The Cosmopolitan Beauty and Fragrance Awards 2012

For entirely self-absorbed reasons I was slightly dreading the Cosmo beauty and Fragrance awards. When you are only able to fit into skinny maternity jeans and t-shirts going anywhere remotely fashionable can be incredibly daunting. The chic venue (One Marylebone) and early start (8.30am) didn't help but it was definitely the most fun I've had at an event for a long time.

Emma Scott, Garnier and Inge van Lotringen Cosmo Beauty Director

One Marylebone is a gorgeous venue and with huge vases of beautiful flowers everywhere, soft lighting and incredibly delicious food and drinks (soft!) on offer. It created the perfect atmosphere for an event that could have been full of bitchy fashionistas but was instead buzzing with friendly people, excited chatter and expectation. As a blogger these parties can sometimes be a bit tricky when you don't know anyone but the lovely Cosmo ladies would swoop in for a chat if they saw you standing alone (I was often edging my way towards another mini smoked salmon bagel). My only complaint would be that the winners were allowed to take their awards straight after the speeches, which is fine, but it meant the products were left with no markers for what they had won.

As for the awards themselves I was impressed with the incredible variety of brands that were included which really shows the dedication of the beauty team and the 13 judges (who included makeup artist Liz Purgh, perfume expert James Craven and beauty journalist Alice Hart-Davis). It would be easy to hand out awards to the more high-end products but there's a great range in these awards which is something I've always thought Cosmopolitan does very well.  Now of course you can't be expected to agree with all of them but, for the most part, I think the awards were pretty accurate and there are definitely some products that I'm going to try out - leave a comment and let me know what you think.

The Beauty Awards:

The Cosmo Beauty Director's Breakthrough product:
Garnier Skin naturals Miracle Skin Perfector Daily All-In-One BB Cream

The Cosmo Beauty Directors Cosmo classic award:
Dior 5 Couleurs


Lips:
Best budget lipstick - Max Factor Colour Elizir lipstick
Best premium lipstick - Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour
Best lip balm - Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick
Best lip stain - Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Vernis a Levres Glossy Stain
Readers' Kiss of Approval Ultimate Lipstick - MAC lipstick

Eyes:
Best mascara - Dior Diorshow New Look Mascara
Best eyeshadow - Chanel Illusion d'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow
Best eye-colour palette - Guerlain Ecrin 4 Couteurs Eyeshadows
Best eyeliner - Maybelline New York Master Drama Kohl Liner
Readers' Kiss of Approval Ultimate Mascara - Maybelline The Falsies mascara

Cleansing:
Best cleanser - Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Best facial refresher - L'Occitane Angelica Hydration Face Mist
Best eye-makeup remover - Clinique Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent
Best face scrub - Olay Regenerist Daily Thermal Skin Polisher
Readers' Kiss of Approval Ultimate Cleansing Wipes - Simple Kind to Skin Facial Wipes

Face:
Best budget foundation - Rimmel London Wake Me Up Foundation
Best premium foundation - Lancome teint Idole Ultra 24hr
Best blemish concealer - Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer
Best tinted moisturiser - Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturiser SPF15
Best face powder - Bare Minerals Ready SPF15 Touch Up Veil
Best blusher - Estee Lauder Pure Color Blush
Best bronzer - Clarins Bronzing Duo SPF15 Mineral Powder Compact
Best under-eye brightener - Rimmel London Wake Me Up Concealer
Readers' Kiss of Approval Ultimate foundation - Rimmel Lasting Finish 25hr Foundation
Readers' Kiss of Approval Ultimate blusher - Benefit Cosmetics Sugarbomb

Skincare:
Best budget everyday moisturiser - Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Skin-Brightening Moisturiser
Best premium everyday moisturiser - Clarins Hyrdraquench Cream
Best face mask - Philosophy Keep the Peace Super Soothing Instant Relief Mask
Best blemish buster - Clearasil Ultra Rapid Action Treatment Cream
Readers' Kiss of Approval Ultimate Moisturiser - Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser

Anti-Ageing
Best anti-ageing moisturiser - Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Relaxing Complex
Best age-busting night cream - Dior Capture XP Nuit Night Creame
Best age-defying serum - Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex
Best line-fading eye cream - Origins Plantscription Anti-ageing Eye Treatment
Readers' Kiss of Approval Ultimate Anti-Ageing Moisturiser - Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Ageing Moisturiser

Body:
Best body cleanser - Elemis Skin Nourishing Shower Cream
Best body scrub - Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub
Best bath treat - Aveda Stress Fix Bath Salts
Best body-firming potion - Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift & Sculpt Body Butter
Best body moisturiser - La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP Body Balm
Best hair removal product - Veet Easywax Electrical Roll-on Kit
Best deodorant - Garnier Invisi Mineral 48hr Double Action Deoderant
Readers' Kiss of Approval Ultimate Body Lotion - The Body Shop Mango Body Butter
Readers' Kiss of Approval Ultimate hair-removal product - Gilette Venus Spa Breeze

Hair:
Best hairspray - L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Normal Hold Hairspray
Best volumiser - Mark Hill Love Big Hair! Big Blow! Thicker Fuller Volume Spray
Best frizz controller - Pantene 24hr Frizz Fighter Anti Frizz Smooth Cream
Best home colourant - John Frieda Precision Foam Colour Salon Blends Collection
Best shampoo - L'Oreal Everpure Colour Care & Colume Shampoo
Best conditioner - V05 Gloss Me Smoothly Conditioner
Best leave-in treatment - Moroccanoil Treatment Oil
Best hair mask - Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Keratin Intensive Treatment
Readers' Kiss of Approval Ultimate Hair Colourant - L'Oreal Paris Casting Creme Gloss
Readers' Kiss of Approval  Ultimate Shampoo and Conditioner - Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo and Conditioner

Tool Kit:
Best hairbrush - Shu Uemura Art of Hair Paddle Brush
Best makeup brushes - Suqqu
Best heat styler - Babyliss Big Hair
Best beauty gadget - Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion
Readers' Kiss of Approval Ultimate Hairstyling Gadget - GHD Gold Classic Styler

Suncare:
Best budget facial sun protection - Vichy Capital Soleil Anti-Shine Dry Touch SPF50
Best premium facial sun protection - Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Sunscreen Sun Indulgence Lotion for Face SPF15
Best all-over sun protection - Nivea Sun Pure & Sensitive Sun Spray SPF30
Best aftersun - Garnier Ambre Solaire Golden Touch After Sun
Readers' Kiss of Approval Ultimate Sun Lotion - Nivea Sun Invisible Protection Spray SPF30

Self-Tanning and Bronzing:
Best facial self-tan - Lancome Flash Bronzer Self-Tanning Face Gel
Best body self-tan - St Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse
Best gradual self-tan - Dove Summer Glow Beauty Body Lotion
Best wash-off body tanner - L'OReal Paris Sublime Bronze One Day
Readers' Kiss of Approval Ultimate Self-Tanner - St Tropez Selt Tan Bronzing Mousse

Men:
Best men's hair product - Wella Shockwaves Re-Create Styling Putty
Best men's face cream - Lab Series Skin Care for Men Age-Less Face Cream
Best men's shaving product - Clinique Skin Supplies For Men M Shave Aloe Gel
Best men's eye cream - Lancome Genific HD Eye Cream
Readers' Kiss of Approval Ultimate Aftershave - Boss by Hugo Boss Aftershave Lotion

Hands and Feet:
Best nail polish - Revlon Nail Enamel
Best hand cream - Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
Best foot treat - Scholl Dry Skin Instant Recovery Cream
Best nail rescuer - Dr Lewinn's Renunail Nail Strengthener
Best Nail Art Innovation - Ciate Caviar Manicure
Readers' Kiss of Approval Ultimate Nail Polish - Barry M Nail Paint

Fragrance Awards:

The Cosmo Beauty Director's Special Award Most Cosmo Fragrance of the Year - Roberto Cavalli

Best bottle design for women - Valentino Valentina
Best celebrity fragrance for women - Kim Kardashian
Most romantic fragrance for women - Thierry Mugler Angel Eau de Toilette
Sexiest fragrance for women - Estee Lauder Sensuous Nude
Most delicious fragrance bath and body line - Elie Saab Le Parfum
Freshest fragrance for women - Chanel No19 Poudre
Best classic fragrance for women - Yves Saint Laurent La Collection Nu
Best bottle design for men - Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb
Sexiest fragrance for men - Paco rabanne Black XS L'Exces
Best classic fragrance for men - Yves Saint Laurent La Collection M7
Best niche fragrance for women - Miller Harris La Pluie
Best bottle design for women Readers' Award -  Marc Jacobs Daisy
Best celebrity fragrance for women Readers' Award - Britney Spears Fantasy
Sexiest fragrance for women Readers' Award - Chanel Coco Mademoiselle
Freshest fragrance for women - DKNY Be Delicious
Freshest fragrance for men Readers' Award - Davidoff Cool Water
Sexiest fragrance for men Readers' Award - Boss Hugo Boss
Best bottle design for men Readers' Award - Diesel Only the Brave

Best celebrity fragrance for men Readers' Award - David Beckham Instinct