Hair oils and my fine hair mix about as well as Gwyneth Paltrow and cheese from a tin. Most of them leave my hair more limp and greasy than shiny and polished. But then celebrity stylist Mark Townsend slipped Dove Regenerative Nourishment Serum-In-Oil, $5.99, into my purse (along with an unused toothbrush to tame the pesky flyaways I'm always dealing with). This is the man responsible for Reese Witherspoon's iconic 2007 Oscars bangs and Dakota Johnson's recent slew of amazing hairstyles, so I knew he was trustworthy.

And the product did not disappoint. The unique formula is part-oil, part-serum; the oil nourishes hair deep in the strand, and the serum adds smoothness and makes my hair supermanageable and can't-stop-touching-it soft. I use it on dry hair after I'm done styling to add shine and whip those flyaways into submission, and on wet hair before styling if it's feeling particularly dry. Also, since using this product, I haven't discovered a single split end. Coincidence? I think not. --Allie Flinn

I'll be honest: When I first heard about body serums, I thought they seemed like a pretty unnecessary addition to my already packed post-shower routine. Why in the world would I slather on a serum before my body-lotion-and-sunblock combo? It's not like I had the luxury of whiling away my mornings on a chaise lounge as I waited for my skin to absorb a bajillion products.

But that was before I learned that most body serums pack anti-aging ingredients and I got my hands on L'Occitane's Almond Velvet Body Serum, $56. Not only does this light, non-greasy formula sink into my skin immediately, but it provides a healthy dose of vitamin C, a crucial antioxidant found in plenty of anti-aging facial serums. And when you live in a land of perpetual sunshine like Los Angeles -- where your skin is constantly exposed to harmful rays due to a year-round wardrobe of tanks, shorts and swimsuits -- it becomes especially important to take preventative measures to preserve every inch of your skin.

Since this product leaves my skin supersoft -- not to mention fragrant, thanks to its delicate powdery scent -- I can skip the moisturizer if I'm in a rush, making this time-saving anti-ager a necessary staple in my routine. --Rose Curiel

My hair is like a rebellious teenager. Whenever I try to tame it with my flatiron, it puts up one hell of a fight, and I often lose -- coming out frazzled and frizzy. So, what's a woman to do with troublesome strands? Call in reinforcements of course.

Now, I'll admit that I'm definitely a hair product snob. I've fried my hair enough in the past to know which products work, and it's rare that I reach for a drugstore brand over salon products. Thankfully, a good friend convinced me that I needed to try L'Orèal Paris Smooth Intense Ultimate Straight Boosting Pre-Conditioner, $6.99.

The results? I was blown away by this drugstore product. This pre-conditioner is a miracle product that straightens out my wild hair every time. When I hop in the shower with this magic pre-conditioner, my hair comes out looking shiny and straight before I even douse it in styling products. Plus, this stuff makes my fried strands so smooth, that I find myself running my fingers through it all day.

It's safe to say my rebellious hair is now on the straight and narrow path.

Once upon a time, my ideal Friday night looked a little like this: Wriggle into some too-high-pumps and a too-short skirt, sip on well drinks and dance until last call, and stumble home shortly before dawn (with a potential pit stop at Shake 'n' Steak along the way). Today my ideal Friday looks a little different: Wriggle into too-large sweats and queue up my latest Netflix obsession, order a pizza and pour a glass of Montepulciano, and slather on a face mask (with the intention of being in bed by midnight).

Lately on these oh-so-eventful weekend evenings, I've been pairing my wine and pizza with Sonia Kashuk's Skin Detox Purifying Black Mask, $15.99. Designed to soak up oil and impurities, this charcoal mask contains a cocktail of skin-enhancing acids (think: salicylic, lactic, and AHAs) that help fight signs of aging by boosting cell turnover and smoothing out skin's texture.

In less time than it takes to get through one episode of "Master of None", I'm looking at a visibly brighter, softer complexion. (Though, I should mention that I would not necessarily recommend this heavy-duty detox mask for women with sensitive skin). And at less than 20 buckaroos, it's a fraction of what I'd pay for a full-on facial -- which means I can justify throwing down more cash on next Friday's bottle of red. --Mary Squillace

I didn't know how much I loved my Restorsea Reviving Cleanser, $65, until it was almost gone. I started thinking about which cleanser I was going to try next, and I realized I didn't want to switch. (And as a beauty editor, that sentiment isn't just unusual -- it's unnatural.)

Of course I've loved cleansers before, but this one has a special purpose: It's the cleanser I turn to when my skin feels really dirty (think NYC pollution or excessive waterproof makeup) because it removes every trace of everything. I especially love doing "the toner test" where you wash your face and then swipe it with a toner-soaked cotton pad to see how much grime and makeup is left behind. With this cleanser, the cotton pad comes back clean.

In addition to gentle, sulfate-free cleansing ingredients, it contains a natural enzyme derived from salmon that gently exfoliates and brightens skin. As a self-proclaimed freckle hater, I'm a fan of anything that helps lighten them, and I definitely notice a difference when I'm using this cleanser.

And if you're balking at the price, know this: A bottle lasts for months and months. Now, I think it's time for me to restock.