Top 5 skincare & beauty

Beauty Research

This blog is perfect for adults of all ages who want to know the best way to care for their skin. The diverse selection of topics includes acne, wrinkles and under-eye circles. You’ll also find posts on fashion and beauty, including the 411 on false eyelashes and handbags. Beauty Research is co-written by Karen — an esthetician and dermatology nurse — and her friend Gina — a self-proclaimed skincare junkie, who’s tried almost every product on the market. Smart, sassy and informative, this blog gives readers the practical scoop on skincare and related topics from two points of view with years of experience. You not only learn which products to use for a particular skin concern but also why these products work.

Beauty Beat

Best-suited for teens and young adults, this blog contains a wealth of information on acne, skin types, hair and makeup, natural beauty and how to create a personalized daily routine. Beauty Beat is written by a beauty buff who chronicles her own skincare trials and tribulations. She also blends her experiences with the latest skincare research and expert advice to give readers a complete, smart perspective on every topic. You'll find everything from how to combat skincare conditions to how to shape your brows. While many of the topics are ideal for teens, there's plenty of information to help any reader, including: dispelling common skincare myths, shopping on a budget and choosing the right active ingredient to target adult acne. Got a skincare question? Beauty Beat will answer every question directly, so readers shouldn’t be shy about chiming in!

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic

Christine, a professional who lives in Southern California, is a product junkie who isn’t a morning person. Giving herself a mere 15 minutes to get ready each morning, she can’t be bothered with products that swallow her precious time. As a self-proclaimed beauty fanatic and high-maintenance gal, she also has soaring standards for her products — all of which contributes to an honest, engaging and educational blog. In addition, she loves to delve into the science behind skincare, elaborating on why products will or won’t work. Her no-fuss approach to beauty will appeal to anyone who’s ever slept through the alarm clock and doesn’t have time for a multi-step routine. Here, you’ll find reviews of Christine’s go-to products, which usually include all-in-one makeup palettes, long-lasting moisturizers and anything that’s ideal for on the go.

Smarter Beauty Blog

This blog is ideal for younger women, who’ll easily relate to each blogger’s skincare struggles and beauty experiences. Readers will appreciate the helpful and humorous product reviews, which are infused with bloggers’ personal trials and tales. Case in point: One blogger samples natural deodorant, sharing how it fared during a shopping session, running on the treadmill and wearing a synthetic shirt. The writing is witty and entertaining, so before you know it, you’ve easily poured over several posts in one sitting. Along with the hilarity, the Smarter Beauty Blog also includes valuable information on common skincare and beauty concerns.

Makeup and Beauty Blog

Beauty addicts of all ages (and budgets) will love learning first-hand about new products and reading easy-to-follow tutorials on everything from smoky eyes to sultry lips. Karen, "your friendly neighborhood beauty addict," is a freelance writer and product junkie. In her well-written, humorous posts, you'll find polls, contests and reviews useful for any woman looking for the next "it" product. Karen shares her personal beauty experiments along with large color photos showcasing everything from clumpy lashes after a bad mascara trial to a set of sheer shadows smeared onto her hand. Her entertaining posts help readers become savvy shoppers and choose their products wisely.

Skincare & health

The Dermatology Blog

This blog was created by Jeffrey Benabio, M.D., F.A.A.D., who’s written numerous scientific articles and is involved with several professional organizations. He offers his expertise on subjects such as skin conditions, cosmetic procedures and the science behind popular products.

FutureDerm.com

Future dermatologist and current medical student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Nicki Zevola combines rigorous research from peer-reviewed journals with her personal perspective on everything from product reviews to skincare tips. Instead of confusing dermatology jargon or dumbed-down entries, you get the perfect mix of data, opinion and personality.

Distressed Derma

Ms. distressedDERMA formed this blog to help women like herself who suffer from hormonal and adult acne. She complements her acne posts with entries on hair care, makeup and anti-aging products, giving readers the full range of her many product trials and expertise.

The Skin Guru

The voice of The Skin Guru is dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., chief of the Division of Cosmetic Dermatology and professor at the University of Miami School of Medicine. A deep understanding of the skin and all its quirks gives Dr. Baumann an edge on skincare advice, thereby providing us with plenty of expert insight. Her blog is organized like a textbook, making it a go-to source for your skincare needs.

The Beauty Brains

Want to understand the confusing lengthy words on your product label? Learn whether the hype behind a product is actually true? This group of cosmetic scientists answers your questions about beauty, skincare and hair by going beyond hype and enticing labels to explain the science behind it all. You get information that’s unbiased and clear-cut — and quite entertaining!

Viva Woman

Sesame writes about a wide array of topics, from anti-aging to hair care and even fashion trends. Her blog is packed with personal experiences, product reviews and beauty advice. She mainly focuses on natural products, though you’ll also find information on commonly misconstrued topics, including whether mineral makeup has harmful effects and what kinds of ingredients actually clog pores.

Makeup/beauty

Make Her Up

Wondering what’s hot in beauty, whether vibrating mascara wands really work or how to get your hands on an effective anti-aging lotion? Find it at this top-notch blog, along with excellent product reviews and makeup tips.

Blogdorf Goodman

Annieytown loves everything in fashion, fragrance and beauty and gives her readers all of the delicious, interesting details. Her reviews are comprehensive with details on color, texture, application, how well the product wears throughout the day and whether it’s easy to remove. Readers will love her "Drugstore Deals and Steals" posts.

Beauty Addict

Kristen Kelly’s first job was at a cosmetics and fragrance counter, and her love for makeup and beauty advice hasn’t slowed since. Her posts range from swooning over a new limited-edition shower gel to sharing the science and history behind self-tanners to revealing her five most-missed products. She also features reviews, where Kristen shares her candid impressions on a variety of beauty products.

Beauty Snob

Created by Tina Craig and Kelly Cook, the "Snob Team" has grown steadily since their debut three years ago and now features a handful of contributors. Snobs that they are, these bloggers include pricier brands — many of which are harder to find than your average department store cosmetics. Yet, because these products are tested by a discerning crew, you can expect only the best of the best to be recommended.

Temptalia

Christine, who goes by the internet identity "Temptalia," and her boyfriend have created a comprehensive, user-friendly beauty resource — where readers can find everything from makeup tutorials and product reviews to beauty surveys and giveaways. Temptalia is also known for posting snapshots of her many looks, complete with a shopping list and detailed instructions on how readers can recreate the look.

Makeup Bag

Mom of four and a meeting planner by day, Erika Valente is a self-professed beauty junkie, whose blog includes daily product reviews and lots of beauty advice. There’s also a Teen Corner that her daughter contributes to.

Beauty Blogging Junkie

With her blog, Amber "achieves balance by discussing beauty here instead of at work to men in suits." Readers will love her sassy, smart commentary and straightforward product reviews.

All About the Pretty

This "Southern Girl’s Guide to All Things Beautimous" is a classic beauty blog with a variety of valuable reviews on the latest products. She also includes information on sample sales and discounts.

Kiss and Make-Up

Based in the U.K., this blog features short product reviews, how-to videos and industry news. The blog also gives out its own beauty awards with descriptions on why each product deserves the honor and who the product is best suited for.

Bit by the Beauty Bug

"And there’s no cure." From purchasing peppermint pink lipstick in her younger days to today's full-blown beauty addiction, Sara has been a long-time beauty fanatic. Her blog provides in-depth reviews on all things beauty, skincare and personal care along with interviews with beauty experts.

Clumps of Mascara

Brittany of Clumps of Mascara celebrates imperfection with the motto "because everybody ain’t there yet." She features simple makeup applications, affordable beauty products and detailed product reviews with accompanying photos. There’s also an occasional post, "But Black Women Can’t" that squashes myths about makeup for women of color.

Beauty on a budget

Fabuless Beauty

Wondering which drugstore products actually do what they say or where you can get a set of high-quality, low-price makeup brushes? This discount diva samples a little bit of everything. Find coupons for free makeup samples, limited-edition gift sets and where to buy beauty products for only $1.

Diva 4 Less

Tammy M not only knows how to find great deals on beauty supplies, but she’s also a makeup master — with her army of brushes and bottles, she smudges, smears and contours to bring you great ideas for your next makeup look. If a coveted item is too expensive, oftentimes she’ll suggest cheaper alternatives that work just as well. Her blog is also a great place to find must-buy products like eye shadow primer, makeup remover, waterproof mascara and hair dye.

Makeup Masala

Toma from Chicago has created an eye-catching array of product reviews and beauty news. Here, you'll find new bargain Web sites, learn about limited-edition beauty steals and participate in polls and monthly giveaways. Also noteworthy is her newest addition: the Makeup Masala Forums, where members can post pictures and videos or participate in discussions about anything concerning beauty.

Mom/mature Skin

Aging Fabulous

With the slogan, "This is when the fun starts," Teri Cosenzi doesn’t let frustrations like wrinkles and age spots get her down. Designed especially for women over 30, this is an excellent blog for any woman curious about the many anti-aging products on the market as well as anything beauty-related. Teri’s honesty and humor about the aging process make her easy to relate to as she shares her journey to beautiful, healthy skin.

A Mom in Red High Heels

Tammy, a mom of two, loves her red high heels and uses them as a symbol of self-confidence and empowering moms to feel great. She does this by featuring product reviews, profiles of real moms, fashion and makeup tips, celeb beauty, green goodies and much more. Though her blog focuses on moms, many women will find the advice inspirational and useful and will certainly learn something new.

Fabulous Over Forty

Who says aging has to focus on worrying about wrinkles? Since she was a little girl, Kari Solyntjes has had a ball with beauty, and she continues her fun journey by experimenting with the latest products. Her blog focuses on age-appropriate beauty tips, along with product research and expert interviews.

Beauty in Real Life

Jennifer and Christine are 30-something moms who have a passion for all things beauty and a strong belief that looking fabulous shouldn’t cost a fortune. Both shop at discount stores and high-end retailers — a combo you’ll find reflected in their posts. Think of their entertaining, informative blog as luxury on a real-life budget.

The Fashionable Housewife

Sarah-Jean Ballard created this blog for fashionistas with discerning tastes who don’t have time for "celebrity gossip and prissy blogs." The Fashionable Housewife is your one-stop shop for fashion tips, recent trends and budget-friendly buys. Sarah and her team also unveil where to get free samples and find the best sales.

A Girls Gotta Spa

A career woman and mother of four boys, Shannon started this blog "to connect her love of beauty products with reviews that consumers could relate to." Well-written and engaging, this blog is true to its goal: it’s like talking to a smart, funny friend, who’s savvy about skincare. In addition to the scoop on spa treatments and retreats, you’ll also enjoy product reviews, hair tips and trends and lots of how-tos.

Natural beauty

The Organic Beauty Expert

Looking for straightforward information about natural products minus the "same ol’ ’we must protect the earth’ mantra"? Andrea Kane, former owner of an online natural body care store, shares her wealth of knowledge about natural cosmetics. Her funny and honest reviews feature everything from skincare products and makeup to candles and chocolate. Best of all, she’s more concerned with finding products that work so she'll occasionally include a less-natural but effective product.

Eco* Pretty

This blog is about the wide world of earth-conscious products that actually work. Founder Lindsay Baron delivers up-to-date research and straightforward information on natural skincare brands. Her product reviews highlight what the product does for you as well as the environment.

Organic Makeup and Skin Care

Want to go beyond the mantra that organic is always better and actually understand how and why? Julena demystifies organic beauty and shares her tips and tricks for making your own products. Her product reviews cover packaging, scent, texture, price and natural and organic certifications — particularly helpful if you plan on ordering online and can’t sample the product before buying.

Fig + Sage

These sisters are rigorous researchers who intend to clear up the confusion about what they call "greenwashing," or falsely labeling a product as being more "natural" than it really is. Their reviews reveal whether a brand is true to its promises. They also help consumers green their routines with natural products for beauty, baby, home and even pets.

Flawless Beauty

In addition to achieving outer beauty through leading a healthy lifestyle with organic and natural products, this blog also stresses inner beauty and appreciating yourself. You’ll find product reviews, beauty tips and inspiration for creating a beautiful, luxurious bathroom.

Cosmetic surgery

Plastic Surgery 101

This blog is a combination of concerned friend and professional who isn’t afraid to tell you the truth about so-called "miracle procedures." Double board certified plastic surgeon Rob Oliver Jr., M.D., scours recent articles in magazines and trade journals to bring readers the latest in topics like breast implants, dermal fillers and safety concerns related to cosmetic procedures. On the entertainment side, he peppers his blog with humorous cartoons, anecdotes and even a bit of celebrity gossip.

The Aesthetic Blog

This blog is maintained by Jeff Frentzen, editor of Plastic Surgery Practice (PSP), a go-to source for plastic surgeons. His posts provide a wealth of information about the latest in the field of plastic surgery, helping readers stay up to date about recent controversies, ground-breaking treatments and celebrity procedures.

Good Plastic Surgery

Ever wondered how movie stars can look so flawless? Whether you religiously follow celebrity gossip or are a skeptical consumer who believes that everything isn’t what it seems, you’ll appreciate this witty blog. Browse through before and after photos of celebrities along their journey to paid perfection.

Hair

Louis Licari: Hair and There

Who wouldn’t want to get advice from a renowned colorist who owns two successful salons? On his blog, hair expert Louis Licari features a variety of tips for your locks. He also posts videos from his Today Show’s Ambush Makeovers, which can provide visual inspiration to transform your own look.

Hair Thursday

Got a hairstyle or color dilemma? Sarah, who many have called a "hair savant," can help. Among great tips for your mane, Sarah’s blog also offers style options with inspirations from celebrities and helpful tutorials. Her fun, witty writing makes this an entertaining, as well as informative read.

Balding Blog

Hair loss is a sensitive subject and tons of treatments claim to help. Get the truth from two distinguished hair restoration experts: William R. Rassman, M.D. — medical director and founder of the New Hair Institute — and Jae Pak, M.D. — a former engineer and now a doctor at the institute. Their blog offers a plethora of valuable information on hair loss and hair restoration — no hype; just the facts.

Younger beauties

Beauty Fool

Renee, the 20-year-old blogger behind Beauty Fool, hopes "to educate, entertain and help out fellow beauty ’fools." Her excellent blog includes product reviews, how-tos and the latest beauty news. As a communications and media university student, Renee also comments on the media’s standards of beauty.

Neon Bible

Fresh out of college, this blogger knows how to work within her budget while still looking and feeling fabulous. In addition to her favorite cheap finds, she offers advice on low-maintenance hairstyles, bargain shoes and celebrity styles. And never fear — if you’re a high-maintenance fashionista, this writer loves to review her occasional splurges and birthday gifts.

Bare Budget Beauty

JennBee is a college student who isn’t going to let a lack of money (or time!) get in the way of her love for makeup and beauty. She routinely rakes through retailers, both online and in-store, to find the best of the best beauty products. She also loves to post photos of her latest makeup looks — which are usually created with drugstore finds — as well as store discounts, makeup giveaways and weekly DIY beauty recipes.

Skin Deco

Connie, "a cosmetic and bargain addict" is behind this fun, useful blog. From product reviews and makeup tips to a variety of tutorials and DIY beauty, younger readers will find plenty of valuable information. Plus, readers will easily relate to Connie, as her enthusiasm and personality pop off the page.

Fragrance

The Fragrance Fanatic

"Obsessed with all things fragrant," Cindi, a married mom of one, has a vast collection of different fragrances. She lives, breathes and loves all kinds of perfume and shares her knowledge in a friendly, straightforward way. No perfume snobs here; just helpful and even exclusive info on the latest in scents.

Fragrance Bouquet

This blog is more than a list of favorite fragrances. In her reviews, Divina tells the story behind each perfume, including information about the designer, her impressions and descriptions of the scent. Her posts are poetic and boast a wealth of knowledge.

The Scented Salamander

Marie-Helene Wagner’s perfume reviews don’t just offer her opinion; they deliver an interesting look at the fragrance’s inception along with other fascinating tidbits. You’ll also find savvy shopping ideas and tips, including the best places to buy scents and unique fragrance gifts.

1000 Fragrances

Want to delve deeper into the art and history of fragrance? Octavian Sever Coifan is a fragrance historian and writer in Paris, whose perspective and expertise make for a unique and revealing glimpse at the perfume industry.

See also:

10 Beauty Blogs You Might Not Know About (Yet)

Top 25 Blogs on Beauty and Skincare