The Ultimate Guide to the 2021 Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards
All the visionary winners, must-try picks, and top beauty innovations that defined 2021—handpicked by Cosmopolitan’s expert editors.
2021 Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards: Every Standout Winner and Editor’s Top Pick
Ready to discover the definitive beauty guide for 2021? After months of rigorous swatching, smoothing, sniffing, and styling, Cosmopolitan’s expert editors have crowned the year’s most remarkable beauty products across every category. From innovative skincare to show-stopping makeup and next-level hair inventions, these awards spotlight the best and brightest launches of the year. Whether you want glowing skin, lush hair, or a transformation for your makeup bag, dive in for every must-have, test-driven winner.
Makeup Masterpieces: The Year’s Best Cosmetics
Beauty routines begin and end with products that empower you to express yourself. The Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards 2021 highlight functional, innovative, and high-impact makeup items that outperformed the rest.
- Best Blusher: Tower28 BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm – Delivers a sun-kissed glow and blends seamlessly onto cheeks for a natural flush.
- Best Mascara: MAC Magic Extension Mascara – Provides showy, dramatic length and bold volume for lashes that stand out.
- Best Liquid Eyeliner: Huda Beauty Life Liner Quick ‘N Easy Liquid Liner – Glides on with ease and lasts all day without smudging.
- Best Eyeshadow Palette: BEAUTY BAY Wilderness Palette – Offers a versatile collection of matte and metallic shades rooted in earthy inspiration.
- Best Under Eye Concealer: Rose Inc Softlight Luminous Hydrating Concealer – Brightens under-eyes while concealing darkness and fatigue.
- Best Body Makeup: S19 SUPER FX Body Makeup – Evens skin tone and blurs imperfections for flawless skin from head to toe.
Skincare Superheroes: Highest-Performing Skin Solutions
This year’s skincare awards reward formulas that merge science with sensory pleasure, delivering visible results and unrivaled self-care experiences.
- Best Facial SPF: Day-Lite Sunscreen SPF 50+ – Lightweight yet powerful, provides broad-spectrum protection with a non-sticky finish.
- Best Eye Cream: Simple Water Boost Hydrating Eye Gel – Instantly hydrates and depuffs delicate under-eye areas.
- Best Hydrating Treatment: Bad Habit Melatonin & Glycolic Night Cream – Combines exfoliating and hydrating properties to revive tired skin overnight.
- Best Light Moisturiser: Selfless By Hyram Daily Barrier Support Moisturiser – Strengthens the skin barrier without clogging pores.
- Best Make-up Remover: Garnier Micellar Hyaluronic Aloe Water – Effortlessly dissolves stubborn makeup while nourishing skin.
- Best Skin Innovation: Charlotte Tilbury Cryo Recovery Face Mask – Offers a unique cooling sensation for instantly refreshed and taut skin.
Bodycare Boosters: For Silky-Smooth, Protected Skin
These exceptional bodycare finds smooth, shield, and treat from top to toe, making everyday moments feel like spa-level rituals.
- Best Exfoliating Body Lotion: Frank Body Smoothing AHA Body Lotion – Gently sloughs off dead skin, unveiling a softer texture.
- Best Sun Cream: Hello Sunday The Essential One SPF 30 – Versatile, moisturizing sun protection perfect for daily use.
- Best Body Scrub: Drunk Elephant Sugared Koffie Almond Milk Scrub – Buffs away rough patches with a delicious coffee scent.
- Best Deodorant: NUXE 24h Fresh-Feel Deodorant Balm – Delivers odor control while calming sensitive skin, all without aluminum salts.
Haircare Heroes: Transformative Tress Innovations
Healthy, radiant hair starts with best-in-class products designed to nourish, protect, and style with ease. These elevated favorites captured the attention of experienced editors and hair experts alike.
- Best Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner: Monday Haircare Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner – Leaves hair feeling soft, hydrated, and frizz-free.
- Best Colour Safe Shampoo & Conditioner: L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Shampoo & Mask – Protects both color-treated hair and the scalp, helping color last longer.
- Best Scalp Treatment: Fekkai CBD Scalp Calming Hydrating Mask – Relieves dryness, irritation, and flakiness for a balanced scalp.
- Best Curl Gel: Cantu Grapeseed Strengthening Gel – Defines curls without crunch, reduces breakage, and combats humidity.
Scents of the Moment: Fragrance Winners
These olfactory standouts evoke mood, memory, and emotion with every spritz, offering something special for every fragrance fan.
- Best Citrus Scent: Chloé Eau de Parfum Naturelle for Her – Bright, uplifting notes with a subtle, modern twist—a summer and spring favorite.
- Best Fresh Scent: Flor de la Virgen Cologne de Parfum – A crisp, green fragrance perfect for clean scent lovers.
- Best Floral Scent: Christian Dior Miss Dior Eau de Parfum – A contemporary floral bouquet inspired by love and optimism.
Tools & Tech: The Next Level Devices and Brushes
The right tools transform routines from mundane to magical, and this year’s selection features both timeless basics and cutting-edge inventions.
- Best Makeup Brushes: By Joy Adenuga The Eye Brush Set & Brush Bag – Precision, blendability, and luxurious texture for professional results at home.
- Best Hair Innovation: Dyson Flyaway Attachment for the Supersonic Dryer – Tames frizz and flyaways with advanced airflow technology for salon-worthy hair.
What others are reading
Editor’s Perspective: Why These Beauty Awards Matter
The Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards aren’t just another round-up. The winning products survived multiple rounds of wear tests by a diverse editorial team, taking into account different skin shades, types, and beauty preferences. Products were judged on efficacy, innovation, price, sensory experience, and user feedback. This ensures that every winner here is worth your investment, whether you want to overhaul your entire routine or add a single power product to your shelf.
Shopping the Winners: Build Your Own Beauty Arsenal
Ready to upgrade your beauty routine? Start with these standout winners—build a minimal kit or go all out for a full face and body transformation.
- For a flawless base, layer Rose Inc’s concealer with Tower28 blush for a fresh-pop cheek.
- Beauty Bay Wilderness Palette offers dynamic eye looks, complemented by the Huda Beauty Liquid Liner for definition.
- Monday Haircare and L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox keep strands glossy and color-true, while Fekkai CBD Mask calms sensitive scalps.
- Finish with a spritz of Chloé Eau de Parfum Naturelle for a scent that lingers all day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are the Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards determined?
The awards are decided after months of hands-on testing by Cosmopolitan’s editorial staff. Editors evaluate hundreds of launches across makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance, and tools, assessing factors such as formula performance, sensory qualities, packaging, and versatility. Finalists are revisited, compared, and judged until clear standouts emerge.
Are all winners new products?
Most winners are new releases or innovative updates, but some categories recognize reformulated legends or cult-favorites that have pushed boundaries in 2021.
Where can I buy the winning products?
Many winning products are available through major beauty retailers, brand sites, and department stores. Some may be exclusive to select regions, so check stockists for availability.
Is there a specific product for each skin or hair type?
Editors intentionally test winners across a variety of hair textures, skin types, and tones. Check each product description for notes about suitability for sensitive skin, color-treated hair, or other considerations. If in doubt, look for universal classics such as Garnier Micellar Hyaluronic Aloe Water and Monday Haircare Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner.
How often are the Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards held?
The awards are an annual event, with fresh new winners crowned each year based on the latest launches and breakthroughs.
Spotlight on Unmissable Trends From 2021
| Trend | What to Try |
|---|---|
| Skin Barrier Support | Selfless by Hyram Daily Barrier Support Moisturiser |
| Multi-tasking Makeup | Tower28 BeachPlease Blush (lips & cheeks) |
| High-Tech Hair Tools | Dyson Flyaway Attachment |
| Cult Bodycare Ingredients | Frank Body Smoothing AHA Lotion |
| Caring for Curls | Cantu Grapeseed Strengthening Gel |
| Bioadaptive Skincare | Charlotte Tilbury Cryo Recovery Mask |
What Makes a Beauty Product a Winner?
Cosmopolitan’s editors recognize products that demonstrate:
- Visible results in real-life conditions
- Innovative ingredients or delivery systems
- Sensory delight: pleasing scents, textures, and user experience
- Accessibility: fair pricing, inclusive shade ranges, and wide availability
- Positive reader feedback after real-world trials
How to Build Your Own Award-Worthy Routine
You don’t need a 12-step ritual to achieve year-round radiance. Start with the award-winners that address your specific skin, hair, or style needs. For instance:
- Protect daily with Day-Lite’s SPF 50+ in your skincare regimen.
- Boost hydration using Simple Water Boost Hydrating Eye Gel and Bad Habit’s Melatonin & Glycolic Night Cream.
- Upgrade your makeup with longwearing and skin-loving picks from Rose Inc and Tower28.
- Add shine and protection to hair with Monday Haircare and advanced tools from Dyson.
- Spritz on a signature scent like Chloé Eau de Parfum Naturelle to lift your mood all day.
Behind the Scenes: The Secret to Selecting the Best
Each awarded product underwent intensive real-world wear tests, application on multiple skin and hair types, and in-depth ingredient analysis. The diversity of voices and experiences among the editorial team ensures no beauty stone was left unturned. This means when you pick up a winner, you can trust its quality, innovation, and ability to deliver visible results.
Your 2021 Beauty Awards Shopping List
- Face: Day-Lite SPF 50+, Rose Inc Concealer, Tower28 Blush
- Hair: Monday Haircare Moisture Set, Dyson Flyaway Attachment
- Body: Frank Body AHA Lotion, Nuxe Fresh-Feel Deodorant
- Fragrance: Chloé Eau de Parfum Naturelle, Miss Dior Eau de Parfum
- Tool: Joy Adenuga Eye Brush Set
Ready to Glow?
There’s a reason the Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards are treated by readers as a yearly shopping reference. If you’re seeking new holy grails, exploring trends, or simply eager to indulge, this handpicked lineup guarantees peerless performance and dollars well spent. Happy experimenting!
References
- https://www.diarydirectory.com/newsarticle/cosmopolitan-beauty-awards-2021-winners-revealed/40745
- https://keepcalmandchiffon.com/blog/best-of-beauty-2021/
- https://us.manucurist.com/pages/beauty-awards
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a36130996/beauty-awards-2021/
- https://camerareadycosmetics.com/collections/cosmopolitan-beauty-awards
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