You know how it goes. You've tried three different foundations in the last four months and still, none of them seem to have that perfect, well, je ne sais quois that makes your face a perfectly smooth blank canvas for the rest of your makeup. What do you do? You ask your friends, your sisters, your sister's sister-in-law and every person in your office who wears makeup, even John in Accounting. You want to know what everyone else is using.

We're not saying that any single person or source has the final answer on the best of anything, since each of us has our favorites for whatever reason, but for the next few weeks, some of us will be taking time to share with you our personal lists of products we swear by for hair, skin, and makeup.

To get us started, this are my favorites, which I've pulled from my list over on ThisNext:


Facial Cleanser - It's a little pricey, but if there's one thing on your face that deserves the dollars, Princess, it's your skin. Shiseido's The Skincare line is awesome in its entirety, but I have an affection for the Purifying Cleansing Foam. I am not too particular on what a cleanser does to my skin (other than cleaning it), but I do have one strange nit -- I can't stand cream cleansers that don't foam, don't rinse of completely, and leave a slippery residue.

Facial Moisturizer - While others may medicate themselves with aloe gel for sunburns, I use aloe gel before I even step foot out the door as a facial moisturizer. It may sound too simple, but natural aloe has moisturizing properties (which is why people use it for after-sun care). Something about aloe gel is totally refreshing, and though I have no scientific data to back me up, it seems to keep my skin free of blemishes. I like Banana Boat because "banana boat" is fun to say, but pretty much any generic aloe gel works.

Exfoliator - St. Ives Medicated Exfoliating Scrub is another one for the Drugstore Beauty Queen! Now i know that skincare experts say that an exfoliator should be gentle on the skin without any hard, scratchy particles, but I just can't help myself. I love the feeling of the crushed walnuts and apricot stones scrubbing away all the dry, flaky ick on my face.

Facial Treatment - I'm a little past the age where I have to worry about a lot of break-outs, but I still can't shake the idea of "clarifying." Murad's Clarifying Mask is awesome for pulling all those nasty bits out of your pores, and there's something about it being a little expensive, in a teeny tiny tube that makes me feel like I am indulging. I put it on, kick back with some fairy-land music, rinse it off, then feel like my skin is as clean as a laboratory test tube.

Body Lotion/Moisturizer - I have very very dry skin, which admittedly, comes from my not drinking enough plain water and downing all kinds of caffeinated drinks instead. However, since I can't kick my Diet Coke habit, I am perfectly happy with rubbing myself from head to toe with shea butter from The Body Shop. They have other "flavors," but the shea butter is the one that makes me smell the least like a freshly baked fruit pie.

Shampoo/Conditioner - Like my skin, my hair is dry dry dry, but hair is also my lowest priority in my beauty budget, so I stick with my Drugstore Beauty Queen tendencies when it comes to shampoo and conditioner. I have tried all of them, from $0.99 Suave to drugstore-high-end $20 stuff ( as well as other uber high-end salon stuff), and I always go back to Garnier Fructis because it smells good, and because it's so inexpensive.

Hold for Hair - I like the entire Big Sexy line because my hair is so far from being big and sexy it needs every scrap of help it can get. I start with the Volumizing Gel before I blowdry, and use the hairspray to finish.

Mascara - L'oreal Lash Out is the only mascara I use for long, longer, longest eyelashes for batting at the boys. It's waterproof so it doesn't smear when you're sweating on the dancefloor, either, but don't take my word for it. Apparently, beauty experts are one step ahead of me!

Concealer - Dark circles be gone! And take all those wicked red little zits, too! The Stila Perfecting Concealer works the best because it has a heavier coverage, which I prefer, and it comes in a squeeze tube that you can just point and shoot those little blemishes away.

Foundation - Yes, it costs about a bazillion dollars, but trust me, ladies (and gentlemen who wear makeup), La Prairie Skin Caviar foundation is worth it. The concealer is attached to the bottle in the lid, and comes with a stiff brush that lets you cover up every pink pixel on your face. The foundation is great if you like a heavier coverage -- I can't deal with foundations that are too sheer, or else...what's the point? La Prairie also has sun protection so you'll be as smooth at 65 as you are today.

Blush - Fair skin is fabulous, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have a sweet innocent blush on your cheeks! Tarte Cheek Stains are scary when you first open them and look at how dark they are, but when you put the stain on your cheeks, it's far more subtle. The Cheek Stains are totally convenient because you don't have to mess around with brushes and powders that could break apart.

Lip Moisturizer/Balm - I've raved about this one before, but I'm not shy about my love for the Mimi Maternity Vitamin E Stick. It's shaped like a lipstick, but don't let that stop you from dabbing it around your eyes, at the corners of your mouth, anywhere that needs a good dose of moisture.

Lip (color, gloss, tint) - Lancome Juicy Tubes are like my crack, and like a true addict, I am not picky about the flavor. I am, however, slightly partial to the glosses with a slight shimmer. Of course, there are tons of drugstore knock-offs that are almost as good, and much friendlier on the wallet when you go through them as quickly as I do.