Special Assignment

Beauty's Best

Beauty's Best

Susan Kim

Long lashes...Luscious lips...Smooth skin. Whatever you're craving…it can be tough to find a product that does the trick.

Wouldn't it be great if someone made all your beauty decisions for you? With the right products it's almost that easy! Whether it's a night on the town or a day at work…finding the right beauty product can be a job in itself!

Consumers we talked to had plenty to say on the issue. One said, "A lot of eye shadows tend to fade throughout the day."

Another added, "No one really has time to sit around and do layers and layers of makeup."

So, how do you choose from what's hitting store shelves without having a makeup meltdown?

Self Magazine asked readers to test over a thousand new hair, skin, and cosmetic products and rate them based on things like texture, color, and ease of use. Elaine D'Farley works for the magazine.

"We send them out to real people across the country. Over 800 women tested them and there were 88 winners. Prices ranged from $3 for a product to $120 for a product," she explains.

Helping you put your best face forward: This-Works cleanser left testers feeling healthy and hydrated.

Clark's Marine Cream floated to the top of the moisturizer category.

And if you're looking to peel away dry, damaged skin, D'Farley has the product for you.

"Prescriptives won for the best at-home peel. The company says that it's as strong as a glycolic peel that you can get at the doctor's office, and people really felt like that was true," D'Farley says.

Readers also raved about the Best Body Scrub by Origins. Even the jar was a hit!

And the winning bubble bath by Sephora left tester Michelle Addimando feeling 'bubbly'.

"The bubbles stay the entire bath instead of, kind of, withering down. And it made your body feel very soft afterward," Addimando recalls.

In the makeup category, Redpoint's Chubby Concealer Wand brushed aside the competition.

Top it off with the winning powder blush…a Mineral Miracle from Jane Iredale.

"She has two blushes in one compact. One is shimmery and one is matte," D'Farley says.

If you're a girl on the go…the Winning Palette by Sonia Kashuk is stacked with all the essentials.

Or try the winning multi-tasker… Du-Wop's Double Glow Seven Sparkled. Tester Alex Samuel was impressed.

"It's a really a light cream that you can add to your cheeks or lips or your eyes just to add a little sheen," Alex says.

For a perfect pout...Long wear lipsticks by Stila and Covergirl 'outlasted' the competition.

Finally, save some water and the environment by spraying Ojon's Dry Shampoo. It's this year's newest hair hit.

"You put it in your hair and it helps sop up the oil on your scalp so that your hair looks clean," Alex explains.

So if you're in the mood for some spring beauty cleaning…keep the list in tow, try things out and have fun!

The magazine also lists winners for things like mascara, sunscreen, and hair conditioner. For more details check out Best Beauty Secrets.

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