The Selfridges Beauty Awards 2020

BEST CULT CLASSIC

AND THE WINNER IS:

Le Labo – Santal 33

When it comes to street-stopping scents, Le Labo’s cult favourite Santal 33 is top of our list for 2020. Why, you ask? Well, the perfectly blended unisex fragrance combines cardamom, iris and ambrox with intoxicating leather and musk that gives it an addictive allure on all its wearers. Spritz with caution: people will stop you to ask, “what perfume are you wearing?”

HAIR HERO

AND THE WINNER IS:

Olaplex – No3 Hair Perfector Hair Treatment

“Olaplex honestly changed my life!” says our Merchandiser Emily Starr, who’s just one of the many fans that have propelled Olaplex to ‘Hall of Fame’ status. The replenishing hair treatment repairs and strengthens hair that is weak or damaged due to an abundance of heat styling, colour or bleach (something many of us tried out in those tiresome weeks of lockdown). Simply use as a 15-minute pre-wash mask once a week and watch it restore hair to its healthy, glossy former glory.

BEST IN BROWS

AND THE WINNER IS:

Anastasia Beverly Hills – Dipbrow Pomade

Coined the Queen of Brows, LA-based Anastasia Soare imparted her years of expertise into her eponymous brand. Our Merchandise Manager, Natalie Cowan, sings the praises of her Dipbrow Pomade: “I love it because it lasts forever and is the perfect consistency of cream and powder for easy application. Top tip: a drop of oil on the top keeps it fresh and stops it drying out!”

BEST MASCARA

AND THE WINNER IS:

Charlotte Tilbury – Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara

A big Charlotte Tilbury launch can cause quite a stir amongst beauty fans, and this mascara did just that. Combining a jet-black formula with a small, precise brush, it lifts and lengthens lashes into a curl that looks like you’ve used an eyelash curler – it’s the nemesis of straight, spikey lashes everywhere (and an essential for Zoom calls).

BEST BEAUTY GADGET

AND THE WINNER IS:

The Light Salon – Boost LED Mask

We weren’t surprised to see sales of LED masks skyrocket over lockdown when salons closed. Those in the know wax lyrical about the benefits of LED, and this mask delivers clinically proven red and near-infrared wavelengths to calm inflammation, plump, hydrate and reduce wrinkles. And the best part? It’s made from lightweight soft silicone and is portable, so you can pop it on for ten minutes while unloading the dishwasher.

MINI MARVEL

AND THE WINNER IS:

Milk Makeup – Mini Lip + Cheek

Come on, who doesn’t love a good mini? They’re not just great for travel (whenever that’ll happen again), they’re also handbag-friendly and are a good way to give a product a test drive before you fully invest. Our favourite for 2020 is Milk Makeup’s brilliant Mini Lip + Cheek – the ultimate multitasker that can be dotted onto cheeks, lips, eyes – you name it – and blended with your fingers.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

AND THE WINNER IS:

Laura Mercier – Translucent Loose Setting Powder

Some brands are associated with reaching perfection for a particular product that becomes their ‘thing’. Laura Mercier’s thing is skin, and specifically this powder. You’ll find it in almost every make-up artist’s kit – and judging by the votes, in our make-up bags, too. So, why’s it so great? It’s just a powder, right? To quote our Beauty Editor, Grace Gargini: not all powders are created equally. The ultra-light texture of the powder somehow manages to set make-up without any signs of dry, cakey skin after hours of wear.”

BEST BLOCKBUSTER SCENT

AND THE WINNER IS:

Maison Francis Kurkdjian – Baccarat Rouge 540

Created by the lauded French fragrance house, this unique woody floral is a bright, sophisticated and flirty scent. Think the Marilyn Monroe of the fragrance world. Blending saffron, ambergris, jasmine and cedarwood, it was a firm favourite amongst our panel.