There are over a million beauty products on the market, possibly more. So how to tell the good from the bad, and the bad from the ugly? Hours could be spent trying, testing and tormenting your skin in store trying to find the best match. Or you could simply grab a bar of chocolate, pop on an episode of Gossip Girl and set up camp on the couch with your iphone. Here are my favourite beauty applications, no skin irritations or wrong colour matches, guaranteed.

OPI
From Cha-Ching Cherry to Who the Shrek are you?, OPI is the hottest brand in nail colour right now. Select your skin tone (five to choose from) and then spin the wheel of polishes! Perhaps Red Hot Ayres Rock is your colour, or maybe you are a bit more Over The Taupe? (THE sold out colour of the season, inspired by Chanel). Save your favourites, browse special collections (such as Shrek or the Designer series) and pick that perfect shade for your look. No responsibility is taken if you end up with half a dozen different bottles. These shades are too cool to stop at one.

Total Beauty
From totalbeauty.com, the team bring you the best in face, body, hair and makeup. Browse by category or brand – you’ve never seen so many products and potions in the one place. Categories drill down into fine detail, targeting problem areas, common complaints and even professional services. Choose your product and read reviews and ratings from other users, then check back regularly and easily find your most recently viewed products. Everyone knows the product review your best friend gives you is way more honest than the store – and this app is like having 100 best friends on call.

Beauty Tips
It’s just like the quote of the day calendar, with an educational twist. Impress your friends with these handy hints. Tip 1 Nail Care – Avoid using perfume lotions that contain alcohol if your nails are weak and brittle. You are more likely to chip of break them. Shake. Tip 2 Skin Care – Get rid of blemishes and pimples by washing your face with an oil free and fragrance free cleanser that is labelled pH balanced. Shake. Tip 3 Beauty Foods – Eat wheat germ each day to get rid of your pimples. Adding wheat germ to your cereal, yoghurt or cottage cheese can make it tastier. Shake. Repeat. Could do this all day, couldn’t you?Lancome
Flashy graphics launch this app that allows you to check out what’s new at Lancome with regular blog style updates. Their seasons might be a bit out of sync with ours but we all know the trends will hit Aussie shores eventually. The Lancome Make Up sister application is your new best friend when travelling – simulate and test out make up looks in real time, shoot them to your friends for approval and head out for a night on the town looking your best. Tips, tricks, videos and more valuable info at no extra charge.

Dermalogica
A twenty six second video welcomes you to this app and all at once you feel like you could be in the salon with a beauty professional. SpeedMapping is Dermalogica’s unique skin analysis tool, exploring your skin concerns and providing a personalised solution. Select your primary concern, break it down as to where on your face the problem occurs and view the most recommended products for you. The app can also direct you to your closest Dermalogica salon for a professional consultation, where chances are they will have samples too. Speedmap your face then speed map to your closest salon.

(All apps listed here are free and available for iphone at the apps store on itunes.)