"Our industry is made stronger with innovative contributions," said Pamela J. Busiek, President and CEO, ICMAD

A total of 14 independent cosmetic companies were awarded the 2016 Cosmetic Innovator of the Year (CITY) Award during Cosmoprof North America, held July 24 - 26, 2016 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. The CITY Award was founded in 1995 by Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors (ICMAD). The awards program is open to “all who seek to represent the best in cutting-edge products, beautiful design and brilliant marketing.

Three finalists were chosen, in each category, from a wide array of entries. The finalists were selected in June and the winners were then selected by a group of industry- experts in the fields of beauty, design and marketing, including; Jérôme Bérard, Principal, Berard Associates; Dr. Brooke Carlson, Fashion Institute of Technology, School of Graduate Studies, Cosmetics and Fragrance Master’s Program; Maria Corbiscello, President, STUDIO MC; Claudia Lucas, Executive Vice President of Business Development, Behrman Communications; and Ron Robinson, Founder & CEO, BeautyStat.

Master of Ceremonies, Harlan Kirschner of The Kirschner Group and Keynote Speakers Tish and Snooky Bellomo, founders of Manic Panic NY, enjoyed the honour of announcing the winners in each of the 14 categories last evening in a gala dinner and awards ceremony. And the 2016 CITY Award Winners are:

Product Innovation

Product Color Cosmetics: Cover FX, Cover FX Custom Cover Drops
Product Facial Skincare: BioMimetic Laboratories, Inc., Erasa XEP30
Product Bath/ Body/Fragrance: Vita Liberata, Vita Liberata 3-In-1 Self-Tanning Dry Oil SPF 50
Product Haircare: HATCHBEAUTY PRODUCTS LLC, Body Breakthrough™ Volume Boosting Hairspray
Product Accessories & Tools: TEMPTU, TEMPTU Air

Package Design Innovation

Package Color Cosmetics: HCT Packaging, Lilah B. Divine Duo Lip And Cheek
Package Facial Skincare: Elizabeth Arden, Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster
Package Bath/ Body/Fragrance: Thymes, Frasier Fir Ceramic Poured Candle 3-Wick
Package Haircare: World Wide Packaging, StriVectin Hair N1A114 Technology
Package Accessories & Tools: invisibobble, invisibobble POWER

Marketing/Advertising Innovation Print

Best Cause Marketing: Obliphica Professional®, Obliphica Professional®
Innovative Launch Campaign: Gavee Gold Collection, NewBeauty Innovative Launch Campaign

Member’s Choice Product
Flip-It! Cap Company, Flip-It

Member’s Choice Package
HYNT BEAUTY, Aria Pure Lipstick

It is ICMAD’s great honour, and one of the highlights of our year, to recognize these visionaries in industry segments from cosmetics, fragrances, hair, and body care, to marketing, packaging, and accessories. Our industry is made stronger with innovative contributions such as these, and we always look forward to the winners’ using the CITY Award as a platform for expanding their influence in the multibillion-dollar beauty industry,” said Pamela J. Busiek, President and CEO, ICMAD.