Cosmopolitan Beauty & Influencer Awards 2020: Winners and Nominees

2020 was a dramatic year – a time of challenge, adaptation, and innovation across all industries. Yet, despite every unexpected turn, the Cosmopolitan Beauty & Influencer Awards continued, brighter than ever, to spotlight the best of the best in the world of beauty. From trend-defining products to trailblazing personalities, the 2020 awards celebrated brands, creators, and launches that most inspired, uplifted, and wowed the beauty community worldwide.

This exhaustive guide brings you all the winners and nominations across every category. Discover the breakthrough brands, stand-out product launches, viral influencers, and those who helped redefine beauty and wellness for a new era.

How the Awards Were Decided

The Cosmopolitan Middle East team assembled an exclusive and dynamic judging panel for 2020, including renowned influencers, former Cosmo cover stars, and creative minds who know what really sets a product apart. Panelists tested thousands of products and reviewed hundreds of digital creators, ultimately choosing nominees and crowning the best in each category. Their focus? Innovation, inclusivity, sustainability, and genuine impact within the beauty industry.

Meet the Judges

• Hindash – Makeup artist and former cover star
• Karen Wazen – Influencer and beauty entrepreneur
• Elnaz Golrokh – Content creator and beauty expert
• Sophie Katirai – Instagram filter creator, known for collaborations with Kylie Cosmetics

Together, these visionaries brought a balanced mix of on-trend expertise and industry insight to the process.

Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards 2020: All the Winners and Nominees

Dive into the year’s most coveted achievements in the beauty industry. Each award celebrates both the winner and those nominated for pushing boundaries and setting new standards.

Most Inclusive Beauty Brand 2020

• WINNER: Fenty Beauty
• Huda Beauty
• MAC Cosmetics
• Giorgio Armani
• CTZN Cosmetics

Fenty Beauty’s dedication to genuinely diverse shade ranges and representation continues to set a benchmark for the industry. Its inclusive campaigns and boundary-breaking product lines lead global change.

Most Sustainable Beauty Brand 2020

• WINNER: Aesop
• Lush
• Farsali
• Tata Harper
• The Dubai Dolls

Aesop, with its eco-conscious formulas, minimal packaging, and ethical sourcing, proved that looking after the planet can go hand in hand with luxurious self-care.

Most Innovative Beauty Brand 2020

• Foreo
• WINNER: Dyson
• Solaris Laboratories
• Current Body
• Dr. Barbara Sturm

Dyson built on its trailblazing technology, bringing advancements such as the Airwrap and Supersonic hair tools that have become must-haves for stylists and consumers alike.

Fragrance of the Year 2020

• Tiffany & Co., Tiffany & Love
• Dolce & Gabbana, The Only One
• Christian Louboutin, Loubiworld
• Ojar, Red Redemption
• WINNER: Miss Dior, Rose N’Roses

With vibrant rose notes and an uplifting freshness, Miss Dior Rose N’Roses was adored for its modern, irresistible take on an iconic floral.

Foundation of the Year 2020

• Fenty Beauty, Pro Filt’r
• Bex Beauty, Drama Therapy
• Giorgio Armani, Luminous Silk (WINNER)
• Charlotte Tilbury, Airbrush Flawless
• Hourglass, Vanish Seamless Finish

Luminous Silk by Giorgio Armani remained a go-to choice for pros and fans alike, prized for its second-skin finish and adaptable coverage across a wide spectrum of shades.

Mascara of the Year 2020

• WINNER: Charlotte Tilbury, Pillow Talk Mascara
• Huda Beauty, Legit Lashes
• Dolce & Gabbana, Beauty Passioneyes Mascara
• Sephora, Size Up
• Hourglass, Extreme Lash Mascara

Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Mascara defined and volumized lashes with no clumping, giving instant ‘wide-awake’ eyes – adored by all judges and testers.

Lipstick of the Year 2020

• Hermes Rouge
• Huda Beauty Power Bullet (WINNER)
• Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk
• MAC Velvet Teddy
• Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint

With its pigment-rich formula and comfortable wear, Huda Beauty Power Bullet became a must-have in countless makeup bags this year.

Skincare Launch of the Year 2020

• Wishful, Pineapple Enzyme Scrub
• Ole Henriksen, Vitamin C Collection (WINNER)
• Bio-Oil, Skincare (Natural)
• Milk Makeup, Vegan Moisturiser
• Christian Laurent, Diamond Serum

Ole Henriksen’s Vitamin C line won for its effective formulas brightening skin and delivering visible results in just weeks.

Lashes of the Year 2020

• WINNER: The Dubai Dolls
• Huda Beauty Faux Mink Lashes
• Glossy Makeup by Natasha Zaki
• Pinky Goat
• Eyecha (World’s First Recycled Lashes)

The Dubai Dolls combined glamour, durability, and ethical production, creating lashes that are both photogenic and accessible.

Eyeshadow Palette of the Year 2020

• WINNER: Natasha Denona Bronze Palette
• Huda Beauty Naughty
• Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk
• Fenty Beauty Snap Shadows
• Laila Loves x Lottie London Eyeshadow Palettes

Natasha Denona cemented her reputation for unmatched pigment and blendability, with the Bronze Palette becoming a universal staple for all skin tones.

Haircare Launch of the Year 2020

• WINNER: Pantene Hair Primer
• Kayali Deja Vu Hair Mist
• Sisley Restructuring Nourishing Balm
• KJ Serums Hair Karma
• Batiste Waterless Cleansing Foam

Pantene’s Hair Primer was praised for prepping hair before styling, enhancing smoothness and shine without weighing hair down.

Cosmopolitan Influencer Awards 2020

The digital creators, brand founders, and new industry voices featured below define what it means to inspire and empower through beauty in 2020.

Beauty TikToker of the Year 2020

• @judypoulos
• @boubatok
• @eljammi (WINNER)
• @yarziezz
• @itsara.ae

@eljammi’s quick, creative tutorials and product reviews lit up feeds and helped make TikTok the platform where beauty trends begin.

Beauty YouTuber of the Year 2020

• WINNER: Huda Beauty
• Maya Ahmad
• Elnaz Golrokh
• Ritu & Rinky Pamnani
• Lauren O’Connell

With global reach and innovative content, the Huda Kattan-led channel delivered tutorials, product launches, and unfiltered beauty wisdom.

Beauty Snapchatter of the Year 2020

• Layla Akil
• WINNER: Yara AlNamlah
• Mashael Jamal
• Lama Al Akeel
• Nora Bo Awadh

Yara AlNamlah’s vibrant, engaging content and beauty storytelling won over Snapchat’s ever-evolving audience.

Best New MUA (Makeup Artist) 2020

• V-Shawn Beauty
• Caren William
• Saba Asif
• WINNER: Nadine Hossam
• Arwa Beig

Nadine Hossam broke barriers as an emerging MUA, known for impactful looks and honest, accessible tutorials.

Best Influencer Beauty Brand 2020

• Hala Owais Lashes (WINNER)
• Nina Ubhi Cosmetics
• Fara Beauty
• Nabilla Beauty
• Nora Cosmetics

Hala Owais’s lash brand soared, blending influencer credibility with real quality control and vision.

Most Inspiring Self-Care Activist 2020
Sponsored by Bioré

• WINNER: Ameni Esseibi
• Danae Mercer
• Manal Rostom
• Shaikha Al Qassemi
• Lousia Northcote

Breaking stigmas and building self-worth, Ameni Esseibi’s passionate advocacy elevated self-care and mental health across the beauty world.

Special Recognitions & Notable Trends from the 2020 Awards

• Inclusivity on the Rise: Brands expanded their shade ranges, haircare lines for all textures, and body-positive messaging, with Fenty Beauty standing out as the benchmark.
• Sustainability and Clean Beauty: Eco-friendly packaging, natural ingredients, and cruelty-free certifications played bigger roles than ever in determining favorites.
• Beauty Tech Breakthroughs: Dyson’s tools and Foreo’s gadgets showcased how technology is quickly merging with beauty routines at home.
• Digital Influence: TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat transformed beauty communication, with viral tutorials and real-time reviews becoming the new normal.
• Elevated Skin and Self-Care: Skincare launches stole the show, riding 2020’s at-home beauty surge with vitamin-rich, multitasking formulations.

Complete Winners Table

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What do the Cosmopolitan Beauty & Influencer Awards celebrate?

The Cosmopolitan Beauty & Influencer Awards honor outstanding achievements in makeup, skin, haircare, and influencer culture, featuring innovations and trendsetters that redefine modern beauty.

How are the winners chosen?

A panel of industry experts, including influencers and editors, tests products and reviews creators over several months. Decisions are made based on performance, originality, and overall impact.

Which product or brand won the most awards in 2020?

Fenty Beauty, Dyson, and Huda Beauty each received major category wins, showing continued industry leadership in inclusivity, innovation, and digital impact.

Where can I watch the 2020 Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards?

A full replay is available on Cosmopolitan Middle East’s official YouTube channel, capturing every winner announcement and judge’s commentary.

What trends dominated the 2020 Beauty Awards?

Inclusivity, sustainability, at-home self-care, and tech-driven products led the way, emphasizing real results and accessible, positive beauty for all.

Editorial Note

Missed out on the live action? No worries – this guide covers every winner, nominee, and narrative from the 2020 Cosmopolitan Beauty & Influencer Awards. Dive in, discover new favorites, and find inspiration for your next beauty adventure.