Marie Claire Prix d'excellence Awards 2010

It was a pleasure to be in the company

of some of the top people responsible

for making us all beautiful and

youthful looking, at the

Marie Claire Prix d'excellence Awards 2010.

Amongst the PR guru's of the cosmetics industry guests included Per Neuman,

Managing Director of the Estee Lauder Companies, David Marsh,

Yves Saint Laurent's Managing Director and Managing Director of

Elizabeth Arden, Barrett West.

The awards, held in the ballroom at Claridges were hosted by Capital Radio’s

Breakfast show presenter Lisa Snowdon alongside Marie Claire’s Editor-in-Chief

Trish Halpin who both looked amazing.

Lisa donned a beautiful black lace dress by Jaeger. She was the perfect host and

despite those early morning starts she showed no sign of lines, dark circles or

puffiness. She told us she permanently has a bottle of Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair in her bathroom, it obviously seems to work as Lisa's skin looked wonderful.

Internationally, Marie Claire’s Prix d’Excellence is now in its 24th year and is considered

to be the most esteemed beauty award in the world. As a truly global recognition of achievement, to win one guarantees a product credibility and kudos amongst beauty aficionados everywhere. This year British Marie Claire celebrated its 5th awards

ceremony to launch the awards here in London.

Prix d’Excellence honours beauty products considered by an international panel to be the very cream of those launched in the last two years. Comprised of Marie Claire beauty editors from around the world as well as independent experts from the cosmetics industry, this panel is deemed perfectly situated to critique each product for qualities from packaging to performance. This year, they chose five products to receive this prestigious award.

Lancôme Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate

Shiseido Perfect Rouge Lipstick

YSL Teint Resist Foundation

L’Oréal INOA

Special award for Dior

Dior Capture Total Multi-Perfection Radiance Enhancer

Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Make-up

In addition to these five awards voted for by the international jury, three more

prizes are also awarded; the British Jury prize for Make-up, the British Jury Prize

for Beauty, plus a British Jury award for an ethical range across

makeup, hair or body.

Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Makeup Powder Foundation

Highly commended

L’Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Professional range

Dolce & Gabbana The Makeup Range

Guerlain Parue Gold Rejuvenating Gold Radiance Foundation

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair

Highly commended

Kérastase Oléo-Relax Slim range

Neutrogena Wave Cleanser

Chanel Précision Ultra Correction Line repair range

Pureology haircare range

Highly commended

Ojon Restorative Hair treatment

Origins Multi-grain Make-up

It was great to meet the girls from Illamasqua, they were nominated for an award. Currently in eight stores in the UK, including Selfridges and Sephora USA as well as ASOS.com and Charles Fox they are a rapidly growing make-up brand.

By Natasha J Gordon