Yet another reason to let your fingers do the shopping: The best beauty loot on the planet is now available on the World Wide Web. By Jenna McCarthy
www.beautyjungle.com
The hype: Designed with the many places women shop for beauty products in mind (face cleanser from the drugstore, lipstick from the department store, bath oil from the boutique), this site features mass merchandise products as well as highend department- and specialty-store favorites.
The perks: Wondering how to disguise a pesky pimple or apply liquid eyeliner? Beauty consultants are on hand day and night, by phone or e-mail, with advice and product suggestions.
The lineup: Almay, Oil of Olay, Cover Girl, Tweezerman, Philosophy, Mason Pearson, Fresh, 5S, Weleda, Revlon and more.
The difference: The variety. This rt"1well be the only site you'll need for all your beauty loot, and products grouped by the type of store you'd find them in makes it simple to navigate.
www.beautyscene.com
The hype: Cutting-edge technology makes this site as smart as it is sweeping. Become a regular user and your content will be customized based on the products you've bought and the articles you've read. A lot of big names in the beauty biz are behind this launch, so expect top-notch advice and lots of pricey, hardto-find products.
The perks. Members receive free shipping, and personalized samples are sent out with most orders. A "wish list" function works like a bridal registry to allow customers to tag their fantasy gifts from friends and family.
The lineup: Paul Labrecque, Samuel Par, Cellex-C, Three Custom Color Specialists, Peter Thomas Roth, Too Faced, Tend Skin and more.
The difference: The roster. Industry professionals personally answering e-mail questions and hosting live chats include salon owner Paul Labrecque, dermatologist Frederic Brandt, M.D., and plastic surgeon Sherell Aston, M.D.
www.eve.com
The hype: As the first beauty megasite, the aptly named Eve is a magazine/catalog combo that delivers a completely new "issue" every month, In addition to copious pro tips and information, an experienced staff of beauty consultants is available 14 hours a day, seven days a week to answer questions and offer advice via a toll-free telephone number.
The perks: Every time you buy, you accumulate reward points for future shopping sprees. A "samples on demand" program allows you to pick the brands and categories you want for your freebies (included with every order).
The lineup: Limited, exclusive agreements with BeneFit, Vincent Longo, Erno Laszlo and Orlane.
The difference: Send in a photo and a skilled customer-service rep will provide a free customized beauty consultation.
www.gloss.com
The hype: Take your basic power players in the beauty industry, add an enormous array of high-end products, then throw into the mix some insider scoop on people, places and trends.
The perks: In addition to celebrity appearances and live cybercasts of special fashion and beauty events and launches, you'll also be privy to prod uct recommendations based on your buying habits.
The lineup: La Perla, Demeter, Calvin Klein, Get Fresh, Phyto Therathrie, Fendi, Bloom, Healing Hands, Joey New York and more.
The difference: A Virtual Make-over section lets you "try on" new cosmetics in real time by uploading images of yourself to the site.
www.reflect.com
The hype: The ultimate in personalization - hair care, skin care, cosmetics and countless pampering products you literally design yourself Tell them how you want it to perform, feel, smell and look, then add your packaging and delivery preferences, and voila, a product that's uniquely you lands on your doorstep within weeks.
The perks: Ever feel like the beauty industry isn't addressing your needs with what's already out there? Well, with tens of thousands of product variations to choose from, you'd have to be pretty darn picky to log off unsatisfied.
The lineup: The 50,000-plus variations on everything from cleanser to cosmetics are exclusive to www. reflect. com. The offerings will be premium-priced, but no more than you'd pay in a department store.
The difference: The patented personalization process turns beauty into the ultimate act of self-expression.
www.sephora.com
The hype: Service and selection are the foundation of this European beauty mecca turned American superstore turned Internet venture. Sephora's virtual emporium carries the same enormous selection of prestige fragrance, makeup and body treatments from around the globe, in the same hassle- and pressure-free environment.
The perks: All customers get free shipping and gift wrap with every order If running out of your favorite staples is a phobia, an e-mail reminder will alert you when your stash may be running low. Returns by mail are paid for by Sephora, and products can be returned in person at one of their stores.
The lineup: Essential Elements, Urban Decay, Hard Candy, Shiseido, Christian Dior, Naturopathica and more.
The difference: Exclusive offerings including Sephora privatelabel goods, Tocca scented candles, Diesel "Plus Plus" fragrance gift sets and Pupa glitter glosses and cosmetics.
[Author Affiliation]
Jenna McCarthy is a frequent contributor to Shape.
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