Every year, Canadian consumers and a jury of industry experts vote for innovative and award-winning products in the running for Product of the Year Canada. To be considered, and stand a chance at earning the coveted POY 2019 red seal, products must demonstrate innovation in design, function or packaging. The seal is your assurance that the product has undergone a rigorous judging process, including being reviewed by an informed jury and actual Canadians!
Here are the 2019 winners:
Winner in: Beauty
Why it’s so great: This mineral makeup is all natural! The creamy liquid Perfecting Concealer is made with nourishing and 100% naturally derived ingredients native to Australia including Kakadu Plum, Vitamin E, Shea Butter and Jojoba Oil. You can apply it with your fingers to seamlessly cover dark circles and imperfections.
Winner in: Bite Size Snacks
Why it’s so great: These soft and chewy cookies are a reasonable portion of portable chocolatey goodness. MadeGood Double Chocolate Soft Baked Mini Cookies are organic, gluten free, allergy-friendly, Non-GMO project verified, AND they contain the nutrients found in one full serving of vegetables. It’s the most health-conscious cookie we’ve ever met!
Winner in: Brow
Why it’s so great: Tattoo Brow is a peel-off gel-tint available in 3 shades that leaves brows filled for up to 3 days! Apply the tint to your brows in the desired shape and leave them to dry for at least 20 minutes (although we recommend a drying period of up to 2 hours for best results). Then peel the gel starting with the inner corner of the brow towards the outside; your brows will come out tinted and conditioned, and fade evenly and gradually over time. It’s great for anyone that’s considering micro-blading, but not sure they want to commit yet.
Winner in: Condiments
Why it’s so great: This limited edition sauce combines Ontario freestone peaches and Ontario ghost peppers for a plum sauce alternative with a kick. We recommend trying it on sandwiches, chicken or ribs!
Winner in: Cooking Appliances
Why it’s so great: Induction cooking is a luxury technology that Frigidaire has made affordable for Canadians. Induction ovens boil water 50% faster than an electric cooktop, and only generate heat to your pan, meaning any spills on the surface won’t burn. This freestanding range 30” oven has easy-to-use features like Auto Sizing Pan Detection that automatically senses the size of your pan and heats accordingly.
Winner in: Dairy
Why it’s so great: An all-natural cheese, these individual portions of mozzarella are easy to pack and eat on the go. Kids and adults alike love the taste of 100% mozzarella, not to mention the convenience of a portable, nutritious snack.
Winner in: Dishwasher
Why it’s so great: With Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel, the most powerful motor on the market, and a third level rack with an adjustable tray, this is the superhero of dishwashers. Extra options like a PowerBlast cycle that uses high-pressure spray jets and increased temperature to remove stuck-on food, and Short or Long PowerDry options that decrease humidity and improve drying without using rinse aid, are features that really set this washer apart.
Winner in: Dry Shampoo
Why it’s so great: Dry shampoo is the magic no-wash solution to getting an extra day between shampoos without your hair looking flat and greasy. L’Oréal Paris’ latest formula uses a fine rice powder to naturally absorb your hair’s oil, leaving your ‘do looking fresh without any visible white residue. Bonus: this product is available in five different delectable scents!
Winner in: Dryer
Why it’s so great: This smart appliance (that you can monitor and control remotely) comes with elite features like Advanced Moisture sensing, including an industry-exclusive extra moisture sensor that monitors inside moisture and air temperatures to help evenly and completely dry heavy loads. No more damp jeans or duvet covers!
Winner in: Fabric Softener
Why it’s so great: Snuggle Sheets Plus SuperFresh combine the softening power of Snuggle with a new odour eliminating technology for that super fresh feeling! The dryer sheets soften, control static, and help reduce wrinkles, as well as prevent lint, and they smell like a clean blend of white floral and green citrus with warm woody notes.
Winner in: Financial Services
Why it’s so great: The Rogers World Elite Mastercard has no annual fee, and offers unlimited Cash Back Rewards (4% on all eligible purchases in a foreign currency; 2% on Rogers products and services; and 1.75% on all other eligible purchases), which are now redeemable for any purchases made using the card. The card also provides you with insurance and travel benefits at no extra cost, including access to Mastercard Airport lounges worldwide.
Winner in: Frozen Foods
Why it’s so great: Alternative crusts have come a long way! This stonebaked, pizzeria-style crust is made with cauliflower and a blend of marscapone, asiago and cream. Topped with spinach, diced red onions and mozzarella cheese, you can definitely share this delicious pizza with your gluten-intolerant friends—it’s produced in a dedicated and certified gluten free facility.
Winner in: Frozen Meat
Why it’s so great: The Prime Raised Without Antibiotics line is raising the bar when it comes to product quality in frozen foods. They only use natural chickens raised without antibiotics, clean ingredients, and no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.
Winner in: Hair
Why it’s so great: Love Beauty & Planet Blooming Colour Shampoo is made to moisturize and maintain colour-treated hair. Using luxurious ingredients like Amazonian murumuru butter and handpicked Bulgarian rose petals, the shampoo smells delicious and leaves your hair vibrant and shiny. As an added bonus, the bottles are made with 100% post-consumer plastics, are vegan and cruelty-free, and have label adhesives that are removed naturally.
Winner in: Haircare
Why it’s so great: Indulge in a little self care when you only have a minute to spare—this drugstore hair mask restores smoothness and shine to all hair types in just one minute! A vegan, 94% biodegradable formula made without silicones, parabens, or artificial colorants, you can also opt to use the product as a conditioner or leave-in treatment to really nourish your locks.
Winner in: Hair Colour
Why it’s so great: Don’t think of this as hair dye—it’s more like hair makeup. The product combines a gentle jelly formula with makeup pigments for one-day colour highlights that will instantly wash out, with no transfer. This is the best way to test out a wild new look, without committing to anything permanent!
Winner in: Hair Removal
Why it’s so great: This is Philips’ fastest epilator ever. The unique ceramic discs rotate at a greater speed, and have a firmer grip on fine and short hairs—hairs four times shorter than those extracted by wax! The cordless and rechargeable design has anti-slip grip for wet or dry use. Bonus: additional accessories include a body exfoliation brush, body massager, delicate area caps, shaving head and trimming comb, skin stretched, and cleaning brush. What *doesn’t* this tool do?
Winner in: Home
Why it’s so great: In the age of same day delivery, this smart mailbox might be the answer to all of your parcel theft worries. Designed to fit 95% of all standard delivery box sizes, the Parcel Guard by Danby connects to your home and mobile device, notifying you when deliveries arrive; it’s equipped with a camera and has a tamper alarm that can be turned on or off. It’s basically a must-buy for anyone with Amazon Prime.
Winner in: Household Products
Why it’s so great: The CHI Easy Steam is a de-wrinkling game changer. Gone are the days of labouring over a handheld steamer; simply zip your item of clothing in the breathable fabric garment bag after filling the water cup in the base of the bag. Press a button to make the magic happen—most pieces can be steamed in two minutes or less!
Winner in: Ice Cream
Why it’s so great: Lactose-intolerant ice cream lovers, rejoice! Häagen-Dazs has released a non-dairy collection that delivers the same delicious taste and creamy texture of its original products, and uses real ingredients like Belgian chocolate, peanut butter, or coconut cream. Buy it in a tub or as a bar!
Winner in: Laundry
Why it’s so great: Think of this as detergent made for your kid’s smelly hockey gear. The new Purex Odour Release formula uses patented fragrance components to neutralize tough odours, particularly on hard to wash materials like sports equipment. This is a high-efficiency detergent, optimized for us in all laundry machines.
Winner in: Low Cal Ice Cream
Why it’s so great: The treat you feel good about eating! Each serving of Halo Top has between 80-100 calories, and only 6-8 grams of sugar. (It’s about 4 servings per pint.) And it tastes ah-mazing. Enough said.
Winner in: Mascara
Why it’s so great: This mascara delivers on everything you can ask of a lash product. The hourglass-shaped brush is made with more than 200 wavy bristles that volumize and lengthen your lashes for a full fringe effect, and leaves them feathery soft to the touch.
Winner in: Mattress
Why it’s so great: We’ve never had a mattress work so hard to keep us comfortable! The TEMPUR-Pro Series is engineered to alleviate pressure points and support every point of contact, so that you can achieve a deeper sleep and restore your entire body overnight. It also features the world’s first removable, machine-washable cooling cover!
Winner in: Microwave/Hood Combo
Why it’s so great: This innovation in kitchen technology makes the most of small spaces by combining two essential kitchen appliances: the microwave and the oven hood. The small over-the-range microwave has a vent that removes smoke, odor and moisture, just like a standard hood; and the unassuming design helps the appliance fit seamlessly under your cabinet hood space.
Winner in: Refrigerator
Why it’s so great: This fridge is full of fancy features that make your life easier! PowerCold lets you control the temperature with the push of a button; the Tap-To-Open doors make it easier to maneuver around the kitchen when your hands are full. The metal slide-out shelf gives you fast access to foods, and LED lighting helps you see what you’re working with.
Winner in: Root Touch-Up
Why it’s so great: Using this spray-in root touch-up, you can cover up your roots in seconds, without the commitment of semi-permanent or permanent dyes. It conceals your greys quickly, dries almost instantly, and washes out with one shampoo. See the hair swatch on the bottle to make sure you pick the right colour for you!
Winner in: Skin Care
Why it’s so great: L’Oréal Paris’ latest anti-aging and repair care cream is infused with the legendary “Cica” extract. Centella Asiatica (also known as ‘Tiger Grass’ or Cica) is a hardy tropical climbing plant known to be a natural remedy for wrinkles, because it helps promote collagen production and skin elasticity. This product is fragrance-free, paraben-free, and suitable for sensitive skin.
Winner in: Skin Treatment
Why it’s so great: Neutrogena has taken in-office dermatologist technology—light therapy, a clinically proven treatment for mild to moderate inflammatory breakouts that delivers a targeted dose of red and blue light to the source of the breakout—and redesigned it to be portable and easy-to-use. Simply turn on the device and apply directly to skin so light fully surrounding the pimple you want to target; for two minutes, blue light kills bacteria and red light reduces inflammation, before automatically turning off.
Winner in: Sliced Meat
Why it’s so great: This is the perfect collection of premium meats. The prosciutto, coppa, and salami are all made from superior Italian pork, handcrafted and cured for delicious, savoury flavour, every time.
Winner in: Small Kitchen Appliances
Why it’s so great: It’s the secret to making your fried foods way healthier (but just as tasty)! This low-oil fryer uses hot air technology and automatic stirring to cook food evenly, which uses less oil. The ActiFry has automatic settings for your favourite foods, including fries and breaded snacks, and can cook as much as six servings of food at a time.
Winner in: Snacks
Why it’s so great: With the nutrients of a serving of vegetables in each square, these are a healthier take on your favourite crispy rice treat from when you were a kid! Not to mention, MadeGood Vanilla Crispy Squares are organic, gluten free, Non-GMO project verified and free from the 8 most common allergens.
Winner in: Sun Care
Why it’s so great: Sunscreen is the single most important beauty product you use—but it often leaves your skin dry and makes your makeup pill. Enter: the new Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Sunscreen, formulated with hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated while also delivering broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. This is the number one product to pack in your beach bag this summer!
Winner in: Wall Oven
Why it’s so great: Welcome to the world of smart ovens! You can communicate with this self-cleaning double wall convection oven using your smartphone or tablet, including instant access to frequently used settings. And that’s just the beginning: these ovens have touchscreens, a digital meat thermometer that automatically monitors the internal temperature of your food, and frozen bake technology, among other futuristic features.
Winner in: Washer
Why it’s so great: Run your laundry from anywhere with this smart front load washer. You’ll only need to replenish the detergent once every 40 or so loads, meaning you’re free to walk around and control the machine remotely; the Whirlpool app lets you set, start or pause the wash cycle any time. Other coveted settings include the Wash & Dry options, and Steam Clean.
Winner in: Washer/Dryer Combo
Why it’s so great: Do laundry in fewer steps with a washer and dryer in one machine. The Load & Go dispenser stocks up to 20 loads worth of detergent and fabric softener, so you are free to do what you like while the Smart All-in-One machine runs the entire cycle for you. Stay in control and connected from anywhere with the Whirlpool app, which lets you stop and start remotely, any time.
Winner in: Yogurt
Why it’s so great: This premium organic yogurt made with BC grass fed milk is truly the cream of the crop. The smooth and creamy texture and gourmet flavours (smoked Applewood vanilla, citrus cardamom, and fig honey) make this healthy snack feel like an indulgence. Proudly made with 100% natural ingredients (including fresh milk from local cows), the yogurt is free from GMOs, pesticides, gluten, gelatine, and preservatives.
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