No proof

Recently, a friend told me that when he hears someone say dessert is better than sex, he figures that person must be doing something wrong. Which made me wonder if I am, in fact, doing something wrong. Not with my husband, but with my hair dryer.

Lately, it seems like people just can't stop raving about No Frizz, a line of styling creams developed by MIT (yes, that MIT) scientists. Boasting the only new anti-frizz technology developed in more than thirty years, the company's straight making spray, cream and treatment are some of the most buzzed-about products out there.

But I have to be honest. I. Just. Don’t. Get. It.

To say I was ecstatic (pun intended) when I read about No Frizz would not be an exaggeration. Something that “actually repels dirt and oil”? I couldn’t slap down my credit card fast enough.

Since the line wasn’t initally available at Sephora, I ordered my straight making spray directly from Living proof. One nice touch? It came with a jumbo-sized sample to pass along to a friend.

Eager to see this miracle for myself, and as yet undeterred by the smell -- which the company claims is citrus, but seems more reminiscent of bugspray -- I commenced the recommended twenty sprays and twenty minutes with my favorite T3 dryer. Sadly, the saga ended with my hair looking virtually the same as it does with my usual combination of Bumble and bumble., Frederic Fekkai and Garnier Fructis (which, I must say, smells pleasantly fruity).

Categorized by hair type, the original line includes products for fine to medium hair, medium to thick hair, and thick to coarse hair. Also available are a shampoo and conditioner (for all hair types) and a deep conditioner (for dry or damaged hair).

But for my money? I’d go with the seven-layer cake.

Label Conscious

No beauty addict worth her salt purchases products based on their packaging. Slick marketing campaigns and chic little gifts-with-purchase? Strictly amateur hour. We all know those sleek tubes and shiny new boxes are only as good as the products inside – that their beauty is, in fact, much more than skin deep.

There is one area where you always read the fine print, however. Testing beauty products on animals? So not okay. After all, if you wouldn’t want to see it happen to your little sister, how could you condone the same thing being done to your six-week-old kitten, Minx?

It may not always be easy, but you make every effort to ensure that your purchases are cruelty-free. And, thanks to organizations like Leaping Bunny and PETA -- and oh-so-helpful daily digests from green e-newsletter Ideal Bite -- it’s becoming easier than ever to make sure your makeup charms, but never harms.

Click here for a list of companies that never test on animals.

Beauty Loves Sephora loves: Dermalogica, Alba, Too Faced, Pureology, and, of course, the ubiquitous Burt’s Bees

Golden Oldies

There's a reason they've become the gold standards.

Each month, it seems beauty editors are singing the praises of the newest, most scientifically-advanced products out there, each one better than the next. Yet somehow, there always seem to be those chosen few that never fall out of fashion. Products that your mother used -- and, for some of us -- your grandmother before you. (You're never too young to fall in love!)

There's a reason these products are in the makeup bags of everyone from Linda Wells to Linda Evangelista. Because they really are that good. And if a beauty editor won't leave home without it, who are we to doubt them?

Below, a list of the all-time top ten:

1. Lancome Definicils mascara
2. Nars blush in Orgasm
3. Tweezerman slant tweezers
4. bareMinerals SPF 15 foundation
5. Phytodefrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm
6. Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat
7. Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish
8. Smith's Rosebud Salve
9. shu uemura eyelash curler
10. Smashbox Photo Finish Light Foundation Primer

Friends With Benefit

A late night out with that oh-so-hot neighbor you’ve been lusting after for months? Stayed up ’til all hours with the girls, watching JT on Late Night … again?

Destroy the evidence with Benefit’s De-Puffing Action Eye Gel. Even the kitschy, retro packaging can’t distract from the sheer strength of this ultra soothing, lightweight gel. Not only does the sweet-smelling treat firm and tighten the delicate skin around your eyes, its all-natural ingredients – like soy flour, red raspberry and chamomile – will leave you looking noticeably younger.

So your secrets will always be safe.