Every December the crème de la crème of beauty gathers in the Rainbow Room at 30 Rockefeller Center for a breakfast honoring the year’s stars. Amid snow flurries and egg white fritattas, more than 150 brand, retailer, public relations and industry experts celebrated the 2018 award winners, selected by WWD’s beauty editor team. Hosted by WWD’s Executive Editor, Beauty, Jenny B. Fine, one of the morning’s biggest kudos went to Ulta Beauty, which was awarded the first ever Pete Born Impact Award—named after the legendary beauty journalist and longtime WWD Executive Editor, Beauty. Accepted by the retailer’s Dave Kimbell, Chief Merchandising Officer, Ulta Beauty is lauded for being one of the fastest growing retailers in any category, increasing comp store sales double digits every year since 2015. In Dave’s acceptance speech, in which he acknowledged Ulta Beauty’s Mary Dillon, CEO; Tara Simon, SVP Merchandising Prestige; and Monica Arnaudo, SVP Merchandising, Dave reiterated a key message from the company’s recent advertising, in that consumers don’t come to Ulta Beauty to get beautiful, they already are beautiful. Here, the brands, companies and executives honored yesterday morning.

Pete Born Impact Award


Ulta Beauty

Brand of the Year, Prestige


Benefit Cosmetics

Brand of the Year, Mass
Olay

Newsmaker of the Year


Debra Perelman

Product of the Year, Prestige Makeup


Shiseido Makeup

Product of the Year, Mass Makeup


Maybelline New York Tattoo Studio

Product of the Year, Prestige Hair


Hair Rituel by Sisley Paris

Product of the Year, Mass Hair


Tresemmé Compressed Micro Mist

Product of the Year, Prestige Skin Care
Fenty Beauty

Product of the Year, Mass Skin Care


C&C by Clean & Clear


Product of the Year, Fragrance
KKW Fragrance


Disruptor of the Year
Moj Mahdara, CEO, Beautycon

Founders Award


Vicky Tsai, Tatcha

Corporate Social Responsibility


Beautycounter

Retailer of the Year


CVS

Influencer of the Year


Jackie Aina

Newcomer of the Year


Billie

Collab of the Year
Dove X Dunkin’

E-Tailer of the Year
Cult Beauty

Merchandiser of the Year
Christina Hennington


Brand Builder of the Year

Stéphane De La Faverie

Indie of the Year
Huda Beauty

Brand Builder of the Year
Ukonwa Ojo The

Wellness Award
The Detox Market

Launch of the Year, Specialty


Seed Phytonutrients

Launch of the Year, Luxury


Westman Atelier

Digital Innovator of the Year
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna

Transformational Deal of the Year
L’Oréal’s Acquisition of Modiface