If you’re anything like me, trips to Sephora and Ulta can be completely overwhelming. It never ceases to amaze me how many makeup, skincare and hair care lines there are and how they seem to be selling what appears to be very similar products. How does a cool broad go about choosing, say, a good night cream, or a good lip plumper, or hair straightener without spending a lot of money and making a lot of mistakes?

My answer: Makeupalley.com. I discovered this website a couple of years ago and never plop down a wad of cash on something new without checking the reviews here first. Launched in 1999, MakeupAlley has grown into one of the largest beauty social networks on the web today. Members leave reviews on everything from makeup and skincare products to hair dryers and perfume.

The website also offers message boards and forums, where you can discuss the latest and get personal referrals, as well as a quarterly newsletter with seasonal recommendations and new product information. And if you still end up buying something you don’t like or isn’t working for you, MakeupAlley provides a private forum where members can swap products. You just find a member who is interested in trying what you have that has something you want and voila, a swap!

Now sometimes a product can have hundreds of reviews and, like anything, there will be people who love the item and people who absolutely hate it. This can be a bit confusing (at least for me). What’s nice about MakeupAlley is that at the top of the review, the member identifies her skin tone, hair color, skin type and eye color, so you get an idea whether you’re reading a review from someone who has similar coloring or skin issues as you.

If nothing else, MakeupAlley will keep you from spending a small fortune on the new “it” product…you know, the one every member of the cast of Friends is using…if the reviews are dismal. Or it can point you in the right direction toward a product that hands down everyone loves (not just the beauty editor who just got comped a trip to Bermuda for giving it a thumbs up). It’s like having a thousand friends with you when you go shopping!

Have fun exploring and getting beautiful!