There’s something about testing beauty products outside of your normal zip code that hits different. Maybe it’s the humidity. Maybe it’s the water. Maybe it’s the fact that when you’re in a place like Colombia, you’re outside for real. Moving. Sweating. Living. Your products don’t get to hide behind controlled environments and cute lighting. They either perform or they don’t.
And for the 2026 EBONY Beauty and Grooming Awards, these did exactly what they needed to do.
Let’s start with the body, because body care is no longer the afterthought category it used to be. It’s face care’s fully realized sibling now. The AKT Foaming Body Scrub in SC.01 Orange Grove came into the shower looking like a vibe and left like a winner. The texture? Rich but not aggressive. The foam? Unexpected in the best way. It lathers just enough to make you feel clean while still doing the work of exfoliating, which is really the sweet spot we’ve been asking for. Skin came out smoother, brighter, and most importantly, not stripped. That citrus note lingers just enough to make you feel expensive, not over-perfumed.
Then there’s the medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Vita Brightening Body Wash, which feels like it was formulated with intention for people who actually care about results. Kojic acid, turmeric, niacinamide, vitamin C… this is not a casual lineup. This is a “we’re correcting tone, evening things out, and handling hyperpigmentation head-on” type of product. And in Colombia, where the sun is doing what the sun does, this became essential.
Over time, you start to see that subtle shift. Skin looks more even. More refined. Like you’ve been minding your business and drinking water, even if you haven’t.
On the face side, the rhode Caffeine Reset Sculpting Cream Mask quietly did what a lot of loud products fail to do. It delivered. This is the kind of mask you use when your face needs to wake up but you don’t feel like doing the most. It tightens slightly, hydrates deeply, and gives that refreshed, pulled-together look without feeling heavy. It’s not gimmicky. It’s reliable. And in a routine, reliability is luxury.
Now let’s talk about the one that hasn’t even officially stepped outside yet.
The Wrap & Set Foam.
Yes, that foam.
The one that’s not out yet. The one that somehow found its way into my hands before the world got a chance to touch it. And I’m not saying it’s because Beyoncé loves me… but I’m also not not saying that.
This foam is what happens when hold meets intention. It sets without crunch. It defines without flaking. It respects the hair. Whether you’re wrapping, molding, or laying things down for longevity, it understands the assignment. Testing it in a climate that will humble your edges quickly told me everything I needed to know. This isn’t just a styling product. This is insurance.
And that’s really the throughline here. Every product that took home a 2026 EBONY Beauty and Grooming Award did more than just show up. They proved themselves in real conditions. Not just in labs or on launch decks, but in movement, in heat, in real life.
Because at this point, we’re not awarding potential. We’re awarding performance.
And if Colombia didn’t expose you, it crowned you.