FASHION Hosts the First IRL Edition of the Beauty Awards
We brought together A-list influencers and winning brands to toast the very best in beauty.
There’s a particular kind of excitement that comes with Beauty Awards season. For the past five years, it has meant anticipating which products will make the final esteemed list after months of testing, swatching and real-world trials. This year, that winning line-up extended beyond the page for the first time ever.
The fifth annual joint Beauty Awards, presented by FASHION, Chatelaine, Châtelaine and HELLO! Canada, recognize the year’s standout products across skincare, makeup, hair care, fragrance, nails, and bath and body care. To celebrate this year’s winners, FASHION hosted the franchise’s inaugural in-person event inside the FASHION Closet and Lounge, bringing several of the award-winning products together under one roof for the very first time.
Inside, the event came alive with a bright, polished sense of excitement. Guided by the breezy “Summer Chic” dress code, guests arrived in airy silhouettes, natural glam and warm-weather textures that matched the space’s delicate and refined atmosphere. At the centre of the room, an abundant spread by The Graze Anatomy drew guests in, with a several-foot-long charcuterie display and beautifully arranged bites that attendees enjoyed alongside expertly crafted “Glow Getter” cocktails, while DJ Sophie Jones kept the good vibes flowing with a high-energy set.
In between snacking and socializing, guests had the chance to explore a selection of this year’s winning products firsthand. Throughout the evening, beauty lovers drifted between stations featuring this year’s winning products as they picked up tools, tested formulas and compared notes with each other in real time.
At OPI’s station, guests experienced the award-winning OPI xPRESS/ON system firsthand with custom press-on nail applications, choosing between the winning glue-on style or the brand’s new Sticking Point adhesive tabs. Nearby, Vasanti Cosmetics offered personalized complexion consultations, colour-matching guests to products from its makeup range, including its new concealer pencils.
Then came the awards ceremony, where standout winners were highlighted and presented with their very own Beauty Awards trophies. In nails, OPI took home Best Press-On Nails for its OPI xPRESS/ON system, recognized for its clean application and salon-style finish without the commitment. In body care, PanOxyl earned Best Acne Treatment for its Acne Banishing Body Spray, a targeted formula designed to treat breakouts beyond the face. For makeup, Bobbi Brown won Best Eyeshadow for its multi-textured and waterproof best-selling Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick.
In skincare, OMY Labs was awarded Best Facial Oil for its Pure Face Oil, a lightweight formula our judges praised for its comfort and absorption. Canadian brand Vasanti also took home the award for Best Moisturizer for Fine Lines and Wrinkles for its rich collagen-building Age Is Only a Number Pro-Aging Elixir.
Last but not least, in the haircare category, Conair received Best New Hair Tool for its InfinitiPRO Hair Steamer, which transforms what’s usually a treatment-style step into your at-home routine with ease, while BaByliss PRO took home Best Straightener for its “workhorse” Pro Nano Titanium Optima3300 1½” Flat Iron.
After hearing all about the winning products and trying some for themselves, guests left with gift bags that extended the beauty-filled experience, featuring a curated mix from standout brands including BaByliss PRO, PanOxyl, Conair, Just Sun, OMY Labs, Jean Paul Gaultier, Bobbi Brown, Vasanti Cosmetics and HB Face.
As the first in-person iteration of the Beauty Awards, the event offered a new way to experience the year’s winning products, and we already can’t wait to see how future editions will bring this annual celebration to life.
Check out the gallery below for highlights from the inaugural Beauty Awards event hosted in the FASHION Lounge.
Photography by George Pimentel Photography
Stephanie Davoli is the editorial assistant at FASHION Magazine. With a passion for all things fashion, beauty and pop culture, she’s inspired by fashion psychology, sustainability and industry innovations. Her previous bylines include The Toronto Star, Chatelaine and The Quality Edit. When she’s not working, you can find her shopping, taking a Pilates class or combing through the Vogue archives.