Beauty
Beauty resources and trends are constantly changing and can be hard to stay abreast of. Whether you have basic questions on how to apply and buy makeup or more specific inquiries like where to find destination spas, this guide helps you use the Internet as your ultimate source for beauty information.
Expand All Guide SectionsTips and Trends
Looking for quick hints about how best to wear your hair or do your makeup? This section helps you ... read more »
Buying Beauty Products Online
Why wait in long lines at department stores when you can explore hundreds of available products at home? Whether you're looking for regular pharmacy items, designer makeup, or organic shampoo, the sites in this section cover your bases.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Makeup color and perfume scents can be hard to discern on your computer. Before ordering makeup or a specific perfume online, visit a store to find out if the product is right for you. Another way to be confident in online orders is to select samples when making a purchase. If you like your sample products, buy them the next time you shop online. Some sites, such as Beauty.com, let you add samples to your purchase for free.
- If you normally experience allergic reactions or irritations from beauty products, you may find the natural and organic Web sites listed below to be helpful. To learn the difference between "natural" and "organic," see the USDA's organic guidelines.
- Blogs and newsletters can be great objective sources for product reviews because the individual consumers writing them are free of promotional obligations. Be mindful, however, that users have not necessarily tested all types of products, so their reviews can be limited. Below we suggest some blogs that have product reviews written by users like you.
Dulcinea's Picks
For standard beauty products...
Sephora
is one of the most extensive online beauty resources available. Products are arranged by category such as "Makeup" and then segmented further (e.g., "Eyes," "Lips," "Nails"), which makes finding them easy. The items sold here are mostly designer products. Sephora is a convenient online resource that allows you to return items you buy at any of their store locations.
Beauty.com
redirects to drugstore.com and allows you to browse by brand or category. There is also a "Natural" section where you can buy organic, cruelty-free, or holistic products. The Web site's most purchased products are featured in each section with a "Top Sellers" link so you know what other users are buying. Every category has a "Men's" link.
Folica
, an online wholesale and retail beauty store, has an extensive section on hair care: some topics include hair styling, hair removal, and hair loss. There is also a men's department and a "Tools" link with a vast selection of brushes, tweezers, and much more. Browse the "Select A Brand" dropdown menu if you already know what you're looking for-although you can also scroll down the homepage and visit the "Store Directory" for categorized links.
To compare prices ...
NexTag
allows you to compare prices of products and search within a specific price range, by category, or by brand. The site offers products that are both affordable and high-end, though site design is rudimentary.
For organic beauty products...
LoveLula.com
gives an overview of the organic skincare market. Visit "About Organic Skincare" for an extensive explanation of elements within the topic. The site is British but allows you to easily convert prices from pounds to dollars on products you are considering. Visit "Your Online Consultation," and learn more about your skin type and how to care for it organically, or sign up for their newsletter.
Saffron Rouge
has more than 800 organic beauty products, many of which are quite expensive. There are, however, more than 150 free samples available-you are allowed to order between two and five at a time. A function that allows you to sort by price or by name helps facilitate your shopping. Initial searches are conducted by topic, such as "Hair Care," "Aromatherapy," "Babies," and "Wellness," along with other traditional bath, body, and cosmetics links.
Allnaturalcosmetics.com
allows you to shop for organic products for your face, body, and home. Visit the "Ingredients" link for a glossary of terms that might come up as you shop. In addition, "Ingredient Codes" listed next to the products you are browsing help classify each product. For example, "FF" might be written next to a shampoo bottle, indicating that the product is fragrance free.
To buy natural or organic products near you ...
GreenPeople
is a directory of all things organic. One of the best features of the site is its beauty directory-fill in your zip code and it will list organic beauty outlets in your area. Categories include "Food Co-ops" and "Beauty Products" and are linked with illustrations. Scroll down for a comprehensive list of all available topics in each category. Don’t let the site’s unprofessional appearance deter you from its thorough index of information.
For tanning...
The Tanning Store
is a vast resource for tanning devices, creams, makeup, post-tanning lotions, and much more. There's even a "Teeth Whitening" link to make your tan look darker by brightening your smile. The "Return Requests" section makes it easy to exchange or return a product if you are not satisfied.
For blogs that review...
MakeupAlley
offers user forums with beauty advice and reviews. The "Boards" deal with obvious beauty issues like "Makeup," and "Fragrance." You'll also find some unique links like "Weddings." As a nonmember you can view the questions posted but not the discussions. Register to read the full conversations and you'll also get benefits like the "Swap," where you can trade your products with those of other members.
Product Girl
lists and reviews new products and tells you where to get them. Pictures are often included to make product recognition easy. There is also an "Available Exits" toolbar that links you to many other blogs and worthwhile beauty Web sites.
The Organic Beauty Expert
is a blog for organic products and services and also features a podcast that can be downloaded on iTunes. You'll find articles and discussions about what constitutes organic products and why they are worthwhile, as well as recipes for making your own organic beauty products. Visit the "Product Reviews" link for in-depth reviews on lots of items. Be advised that the site hosts some ads.
Homemade Beauty Products
Half the fun of beauty comes from the products. Why not enhance the excitement make-up and lotion ... read more »
Skin Care
Proper skin care is essential for looking your best. This section helps you develop a skin care ... read more »
Hair Care
Good hair care-like good skin care-is a beauty essential. This section helps you find places to ... read more »
Spas
These resources offer advice on how to locate a spa, as well as information about what you should ... read more »
Plastic Surgery
This section will help you learn about plastic surgery, the different procedures available, and ... read more »
Positive Body Image
With so much cultural emphasis placed on beauty, it can be difficult to maintain a healthy body ... read more »
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