The energy was sky high, the celebrations began at 5am and continued on until around midnight.
Last Thursday’s 2024 Awards (7 March) illuminated the excellence, ethics and big love for Nature of this year’s individual award winners – and the natural beauty and wellness space as a whole.
But first, let’s rewind quickly…
Three years after the first ever Beauty Shortlist blog post in 2009, the Beauty Shortlist Awards launched in 2012.
About these awards and why they exist
The aim being, to support and elevate – via a transparent, expert-led awards platform free from any kind of advertising, paid partnerships or sponsorship – the genuine shining stars which hand on heart we would 100% recommend to anyone and everyone.
Judged by experts with experience and integrity
In a nutshell: to provide consumers with a “must try/buy” list of favourites we’re sure they’ll adore too, while publicly recognising the calibre and integrity of these award-worthy, deeply nature-centric and wellbeing-orientated brands.
We’re lucky to have such a strong judging panel of experts who are so passionate about natural & organic beauty.
No ads, no sponsors, no behind the scenes allegiances
With no advertising or financial support, The BSL Awards quickly became a trusted “guide to the best”.
A new home for new natural & organic beauty brands and a new destination full of indie artisan discoveries for green beauty lovers.
An equal playing field for both the smaller indie brands alongside the biggest names in green beauty
The Beauty Shortlist has long been an early adopter as well as a very strong supporter of indie brands alongside the biggest names in green beauty and wellness such as Dr Hauschka, Weleda, Neal’s Yard, WelleCo by Elle Macpherson, Retreatment Botanics by Olivia Newton-John, and this year was up there with the best of them.
Entrants know their products will be judged properly. There’s a six month window between entries opening on 1 September and awards day in early March, so it’s not a short wait to hear if you’ve won or not.
Fresh, new and free from greenwashing
The greenwashing culprits and unethical or over-hyped brands are sifted out. The best brands are in. So the final winners list on awards day feels exciting, fresh, new, real and clean.
I remember the year a good looking Danish brand entered and won nothing. Something didn’t sit right with me. I studied the (beautiful black and white nature scenes) brochure and visually scanned the INCIs multiple times.
All beautifully “Scandi”, serene and appealing but something just felt off. Then I spotted it: “Made in the PRC” (People’s Republic of China) in tiny font at the base of the boxes.
But back to this year! To keep the 2024 celebrations going just a little longer while many of us are all still on a high, we asked ten of this year’s winning brand founders to share what winning a Beauty Shortlist award really means to them.
(Watch some of the highlights on @BeautyShortlist’s Beauty Winner and Wellbeing Winner Instagram story “highlights”)
Here’s what they said.
PROVERB SKINCARE
@proverbskin
“The Beauty Shortlist Awards are the only awards we enter every year consistently and have done for years with both Pinks Boutique and Proverb.
We love the fact that they are actually judged based only on the product and its performance, nothing to do with advertising and marketing spending…. just the truth.
It matches our ethos.
Fiona is an incredible human who has the skill for finding other amazing judges and welcoming both new and established brands into the awards.
It is always a pleasure to be part of it.”
Kirstie Sherriff, Founder of Pinks Boutique and Proverb Lifefuelled Skincare.
TISSERAND
@tisseranduk
“Tisserand is beyond grateful for the many awards received from Beauty Shortlist over the years. The recognition is particularly valued because of the platform’s inclusivity towards brands of all sizes and its commitment to authenticity.
The genuine reviews by industry experts make the accolades even more meaningful.
Plus, Fiona is a delight; her passion for all things wellbeing and beauty shines through in all that she does.
Thank you, Beauty Shortlist, for your continued support.”
MANUCURIST
@manucurist
“Thank you so much to The Beauty Shortlist team for these Awards! It’s such a privilege to be recognized by an incredible team of professionals.
This award has such a strong impact on our visibility in the UK and we’re proud to share our Beauty Shortlist winner award with all of our audience.”
Clarisse Sambor, Head of Sales (UK)
MAMMAE
@mammae.the.embodied.mother
“Being recognised by such a prestigious institution means the world to us, especially as a relatively young brand having only entered the market less than two years ago.
Participating in The Beauty Shortlist Awards not only validates the hard work and dedication we have poured into developing our products, but it also provides us with invaluable exposure and credibility within the beauty community.
Being acknowledged by The Beauty Shortlist amplifies our mission and helps us reach an international audience. The recognition we receive from this esteemed platform will undoubtedly elevate our brand visibility again this year, attracting new customers; helping us to solidify our position as a trusted brand of maternal and woman centred-care well-being products.
Moreover, being a part of these Awards provides us with the opportunity to connect with industry experts, influencers, and fellow brands, fostering collaborations and partnerships that can further enhance our growth trajectory. It’s a wholesome way to kick off the year.”
Erin Deger, founder, Mammae
SUMMERDOWN
@summerdownuk
“We are delighted to have won 5 prestigious Beauty Shortlist Awards, over the moon in fact!
The Beauty Shortlist awards are so well regarded within the beauty sector and winning so many gives our brand a stamp of approval that our consumers really trust.
These awards recognise the restorative wellbeing benefits of the herbs we grow on our Hampshire farm and the 30 years-worth of care, passion and hard work that the Summerdown team have put into growing our very special Black Mitcham peppermint and for that we couldn’t be happier.”
Jo Colman, Chief Mint Officer at Summerdown
AMLY BOTANICALS
@amlybotanicals
“We are incredibly proud to have won Beauty Shortlist awards every year since launching our first product, Radiance Boost, in 2016.
Fiona has been so supportive to us as a small independent brand and her integrity and commitment to natural beauty shines through.
The awards are highly valued by both our retailers and customers.”
Kerry Moore, Co-founder, Amly Botanicals
NINI ORGANICS
@niniorganics
“The Beauty Shortlist Awards gives NINI that extra validation that our formulas are truly remarkable and worth it.
This enables our customers to trust our formulas in a deeper way because they trust what these awards stand for – and how the products are evaluated.”
MADE OF MORE (new launch)
@wearemadeofmore
Jacky Lamyman, founder
“Having launched only 5 months ago to now winning Beauty Product of the Year alongside Best Menopause Brand and 4 other awards in the menopause category, it is beyond an honour. I have followed The Beauty Shortlist for many years in awe of brand founders and their successes; to be able to now showcase the ‘winners’ roundel on all Made of More assets is a huge privilege.”
Jackie Lamyman, Founder of Made of More
MAULI RITUALS
@maulirituals
“So much time, care and intention goes into crafting our Ayurvedic products and formulas, so it’s a joy and honour to have them recognised in the awards we respect the most.
Now adding not just one, but five wins at The Beauty Shortlist Awards 2024, including Best Ayurveda Beauty Brand and Best Hair and Brow Oil.
This makes the team here at Mauli SO happy – for the judges to try and test our products and to be hand-picked as winners means the world.
We win in so many ways. In being devoted to our customers’ wellbeing, we refine our own practices and the way we wish to live. I encourage you to think of all the ways in which you win, even when it may not seem that way”
Anita Kaushal, co-founder, Mauli Rituals
ELATE COSMETICS
@elatecosmetics
