The 10th Annual Cosmo Beauty Awards: Best Beauty Products of 2010
From luxury cult classics to budget-friendly must-haves—discover the standout skincare, hair, makeup, and nail products of 2010.
Welcome to the definitive roundup of *Cosmopolitan* magazine’s Best Beauty Products of 2010. This year marked a decade of rigorous testing, panel debates, and passionate picks from editors, industry experts, and beauty lovers. Here, you’ll discover not only the industry’s most groundbreaking launches, but also the tried-and-true must-haves that won the hearts (and faces) of thousands. From innovative skincare solutions to haircare heroes, makeup masterpieces, and nail essentials, the following list is your ultimate guide to timeless beauty favorites.
Best Skincare Products
Whether your mission is a radiant, hydrated glow or the pursuit of eternal youth, the 2010 Cosmo Beauty Awards revealed a range of exceptional skincare products that cater to every need.
- Best Facial Scrub: Olay Regenerist Daily Thermal Skin Polisher – This exfoliator brings spa-inspired resurfacing to your bathroom, gently sloughing off dead cells for instantly smoother skin.
- Ultimate Anti-Ageing Product: No7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum – Reader-endorsed, this serum earned a cult following for its visible line-smoothing effects and reparative antioxidants.
- Best Anti-Ageing Moisturiser: Dior Capture R60/80 XP Ultimate Wrinkle Correction Creme – A powerhouse cream that targets deep wrinkles for a firmer, rejuvenated look.
- Ultimate Cleansing Wipes: Simple Skincare Cleansing Facial Wipes – Loved for their gentle efficiency, these wipes make removing makeup a snap, even for sensitive skin types.
- Classic Cult Product: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant – Hailed by editors as the one luxury product you’d find in any Cosmo reader’s bag, this all-purpose balm soothes rough patches, tame brows, and add shine in a pinch.
- Best Face Mask: Ole Henriksen Feel The Difference Perfecting Mask – This treatment delivers supple, refreshed skin and is ideal for a weekend pamper session.
- Best Eye-Makeup Remover: Clinique Rinse-Off Makeup Solvent – Leaves eyes thoroughly clean without tugging or irritation, a must for contact lens wearers and waterproof mascara devotees.
- Best Blemish Buster: Dr Nick Lowe Spot Treatment Gel – A fast-acting formula to zap pimples quickly and discreetly.
- Best Line-Fading Eye Cream: Origins GinZing Brightening Eye Treatment – Famed for its revitalizing, de-puffing action and instant brightening effects.
- Ultimate Moisturiser: Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Ageing Day Moisturiser – Another reader favorite, expertly balancing hydration and age-defying properties.
- Best Green Skincare: Aromatherapy Associates Fine Line Face Oil – With an aromatic blend and botanical extracts, this oil is admired for its nourishing, makeup-compatible finish.
- Best Facial Refresher: La Roche-Posay Physiological Soothing Toner – Calms and rehydrates even the most sensitive complexions post-cleanse.
- Best Everyday Moisturiser: Biotherm Aquasource Skin Perfection – Popular for its light texture and long-lasting hydration.
- Beauty Breakthrough Award: Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate – Celebrated for its advanced science, this serum was awarded for jumpstarting the skin’s repair process.
- Best Age-Busting Night Cream: Clarins Multi-Active Night Cream – Rich and replenishing, this overnight worker leaves skin refreshed by morning.
- Best Cleanser: Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm – Editors loved this balm for motivating nightly face massages and melting away makeup thoroughly.
- Best Age-Defying Serum: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex – A legend in skin restoration, beloved for its potent anti-ageing results.
Best Haircare Products
Fabulous hair starts with the right regime. 2010’s top haircare picks blended innovation and luxe pampering—whether you’re chasing shine, frizz control, or perfect color protection.
- Best Shampoo for Colored Hair: Kérastase Reflection Bain Chroma Riche – Defends vibrancy and delivers reflective gloss to dyed locks.
- Best Volumizing Shampoo: John Frieda Luxurious Volume Thickening Shampoo – Pump up limp strands for fuller, thicker styles that last all day.
- Best Hair Mask: L’Oréal Professionnel Série Expert Absolut Repair Masque – For deep nourishment and repair for stressed-out tresses.
- Best Leave-In Conditioner: Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner – Detangles and protects, leaving hair soft and smooth with a playful signature scent.
- Best Styling Product: Bumble and bumble Styling Creme – A cult classic that adds definition, texture, and shape without the crunch.
- Best Hairspray: Elnett Satin Hairspray by L’Oréal Paris – Revered for its lasting hold and easy brush-out, a backstage and red-carpet staple.
- Best Frizz Fighter: John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum – Tames flyaways and seals in shine, especially for unruly or humid-prone hair.
- Best Root-Lifting Spray: Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Texturising Spray – Instant lift where it counts for bouncy, runway-inspired volume.
- Editor’s Choice – Classic Hair Hero: Moroccanoil Treatment – The breakthrough oil treatment that turned millions onto shiny, healthy feeling hair.
Best Makeup Products
The best makeup isn’t just about glamour—2010 was all about performance, ease of use, and products that deliver professional results from your own vanity.
- Best Foundation: MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 – Seamless coverage with a natural matte finish and broad shade range.
- Best Concealer: Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch – This icon blends highlighting with coverage, brightening dark circles and imperfections alike.
- Best Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder – Affordable, reliable, and oil absorbing for the perfect touch-up.
- Best Blush: NARS Blush in Orgasm – Universally flattering, this peachy-pink with golden shimmer continued to be a makeup bag essential.
- Best Bronzer: Guerlain Terracotta Light Bronzing Powder – Delivers a sun-kissed glow without looking muddy or orange.
- Best Mascara: Maybelline The Falsies Volum’ Express Mascara – Beloved for delivering dramatic length and volume at a friendly price point.
- Best Eyeliner: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil – Creamy, waterproof, and available in bold hues for endless looks.
- Best Eyeshadow: Chanel Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow – Four perfectly coordinated shades designed for day-to-night versatility.
- Best Lipstick: Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge – Creamy, rich color and nourishing feel marked this a standout.
- Best Lipgloss: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss – Non-sticky with lots of shine, this gloss comes in wearable shades for every mood.
- Best Mineral Makeup: bareMinerals Foundation SPF 15 – A game-changing loose powder providing buildable coverage and a naturally radiant finish.
Best Nail Products
Nails in 2010 were all about high-impact color, resilient wear, and a bit of salon luxury at home.
- Best Nail Polish: OPI Nail Lacquer – The beloved brand wowed with its abundance of fashion-forward shades and chip-resistant formula.
- Best Top Coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat – Dries quickly to a mirror-shine gloss, safeguarding manicures from chips better than most.
- Best Base Coat: Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Instant Nail Hardener – Doubles up as hardener and a base, perfect for those prone to breaks or splits.
- Best Hand Cream: L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream – Provides deep moisture for hands thanks to a rich shea butter infusion without greasiness.
Best Beauty Tools & Accessories
No regimen is complete without the tools to perfect your look. From brushes that blend beautifully to techy gadgets, 2010’s winners belong in every beauty kit.
- Best Makeup Brushes: Real Techniques Core Collection – High-performing tools designed by pro makeup artists, adored for their practicality and affordability.
- Best Eyelash Curler: Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler – A makeup artist staple for creating open, fluttery lashes.
- Best Skincare Tool: Clarisonic Mia Sonic Cleansing Brush – This sonic cleansing revolutionized face-washing, promising clearer skin in just a few weeks.
- Best Hairbrush: Mason Pearson Brush – An investment, but the gold standard for smoothing, detangling, and shining all hair types.
- Best Tweezers: Tweezerman Slant Tweezers – Precisely plucks and lasts years with proper care.
What others are reading
Editors’ and Experts’ Picks
Throughout the awards, Cosmo’s editorial team and external experts spotlighted products that consistently punch above their weight.
- Editor’s Classic: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant – Universally beloved and endlessly versatile, this ‘classic’ is a must-have in every handbag.
- Expert Favorite: Aromatherapy Associates Fine Line Face Oil – Noted both for its feel and its efficacy as an under-makeup prep by industry insiders.
Emerging Beauty Trends of 2010
Cosmopolitan’s awards reflect not only the top products, but broader trends throughout the industry that shaped our routines this year:
- Science Meets Skincare: Increasingly, serums such as Lancôme Génifique and Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair led the charge with active ingredients and clinical claims.
- Classic Cult Revival: Old favorites like Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream surged in popularity thanks to editor endorsement and modern relevance.
- Multi-Tasking Must-Haves: From moisturizers that fight ageing and hydrate, to makeup that blends coverage and luminosity, consumers demanded more for less effort.
- Eco-Friendly Beauty: Green products, such as Aromatherapy Associates Fine Line Face Oil, claimed new ground for their sustainable and gentle formulations.
Quick Comparison Table: Cosmo 2010 Winners
| Category | Product | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Facial Scrub | Olay Regenerist Polisher | Exfoliation & radiance |
| Anti-Ageing Serum | No7 Protect & Perfect | Anti-wrinkle, smoothing |
| Moisturiser | Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 | Hydration & anti-ageing |
| Face Mask | Ole Henriksen Perfecting Mask | Softness & refreshment |
| Foundation | MAC Studio Fix Fluid | Covers imperfections, range |
| Mascara | Maybelline The Falsies | Volume & length |
| Nail Polish | OPI Nail Lacquer | Durability & color selection |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How were products chosen for the Cosmo Beauty Awards 2010?
A: Products were evaluated by a panel of editors, external experts, and feedback from readers based on efficacy, innovation, value, and user experience.
Q: What’s the difference between a ‘Readers’ Kiss Of Approval’ and an ‘Editor’s Choice’?
A: ‘Readers’ Kiss Of Approval’ signifies products that commanded widespread popularity and strong testimonials from everyday users, while ‘Editor’s Choice’ reflects favorites consistently relied on by the beauty editorial team for performance and results.
Q: Are these award-winning products still available?
A: Many have become staples and remain widely available, though some formulations or packaging may have evolved since 2010.
Q: What trends from the 2010 awards are still relevant?
A: Key trends include prioritizing skincare science, multitasking formulas, sustainability, and the enduring appeal of cult classics—each of which continues to shape the beauty industry.
Your Beauty Booty Awaits
From game-changing serums to high-impact haircare and lush makeup launches, the Cosmo Beauty Awards of 2010 remain a shining moment in the evolution of beauty standards and regimes. Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or new to the glamour game, these products are enduring icons—designed to make you feel gorgeous, confident, and always at your best.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/skincare/g120/skincare/
- https://www.glamot.com/blog/28777/the-best-of-the-best-winners-of-the-cosmopolitan-beauty-awards-2023-revealed
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/advice/g1167/best-beauty-products-2010/
- https://www.scribd.com/document/46773228/Cosmopolitan-UK-December-2010
- https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3382&context=thesesdissertations
- https://cosmoprofnorthamerica.com
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmopolitan_(magazine)
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