Our editors braved the scene at Smashbox Studios in Culver City,
Calif., to bring you advice from the top hair and makeup pros we met Pro tips

We don't like to trash products, but there's nothing more disappointing than one that fails to deliver. Find out which items made us weep in frustration, then tell us whether you agree. See the list

We've been watching. Reading your blogs and product-review posts. From must-have acne remedies to the cosmetic procedures you (sometimes) admit you've had, find out what more than 35 pros -- dermatologists, plastic surgeons, hairstylists and makeup artists -- said about your "It" topics: Are they hot or just hype? (As if we needed more reasons to obsess!) View products

Stop right there -- that product graveyard under your bathroom sink is large and depressing enough. Find out which products you can return where -- and which ones you can't. Read return policies

We polled 31 Total Beauty Squad members about their most common hair removal tortures. Find out what hurt the worst, and how to avoid the same mistakes. View Poll

When the M·A·C lady spends 20 minutes giving you a makeover, you have to buy something. Or do you? Here, we detangle etiquette for backing out of a hard sell, returning bad products and (gasp) asking for a do-over. Etiquette help

Admit it: When you buy a product labeled "organic" or "natural" you get a warm, fuzzy feeling -- even if it costs twice as much. Well, it's our job to bring you down to earth: Organic and natural beauty products are often twisted on labels to the point that they're virtually meaningless terms. Find out the truth

True confession: While researching this story, I got scared reading just a fraction of the beauty ingredients that are potentially harmful to pregnant women and their babies. I obsessed over labels on moisturizer, nail polish -- everything in my bathroom -- to the point that in the shower one morning, I was afraid of my shampoo. And I'm not even pregnant. No-no ingredients

See the latest beauty news, find out about a frizz-reducing hair care line and a "facial in a bottle" wonder product. read more

See the latest beauty product news and tips from the Total Beauty offices. read more