For the world of beauty and beauty lovers alike, 2021 has been a year of re-emergence, of attempting to put the pandemic behind us and sally forth into society — scented, complexions gleaming, hair resplendently coiffed.
Both the industry has seen a boom and our spirits have been rekindled. While beauty is about aesthetics it also has a lot to do with psychology. Psychology is the science of creative pleasure, joy, and creativity.
While we weren’t allowed in shops and salons, we stockpiled so many small and perfectly formed deliveries, with online beauty sales surging by 23 per cent.
Everybody has been reminded about how much our grooming rituals matter to us. You could have the aroma oil bottle that calms your tired body or nail varnish that gives you a lift. Or the joy that comes with a tool that lets us create big, bouncy blow-drys.
The Daily Mail began its hunt for beauty stars that brought a smile to your face (file photo)
So for this, the fifth annual Inspire Beauty Awards, we want to hear about the beauty heroes that put a smile back on your face — literally and also metaphorically. Perhaps you’ve fallen back in love with a foolproof favourite, or maybe among those online packages you’ve discovered a brilliant new product that you now can’t live without.
We choose to treasure every mascara brush, each blusher set, and use it as our armour against the outside world. That this is a world in which we can now — at times — go maskless and lipsticked will continue to feel thrilling for a good while longer.
What product in your makeup bag, or your bathroom shelf made you happy? For inspiration, we’ve asked three brilliant women who are at the top of the beauty industry — Dr Maryam Zamani, facial aesthetics doctor and award-winning skincare founder, Anabel Kingsley, a trichologist and brand president of the Philip Kingsley clinics and haircare range, and Alexia Inge, co-CEO of cosmetics website Cult Beauty — to pick their favourite products.
And I’ve listed mine, too. But you don’t have to pick from our chosen wares: if you have your own favourite that’s not here, simply write the brand and full name of the product by the words ‘other choice’.
In September, Chancellor Rishi Sunak referred to the beauty industry as ‘something that, as a country, we should feel proud that we do really well’.
Take the time to celebrate with us.
MEET OUR IllustriOUS PANEL of JUDGES
HANNAH BETTS
Award-winning journalist Hannah, 50, is Inspire’s beauty columnist and knows everything there is to know about looking — and feeling — fabulous. Her partner Terence and Pimlico are their pets.
Hannah Betts, 50, (pictured) who lives in London, has relied on Bobbi Brown’s Skin Long-wear Weightless Foundation as a base
In this strange and difficult year, beauty boosts were more important to my morale than ever. I have relied upon a fantastic base — Bobbi Brown’s Skin Long-wear Weightless Foundation (£35, bobbibrown.co.uk); Glossier’s cult Boy Brow grooming pomade to bulk up my eyebrows (£14, glossier.com); and Lipstick Queen’s berry shine Hello Sailor on my lips (£22, lookfantastic.com). My daily joys: Aromatherapy Associates Revive Evening Bath & Shower Oil in my bath (£36.75, aromatherapyassociates.com); and Etat Libre d’Orange’s Rien on my neck (£139, selfridges.com), a sublime, incense-like creation that is not so much ‘nothing’, as everything.
DR MARYAMZAMANI
Maryam (47) is an internationally recognized oculoplastic surgeon. MZ Skin is her own skincare brand. With her husband Reza and their two children Casper (12 years old) and Lily (10 years), she lives in London.
Dr Maryam Zamani, 47, (pictured), who lives in London, said her all-time favourite product is Tom Ford’s Soleil Glow Bronzer
The beauty industry was dominated by heavy, contoured makeup before the epidemic. However, now it’s all about skin and self-care. It’s about nurturing ourselves inside and out, living well and feeling well.
Skin is the essence of all beauty, so I’ve been taking care of mine for a long time. In the 18 months that have passed, the importance of my skincare routine has increased for me mental health. Every other night I use my at-home MZ Skin Lightmax Supercharged LED mask for ten minutes, to stimulate collagen and calm my skin (£545, drmaryamzamani.com). And my all-time favourite product is Tom Ford’s Soleil Glow Bronzer (£55, tomford.co.uk) — it gives me a beautiful, light glow.
ALEXIA INGE
Alexia is 44 and the cofounder and chief executive officer of Cult Beauty. She lives in London.
Alexia Inge, 44 (pictured), who lives in London, loves One Ocean Beauty’s Replenishing Deep Sea Moisturiser
There’s been a host of new beauty trends post-pandemic. My favorite is sustainability. Consumers recognize that each purchase is an opportunity to vote for the company’s philosophy. That’s how you effect change. It’s why I love One Ocean Beauty’s Replenishing Deep Sea Moisturiser (£65, cultbeauty.co.uk), which uses locally lab-grown algae, instead of harvesting it from the seabed.
Now we’re even more dependent on screens, there’s been a boom in blue light protection such as Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 30 (£30). We’ve also become obsessed with complexion lifters, due to spending so much time inside. Monika Blunder’s Beauty Blunder Cover (£45) sold out instantly when it launched. It is applied with a brush in key areas. Then blend it for natural results. This product is especially good for older skin types.
ANABEL KINGSLEY
Anabel is 37 years old and brand president for Philip Kingsley’s clinics, product lines, and products. With Constantin her husband and Leopold their baby boy, she resides in New York.
Anabel Kingsley, 37, (pictured), who lives in New York, said her favourite tool is the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer
This year, we’ve seen a boom in hair loss solutions. Hair shedding can be triggered by underlying or severe stress, of which we’ve all had plenty. Hair loss can also be caused by virus infections like Covid. This is typically seen within three months after the infection. Our Tricho 7 Volumising Hair & Scalp Drops (£52, philipkingsley.co.uk) have been particularly popular with women with fine hair who are experiencing a loss of volume.
There’s been a massive interest in scalp health this year, too. You need to take care of your scalp like you treat your face. In terms of styling, my favourite tool is still the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer (£299.99, selfridges.com).