and influencers has been incredibly inspiring. Our momentum since our November 2021 launch underscores Me Cosmetics' mission of transforming self-consciousness into self-confidence and for the remainder of 2022 we will be focusing on growing this momentum with an exciting brand ambassadorship with Scheana Shay as well as bringing new shades to market.

    Thank you to Beauty Independent for this tremendous honor and congratulations to all of the fellow nominees!

    Who They Are

    Their founder Camille Barreto struggled with thinning hair for over two decades and consistently came up empty handed when searching for a luxurious, confidence-boosting beauty product to conceal her hair loss.

    Aware that over 50% of women suffer from hair loss and passionate about helping women overcome beauty concerns, Camille dedicated herself to developing a truly transformative cosmetic solution to help millions of people experiencing hair loss to boost their confidence. This is how category-creator Me Cosmetics was born.

    Camille quickly grew Me Cosmetics into a brand with a clear mission: to transform self-consciousness into self-confidence.

    Me Cosmetics creates dermatologist- and consumer-tested cosmetic solutions with a level of detail only possible by a team of women who have, “been there, dealt with that”. They deliver game-changing, clean, vegan products that tackle your beauty concerns head on, and from every direction.

    Me Cosmetics is more than a line of products. They are a community where everyone is seen and heard, allowing us to create a truly transformative esthetic arsenal that empowers women everywhere to fearlessly conquer each day.

    Why They Won
    We've all seen the rise in haircare as skincare, with more products to help people with scalp and hair health. We loved their very unique solution to a need that many women face—offering a complexion product to even out and fill in your hairline. We were impressed by the comprehensive consumer and dermatologist testing and the litany of positive customer testimonials, which talked about the immense confidence boost this product offers.
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    Melissa Butler

    CEO,

    The Lip Bar

    A Word From The Nominee

    I'm excited to be nominated because as an entrepreneur, I am always doing this for my customers first. My customers are the reason I wake up and work incredibly hard every day. BUT! It's also a dream to be recognized by your industry peers and experts as added assurance to know that you're doing something right. My goal in joining the beauty industry has always been impact and I'm honored to know that people are paying attention to the impact I'm making on the beauty community in my work with The Lip Bar and thread.

    Who They Are

    Melissa is the Founder and CEO of The Lip Bar, a beauty brand started in her kitchen while working on Wall Street. Since the early days of playing chemist, The Lip Bar has become a pioneer on beauty and inclusion and the company is now sold in Target and Walmart stores across the country. Melissa believes that without representation, as humans, we’re left seeking validation. And since 2012, she’s been on a mission to change the way people think about beauty.

    In 2020, she was praised by INC Magazine as a top entrepreneur. In 2021, CEW recognized Melissa as one of 5 female founders of the year. Her take on business and beauty has been praised by industry leaders such as Forbes, Women’s Wear Daily, Entrepreneur, Allure and more.

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    Dianna Cohen

    CEO,

    Crown Affair

    A Word From The Nominee

    It’s an honor to be nominated and a true testament to the work of the team at Crown Affair. I’m so proud of our vision, our team, our products, and the point of view we bring to hair care to transform this category for the decade ahead. What we’ve been able to accomplish in the last two and a half years as a business— a wild two and a half years at that— to create a new brand that authentically lives in the prestige space next to legacy players, but is also clean, modern, and is inclusive of all ages and backgrounds, is unique to Crown Affair.

    We’re building a movement in this category with our customers and community. I hope that those who are voting connect with our mission and understand what it takes to build a timeless brand and products that aren’t from a celebrity, influencer, or marketed exclusively to a niche. Iconic brands are built overtime, and above all, offer their customers innovative, better products they keep coming back to again and again.

    Who They Are

    Dianna Cohen is the Founder & CEO of Crown Affair, a new kind of clean hair care brand that empowers people to redefine their relationship with their hair through accessible luxury products, guidance, and community. Prior to launching Crown Affair, Dianna started her career in 2012 at Into The Gloss, followed by roles on the founding teams of ecommerce app Spring and travel company Away. From there, in 2017, she launched her brand consulting firm Levitate, where she worked with clients like Harry’s/Flamingo, Outdoor Voices, Buck Mason, Tamara Mellon, and The Wing. For her work with Levitate was awarded Forbes 30 Under 30 for Marketing and Advertising. Dianna currently lives in Miami with her husband.

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    Daniel Hodgdon

    Co-Founder & CEO,

    Vegamour

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    I'm very grateful to be nominated in this category as it’s a symbol of recognition by our industry peers for the journey our team has taken together over the last few years that validates the efforts, the risks and the challenges we faced in turning an idea born out of passion into a globally recognized brand in an entirely new category, without compromising the core values we were founded on or our confidence to succeed.

    Who They Are

    By the time he was 17, Dan Hodgdon had lived in about 22 locations around the globe, many of which were in developing countries and communities. He acquired a keen interest in local naturals and would go on to spend decades both researching powerful plant activities and also creating sustainable, eco-friendly supply chains for major beauty brands around the globe.

    Having close relationships with veterans of the World Wildlife Federation, the Peace Corps, the World Health Organization and the USAID, Dan was constantly reminded of the economic frailty that many local communities faced in developing countries. Children lived in poverty. Education was scarce. Workers were exploited. Governments offer subsidies and nonprofits offer goodwill, but Dan believed that private businesses would ultimately make the most sustainable positive impact by creating demand, driving up economic viability and improving lives in these vulnerable communities. As such, he became instrumental in establishing a Fair Trade co-op to harvest the highest quality natural activities while providing respectable work to over 5,000 women in southern Africa.

    Dan co-founded Vegamour to actualize his passion for delivering the most potent plant-based formulas with clinically tested, visible results directly to consumers in a way that would reinvest back into the communities from which he sourced. Through the brand, he is able to offer the most powerful, purposeful, eco-ethical products directly to people who seek healthier solutions for hair and skin.

    Today, I reside in Los Feliz, CA with my wife Lisa, and our Jack Russel Terrier, Eddie. In my free time, I enjoy the arts, theater, yoga and traveling.

    Why They Won
    Seemingly coming out of nowhere, in five years Daniel Hodgdon has built a brand that reflects greatness in every way. A brand that is: -Focused on efficacy and addressing a very real unmet need. -Built on the foundation of science-based formulas and innovative ingredients that meet a broad range of clean and sustainable standards. -Created a portfolio of products—from serums to ingestibles—that realize a comprehensive and holistic philosophy. -Driven incredible commercial performance in DTC and now via retail partnerships globally. -Attracted $84M of capital in its first round of financing to drive future growth. -And, most importantly, made the support of impoverished farming communities in Africa a centerpiece of its mission from day one. As a committee, we were all moved by testimonies from farmers in Africa—the vast majority of whom are women—who have experienced meaningful improvements to their and the family’s lives from this brand’s Fair Trade practices.
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    Deepica Mutyala

    CEO,

    Live Tinted

    A Word From The Nominee

    I’m so excited to be nominated for Entrepreneur because while this whole Live Tinted journey may have started with me, it's grown into something so much bigger. I want anyone and everyone who has ever felt left out of the beauty narrative to see themselves in some capacity represented through this brand and community we’ve built, and I feel so fortunate to continue to work towards a world where there’s always a safe space for people of color to feel seen, heard, represented and appreciated. Years ago, I would have never thought I’d be where I am today, and I want to continue to be an example for young ones around the world that they can do it too.

    Who They Are

    Deepica Mutyala is the founder & CEO of Live Tinted and a renowned South-Asian American beauty entrepreneur on a mission to champion multicultural beauty through community, conversation, and products. Mutyala aims to dismantle colorism with the collective voices and power of the Live Tinted community.

    Mutyala rose to the forefront of the beauty industry in 2015 when her YouTube video depicting a beauty hack to cover dark undereye circles using red lipstick went viral, now boasting over 10 million views. Following her rapid rise to fame, Mutyala became a celebrated on-air beauty expert, YouTuber, and most importantly, activist campaigning for minority representation in the beauty industry. It was this commitment to supporting those overlooked in the space that spurred the founding of Live Tinted in January 2018, emerging first as a digital platform to explore beauty and culture and give voice to those underrepresented in the space. A year later, in May 2019, once Live Tinted’s follower base had grown exponentially, Live Tinted released its first product to answer to the community’s request for a high-quality product that could address their common skin concerns, namely dark circles, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation. An ode to Mutyala’s viral YouTube video, the Huestick - an eye, lip and cheek multistick that balances skin tone - was born and became an instant best-seller, selling out almost immediately and amassing a 10,000+ person waitlist at the onset. Mutyala continues to expand Live Tinted’s offerings through community-driven products, most recently with the launch of HueGuard, an innovative daily mineral SPF 30, moisturizer, and primer that protects skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays and blue light while blending seamlessly into the skin, giving it a natural glow with no white cast. Looking ahead, Mutyala plans to expand into additional beauty and skincare products.

    Mutyala and Live Tinted have been recognized in many today’s top business and beauty awards, including Ulta’s Emerging Brand of the Year Award, ELLE Future of Beauty, Allure Best of Beauty, The Oprah O-wards and more. Additionally, most recently, Deepica was named one of TIME Magazine’s Next Generation Leaders to watch.

    Mutyala currently resides in Houston, TX. Follow her journey to revolutionize beauty at @LiveTinted and @deepica.

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    Charlotte Palermino

    CEO,

    Dieux

    A Word From The Nominee

    Creating a more transparent and science forward skincare brand that challenges traditional marketing always has been a dream for my co-founders and I. We're so proud to have built a company quickly based off these tenants, we see how transparency and learning can drive a business and to be recognized by one of the leading publications within the beauty space is an incredible honor, we're making the impact and change we set out to do.

    Who They Are

    Charlotte Palermino is the co-founder and CEO of Dieux, a clinically vetted and price transparent skincare line. Dieux’s first product, the award-winning Forever Eye Mask, has been featured in Vogue, WWD, The Strategist, Harpers Bazaar, The Cut, The Drew Barrymore Show and won ELLE’s Future of Beauty Award. Dieux's subsequent products, Instant Angel and Deliverance have also gone on to win multiple awards.

    Conducting some of the first studies on cannabinoids and the efficacious dose for skin, Charlotte was formerly the editorial development director at Snap Inc. developing brands like The New York Times, Vogue, Complex, Le Monde and Al Jazeera. Prior to that she was the associate director at Hearst Digital Media where she launched Cosmopolitan’s Snapchat Discover building it into the number one channel on the platform. Charlotte still occasionally writes about beauty, cannabis and food for publications such as ELLE, The Cut, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Bon Appétit and Into the Gloss.

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    Ron Robinson

    CEO,

    BeautyStat Cosmetics

    A Word From The Nominee

    I'm excited to be nominated as I experienced many hurdles and obstacles trying to build my business but my passion is to help the next generation of entrepreneurs learn from my mistakes as well as advise and coach them through the tough times.

    Who They Are

    Ron is veteran cosmetic chemist with over 20 years experience in creating innovative, big-selling beauty products for leading beauty brands (Clinique, Estee Lauder, La Mer, Revlon, Avon, and Lancome). Ron recently started his own beauty brand, BeautyStat Cosmetics. His brand, already an award-winner, is fast-growing with a star vitamin C serum (Universal C Skin Refiner) that has been named one of the best by Oprah Magazine, Allure, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Ron is thrilled to be launching his brand in Ulta Beauty.

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    Jackie Aina

    Jackie Aina

    A Word From The Nominee

    I’m proud to be one of many. I love that black beauty is mainstream and more accessible. There are more people who look like me who are hitting these milestones. I’m proud to share the platform with other talented women like myself.

    Who They Are

    Jackie Aina is a Nigerian-American beauty content creator who started her channel of makeup tutorials in 2009 while serving in the United States Army Reserve and has since become the “most influential voice in beauty today”- Harper’s Bazaar. Aina's engaging videos, which teach, inspire, and give confidence to people of every color, have cultivated a loyal and thriving fanbase--over 7.4 million across her social platforms including 3.5 million YouTube subscribers. Jackie has launched inclusive product collaborations with top brands such as Anastasia Beverly Hills, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Too Faced, Sigma Beauty, Uoma Beauty and more. In 2020, Jackie co-founded a self-care-focused lifestyle brand, FORVR Mood featuring candles, room sprays, and accessories.

    Jackie continues to advocate for inclusivity, due to the fact that people of color are poorly represented and often ignored within the beauty industry and has openly criticized makeup brands for not providing enough shade ranges within their lines. For her advocacy efforts, Jackie was deemed the NAACP’s first-ever “YouTuber of the Year” at the 49th NAACP Image Awards, Glamour’s Woman of the Year, Refinery29’s Beauty Innovator of the Year, WWD Beauty Inc Awards’ Influencer of the Year and has been nominated for three E! People’s Choice Awards. Aina made her Met Gala debut in 2021 and has been featured on the covers of Essence and The Knot, and profiles in Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Allure, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more.

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    Dr. Gregory Bays Brown

    Founder,

    RéVive Skincare

    A Word From The Nominee

    As a surgeon, I look to medicine for inspiration. I want to heal. I want to help. It's in my nature to keep going until I find a solution. This is the same as a founder and an entrepreneur. Being tenacious, though doing so in a way that encourages people to join you along the way, gives me an entire team to find those solutions and ultimately bring products to market that make a difference.

    Who They Are

    A Kentucky native, Dr. Brown graduated magna cum laude from the University of Louisville and studied surgery at Harvard University. He became a fellow in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Emory University. His studies have been published in numerous medical journals, and he is the author of About Face: A Plastic Surgeon's 4-Step Nonsurgical Program for Younger, Beautiful Skin.

    An avid collector of contemporary art, Dr. Brown lends his support to a wide range of charitable and cultural initiatives, including arts in education and the cultivation of new and emerging artistic talent.

    Dr. Gregory Brown, spent years researching a healing process for burn victims. Years later, he applied that same Nobel Prize-inspired technology to find a “solution” for anti-aging, patenting the process at the time. And RéVive was born.

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    Wende Zomnir

    Founder, Caliray & Founding Partner, Urban Decay

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    I’m excited to be nominated for the Beauty Independent Industry Icon because I helped break the mold in the beauty industry by including men and women, providing an alternative to the sweet, sugary feminine ideal of what beauty should look like, encouraging people to express themselves through makeup, and creating an incredibly positive and inspiring work environment. Now I’m working toward doing it again with sustainability as the mission. And I’ve been doing it for a long-ass time!

    Who They Are

    Originally from Texas, Wende Zomnir went to high school in Belgium and spent time traveling around Europe. Wende moved back to Texas for college, then to Chicago to work for a global advertising agency where she specialized in youth culture accounts. But the beach and SoCal culture beckoned, and Wende brought her marketing skills out West.
    In the mid-‘90s when the prestige beauty market was a boring sea of pink, red and beige, Wende envisioned a shake-up and unleashed Urban Decay on the old-school cosmetics industry, filling the void with makeup in an insane range of colors and shade names that fueled a beauty revolution. Urban Decay democratized beauty before anyone else and Wende paved the way for every beauty entrepreneur.

    In October 2021, Wende Zomnir co-founded Caliray, a west coast beauty brand made of clean formulas, dirty minds, and sexy sustainability. The brand blends makeup with wellness to create innovative concoctions with innocent ingredients. Caliray is California Beauty Unfiltered – designed for less makeup, more living.

    Wende resides in Newport Beach, California, with her husband Doug Collier and hilarious sons Crash and Cruz. In her spare time, Wende can be found surfing, diving, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, Crossfitting, playing tennis, hitting a volleyball, mountain biking, practicing yoga, running, and of course, knitting. Her secret ambitions are to become a painter and write a book.

    Why They Won
    Wende Zomnir has been a beacon since she stepped onto the scene in 1996. She was not only the first person to create makeup products - with Urban Decay—that celebrated individualism, and encouraged barrier-free self-expression across genders, but she continues to evolve now, in her 50s, with her new venture—Caliray—and by mentoring the next generation.
  • Seed + Small Growth Investor
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    IgniteXL Ventures

    A Word From The Nominee

    IgniteXL Ventures is honored to be nominated for an early-stage investor Beacon Award. Our General Partner, Claire Chang, has worked with startups for over a decade, helping increase access and opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs all around the world. Claire immigrated from Korea to the US when she was 12 years old, which gives her a unique perspective as an investor and allows her to better identify with underrepresented founders.

    Claire has been active in the beauty industry for quite some time, launching SVBeautyTech, the first-ever independent beauty-tech accelerator, in 2018. SVBeautyTech provided cohorts of predominantly female beauty-tech founders access to Claire's Silicon Valley resources and relationships. Claire has devoted her career to helping leading beauty entrepreneurs execute on their goals, fulfill their dreams, and positively impact the world. A Beacon Award would recognize Claire for her enduring and continued contribution to the beauty space!

    Who They Are

    IgniteXL Ventures is a global pre-seed and seed fund investing in and igniting exceptional underrepresented entrepreneurs at the intersection point of technology, beauty, and wellness. We back diverse founders developing products or services that empower consumers to make better, more conscious choices that improve their quality of life. We define beauty as an igniting and expansion of the soul, beyond the superficial, physical domain. Our entrepreneurs use technology to analyze, understand, monitor, and customize a variety of needs, products, and services that ultimately improve the lives of global consumers. Our portfolio includes brands such as Alleyoop, Bubble, Dame, Dr. Elsa Jungman, Good Light, and others.

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    Swiftarc Ventures

    A Word From The Nominee

    Throughout my entire career, I have been a business builder and collaborator. With that mindset, we created something unique to venture capital in what we call our Beauty Council - a working braintrust of incredible, influential female executives, founders, and entrepreneurs that work with our portfolio companies hands on to build stronger foundations, scale quicker and more efficiently, and hopefully exit at a greater multiple. We’re honored to be nominated for this award! Swiftarc has always prided itself on being a champion and voice for female founders. We’re excited to continue pushing boundaries in our space and to bet on female founders as not only a right investment, but a smart investment.

    Who They Are

    Swiftarc Ventures is an early and growth-stage Venture Capital Firm focused on building and backing the next generation of Consumer and Consumer Health disruptors. Swiftarc's team combines over 170 years of experience across the entire consumer investment and executive spectrum, from growing pre-revenue concepts to managing operations for multibillion-dollar Fortune 500 companies.

    The Swiftarc Beauty Fund was formed to deliberately put female and underrepresented founders at the forefront by giving them access and equal opportunity to the resources they are traditionally lacking in the typical VC ecosystem. This focus includes backing disruptive innovation in Female-Led Beauty and Wellness Brands.

  • Seed + Small Growth Investor
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    Verity Venture Partners

    A Word From The Nominee

    Verity Venture Partners are thrilled to be nominated for a 2022 Beacon Award! VVP Co-Founder Tina Bou-Saba is well-known in the BI community and was an early investor in many of the most exciting emerging beauty brands including Kosas, Mented, Olive & June, Saie, and Volition. Founders love working with Tina, and her hands-on, collaborative approach is highly unique in the venture world. Tina partnered with Co-Founder Matt Levin, former co-head of Bain Capital’s North American Consumer & Retail PE vertical, to form VVP. Matt has 25+ years of experience in the consumer space and an extensive network among C-suite executives, which VVP will leverage on behalf of its portfolio companies. VVP is honored to partner with purpose-driven founders at early-stage to create strategies, build brands and communities, and commercialize great ideas. Current portfolio companies include Arrae, August, Dae, and NOTO.

    Who They Are

    Verity Venture Partners is an early-stage consumer-focused investment firm, led by founders with extensive experience investing in and advising consumer businesses. The Firm invests in purpose-driven entrepreneurs who are building the next generation of great consumer companies, including emerging brands and the technologies that enable them. VVP has deep expertise in the beauty space, and is proud to have invested in some of the most promising emerging brands in the category.

  • Seed + Small Growth Investor
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    Waldencast

    Winner

    Who They Are

    Their ambition is to build a global best-in-class beauty and wellness operating platform by creating, acquiring, nurturing, and scaling conscious, purpose-driven brands.

    ‍They offer an alternative, unique path for entrepreneurs to scale great independent brands and partner with us to to bring to life this ambition.

    Waldencast offers funding, but more importantly a unique operating model that respects the independence, entrepreneurial spirit, and each unique individual brand DNA.

    Waldencast Ventures has offices in New York and London and has an investment portfolio in North America, Europe, and Latin America.

    Why They Won
    We were looking for an investor that pushes the boundaries of innovation and drives the trends of tomorrow; an investor who knows how to nurture new ventures and provides effective coaching to new founders. Michel and the team at Waldencast have had an amazing track record with brands in its investment portfolio like Whind, Glaze, Kjaer Weis, Revea, Sallve, Manual and C16 Biosciences.
  • Growth Investor
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    Alliance Consumer Growth

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    ACG is thrilled to be nominated for the Beacon Awards. We strive to partner with founders and teams that are creating the next generation of household names and delivering the values of today’s consumer, and are incredibly proud of the brands and teams we’ve partnered with over the past decade. We love what we do and hope to continue helping founders to achieve success and drive the industry forward by allowing independent brands to scale and continue to disrupt the categories they play in.

    Who They Are

    ACG is a leading growth equity fund providing capital and value-added partnership to the most promising emerging consumer product and retail brands. Over the past 11 years, ACG has made 35 investments across 4 funds, partnering with brands like Ouai Haircare (acquired by Procter and Gamble), Milk Makeup (acquired by Waldencast), Pacifica Beauty, Tata Harper Skincare, Nudestix, SuperOrdinary, Harry’s, and Babyganics (acquired by SC Johnson). ACG has offices in New York City and Los Angeles.

    Why They Won
    Really what this award comes down to in our minds is partnership. A group that is not only an investor, but an advocate for their portfolio companies. It’s the combination of industry know-how, understanding of how to build businesses, grow teams, expand channels, and ultimately position for a strategic exit. Alliance Consumer Growth embodies these sentiments in every way.
  • Growth Investor
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    Norwest

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are thrilled to be nominated for Growth Investor of the Year for The 2022 Beauty Independent Beacon Awards. Norwest has invested in more than 650 companies including many in the beauty space such as Madison Reed, MAELYS, and PCA Skin. Our team is privileged to work with innovative companies with transformational businesses and we look forward to partnering with more visionaries across beauty and wellness in the future.

    Who They Are

    Norwest is a leading venture and growth equity investment firm managing more than $12.5 billion in capital. Since its inception, Norwest has invested in more than 650 companies and currently partners with more than 200 companies in its venture and growth equity portfolio. The firm invests in early- to late-stage businesses across a wide range of sectors with a focus on consumer, enterprise and healthcare. The Norwest team offers a deep network of connections, operating experience, and a wide range of impactful services to help CEOs and founders scale their businesses. Norwest has offices in Palo Alto and San Francisco, with subsidiaries in India and Israel.

  • Growth Investor
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    Yellow Wood Partners

    Who They Are

    Yellow Wood Partners is a leading private equity firm focused on investing in consumer brands and companies.

    Every brand is unique and they recognize that each one requires an individual management approach.
    Their extensive experience investing in and operating consumer brands allows them to bring a focused strategy that has driven growth in the value of their brand partnerships.

  • Brand Builder
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    Lynda Berkowitz

    CEO,

    Ilia Beauty

    A Word From The Nominee

    I couldn’t be more honored to be nominated for Brand Builder – thank you Beauty Independent. I have a deep passion for building brands and the teams that bring them to life; working alongside Sasha and the team has been life-changing. The power that an independent brand brings to this category through innovation and instinct helps to move the category forward – and we need to grow as an industry, we need to push the boundaries and be open to change. The growth that we’ve experienced over the past 2 years is a result of innovative and thoughtfully created product, an incredibly skilled and passionate team and strong, well-aligned partnerships. Being a part of this rocket-ship achievement has given me great joy.

    Who They Are

    Having spent more than 30 years in the beauty industry in senior roles with companies like Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Perricone MD, Korres, Too Faced Cosmetics, and most recently as the CEO and board member of Ilia Beauty, Lynda Berkowitz has a solid background that is relationship-based, results-driven and founded in partnership. Always loving ‘founder’ built brands for their authenticity and spirit, starting with each when the business was small or sometimes struggling, she recognizes the value of positioning, distribution, ability to scale and the need to roll up your sleeves to get all the jobs done. Passionate about high-spirited, founder-born brands, Lynda believes you should do what you love. “The entrepreneurial spirit you find with a creative founder can’t be taught or learned, it’s like nothing else in the industry. They’re brave and have strong conviction – the perfect partner combination.”

    In 2016, Lynda joined Ilia Beauty after being introduced to founder, Sasha Plavsic, from a Sephora executive. They both immediately knew Lynda was what Ilia needed to take the business to the next level. Known throughout the industry as a brand maker, business developer and team builder her retail partnerships are strategic and well developed. Lynda's approachable, calm and logical management style fosters open and direct communication – perfectly suited for the chaotic indie brand environment.

    Lynda currently resides near Ilia’s headquarters in Laguna Beach, CA with her husband and dogs.

  • Brand Builder
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    Elana Drell Szyfer

    CEO,

    ReVive Skin Care

    A Word From The Nominee

    The Beauty Independent Team is always a step ahead and provides insightful and breaking information on trends and topics - they ARE the pulse of what's happening in the industry -- to be recognized for brand building efforts by this team is an honor - wow. Working with the Team at ReVive and alongside its founder Dr. Brown to share the history, research, innovative products and elevated customer experiences globally and across channels has been a "labor of love." It is a timeless brand built by one of the earliest indie founders in the industry who has played the long game to build a brand with legacy.

    Who They Are

    Elana Drell Szyfer is the CEO of ReVive Skincare, a Tengram Capital Partners portfolio company. ReVive is the second company that Elana is leading for Tengram. From July 2014-June 2017, Elana led Laura Geller Beauty. She is also an Operating Advisor at Tengram, and currently serves on the Board of Algenist Skincare and Cos Bar, the specialty retailer. She previously served on the boards of Nest Fragrances and This Works Skincare. Elana’s previous roles include senior leadership positions at Ahava, Estee Lauder and L’Oreal. Elana is on the board of Cosmetics Executive Women, and is an advisor to the Stern School of Business Fashion and Luxury M.B.A Program and an inaugural member of the Columbia College Alumnae Legacy Circle. In 2020, Elana received the CEW Achievers Award.

  • Brand Builder
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    Savannah Sachs

    CEO,

    Tula

    A Word From The Nominee

    Knowing that Beauty Independent’s Beacon Awards recognize those who are making an impact in the beauty industry and are setting the standard for modern brand-building, it is an honor to be nominated in the Brand Builder category. At Tula, we want to be a catalyst for positive change. From our clean, clinically effective, and innovative approach to skincare formulation, to our commitment to challenging unrealistic standards of beauty to promote confidence and skin positivity through our #EmbraceYourSkin brand pillar, we are continuously looking to raise the bar. We are grateful to have our efforts recognized by a platform with a voice as influential as Beauty Independent’s.

    Who They Are

    Savannah Sachs is the CEO of Tula - the skincare brand that sits at the intersection of beauty and wellness with a clean, clinical approach to skincare that looks at research and clinical studies to continuously innovate with breakthrough products and cutting-edge ingredient formulations that include patent-pending probiotic extracts. Since taking the helm in 2018, Savannah has grown Tula as a digitally native and social first omni-channel brand with DTC as its core capability. Under Savannah’s leadership, Tula Skincare was acquired by Procter & Gamble in February 2022 and has been a force for positive change in the industry promoting confidence and skin positivity through its #EmbraceYourSkin brand pillar and inclusive campaigns.

    Prior to joining Tula, Savannah held positions as COO and UK General Manager at Birchbox. Savannah has also worked in management consulting at Booz & Company advising Fortune 500 retail, personal care, and pharmaceutical clients. Her consulting experience in strategy, organizational effectiveness, and talent management are instrumental in driving rapid growth and scaling businesses.

  • Brand Builder
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    Jill Scalamandre

    CEO,

    Beekman 1802

    A Word From The Nominee

    Throughout my career, I have been focused on building beauty brands. Whether that be a large, midsized or start up brand, I am passionate about the possibilities to bring something new to the industry that makes a difference in consumer’s lives. I have contributed as a product developer, general manager, CMO, President and now CEO of Beekman1802. With every brand I have touched, I bring out the brand DNA, purpose, innovation and messaging. I truly love this industry and as the chairman of Cosmetics Executive Woman, I pay it forward with mentoring and helping others in the industry.

    Who They Are

    Jill Scalamandre is an experienced CPG executive whose leadership spans across brands, markets, channels and technologies. With a reputation as a forward-thinking brand builder, she has created brands from scratch, turned around struggling established brands, launched new markets, acquired and divested assets and led technology driven teams to re-imagine traditional market approaches.

    Prior to joining Beekman 1802, she acted as Global President of Shiseido Americas, where she led the global turnaround of $300M bareMinerals while also incubating the socially driven Buxom Cosmetics. Her experience as President of Shiseido Group’s Global Makeup Center of Excellence (MCoE) gave her the opportunity to fuel growth across all of the company’s color brands, while acquiring and integrating augmented realty and personalization technology.

    Throughout her career, she has advised private equity firms on various portfolio opportunities. Ms. Scalamandre helped build and oversee the successful sale of Frederic Fekkai hair care and salons to Proctor & Gamble, amongst other acquisitions and turnarounds.

    She is currently Chairwoman of Cosmetics Executive Woman (CEW), an international organization of 10,000 individual members representing a cross section of beauty and related businesses.

    Jill lives in New York City with her husband where she loves the stimulation of the arts, fashion, and literature.

  • Brand Builder
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    JuE Wong

    CEO,

    Olaplex

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    Being nominated is a special privilege. Building a brand is commitment akin to bringing up a child that has to cultivated, nurtured and curated. And you cannot do it alone. This nomination is a validation of the team that continues to show up and together we are more than what we thought we could ever be.

    Who They Are

    JuE Wong, CEO and Executive Board Member of Olaplex has a robust track record of scaling emerging brands such as Murad Inc., NV Perricone MD Ltd., ZO Skin Health by Dr. Obagi, Astral Health and Beauty and StriVectin while globalizing established brands that include Cargill Inc., PepsiCo, and Dial Corp. She was the former President at Elizabeth Arden and most recently Global CEO of Moroccanoil. In September 2021, Olaplex made history as the largest CPG company that IPO in 20 years. A proven global senior executive with experience and exposure in four continents and seven countries. JuE is considered as one of the ‘go-to’ progressive executives in driving intrinsic change to increase portfolio value in omni channel, international and DX/ Disruption. JuE was a Wall Street Journal Nominee for the Top 50 Women to Watch, an Ernst and Young Top 3 EOY Finalist for the South-East Region, Stevie’s Award for Executive of the Year, Yotpo’s Amazing Women in Ecommerce Award, The WWAAC award, The Pinnacle Award for the AABDC Leader of Change Award by Innocos and most recently a CEW Achiever Honoree in 2021. JuE serves on the Corporate Boards of Mila Moursi Advanced Skincare and Versicolor Technologies as well as CEW, a Trade Board. She is also a Board member of C200 where membership is by invitation only.

    Why They Won
    The continued innovation and growth that JuE has driven at Olaplex is undoubtedly impressive from a business standpoint. But what stood out the most was her commitment to remain empathetic and human-centered as she led a company to such amazing levels.
  • Large Retailer
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    Nordstrom

    A Word From The Nominee

    At Nordstrom, the customer is at the center of everything we do. Through exclusive brand launches, in store and digital event experiences, beauty stylist services, as well as providing opportunities to better serve our communities through BEAUTYCYCLE – our beauty recycling program – and expansion into Inclusive Beauty, our purpose is to make our customers feel good and look their best.

    Autumne West, National Beauty Director

    Who They Are

    At Nordstrom, they exist to help their customers feel good and look their best. Since starting as a shoe store in 1901, how to best serve customers has been at the center of every decision they make. This heritage of service is the foundation they’re building on as they provide convenience and true connection for their customers. Their digital-first platform enables them to serve customers when, where and how they want to shop – whether that’s in-store at more than 350 Nordstrom, Nordstrom Local and Nordstrom Rack locations or digitally through their Nordstrom and Rack apps and websites. Through it all, they remain committed to leaving the world better than we found it.

  • Large Retailer
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    Sally Beauty

    A Word From The Nominee

    Sally Beauty empowers DIYers at all levels by offering a unique assortment that includes top brands consumers know and love, exclusive brands consumers can’t find anywhere else, and innovative, emerging brands we want our consumers to discover, all at an accessible price. We have a long history as the first national retailer to provide undiscovered brands with in-store distribution. We continue to deliver on our promise by providing consumers with access to new brands through programs like Cultivate, which is currently in its third year. From professional-quality products to best-in-class educational resources through DIY University by Sally Beauty, we are proud to arm our consumers with everything they need to master the look of their dreams through an easy-to-shop omnichannel shopping experience.

    Who They Are

    Sally Beauty’s mission is to inspire a more colorful, confident, and welcoming world. The retailer offers up to 7,000 professional-quality, award-winning products for hair color, hair care, nails, and skin care through exclusive brands such as Ion®, Generic Value Products®, Beyond the Zone®, and Silk Elements® as well as professional lines such as Wella®, Clairol®, OPI®, Conair®, and L’Oreal®. Sally Beauty is the largest omnichannel hair color retailer offering over 1,200 salon-quality shade options from top brands, including Good Dye Young, Manic Panic, and Arctic Fox; as well as brands consumers can’t find anywhere else like Strawberry Leopard, Ion®, Blond Brilliance, Iroiro, Color Lux, Age Beautiful, and more. The retailer celebrates and empowers DIYers by providing them with direct access to professional-quality products and best-in-class resources through its DIY University by Sally Beauty education platform.

  • Large Retailer
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    The Vitamin Shoppe

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are thrilled to be recognized by the knowledgeable editors at Beauty Independent for the many innovations our dedicated teams of Health Enthusiasts are bringing to wellness retail. Since our founding in 1977, The Vitamin Shoppe has grown into the premier global destination for health and wellness solutions, supporting millions of customers annually. Today, The Vitamin Shoppe is a global, omnichannel specialty retailer and wellness lifestyle company with the mission of providing customers with the most trusted products, guidance, and services to support them on their journeys of lifelong wellness. We are proud to offer our customers the largest assortment of vitamin, supplement, and sports nutrition products at retail in the U.S., in over 700 stores under The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements banners, and via our website at vitaminshoppe.com

    Who They Are

    The Vitamin Shoppe®, a subsidiary of Franchise Group Inc., is a global, omnichannel specialty retailer and wellness lifestyle company with the mission of providing customers with the most trusted products, guidance, and services to support them on their journeys of lifelong wellness. Based in Secaucus, New Jersey, the company offers a comprehensive assortment of nutritional solutions, including vitamins, minerals, specialty supplements, herbs, sports nutrition, homeopathic remedies, green living products, and natural beauty products. In addition to carrying products from approximately 700 national brands, The Vitamin Shoppe offers products from its proprietary brands within its owned and wholesale channels, including: The Vitamin Shoppe®, Vthrive The Vitamin Shoppe™, BodyTech®, BodyTech® Elite, fitfactor™, fitfactor KETO™, plnt®, ProBioCare®, True Athlete®, and TrueYou™. In the U.S., the company conducts business through over 700 company-operated retail stores under The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements™ banners, and via its website, vitaminshoppe.com. The company is expanding its retail footprint via an innovative, omnichannel franchising model and opened its first franchise store in 2022. Globally, The Vitamin Shoppe serves customers in select Asia, South America, and Central America markets through omnichannel retail partners.

    Why They Won
    The Vitamin Shoppe has been a great partner to new and emerging brands. With over 700 locations, The Vitamin Shoppe offers the largest assortment of vitamin, supplement, and sports nutrition products in the US. As a pioneer in the CBD space, The Vitamin Shoppe was the first national retailer in April 2019 to offer a broad assortment of ingestible CBD. Some of their top-selling brands in their CBD assortment include indie brands and women-led brands including Prima, Winged, and Joy Organics. For our committee, this decision really came down to concrete examples where large retailers have supported and grown indie brands, making a meaningful impact on the launch and growth of those brands. The Vitamin Shoppe has certainly done that in store and online this year. At the highest level of the organization, CEO Sharon Leite, has used her influence to spotlight minority and women-led indie brands in their Founder Spotlight video content series—and been a partner to many innovative startup brands, meaningfully growing their business.
  • Small Retailer
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    Boxwalla

    A Word From The Nominee

    As a brown immigrant and nerdy neuroscientist, it’s always been clear that I’m not the target audience for the typical department or luxury beauty store. And I’m not alone. At Boxwalla we think of Skincare and Makeup as carriers of culture just like Books, Film and Food and we want to connect the right artisans, brands and products with beauty enthusiasts who will love them. At Boxwalla, a curious consumer will be welcomed by diversity that goes beyond a range of foundation shades.

    Who They Are

    Boxwalla is a discovery destination for curious people who want thoughtfully curated, high-quality products that expand their cultural and sensory experiences. Since their founding in 2015, They’ve focused on championing art and artisans from around the world to offer opportunities to discover new things to love through beauty, books, film, food, and ethical fashion.

  • Small Retailer
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    Field Botanicals

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    As a very young indie beauty store, we’re super excited to be considered for this award! Field Botanicals is intentionally and consciously small so we can support the indie beauty community in a personal and honest way. Supporting cruelty-free indie brands is our primary mission, because we believe that small businesses with intent can create incremental yet important shifts in sustainability, community, and personal wellness. Supporting our community is an allied goal, because we believe that change starts locally, and personal connection with our community creates deep roots.

    Who They Are

    Field Botanicals is an indie beauty store and a body care brand in downtown Augusta, Georgia. Field carries a highly curated selection of indie beauty brands in the categories of skincare, bath + body, makeup, fragrance, and hair care. Our products and the products we carry are all vegan and cruelty-free with clean ingredients. Why indie? Indie brands are built on inspiration and love, as well as a desire to educate people on the importance of high quality, effective and safe ingredients - ideals they feel grateful to support.

    Why They Won
    What we looked for in this category was a market leader with a clearly defined retail concept and effective strategies that benefit consumers, brands, and the world at large while remaining innovative enough to elevate the conversation around beauty. Field Botanicals is heavily immersed in its community with targeted programming, carries a diverse range of brands/founders, and is non-gender-inclusive.
  • Small Retailer
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    Onda Beauty

    A Word From The Nominee

    We are honored to be nominated for Indie Retailer Of The Year. Onda exists to serve each customer in providing them with an edit of trusted, clean, and conscious beauty brands and their standout products. We believe that being at ease with what goes on your skin and in your body has the power to transform your daily life.

    Who They Are

    Onda Beauty believes in the power of the clean beauty movement and hope to convert as many people as possible to switch to clean personal care and beauty products for the benefit of themselves, the environment, and the passionate founders who create the transformational products that make our world a better place. Every product Onda Beauty stocks has been tested and chosen for its efficacy, purpose, scent and overall goodness.

  • Small Retailer
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    Pepper

    A Word From The Nominee

    Pepper has been a 10+ year dream of Lincoln and mine – our passion project, both literally and figuratively! To be nominated – for others to see the need for the store and to help people improve their own relationships – well, it just makes it that much more worthwhile. Our goal with opening Pepper was to normalize the conversation around sex and pleasure and to help others improve their connection with their partner or with themselves. Winning this award would be one huge step in showing just how important those things are.

    Who They Are

    Luxury sexual wellness retailer, Pepper, was founded in 2020 by husband-and-wife team Lincoln and Sarah Spoor with the mission of changing the conversation around sex and pleasure, making it easy, open, and fun. The 6,000-square-foot store inside Resorts World Las Vegas is the first-ever sexual wellness store located on the famed Las Vegas Strip. It is designed to be welcoming to everyone, offering a warm and lively space where “Connection Concierges” offer insight and education on products and assist in the discovery process. Pepper has carefully curated and produced a selection of best-in-class lifestyle products, apparel, and toys ranging from their own line of products to independent brands and handmade items, all designed to engage the five senses and build upon the closeness and connection so many desire.

    Pepper isn’t simply a place to buy products, it is a destination to discover a fresh approach to connection – with your partner or with yourself.

  • Small Retailer
    Close

    The Beauty Mrkt

    A Word From The Nominee

    The Beauty Mrkt is excited and honored to be nominated in the small retailer category. We take so much pride in making people feel that they are writing a love letter to themselves when they visit our shop. It is no greater compliment than for our customers to trust us with their skincare and makeup needs. We are a vibrant, luxe, well-curated boutique that is a destination shop for our customers whether they are fluent in clean beauty or just dipping their toes into mindfully-made products. You'll find everything from masks to moisturizers, hair care products to the perfect gift, sunscreen to clean bug spray, and learn that clean beauty doesn't sacrifice efficacy, performance, or quality!

    Who They Are

    A vibrant, luxe, and well-curated shop specializing in the best in clean beauty.

  • Online Retailer
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    NakedPoppy

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    We’re over the moon to be nominated by Beauty Independent — the hub for the most innovative ideas moving the industry forward! NakedPoppy makes it radically easy to find your best clean beauty products online. We think this innovative way of shopping represents the future: hyper-personalized recommendations for curated products that are vetted by a scientist to meet the highest clean standards.

    Who They Are

    NakedPoppy is a fast-growing online retailer with an innovative technology twist that makes it fun and easy to shop for beauty online. Co-founded by former Amazon and OpenTable executive Jaleh Bisharat, NakedPoppy has experienced triple digital growth over the last 12 months and features the finest independent beauty clean beauty brands.

    The beauty behind it all? Customers take an intelligent 3-minute assessment and NakedPoppy's patented beauty algorithm then rates every product in the store to find their perfect clean makeup and skincare picks, which are placed in the customer's personalized online boutique for them to purchase as they please.

    NakedPoppy’s gold standard for clean beauty is based on four criteria: that products be safe and free of harmful chemicals, cruelty-free, low in environmental impact, and ethically made.

    Why They Won
    We loved the differentiated approach that NakedPoppy offers in its retail experience with this patented beauty algorithm that helps personalize a consumer’s online shopping experience. It offers a benefit not only to the consumer, but also to the brand by providing an extremely efficient way to get their products in front of the correct purchaser, reducing marketing dollar “waste”. Their approach is resonating and we see it in the metrics—triple digit revenue growth, email open rates exceeding 45%, a large and engaged following on Pinterest with more than 1M monthly views.
  • Online Retailer
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    Thirteen Lune

    A Word From The Nominee

    As a retailer, we've worked to create a space where consumers and brands can unite to create a community that supports all people. This opportunity is a way for us to continue to grow and reach new people that can join our community by supporting both established and new brands. We plan to continue to keep bringing attention to BIPOC and ally brands that are making products where all people feel seen!

    Who They Are

    Thirteen Lune is an e-commerce destination designed to inspire the discovery of POC founded beauty brands for all beauty lovers to enjoy, as well as products created exclusively for the beauty needs of Black and Brown people. Thirteen Lune is a result of a partnership between Nyakio Grieco, founder of Relevant: Your Skin Seen and nyakio(™) beauty and Patrick Herning, founder and CEO of size-inclusive e-commerce platform, 11 Honoré. Thirteen Lune seeks to be a vehicle for change and a platform for authentic allyship where the voices of Black and Brown beauty founders are heard and celebrated.

  • Online Retailer
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    Verishop

    A Word From The Nominee

    Verishop is so honored to be recognized by Beauty Independent for our heartfelt work to elevate thousands of independent brands, which include female founders, minority-owned businesses, clean beauty products and other purpose-driven missions. It is our goal to provide a platform for all small businesses to share their stories and to be successful. We are dedicated to supporting these independent brands through not only sales but also a suite of business offerings, so that these brand leaders have more time to spend doing what they love--creating amazing beauty products.

    Who They Are

    Verishop is the largest social shopping platform dedicated to independent and emerging brands. They're committed to reinventing online shopping for those customers looking to discover something new and different from a community of passionate product creators, ready to share their brand stories.

  • Online International Retailer
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    Candour Beauty

    A Word From The Nominee

    Candour Beauty was born out of frustration of not being able to find the right products and great quality service when looking for beauty products for people that looked like us. Our solution was to elevate the beauty buying experience for today's multicultural women by creating a platform for a curated collection of the best in beauty and wellness.

    Who They Are

    Candour Beauty is an online retail platform for Black women and people of colour. They do the research and globally source the best quality products so that you don’t have to, saving you time and money.

  • Online International Retailer
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    The Natives Co.

    Winner

    A Word From The Nominee

    Our customers are our driving force. We are passionate about education and helping consumers to understand natural and sustainable products, and how they can best work for them. With an enduring commitment and an ever-evolving approach, we strive to partner with progressive Indie Beauty Brands, supporting them to gain entry and thrive in the Australian market. Creating an innovative platform to showcase truly effective products and nurturing Brand relationships are central to our ethos.

    The chance to be a part of the Beacon Awards is a thrilling opportunity - we are very excited at the prospect of expanding our voice and inviting new conversations with a like-minded community.

    Who They Are

    Female-founded in 2019 The Natives Co. seeks to deliver a beauty collective that inspires not only self-love and care but also a love for the planet, and all that inhabit it. Australia’s home of ethical, natural and organic skincare, haircare and wellness, they showcase international and homegrown clean beauty. Bringing together eco-conscious consumers and brands through our e-commerce store, they are embracing emerging technologies and fast-tracking enhanced customer experiences. Education and authenticity are at the forefront of their strategy. Their clean code underpins their promise of quality and conscious beauty, empowering the customer to shop for products that best align with their own values. They believe in more time living, providing a single holistic beauty and wellness platform customers can trust, and shop with confidence.

    They advocate reduced consumption through a buy better, buy less ethos. For them, this is the lifestyle they seek, and they are helping make this lifestyle a reality by bringing innovative, conscious beauty into more homes across Australia and New Zealand. They think it’s an all-round win, for the customer, for Indie Beauty and for the environment.

    Why They Won
    We were looking for a retailer that had the perfect balance of curating a unique mix, valuing diversity and inclusion, and elevating the conversation around beauty through their assortment, community and customer engagement. The Natives Co. presented a compelling story and we also loved that they are in the underserved Australian market for indie products.
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Brand Report Beauty Independent Presents The 2022 Beacon Awards Winners At A Virtual Ceremony Olaplex CEO JuE Wong, Urban Decay and Caliray co-founder Wende Zomnir, Vegamour founder and CEO Daniel Hodgdon, and body care brand Kate McLeod took home top honors during the third annual Beauty Independent Beacon Awards ceremony held virtually on Wednesday. There were a total... READ THE FULL ARTICLE →

Meet The Experts

  • Nicole Acevedo

    Founder & CEO,
    Elavo Mundi Solutions

  • Margarita Arriagada

    Founder + CEO,
    Valdé Beauty

  • Rebecca Boston Sobel

    CMO,
    True Botanicals

  • Chelsea Clark

    Founder,
    ThatsChelsea

  • Muffy Clince

    Director of Emerging Brands,
    Ulta

  • Steve Davis

    Managing Director, Head of Beauty and Personal Care,
    Intrepid Investment Bankers

  • Elizabeth Edwards

    General Partner,
    H Venture Partners

  • Michael Garcia

    Managing Director,
    Intrepid Investment Bankers

  • Jennifer Goldstein Sullivan

    Co-host,
    Fat Mascara

  • Nyakio Grieco

    Founder,
    Thirteen Lune

  • Janet Gurwitch

    Operating Partner,
    Advent International

  • Carol Hamilton

    Group President, Acquisitions,
    L'Oreal

  • Marianna Hewitt

    Co-Founder,
    Summer Fridays

  • Jeannie Jarnot

    Founder + CEO,
    Beauty Heroes

  • Marcia Kilgore

    Founder,
    Beauty Pie

  • Stephanie Morimoto

    Owner & CEO,
    Asutra

  • Trinity Mouzon Wofford

    Co-Founder,
    Golde

  • Cristina Nuñez

    Co-Founder & Partner,
    True Beauty Ventures

  • Joël Palix

    Founder,
    Palix Unlimited

  • Lisa Price

    President & Founder,
    Carol’s Daughter

  • Ju Rhyu

    Co-Founder & CEO,
    Hero Cosmetics

  • Kelly St. John

    Founder,
    KSJ Collective

  • Angela Umelo

    Founder & CEO,
    Salt and Earth Labs

  • Rahama Wright

    Founder,
    Shea Yeleen

  • Nini Zhang

    Managing Director (Investment Banking),
    Bank of America

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