We're starting to feel really sympathetic for members of the Academy — picking award winners is HARD. Especially when there are so many legit amazing beauty products to choose from. When it came time for us to start judging our first-ever Beauty Innovator Awards, we knew that we needed help. No one person should hold that kind of power, after all. So we reached out to some of the best, brightest, and most fabulous minds in the beauty world to create a panel of all-star judges. The Super Friends of Beauty, if you will. Yes, we're aware our nerd is showing, but frankly, we don't give a damn. That's our reference, and we're sticking to it.
The seven judges listed below all bring unique areas of expertise to the table, from an editorial-makeup pioneer to a cosmetic chemist with a LOT to say about ingredients. Each one took that expertise and used it to inform their vote. Without further ado, it's time for you to meet the judges:
Anne-Marie Guarnieri
Refinery29's fashion and beauty deputy editor, Guarnieri spent the better part of the last decade as a beauty and style editor, contributing to a number of publications including Allure, Teen Vogue, Marie Claire, and Style.com. Megan McIntyre
Refinery29's beauty director has over a decade of experience as a beauty editor, and a lifelong passion for all things product. She's an admitted nail-polish hoarder, and her lipstick collection has been known to make grown women cry. Janet Mock
A prominent advocate for trans women's rights and a role model for the trans community, Mock is also a New York Times best-selling author and a widely sought-after speaker. Robin Black
A top makeup artist, photographer, and writer, Black is a true beauty triple threat. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Elle, Allure, and Numéro. Jodie Patterson
Patterson is a leading voice in the brown beauty space and the founder of DooBop.com, a retailer focused on bringing diversity to beauty shopping.
Ron Robinson
Robinson is a seasoned product developer and cosmetic chemist with over 20 years of experience. He is also the founder of beauty influencer platform BeautyStat. Holly Siegel
The former beauty director of Nylon, Siegel now spends her time surrounded by all the coolest new beauty products as the editorial director at Sephora. We asked each of our judges to tell us a little bit more about themselves, as well as list some of their all-time favorite beauty products. Click on their names above to see their slideshows, or — if you're looking to see which judge aligns best with your own beauty philosophy — swipe through the images below to find out which judge is your beauty soulmate.
Refinery29's fashion and beauty deputy editor, Guarnieri spent the better part of the last decade as a beauty and style editor, contributing to a number of publications including Allure, Teen Vogue, Marie Claire, and Style.com. Megan McIntyre
Refinery29's beauty director has over a decade of experience as a beauty editor, and a lifelong passion for all things product. She's an admitted nail-polish hoarder, and her lipstick collection has been known to make grown women cry. Janet Mock
A prominent advocate for trans women's rights and a role model for the trans community, Mock is also a New York Times best-selling author and a widely sought-after speaker. Robin Black
A top makeup artist, photographer, and writer, Black is a true beauty triple threat. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Elle, Allure, and Numéro. Jodie Patterson
Patterson is a leading voice in the brown beauty space and the founder of DooBop.com, a retailer focused on bringing diversity to beauty shopping.
Ron Robinson
Robinson is a seasoned product developer and cosmetic chemist with over 20 years of experience. He is also the founder of beauty influencer platform BeautyStat. Holly Siegel
The former beauty director of Nylon, Siegel now spends her time surrounded by all the coolest new beauty products as the editorial director at Sephora. We asked each of our judges to tell us a little bit more about themselves, as well as list some of their all-time favorite beauty products. Click on their names above to see their slideshows, or — if you're looking to see which judge aligns best with your own beauty philosophy — swipe through the images below to find out which judge is your beauty soulmate.