Choosing the right beauty products can be a daunting task. There are literally thousands of products and formulations . . . all promising to change your skin in some fundamental way and make it the best ever. We turned to aesthetician Anne-Cecile Curot for a little help. She says no matter what brand you choose, there are five items that should be in your beauty cabinet.

The orchid has long been praised for its beauty . . . but an increasing number of beauty companies are harnessing the gorgeous bloom for its cosmetic properties. Orchids are often considered the “perfect plant” for the skin. They are famous for moisturizing, boosting skin’s immunity, soothing irritated skin, and reducing the look of fine lines.

Spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner, and we’re at a loss about what to do with our hair. So we sought a little advice from professional hair stylist Bianca McMillan.

From runway to reality, make-up trends for spring 2013 are focused on “color.” Bold swatches of color decorated the eyes and lips of models from Dior to Prada. We’re not recommending that you don turquoise eye shadow up to the brows and decorate it with red sequins, but a little pop of color here and there goes a long way to keep with the trend without looking like a make-up victim.

Most skin care experts agree that there’s more to skin care than just cleansing and moisturizing. To truly keep skin in top shape, regular exfoliation is key. And we’re not talking about your grandmother’s scrubs. Put down the crushed walnut shells and apricot kernels, and make way for a new generation of exfoliators.

The subject of acne and skin care brings up all manner of old wives tales and myths about what causes acne and the best ways to treat it. There are also a broad range of opinions and techniques on the best way to wear makeup, to cover the appearance of acne scars and general blemishes. So we decided to bypass all the white noise, and get some expert advice from Dr. Agnes P. Olszewski.

The Academy Awards just took place, and hundreds of guests, nominees, presenters, and seat fillers got plucked, buffed, shaped, and polished for their big moment at the show. Congrats to all the winners and nominees! We found some of the best places (and products) to get that Oscar-worthy glow on the red carpet and beyond.

Bobbi Brown is the latest brand to hop on the BB Cream bandwagon. Like formulas from rival brands, the Broad Spectrum cream features a high SPF (35), a modest shade range, and an equally modest list of beauty claims.

When it comes to brows, thin is no longer in. Full, sometimes bushy, brows have made their way from the runway to reality. Fuller brows are the easiest (and cheapest) anti-aging trick, as they tend to make the face appear more youthful.

We’re particularly taken with the facial services, most notably the Stem Cell Facial. This facial uses Glycolic Acid, and Plant Stem Cells from lilac leaves to help refresh the skin and encourage cell turnover. Plant stem cells have been used to stimulate human stem cell growth and preserve existing cells, and reportedly improve skin tone and texture. We tried it and can say with absolute confidence . . . it works.