On Sunday, February 25, 2018, the annual Hollywood Beauty Awards (HBAs) took place at the Avalon Hollywood—a black tie gala that benefitted the Helen Woodward Animal Center, a nonprofit, no-kill facility based in San Diego, California. The event honored the talented artists behind the celebrity hair, makeup, photography and styling looks we love, as seen on the silver screen, TV, music videos, on the red carpet and in editorial. Hosted by K-Earth 101 radio personality Lisa Stanley, the award ceremony brought in A-listers who showed support for their beloved makeup artists and stylists—the masterminds who are behind the scenes creating trendsetting looks.
The night’s biggest celebrity attendees included Black Panther’s Danai Gurira, who presented the award for Outstanding Achievement in Makeup to Tym Shutchai Buacharern. “Every black girl does have magic. But sometimes she needs a magician,” Gurira said.
Actress Elizabeth Banks, who donned a gorgeous floor-length Elie Saab gown, and Oscar-nominated Samuel L. Jackson presented hairstylist Camille Friend with the award for Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling. Friend, responsible for the Afrocentric, awe-inspiring hairstyles seen in this year’s blockbuster Black Panther, stated in her acceptance speech, “Nobody owes you anything; you earn it.”
Other celebrity presenters included “I Dream of Jeannie” actress Barbara Eden, comedian Cheech Marin, entertainer Marie Osmond and Mary Jo Buttafuoco, who awarded plastic surgeon Dr. Babak Azizzadeh with the Beauty Enhancement Award for the facial reconstructive surgeries that have successfully restored Buttafuoco’s smile by repairing long-term nerve damage. The night also included heartfelt messages from Janet Jackson, Michael Douglas and Tracee Ellis Ross.
One of the night’s highlights was Smokey Robinson’s acceptance speech of The Gentleman Award, presented by Lionel Richie. The American singer-songwriter, who was the founder of Motown group the Miracles, said that this award in particular meant a lot to him because his mother instilled in him at an early age the importance of respecting women. In addition to stating the importance of holding open doors and spending time with his fans (stating, “I wouldn’t be here without them”), he dedicated his award to his wife, Frances Robinson, also in attendance.
Another pivotal moment was when Britney Spears accepted her award for Fragrance of the Year for Fantasy in Bloom. Spears released her first fragrance, Curious, in 2004; since then, other releases like Fantasy, Believe and Radiance have created a fragrance empire that’s generated $4.8 billion in revenue as of 2017. Spears said that while she was getting ready for the evening, her sons asked her if she was going to the Oscars. “I said, ‘Well, its kind of like the Oscars, and I won the biggest award there,” she announced in her speech, joking that her kids were probably more excited to be getting her out of the house. Spears also revealed that she is currently working on other projects for fans of her fragrances.
Here is the full list of the night’s winners and honorees:
NOMINEES & WINNERS
Rick Baker Makeup Award:
Anthony Nguyen
Matthew VanLeeuwen
Sarah Tanno – WINNER
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Tym Buacharern Makeup Award:
Carola Gonzalez – WINNER
Eva Kim
Sir John
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Gail Ryan Hairstyling Award:
Caile Noble
Claude Baruk – WINNER
Riawna Capri – WINNER
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Camille Friend Hairstyling Award:
Cesar Ramirez
Johnny Wright – WINNER
Takisha Sturdivant-Drew
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Douglas Kirkland Photography Award:
Eric Charbonneau – WINNER
Frazer Harrison
Katy Winn
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Ellen Mirojnick Styling Award:
Marina Toybina – WINNER
Monica Rose
Robért Behar
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SPECIAL HONOREES
Fragrance of the Year – Britney Spears for Fantasy Britney Spears in Bloom
The Gentleman Award – Smokey Robinson
Timeless Beauty Award – Jane Seymour
New Beauty Award – Kirstin Maldonado, Olivia Holt, Tinashe
Product of the Year –Beth Stavola for CBD For Life
The Breakthrough Award – Desire Fragrances, Inc. for Lamborghini “INVINCIBLE”
The Breakthrough Award – Christine Ko for Moira Cosmetics
Beauty Enhancement Award – Dr. Babak Azizzadeh
The Innovation Award – Tamim Hamid for Theradome
Special Recognition – Helen Woodward Animal Center
HONOREES
Outstanding Achievement in Special Effects Makeup: Rick Baker
Outstanding Achievement in Makeup: Tym Shutchai Buacharern
Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling: Gail Ryan
Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling: Camille Friend
Outstanding Achievement in Photography: Douglas Kirkland
Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design & Styling: Ellen Mirojnick
LATF USA publisher Michele Elyzabeth founded the HBAs, which are co-produced by executive producer Pamela Price. A panel of judges, comprised of journalists, publicists and beauty experts, are on the board that annually votes for the winners. For more information about this year’s HBAs, visit hollywoodbeautyawards.com and latfusa.com.
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[Photo by @fayesvision/Faye Sadou]