Long before there were awards and accolades, Beauty Heroes Founder Jeannie Jarnot had a vision that being blue was the future of beauty. Beyond clean and green, so much more than being sustainable, she had a vision for beauty brands doing their part to leave the planet bluer than they found it. This meant focusing on renewable resources, zero waste packaging and processes, diverting bio-waste into raw materials and raising the planet positive bar in the beauty industry and beyond.
Just a few short years later, ‘Blue Beauty’ caught the attention of INNOCOS–an international network of leaders in health, beauty and wellness known for connecting thought and business leaders and providing a forum for them to share their thoughts, educate and develop disruptive content.
This year, INNOCOS’ Blue Beauty Awards salutes brands and finished products from around the world whose innovations are making a positive impact on the environment–meaning that Jeannie’s blue vision is now a globally recognized movement.
Here’s a recap of 2021’s Blue Beauty Award Categories and Winners.
The Winners
While any brand on the blue path is a winner in our book, The Blue Beauty Awards recognize a brand or finished product that is innovative in its sustainability and ability to make a positive impact on the environment. (But let’s be honest here, the real winner is our planet.)
Blue Beauty Brand of the Year: KADALYS
A native of Martinique, Kadalys founder Shirley Billot saw an opportunity in the banana export industry, and through her vision and work, is diverting tons of agri-waste into new innovative ingredients–while creating a new biotech industry on this remote island.
Zero Waste Innovation Winner: AYUNA
Ayuna developed a zero-waste packaging innovation in the luxury beauty category with its development of Terra–a ceramic jar that houses its limited-edition product formula. This jar, a piece of art, can literally be returned to the earth without any processing.
ZERO WASTE INNOVATION Runner Up: UPCIRCLE BEAUTY
An emerging leader in upcycled ingredient sourcing, Upcircle diverts tons of agri-waste from landfills helping coffee shops, flower shops, chai and juice manufacturers become circular businesses by upcycling their byproducts and turning them into beneficial skin products.
Packaging Innovation Winner: BEAUTY KITCHEN
Through their return-refill-repeat program in the Holland & Barrett stores, Beauty Kitchen is helping make Glasgow the first zero-waste city in the UK. They have also helped launch the first refill program in Boots, a major UK retailer.
PACKAGING INNOVATION Runner Up: FREEDGE
Freedge has demonstrated remarkable innovation in sourcing fresh ingredients from local farmers to create fresh-pressed skincare products that are delivered in fully reusable, circular packaging.
Environmental Impact Winner: INNERSENSE ORGANIC BEAUTY
Through its efforts as a 1% For the Planet Company, its partnership with the Plastic Bank and newly pending B-Corp status, Innersense has developed a comprehensive program that works to make a positive impact on the environment. When becoming plastic proactive, Innersense went beyond off-setting its current plastic by removing the equivalent of 5 years of plastic from the environment and moving its packaging to 100% PCR.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Runner Up: Earthwise PNWE: Runner Up
Led by founder Ava Zhan, Earthwise Beauty and Pacific Northwest Essences have shown a dedication to the planet through regenerative ingredient sourcing, minimal packaging and careful educational campaigns that give back to environmental causes.
The Future Looks Very Blue
“The main goal for these awards,” says Jeannie Jarnot, “is not only celebrating the business and initiatives that are already making an effort to leave the planet better, but also helping consumers find and support those brands and inspire an industry to do better.”
“We think that when companies see brands making positive decisions for the environment and being recognized for that, it pushes the industry forward and encourages others to take action.”
The Judges
Selected not only for their visionary roles in their own beauty enterprises, these wildly successful entrepreneurs hold a wide view of the beauty industry at large.
Deanna Utroske
Beauty business editor, thought leader, and on-air commentator, Deanna is well-respected as an ally of beauty entrepreneurs. She is an advocate for clean beauty and sound cosmetic chemistry and a keen observer of the personal care, fragrance and cosmetics value chain.
Kelly Kovak
Currently CEO and Editor-in-Chief of BeautyMatter and co-founder of niche fragrance brand Odin New York, Kelly has deep roots and integral experience in the ever-changing beauty landscape. She has worked with emerging and established brands–including Dr. Dennis Gross SkinCare and Carol’s Daughter–and was co-Founder of Rescue Beauty Lounge.
Jeannie Jarnot
Founder & CEO of Beauty Heroes and pioneer of the Blue Beauty Movement, Jeannie has an unwavering commitment to ethical sourcing, sustainability, purity and quality. She has become the industry standard bearer on ingredient integrity, establishing Beauty Heroes as the most trusted source for healthy beauty.
