If you were to look inside any of my purses, you'd find multiple lipsticks lost in the depths. Being in the beauty business, it's safe to say I've tried hundreds of lipsticks. But trying to find the perfect one can leave me feeling like I'm facing a Goldilocks-like dilemma -- they're too chalky and drying, too smudge-able or they require constant reapplication, which is why I typically stick to tinted lip balms. But I've finally found one that's just right: Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick, $22.

The shades are all insanely pigmented (my personal faves include Menace, a hot pink, and 1993, a grunge-y, '90s-inspired brown-nude), and they manage to be matte without drying out my lips or drawing attention to lines. The supercreamy formula is filled with nourishing ingredients like avocado, olive and babassu oils, plus shea butter. It's crazy easy to apply straight from the tube, and it lasts forever. To put its staying power into perspective, consider this: It lasted through two meals and countless cups of coffee before I needed to touch it up. The spark has been reignited in my relationship with lipstick -- this one definitely won't end up lost at the bottom of my bag. --Allie Flinn

The "I woke up like this" and no-makeup makeup trend can be intimidating for those of us who, well, wear makeup. (Thanks a lot, Beyoncé.)

But when it comes to faking that effortless look, my secret weapon has always been eye shadows in oh-so-natural nude shades. Recently, I've come to reach for Pixi's Mesmerizing Mineral Palette in Copper Peach, $12, just about every morning. Not only do the palette's neutral colors go with literally everything in my closet -- a perk that makes getting ready a breeze -- but the six carefully curated hues easily take me from day to night.

In the morning, I sweep a pretty peach shade across my lids as a base and apply a rich, medium brown to my crease to add a bit of dimension. Then, when evening rolls around, I up the drama by building on my existing look. The palette's subtly shimmery bronze and deep chocolate brown are perfect for creating a smoky eye, while the pale beige is ideal for highlighting the inner corners and centers of the lids.

Between the fact that the shadows are formulated with nourishing vitamin E and the palette's budget-friendly price tag, I feel pretty comfortable about going nude. --Rose Curiel

I don't regret anything about going blonde. I was born an uninspired dark brunette and spent my adolescence torturing my hair with cheap box dye -- but now, my professionally executed blond hair makes me feel like the fun, fabulous grownup I always wanted to be. (Most of the time, anyway.)

The only downside is that all that color dehydrates my already thirsty strands like crazy. Thus, I've become acquainted with almost every deep conditioning treatment on the market -- from $30 tonics meant to reverse color damage to $60 elixirs for over-processed hair. But a few months ago, I found the deep conditioner to end all others -- one that makes my hair as soft, strong and shiny as it was before "highlights" was even a word in my vocabulary. It's Aussie's 3 Minute Miracle Shine treatment, and it costs $2.97.

Every time I use this stuff, I end up telling everyone I encounter, "Touch my hair. Seriously. Touch it." And whenever I decide to switch it up with a high-end product, I'm not as impressed. For less than $3, I get to have blond hair and healthy texture, too. It's what I'd hoped adulthood would be like. --Amanda Montell

Being tan is absolutely essential when it comes to my overall confidence and signature look, because I've often been told I look sick when I'm not bronzed -- especially in the fall and winter months (thanks, guys).

As much as I love soaking up the sun to achieve a sun-kissed look, summer is long gone and I'm not blind to the fact that UV exposure causes premature aging, and can put me at risk for skin cancer.

I had tried just about every sunless tanner on the market with no lasting or satisfying results, until I found Fake Bake Flawless Self-Tan Liquid & Professional Mitt, $26.50, aka, magic in a bottle.

Many people balk at trying self-tanners for fear of looking orange, but this product gives me an instant glow that looks 100 percent natural and dries almost instantly. The professional mitt makes the application easy and leaves no streaking behind -- an amazing rarity that any veteran self tanner can attest to. Since the product provides the option to build a gradual tan, I only have to apply this self-tanner once a week to keep my desired color.

The one thing I can't get over, though? The tanner instantly slims me and hides all my imperfections, leaving my skin looking airbrushed -- without any help from Photoshop.

Gone are the days of "looking sick." I'm a bronzed goddess all year round, now. --Jessica Amaris

When you follow sports, sometimes you hear that "the best defense is a good offense." But when it comes to skin care -- and particularly when it comes to warding off dreaded breakouts -- I tend to think the reverse is true. After all, you won't ever have to bring out your offensive players (aka those heavy-duty benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid-based zit-zappers) if you've got a solid defense (aka an acne-prevention plan) in place.

That's why I probably won't ever bench Dermalogica's Breakout Control, $46. This powerful little bottle has been a godsend for keeping my skin clear in the months leading up to my wedding. It contains antibacterial properties that fight and prevent acne without drying out my skin, and it's lightweight and quick-drying enough to wear under makeup. And it earns extra points for the refreshing scent.

Overall, I'd say I have a pretty strong MVP-contender on my skin care team. --Mary Squillace