You've probably seen magazines bestow kudos on different products as their "best beauty picks," but how do you know if the products really work or if the company is simply a generous advertiser trying to get the word out? The truth is, you don't, but there are a few great products that magazines and Web sites agree give you the best bang for your buck. Let's start with hair. Both Allure and InStyle magazines rave over Pantene's Nature Fusion shampoos and conditioners and ranked it among their best of 2010 for its gentle, cleansing formula that adds strength and shine to hair. For styling, TotalBeauty.com and Self magazine love the MoroccanOil line for the weightless shine and body it lends hair. Paul Mitchell and John Freida's antifrizz serums rank high on beauty best lists for frightening away frizz. MAC cosmetics came up big in many magazines when it comes to makeup. The bright, vibrant eye shadows are the editor's and readers' favorites on TotalBeauty.com, and it nabbed the top spot in Allure's readers' choice.
BareMinerals is a mineral makeup brand that shows up on a lot of must-have lists, particularly its foundation and concealer, which TotalBeauty.com and Allure both love. A great multitasking cheek and lip color that pops up on best of lists all over is Benefit's Benetint, which offers a pinkish-red wash of color on cheeks and lips for a just-pinched look. And to cover lips, Self likes BareMinerals Bare Escentuals line. Nars Lip Lacquer and MAC Lipglass pick up honors from InStyle and Allure for their lip gloss formulas, and L'Oreal's Infallible gloss is a winner for long-wearing lipstick. If you're tired of looking pasty, then try the magazine's top picks for self-tanners - Clarins and Jergens brands ranked particularly high for their pleasant smell and non-streaky formulas. And when the sun comes out, Women's Health and InStyle agree Neutrogena's your best bet to protect skin. If you're a sporty type, then go for Coppertone's Sport SPF formulas. And there you have it - all the best beauty products that are fit to print!