classic beauties: instyle knows how to pick 'em

You don't mess with a classic. You revere them – and InStyle is once again doing just that with its latest installment of the Best Beauty Buys. While I always seem to get tripped up on the name of their 13th annual list – (thinking that the ''best buys" equals the best cheap and cheerful finds), this compendium is actually, in my mind, the ne plus ultra of beauty products, since it's chosen by the experts (think: makeup artists, hairstylists and dermatologists) and encompasses both drugstore and prestige brands alike. Along with a staggering number of Laura Mercier products (okay, we hear you, her foundation is good!), there were many old favorites on the roster, including Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, a not-quite-lipstick, not-quite-lipgloss hybrid in a universally flattering berry-pink, that continually sells out since it made it's debut in 1989. Other old faithfuls on the list? New classic Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Chanel Glossimer Lipgloss (the golden sheen is the piece de resistance), the universally-flattering peachy-pink Nars Orgasm Blush and the quintessential ballet-slipper pink nail polish, Essie in Mademoiselle. Most of the list (minus the color picks) are posted on InStyle's website; get the full list of products – all 141 of them – in the April issue of InStyle.

for every girl, a lipgloss

I may have mentioned that I have a bit of a lipbalm/gloss addiction. I think it has to do with my penchant for multiple personalities when it comes to this stuff: Some days, I want just a straight-forward gloss – a no bells and whistles slick of color. But other days, I want to feel extra-special, so I'll put out my special-occasions-only gloss that's like my crown jewels. These days, just as with fragrances, there's a gloss for every gal and every occasion. So herewith, I present to you my gloss personality guide - from the bombshell to the bond girl. So tell me lovelies, what's your lipgloss personality?
For the Bombshell: Dianne Brill Cosmetics Lip Gloss Lip Lingerie, Lace Teddy. Celebrity counterpart: Burlesque diva Dita Von Teese. Lip Lingerie is a little pot of gloss, lip brush included, wrapped in a bon bon wrapper and tucked inside a little box. It's ever so pretty, you almost don't want to use it! But please do, as you'll love the shimmery color and non-goopy texture that will set your lips aglow! Try: Can-Can Knickers, a pinky red with flecks of gold, befitting your bold, glamorous persona.
For the Classic Girl: MAC Lipglass. Celebrity counterpart: Drew Barrymore. You can never tire of a classic. And this little number has been gracing the makeup bags of savvy makeup afficionadas for years. MAC Lipglass can be at once subtle or dramatic and can impart a high-gloss, glass-like effect or just a bit of sheen, depending on your mood. Try: Lust, a deliciously soft and civilized browny-pink.

For the Health Nut: tarte inside out Lipgloss, Liquid Sunshine. Celebrity counterpart: Cameron Diaz or Jessica Biel. This little wonder is packed with Borba-powered antioxidant vitamins, lychee and grapeseed extract. Why, you ask? Well the health nut would know that the average woman ingests 2 to 4 pounds of lipgloss in her lifetime. So why not take advantage, and beautify from the inside out? The gloss is grand - it moisturizes your lips, has great lasting power and the colors are beautiful, sheer and shimmery. A plus? The gloss comes with a drink mix from Borba, so you can get an added vitamin boost. Try: Liquid Sunshine, a sheer and shimmery pink.
For the Bond Girl: Lancôme Color Fever. Celebrity counterpart: Eva Green. This stuff has an ingenius little gadgety wand with a heart-shaped tip that no self-respecting secret agent should be without. The groovy applicator helps plump and shape your pout with a glossy, pearlescent shimmer. Try: On Fire, a reddish berry shade with a hint of shimmer that's just as mysterious as you.

tried and true beauty

We all have our beauty standbys - products that never fail to make us look polished, even in a beauty emergency. MAC Spice lip pencil, L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara and Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer are just a few of my favorites. Get the whole list at Slice, a great new site for savvy ladies who love to dish about beauty, relationships and pop culture.