Each year, we swatch, swipe and smell the latest and greatest beauty innovations, aiming to discover the best options for women of color. What results is our annual Best In Black Beauty Awards, a list of carefully curated and editor-approved makeup, skin and hair products.
Now that our 2017 contenders have been announced, we figured what better way to commemorate them than with a swanky celebration?!
On April 26, we turned The Sugar Factory into a beauty wonderland, complete with confections, tasty cocktails and plenty of award-winning products to play with. And of course, the night wouldn’t have been complete without some of our favorite beauty influencers, including the drop dead gorgeous Vanessa Simmons.
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Keep scrolling for an insider’s look at the Colgate-sponsored soiree and click here to see all of this year’s Best In Black Beauty winners!
01
Best in Black Beauty
Guests enjoyed shopping for their fave prodcuts at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
02
Best in Black Beauty
Candy galore at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
03
Best in Black Beauty
We couldn't handle all the gorgeous looks at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
04
Best in Black Beauty
Angel and Dren provided jams at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Hannan Selah
05
Best in Black Beauty
A peek at the glorious displays at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
06
Best in Black Beauty
Host Vanessa Simmons arrives at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Santiago Felipe/Getty Images
07
Best in Black Beauty
This sweet display at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC is what dreams are made of!
Margarita Corporan Photography
08
Best in Black Beauty
Hosts Zonnique Pullins, ESSENCE Fashion and Beauty Director Julee Wilson and Vanessa Simmons strike a pose.
Hannan Saleh
09
Best in Black Beauty
Guests were treated to yummy sweets at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
10
Best in Black Beauty
Essence Editor in Chief Vanessa K. De Luca, and President of Essence Communications, Michelle Ebanks, pose for a pic at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
11
Best in Black Beauty
Guest couldn't get enough treats at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
12
Best in Black Beauty
Vanesssa Simmons tries out the signature cocktail at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
13
Best in Black Beauty
Zonnique Pullins strikes a pose at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Santiago Felipe/Getty Images
14
Best in Black Beauty
Beauty tips were on deck at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
15
Best in Black Beauty
Host Vanessa Simmons looked gorgeous at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Santiago Felipe/Getty Images
16
Best in Black Beauty
Beauty enthusiasts couldn't wait to start shopping at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
17
Best in Black Beauty
So many products to choose from at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
18
Best in Black Beauty
Guests had a blast posing in the Optic White photobooth at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
19
Best in Black Beauty
All smiles and good vibes the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
20
Best in Black Beauty
The overflowing goodie bags, including winner Colgate Optic White, on display the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
21
Best in Black Beauty
Pretty prints at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
22
Best in Black Beauty
Vanessa simmons samples the signature cocktail of the evening at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
23
Best in Black Beauty
Guests chatted it up all night at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
24
Best in Black Beauty
The top products of the year at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
25
Best in Black Beauty
Guests covered in candy coated lights at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
26
Best in Black Beauty
Nothing like a great pic together, thanks to the Optic White photobooth at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
27
Best in Black Beauty
Guest check out the goodie bags at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
28
Best in Black Beauty
Beauty never looked so sweet at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
29
Best in Black Beauty
Guests were able to share and print their pics at the Colgate Optic White phhoto booth at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
30
Best in Black Beauty
ESSENCE beauty editors Nikki Brown and Andrea Jordan take a cute selfie at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
Margarita Corporan Photography
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Best in Black Beauty
Products on display, including the winner, Colgate Optic White, at the Essence Black Beauty Awards 2017 Cocktail Party at Sugar Factory, NYC.
