Cosmetics Executive Women's 2009 Beauty Awards, Real Housewives, too

Sunday, May 03, 2009

Advice Sisters Guide to Life, Success and Happiness: Photos from the Cosmetics Executive Women's 2009 Beauty Awards, Real Housewives, too

Alison Blackman The Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) 2009 Beauty Awards luncheon is as eagerly anticipated by those in the cosmetics and fragrance world, as actors anticipate the Academy Awards. This nonprofit professional organization has over 4,000 members -- executives in the beauty, cosmetics, fragrance, and related industries. CEW was founded in 1954 as a social organization for professional women working in the cosmetics industry, but it has expanded to include charitable and educational activities, and industry development. This was my fourth year covering the awards luncheon, a glittery affair in the elegant ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria. The first year a few stragglers filled the first tier of the balcony. This year, all three tiers plus the main floor were packed with people (I think there were about 1,500 guests if I remember correctly). Each year, the charming ("Sex & the City") actor Mario Cantone has held hosting honors, while celebrities du jour help present the coveted, crystal awards to industry execs for specific products in myraid beauty categories. Here are some of my personal photos from the event:

During the cocktail hour there was some time to photograph the presenters. Included with the 4 housewives of NYC presenters was Mario Cantone and lots of people from CEW

Four of the reality stars from the "Real Housewives of NYC shared presenter duties (From L-R: Countess LuAnne DeLessops, Ramona Singer, Zill Zarin, Alex McCord). I overheard Alex gushing: "I've been to a lot of events, but I've never been a presenter before"

Alex McCord and Ramona Singer pose for me, while Countess LuAnn DeLessops poses for someone else. Jill Zarin was outside.

The style maven Simon Doonan was also a presenter. Here he poses with Mario, the housewives, and some of the other stylish presenters (I think one was singer Chantelle and the other is a stylist with Rachel Ray)

Jill Zarin and Ramona Singer present awards

LuAnne and Alex prested awards...this one is a shot of the wide screens used in the huge ballroom, but I liked the way their faces were overlayed (for just a second) with the name of the category they were announcing! Cool, isn't it?

FOR A FULL LIST OF THE 2009 CEW BEAUTY AWARDS WINNERS, GO TO: http://www.advicesisters.net/2009/05/cew-beauty-awards-pick-best-products.html