Behind Beauty Awards: How to Read Expert Judging
The number of judges alone does not establish the quality of a method; testing scope, criteria and reporting transparency matter too.
Beauty awards can help consumers discover products, but each publication uses its own selection process. Read reports about judges alongside details on testing, categories and criteria; the number of experts alone does not prove product quality or performance.
What does the judging panel tell us?
Marie Claire says its 2026 beauty awards panel included makeup, skincare and hair experts who helped assess more than 3,500 submitted products. This media judging is not a clinical test of every product.
Look into the evaluation method
Before relying on an award badge, check who tested the product, what criteria were used and whether experiences were compared within similar categories. Suitability for your skin, budget and local availability remains personal.