If you ever have dreams of meeting all your favorite makeup and beauty brands in one place and getting to play with their latest offerings, then the CEW Beauty Insiders’ Choice Awards Product Demo was the place of dreams. Over 625 products competed for that coveted CEW seal of approval, including products from L’Oreal, MAC, Stila, mark, Bare Escentuals, Nature’s Gate, Weleda and tons tons more! This is not my first time coming to this event but I’m always unprepared for the sheer madness of it. It’s like Toys R Us for women. There was a line curling around the corner to get in! This is arguably THE biggest beauty demo of the year.
The way it goes is that CEW members vote on finalists in 32 categories. It’s a tough job but someone’s gotta try on all that makeup! The finalists will be announced on April 5th. Then, CEW’s Board of Governors decide on the winners, who are then announced at the Beauty Awards luncheon on May 17th at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.
I tried my bestest best to see as many of my favorite brands as I could, as well as take the time to visit a few new ones. I’m always super excited to see what the newcomers are bringing to the table. My favorite makeup brand right now is Bare Escentuals. After over a decade of using only MAC foundation, I randomly tried Bare Escentuals Ready Foundation with SPF 20 at an event and I was hooked. I love that this makeup is good for my skin and they don’t skimp on pigments and quality, either. I tend to gravitate towards products that do something more than just smell good and look pretty. It’s always an added bonus when it’s healthy or eco-friendly. Case in point? These…..
Burt’s Bees in known for their healthy products and natural ingredients.
Even your bath wash can be organic!
There are some brands that just exude chicness and elegance. I almost want to buy their products just to look at, like these new lipsticks by Burberry. Even the lipstick inside the tube is fancy!
The hottest thing in nails? DIY Gel Polish.
Have you tried nails that look like LEATHER? Insane!
And while we’re on the subject of makeup, check out these great lip colors from mark.
For the MAC-obsessed among you….
These new Buxom Lip Glosses plump without the tingling. I could get on board with that.
Sonia Kashuk from Target is so well-priced!
Okay. I’m having a bit too much fun with these makeup pics. I LOVE all the Spring colors!
The 2013 CEW Beauty Awards Product Demo was sponsored by Allure, Givaudan, CVS/pharmacy, Crest and Oral-B 3D White, QVC, Poise, Conair, Venus, Beauty Inc, Arcade Marketing, Birchbox, RPG, MaCher, Albéa, Rpr Marketing Communications, The Beauty Company, KraftWorks, Consultancy Media, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Suite K, Proof 7, The Natural Step, WWD, Tonnie’s Minis, NPD Group and Ernst & Young.
For more information, go to cew.org.
Written by Tabitha St. Bernard