Beauty Launchpad Announces Readers' Choice Awards 2024 Winners and Finalists

Nov 1st, 2024

The professional beauty community has spoken. From hair care products to men's grooming and salon software, these are the winners and finalists of Beauty Launchpad's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards. Did your favorite brands make the cut?

Announcing the best professional beauty products of 2024:

The professional beauty community has spoken. From hair care products to men's grooming and salon software, these are the winners and finalists of Beauty Launchpad's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards. Did your favorite brands make the cut?

Best New Launch

Winner

Meet your hair’s new BFF for smooth and polished styles with DESIGNME HOLD.ME Styling Stick. Made with nourishing castor seed oil, this scalp-friendly formula instantly tames frizz and flyaways without damaging your strands and features a unique tear-drop shape for mess-free application and a compact design for effortless styling on-the-go!

https://designmehair.com/

Finalists

Ivy Ann x Presley Poe 22K Gold Shears https://www.ivyannshears.com/

Oligo Professionnel's CaluraTEN 10-Minute Permanent Color https://oligoprofessionnel.com/

Best Shampoo and Conditioner

Winner

Malibu C Hard Water Shampoo & Conditioner preserve the health and vibrancy of hair that has been exposed to hard or softened water. They remove and protect against waterborne elements that dry, damage and discolor hair, gently cleanse without damaging and infuse moisture for radiant shine and maximum manageability.

https://malibuc.com/

Finalists

DevaCurl CurlHeights Volume + Body Boost Cleanser & Conditioner https://www.devacurl.com

Alkali Beauty Unicorn Shampoo and Conditioner https://alkalibeauty.com/

Best Volumizer

Winner

Get maximum volume, body, and control with one perfect styling mousse. Rusk Maximum Volume and Control Mousse is light, foamy and highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way!

https://ruskprofessional.com/

Finalists

amika rising star volumizing spray https://loveamika.com/

ABBA Volume Foam https://pureabba.com/

Best Hairspray

Winner

Kenra Professional’s Volume Spray 25 provides the maximum amount of volume and hold possible. It leaves hair looking natural and shiny while imparting the strength and volume necessary to make any style last all day.

https://www.kenraprofessional.com/

Finalists

OSiS+ Freeze Schwarzkopf Professional https://www.schwarzkopf-professional.com/

Eufora Elevate https://eufora.net

Best Smoother

Winner

The OLAPLEX Nº.6 Bond Smoother leave-in styling treatment, infused with patented OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology, is highly concentrated and smooths, conditions and strengthens while reducing frizz for up to 72 hours.

https://pro.olaplex.com/

Finalists

amika smooth over frizz-fighting treatment https://loveamika.com/

Wella Professionals Ultimate Repair Mask https://us.wella.professionalstore.com/

Best Curl Enhancer

Winner

DevaCurl CurlHeights Volume + Body Boost Cream defines your curls, maintains moisture, encourages curl definition and reduces frizz.

https://www.devacurl.com/

Finalists

DESIGNME BOUNCE.ME curl enhancer infinite mist https://designmehair.com/

Wellness Premium Products Curl Defind Cream https://wellnesspremiumproducts.com

Best Texturizer

Winner

OSiS+ Flex Wax from Schwarzkopf Professional is an ultra strong cream wax for long-lasting moldable hair styling, strong texture and separation and a shiny finish. Create, re-mold and texture straight or curly styles as often as you wish.

https://www.schwarzkopf-professional.com/

Finalists

Lakme K.Finish Fiber https://lakme.com/

It's a 10 Miracle Texture Fiber https://itsa10haircare.com/

Best In-Salon Smoothing Treatment

Winner

milk_shake insta lotion is a rinse-out liquid mask with hyaluronic acid that's as light as water. In just a few seconds, it gives manageability, shine, hydration and smoothness with a gorgeous fragrance. It is easy to apply, quick to rinse out and decreases drying time.

https://milkshakehairpro.com/

Finalists

Pure Brazilian Clear In-Salon Treatment https://purebrazilian.com/

Keratin Complex KCEXPRESS Smoothing Treatment https://keratincomplex.com/

Best Thinning Regimen

Winner

The MORPHOSIS HAIR TREATMENT LINE from Framesi offers salon-exclusive and consumer retail products that are increasingly more innovative and sustainable, perfect for answering all your clean and conscious beauty needs. The line includes the DENSIFYING category for dehydrated, thinning hair and sensitive scalps and REINFORCING category for weakened, thinning hair and oily scalps to allows stylists to offer solutions to their clients using a prescribed, targeted approach.

https://www.framesiprofessional.com/

Finalists

Nioxin System Kits 1-4 https://www.nioxin.com/

Daniel Alain INTACT 5 https://www.danielalain.com/

Best Sustainable/Eco-Friendly Line

Winner

Areté's Alchemic Color is a consciously crafted permanent hair color collection inspired by the ancient art and science of alchemy and transformation. They've combined historical botanical traditions with innovative chemistry advancements to unlock a new golden era for the modern day alchemist: the hair stylist. Alchemic Color is a 91-shade full spectrum color collection of vibrant reds and coppers, intense and iridescent cools and a grounding neutral-cool and netural-warm natural series.

https://aretebeauty.com/

Finalists

Malibu C - EcoBlu packaging https://malibuc.com/

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree https://paulmitchell.com/

Best Men's Hair

Winner

Framesi BARBER GEN approved by Machete, an exclusive complete men’s line, provides barbers worldwide with the confidence of elite Italian barbering performance through the support of superior products made with premium ingredients. Machete embodies a forward thinking, first-class evolution of the modernization of Italian barbering tradition supported by high-quality products, exclusively for men. As the Machete franchise grew, Machete partnered with framesi to create the FRAMESI BARBER GEN product line.

https://www.framesiprofessional.com/

Finalists

DEPOT https://www.depotmaletools.com/en/

It's a 10 - Rewind it 10 https://rewindit10.com/

Best Hair Oil

Winner

Pure Brazilian Ultra Light Nourishing Oil features a proprietary blend of exotic oils, including camellia oil from Japan and Abyssinian oil from Africa, along with seaweed and vitamin E, for weightless hydration that adds shine and removes frizz instantly! Clear and non-greasy, it leaves all hair types sleek and polished. This nourishing formula provides the hair with both color protection and thermal protection, leaving it silky smooth while returning hair to its healthiest condition.

https://purebrazilian.com/

Finalists

OLAPLEX Nº.7 BONDING OIL https://pro.olaplex.com/

Blessed Bananas Crown of Glory Hair and Scalp Bonding Serum https://blessed-bananas.com/

Best Thermal Protectant

Winner

Surface Hair Blowout Primer is a lightweight memory spray that primes and protects hair for heat styling. Maracuja and lychee oil give hair a voluminous sugar punch and lasting style memory.

https://surfacehair.com/

Finalists

Pure Brazilian Silk Smoothing Balm https://purebrazilian.com/

milk_shake lifestyling thermo-protector https://milkshakehairpro.com/

Best Dry Shampoo

Winner

amika perk up dry shampoo is your secret weapon to maintaining your style. Enriched with natural rice starch, which immediately works to absorb excess oils, the residue-free spray was formulated without aluminum or telltale, chalky talc and delivers instant results. Whether you’re in need of a quick no-wash cleanse or an extra boost of volume, a swift mist of this sea buckthorn-infused formula leaves hair instantaneously soft and refreshed, while a spray to the roots adds instant amplification.

https://loveamika.com/

Finalists

Surface Hair Blowout Dry Shampoo Foam https://surfacehair.com/

DESIGNME QUICKIE.ME dry shampoo for light tones https://designmehair.com/

Best Color Care

Winner

Lakme Teknia Color Stay protects colored hair from the effects of the sun, loss of color and free radicals.

https://lakme.com/

Finalists

Malibu C Crystal Gel https://malibuc.com/

Duomo Blonde Purple Shampoo https://www.duomopro.com/

Best Bond Builder

Winner

OLAPLEX Nº.3 HAIR PERFECTOR, infused with patented OLAPLEX Bond Building technology, is a pre-shampoo treatment that is proven to repair and strengthen hair from the inside out. Use the Nº.3 Hair Perfector alone or paired with OLAPLEX Nº.0 for maximum at-home repair.

https://pro.olaplex.com/

Finalists

Wella Professionals Ultimate Repair Miracle Hair Rescue https://us.wella.professionalstore.com/

Paul Mitchell Bond RX https://pro.paulmitchell.com/

Best Permanent Color

Winner

Satin Hair Color is hair color magic! Boasting over 70 shades enriched with aloe vera and soy protein to soften those locks and create lasting results, Satin Hair Color is an "all in one" color line low in ammonia and can be turned into a demi-permanent line by using the dedicated demi developer allowing for seamless color balancing. The 1:2 mixing ratio makes this a cost-effective choice and a way to increase revenue behind the chair.

https://satinhaircolor.com/

Finalists

Areté Alchemic Color https://aretebeauty.com/

Lakme Collage Permanent Hair Color https://lakme.com/

Best Semipermanent Color

Winner

Wella Professionals Color Fresh Mask is a zero-damage color-depositing mask to refresh your salon color. Use this at-home treatment weekly to easily create neutral and/or bright tones in blonde and pre-lighten hair in just 10 minutes. The temporary color fades gradually, and the rich care ingredients in the formula leave the hair feeling smooth and moisturized.

https://us.wella.professionalstore.com/

Finalists

Schwarzkopf Professional CHROMA ID https://www.schwarzkopf-professional.com/

Duomo Vivids Hair Color Series https://www.duomopro.com/collections/vivids/

Best Demipermanent Color

Winner

Oligo Professionnel Calura Gloss offers the versatility of a liquid color in an alcohol-free water base environment! Its hybrid technology offers all the advantages of alkaline and acidic hair colors without any of their drawbacks. Calura Gloss has a gentle acid-balanced base buffered to an alkaline pH that works synergistically with acidic molecules, offering the best of both worlds. The result is unprecedented shine, conditioning and color longevity with zero lift, guaranteed!

https://oligoprofessionnel.com/

Finalists

Framesi FRAMCOLOR Eclectic 5D COLOR GLOSS https://www.framesiprofessional.com/

PRAVANA ChromaSilk HydraGloss Demi-Permanent Gel Hair Color https://www.pravana.com/

Best Bleach

Winner

Clairol Professional BW2+ dedusted, extra strength lightening powder with malic acid is your secret to quick and easy lightening. The brand's multi-use lightener can now be used for a range of both on and off-scalp applications including all over head lightening, highlights and balayage. Providing up to nine levels of lift, BW2+ lifts past the brass for bright, even results. The brand's non-pigmented powder mixes into a creamy consistency for easy application and provides clear visibility of lift during the lightening process.

https://www.clairolpro.com/

Finalists

milk_shake light catcher level 8 https://milkshakehairpro.com/

Oligo Professionnel Blacklight Extra Blonde High Performance Ionic Lightener https://oligoprofessionnel.com/

Best Foil

Winner

FASTFOILS are high-performance endothermic foils that are ultra-black coated with special thermal properties to achieve higher levels of lift and better color deposit more effectively than traditional foils. FASTFOILS protect the integrity of the hair while achieving a more consistent, even and higher level of lift, allowing for a minimum of 25% faster processing time during the incubation period, eliminating the need to use potentially damaging, higher levels of developer.

https://www.justbprofessional.com/

Best Color Tool/Aid

Winner

The Duomo Color Bowl is a sleek, black mixing bowl designed for the most challenging hair color applications. Featuring a modern and ergonomic design, the bowl has a wide, stable base to prevent tipping during use. It includes a convenient spout for easy pouring and a sturdy, rubberized handle for a secure grip. The smooth interior is marked with measurement lines for easy sizing. Easy to clean, this bowl is the ideal tool for every color application.

https://www.duomopro.com

Finalist

framesi STRIKE4 XL https://www.framesiprofessional.com/

Best Bonded Extensions

Winner

Made from top quality 100% cuticle-on Remy human hair, hairtalk Keratin Bond Extensions create seamless length, color and volume without compromising discretion. The brand’s soft, pre-customized matte bonds allow stylists to provide their clients with the tailored application and styling versatility desired. The result is discreet, comfortable and flawless natural body wave extensions that blend perfectly with clients’ natural hair.

https://hairtalkusa.com/

Finalist

Donna Bella Hair, Kera-Link Hair Extensions https://donnabellahair.com/

Best Taped Extensions

Winner

Babe’s Tape-In Extensions are crafted from 100% Remy human hair and are ideal for fine and thin hair. The tape-in extensions are also available in straight and wavy textures. This method is great for its rapid, seamless installation that blends flawlessly with natural hair. This revolutionary method installs in as little as 30 to 60 minutes to create fabulous looks in no time. Each tape-In weft comes pre-taped and requires no tools or heat to apply.

https://babehairextensions.com/

Finalists

Tape-In Extensions from hairtalk https://hairtalkusa.com/

The Coveted Tape, Covet & Mane https://www.covetandmane.com/

Best Other, Extensions

Winner

Aqua Hair Extensions Q Weft Extensions are even thinner than hand tied weft and just as durable as machine weft extensions. In addition, they are able to be cut widthwise for a more customizable installation without unraveling.

https://aquahairextensions.com/

Finalists

HALOCOUTURE: Original HALO https://halocouture.com/

Ideal Hybrid Weft Extensions, Babe Hair Extensions https://babehairextensions.com

Best Shears

Winner

Hattori Hanzo Shears High-Carbon Shears Series are scissors without equal. Considered the finest cutting tools on the planet, Hattori Hanzo’s high-carbon shears are crafted from a blend of high-carbon steel strategically designed to withstand the rigors of cutting dry hair. While many of the brand's shears are wet-cutting scissors with dry-cutting properties, its high-carbon shears are specifically built to tackle dry hair daily. Due to their exquisite metal composition, their edges stay sharper longer, resulting in less downtime for sharpening.

https://hanzo.com/

Finalists

Ivy Ann Professional Shears - The Miho https://www.ivyannshears.com/

KARG Shear K-SUPERCHARGED 6.3" https://www.mikekarg.com/

Best Razor

Winner

The Hattori Hanzo Shears HHRZSR Straight Razor is a premium stainless steel straight razor with a silicon resin handle designed for stylists and barbers. The spring-mounted clamp mechanism holds blades firmly in place, allowing stylists and barbers to quickly load and unload disposable blades. This handle is compatible with Hanzo straight (HHRZSB) and nano/guarded (HHRZNB) blades.

https://hanzo.com/

Finalists

Donald Scott NYC - The Carving Comb FINE https://donaldscottnyc.com/

Jatai Feather Styling Razor https://www.jatai.net/

Best Blowdryer

Winner

The Nicky Clarke AirStyle PRO is a professional-grade hair dryer and styler designed to deliver exceptional performance in a compact and lightweight design. Weighing under 12 ounces, this advanced tool combines cutting-edge technology with convenience for optimal usability. Powered by a 2000 watt salon-strength motor utilizing brushless technology, the Nicky Clarke AirStyle PRO operates quietly while delivering a powerful airflow. Its infrared technology promotes blood circulation, reduces stress on the hair cuticle and offers anti-inflammatory benefits for healthier hair and scalp. The ceramic air inlet and ionic conditioning work to keep hair smooth, static-free and minimize heat damage.

https://nickyclarke.us/

Finalists

supersolano Professional Dryer by Solano https://solanousa.com/

GAMA Italy iQ3 Perfetto Hair Dryer https://www.gamaprofessional.com/

Best Styling Iron

Winner

SUTRA Beauty's IR2 Infrared Flat Iron has been carefully designed to provide superior functionality, featuring the brand's exclusive Healthy Heat FAR Infrared (IR) and Ionic technologies that seals the hair cuticle. It's renowned by professionals for its quick-heating features, while minimizing damage, and keeping hair in optimum shape every time you straighten, smooth and style. Rose gold titanium-infused floating plates ensure a smooth glide and help give hair a healthy glossy finish with each pass.

https://sutrabeauty.com/

Finalists

Olivia Garden 1 1/2" Titanium + Ion Curling Iron https://store.oliviagarden.com/

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Prima 3000 https://babylisspro.com/

Best Hot Tool

Winner

SUTRA IR Infrared Thermal Styling Brush features the brand's exclusive Healthy Heat FAR Infrared (IR) and Ionic technologies and a Tourmaline-infused ceramic barrel that delivers a revolutionary, one-step styling experience. Specialized bristles eliminate frizz and ensure an even transfer of heat to impart a gorgeous shine and silky feel throughout. Digital temperature controls up to 450°F allow you to fine tune your styling preferences for fast and efficient results. The lightweight and ergonomic design emphasizes expert functionality, so you can expect a powerful tool that creates beautiful and healthy hair with each use.

https://sutrabeauty.com/

Finalists

Olivia Garden Titanium + Ion 1" Flat Iron https://store.oliviagarden.com/

Extra-Long Double Infrared Curling Iron by Boujee Beauty https://boujeebeauty.com/

Best Brush/Comb

Winner

Denman D4 9 Row Original Styler is the perfect all-round brush with nine rows of smooth, round-ended nylon pins for gentle styling and an ergonomic handle for balance and comfort, plus an anti-static curved rubber pad to provide maximum grip and control for frizz-free blow drying.

https://denmanbrushus.com/

Finalists

Hattori Hanzo Shears Ceramic Round Brush Set https://hanzo.com/

Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Speed XL Brush Collection https://store.oliviagarden.com/

Best Brow Serum

Winner

RevitaLash RevitaBrow Advanced is a physician-developed eyebrow conditioning serum created to address visible signs of eyebrow aging due to chemical and environmental stressors, over-grooming and styling products, leading to healthier-looking, more luxurious brows.

https://www.revitalash.com/

Finalists

GladGirl 2-in-1 Lash & Brow Boost https://www.gladgirl.com/

Lash Spell - Enhancing Brow Serum https://lashspell.com/

Best Lash Serum

Winner

HAWRYCH MD LASH Advanced Eyelash Enhancer combines some of the most effective ingredient to beautify the look of your natural lashes by effectively promoting the appearance of long, full, thick lashes while fortifying them and noticeably intensifying their look. The combination of fortified, scientifically developed ingredients will help to nourish and moisturize your lashes while protecting them from breakage. It builds lashes from natural to stunning day after day, giving eyelashes gorgeous length, look and volume. It can also be used to restore the appearance of brittle or damaged lashes.

https://hawrychmdlash.com/

Finalists

RevitaLash Advanced https://www.revitalash.com/

Lash Spell - Enhancing Eyelash Serum https://lashspell.com/products/lash-serum

Best Lash Extensions

Winner

Signature Mink Lashes CC Curl by GladGirl will give your clients a highly desirable, yet soft look that will have every head turning. These vegan, synthetic mink lashes provide you the perfect opportunity to create an outstanding volume look crafted for the specific needs of your clients. Whether your clients are looking for a natural hybrid, classic, volume or mega volume set, you can rely on these lashes to perform every time.

https://www.gladgirl.com/

Best Salon Management System Color

Winner

Designed by salon owners, for salon owners, Vish is the ultimate solution for modern salons seeking seamless color management. The revolutionary app, combined with a smart Bluetooth scale, ensures accurate formula tracking, inventory management and color profit intelligence. Integrated with top salon software companies, Vish keeps information at your fingertips wherever you are.

https://getvish.com/

Best Salon Management System

Winner

Vagaro is the leading salon, spa and fitness software, serving hundreds of thousands of professionals worldwide. Vagaro simplifies business management, credit card and payment processing and makes it easy for businesses to grow their clientele on a modern consumer marketplace. Vagaro’s a-la-carte options and affordable pricing provide a unique level of scalability, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes, from the solopreneur to enterprise franchises. Simple, innovative and reliable, Vagaro empowers beauty and wellness professionals to excel in a digital age.

https://www.vagaro.com/pro/

Finalists

DaySmart Salon https://www.daysmart.com/

Booksy https://booksy.com/en-us/

Meevo https://www.meevo.com/salon-software

GlossGenius https://www.glossgenius.com

THANK YOU TO OUR NOMINEES

Beauty Launchpad would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our nominees. We’re overwhelmed by the amount of innovation in the professional hair care industry and are beyond honored to have the below brands participate in our program.

ABBA

Alkali Beauty

amika

Aqua Beauty Line Inc

Areté Beauty

Babe Hair Extensions

BaBylissPRO

Blessed Bananas

Booksy

Boujee Beauty

Boulevard

Clairol Professional