South African Prix d'Excellence de la Beauté 2010 from Marie Claire

“The competition was fierce this year, especially in the care category with so many top-notch skin, body, sun and hair products to choose from but this is always good news for the beauty consumer - product innovation just keeps getting better and better,” says Marie Claire's beauty editor Helen Clemson.

Local judges

Seven of South Africa's most respected beauty editors selected the local winners.

• Helen Clemson, Marie Claire;
  
• Nicolene Strydom, Cosmopolitan;
  
• Lameez Hendricks, O, The Oprah Magazine;
  
• Candice-Lee Kannemeyer, Destiny;
  
• Marianne Campbell, Femina;
  
• Elaine Nixon-Campbell, Rooi Rose;
  
• Ayanda Bikitsha, True Love.

Local sponsor

The South African awards are run in conjunction with the international Marie Claire Prix d'Excellence de la Beauté that honours beauty products of the highest standard from around the world, as chosen by a panel of beauty journalists.

“As one of the biggest beauty retailers, Edgars is proud to be associated with the most prestigious beauty awards in the world,” says Hugues Witvoet, chief executive, department store division for Edcon, who hosted the event. “The awards showcase not only the best from around the world, but also the best products South Africa has to offer.”

Other winners

Citations for the Care category (in no particular order):

• Elizabeth Arden Prevage Body Total Transforming Anti-ageing Moisturizer;
  
• Chanel Précision Sublimage Essential Regenerating Fluid;
  
• Lancôme Génifique Youth Activator.

Citations for the Make-up category (in no particular order):

• Givenchy Le Prisme Soft Compact Face Powder;
  
• Lancôme Ôscillation Vibrating Infinite Powermascara;
  
• Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15.

Local hero citation:

The magazine asked the jury to make special mention of a homegrown entry that really caught its attention. Wild Olive's Florae range of bath, body and facial products came out tops as this year's local beauty star. Proudly South Africa awarded this winner with a membership.

All the winners are featured in a special supplement, sponsored by Edgars, in the April issue of the magazine on sale now.

Winning workshops

This year the magazine and department store have invited readers to experience all the winning products at beauty workshops, scheduled in Johannesburg (Melrose Arch) on 18 March, Durban (Gateway) on 25 March and Cape Town (V&A Waterfront) on 30 March. More than 300 participating readers and Edgars Club members will be receiving beauty advice, sampling products and enjoying canapés and cocktails.