The CEW Beauty Awards 2013 (The Oscars of the Beauty Industry)

On Friday it was time for the annual CEW Beauty Awards (known as the Beauty Oscars). Winning one of these awards is a massive accolade and can really boost a brand's selling power.

I always love it when a really small brand manages to come up trumps as it can literally change the life of the brave enterpreneur(s) who had the guts to follow their dream and often began by mixing and bottling their ingredients from their kitchen as is the case with Balance Me.

The Awards started with a delicious lunch. Lisa Snowdon, myself and our mutual friend and amazing facialist Neena Trehan had a good old natter (and giggle) before things got going. We also got a bit trigger happy with the cameras on our mobiles...

After lunch it was time for the awards. I was really pleased that a lot of the products that I had voted for won. I know a good product when I trial it! :0)

Here's a list of all of this year's winners. I have put a star by the ones that I love and really recommend that you try, although they have all been chosen by some of the beauty industry's most experienced insiders so they must be good!!

Best New Bath and Body Product (Mass Market) – Dr. Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Monoi Moisture Melt Body Oil

Best New Haircare/Styling/Colouring Product (Mass Market) – Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Shine

Best New Everyday Facial Skincare Product (Mass Market) – Dr Nick Lowe Night Cream

Best New Skincare Treatment Product (Mass Market) – Carmex Moisture Plus Berry Lip Balm

Best New Make-Up Product for Face (Mass Market) – Max Factor Face Finity All Day Flawless 3 in 1 Foundation

Best New Make-Up Product for Eyes or Lips (Mass Market) – Bourjois Queen Attitude Khol Kajal

Best Classic Beauty Product (Mass Market) – Bio-Oil

Best New Brand (Mass Market) – Manuka Doctor *

Eco Beauty Award – Melvita *

Best New Bath and Body Product (Prestige) – Caudalie Devine Oil

Best New Haircare Styling Product (Prestige) – Percy and Reed Lovingly Light Foaming Treatment Mask

Best New Everyday Facial Skincare Product (Prestige) – Estée Lauder Daywear BB Cream

Best New Skincare Treatment Product (Prestige) – Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector

Best New Make-Up Product for Face (Prestige) – Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint

Best New Make-Up Product for Eyes or Lips (Prestige) – Benefit They're Real Mascara *

Best Classic Beauty Product (Prestige) – Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish *

Best New Brand (Prestige) – Percy and Reed

Best New Men’s Fragrance (Prestige) – Dolce & Gabbana The One Sport

Best New Women’s Fragrance (Prestige) – Elie Saab Le Parfum

Best New Certified Organic Skincare Product (Mass or Prestige) – Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Facial Oil  *

Best New Self Tan or Sun Care Product (Mass or Prestige) – Elizabeth Arden Prevage Triple Defense Shield SPF50 (some people have been known to have quite a dramatic allergic reaction to this so make sure you do a skin test before using)

Best New Hand, Foot and Nail Care Product (Mass or Prestige) – Balance Me Rose Otto Hand Cream *

Best New Celebrity Fragrance – Beckham The Essence

Best New Men’s Grooming Product (Mass or Prestige) – ClarinsMen Exfoliating Cleanser *

Best British Brand (Mass or Prestige) – Balance Me *

Backstage at The BRITS 2013

Thanks to the gorgeous Eliane from the amazing Fudge Hair for sending me some photos from backstage at the BRITs Spa.

 This is the place where the celebs can go for a bit of pampering and a chill out. (They also get lots of fabulous freebies!)

 I particularly love Harry Style's shirt and how cool is Sharon Osbourne's crazy necklace/shoulder piece?

Amazing Facial from Spa Fabulous

I find facials embarrassing. A massage is one thing, but having someone leaning over your face and studying your pimples and commenting on your blackheads is quite another. The worst part of the whole experience is when they get the mirror out at the end and say "look how amazing your skin looks" and all you see is an oily, no-makeupy mess. Even worse is when you expect to have a glowing complexion for at least the next week but when you look in the mirror nothing has changed.... You still have the same old problematic skin and the £50 facial you've just invested in has done sweet FA.

Yesterday, everything changed when I had a truly magnificent facial performed by Neena Trehan. I first heard about Neena through Lisa Snowdon who is a massive fan of her products which are 100% organic and just great on the skin. Neena has spent years formulating her products and facial technique and I can honestly tell you that they work.

The facial itself was called the Complexion Perfection Organic Electrical Facial and is the only one in the country (perhaps even the world) that combines the goodness of organic products with the plumping benefits of an electric facial device which quite literally sucks at your skin making it look plump, firm and glowing.

Neena used her famous cleansers, scrubs and masks on me and gave me the most relaxing shiatsu face massage. After about an hour the moment of truth came and the mirror came out. All I can say is that it was like looking at a different person. My skin was sparkling, glowing and clear and it's still looking amazing a day later.

Neena's products are available here . I love all of them but particularly recommend the face oils and her Little Pot of Heaven which is a beautiful moisturiser. Neena is also spreading the word and 28 salons have now been trained not only in her facial technique but stock her products. Let's hope more and more hear about her!