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

I have approximately 700 lip products. I don't think that's an exaggeration. Lipsticks, glosses, balms, stains -- I hoard them all. At any given time, I have a dozen lip products in my bag. So you can imagine my surprise when I actually finished one.

Without even thinking about it, I've reached for my trusty tube of Nivea's A Kiss of Care & Color in Sheer Berry, $4, so many times that I've worn it down to a nub. In fact, it wasn't until it was almost gone that I started thinking about what makes it so great -- because it's great in such an understated way.

At first glance, it seems like a basic balm. But the formula is incredibly moisturizing -- it feels silky on your lips, and that silkiness lasts for a long time. It also has the perfect amount of tint -- enough to make my pale lips look alive, but not so much that I need a mirror to apply it, which might explain why it's my go-to when I'm on the subway or in an elevator on my way to a meeting. It even smells lovely -- vaguely rose-like and powdery.

You see, sometimes basic is best -- and that's why I keep pulling this balm out of a pile of 699 other options. --Dawn Davis