Influenster, the leading product reviews platform, has announced the winners of its 2019 Reviewers’ Choice Awards: Best in Beauty — take a look at the complete winners’ list.

Across makeup, facial skin care, hair care, body care, and fragrance, 200+ winners were selected based on the analysis of almost 6.5 million organic, non-incentivized reviews, all written in the past year by its passionate community of everyday consumers.

A few of the winners are shown above — Glossier You Eau de Parfum won Best Indie Fragrance For Her, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Eye Cream won Best Mass Eye Cream, and Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Gel won Best Prestige Brow Gel. 

Elizabeth Scherle, President and Co-founder of Influenster, says, “In an era where consumers demand more and more transparency of brands and media, Influenster is proud to lead the charge in shifting Beauty industry dynamics by raising the voices of real people.”

Scherle continues, “Our members are consumers voting with their purchase power, and to spotlight the products that not only enhance their daily lives but inspire them to share is a responsibility we take seriously. This year’s winners represent a mix of cult classics, up-and-comers, time-tested solutions, and hot new formats and ingredients. We know the opinions shared by our members will help make people smarter Beauty shoppers across the board.”

Influenster has approximately 6 million members have written more than 38 million reviews — and that number grows by 1 million, monthly.

Determining the Winners

Factors including review volume, year-over-year growth and star rating determined which products rose to the top across Prestige, Mass, and Indie channels.

In addition, Influenster spotlighted a few favorites in more niche and emerging categories.

Setting Influenster’s fifth annual Reviewers’ Choice Awards apart from others in the industry is that the winners are selected based on authentic feedback from real people, not the opinions of editors, social media stars or other category experts.

How Important are Beauty Reviews, to Consumers?

Time and again, product reviews are ranked more influential to purchase decisions than most other sources of information.

An Influenster survey of 10,000 members conducted in early 2019 found that 98% of respondents said they consult ratings and reviews while shopping — and this is especially necessary when evaluating beauty products.

In terms of their influence on purchase decisions in the Beauty category, ratings and reviews out-rank friends and family by 1.6x, editorial content by 2.6x, and both influencers and social media by more than 5x.

Of the nearly 6.5 million reviews analyzed this year, the makeup category contributed the highest volume with 2.4 million reviews, followed by skin care (face and body) at 2.2 million. These categories comprised 56% of all Beauty reviews in the past year.

Influenster Reports On Beauty Trends

Ingredients “stealing the stage” in the facial skincare category, Influenster states, includes vitamin C, retinol, and cica.

Plus — customization and personalization continue to be trend drivers across all categories. Influenster also notes the emergence of new tailor-made products to address specific concerns.

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