Your Beauty Product Go-To Guide

The world of beauty can be an addictive, albeit, elusive one. Who doesn't want to look their best, fight aging and know which products really are worth their price tag? Yet with so many products on the market, it can be overwhelming. Just walking into a Sephora store can leave a mama feeling bewildered, wondering which potions and formulas would work their magic on her.

Luckily, we now have Sephora: The Ultimate Guide to Makeup, Skin, and Hair from the Beauty Authority, by Melissa Schweiger, as a comprehensive reference guide to the best beauty products of the moment, along with timeless tips from the pros. It gives us the lowdown on the highfalutin' ingredients found in many products, from acai to zinc oxide (and tells us how to pronounce them). It brings us tips and insights from the stars of the beauty world, such as Wendy Zomnir of Urban Decay, Leslie Blodgett of Bare Escentuals and Maureen Kelly of Tarte, all moms themselves. Maureen, who was pregnant at the time the book was written, offers up her tips on looking and feeling gorgeous throughout pregnancy:

• Get a bimonthly facial - it helps with breakouts and blotchy skin
• Pamper yourself to the fullest: get regular prenatal massages
• Manicures and pedicures are a definite must-have! Even when everything is disheveled, it will help keep you feeling polished.
• If stressed, light a candle, dab essential oils on the temples or take a freshly scented bath

Maureen take only 5 minutes to get ready in the morning, using only Tarte's Eraser Concealer, Tipsy Cheek Stain and 4-in-1 Mascara, along with a refreshing spritz of perfume, for an easy mama-to-be-glow.

Sephora has worked diligently to compile a list of their 100 must-have products, citing the best of the best, to give us the real scoop on what's effective and worth feeling a little spenny. But my favorite part of the book is the section called "try this at home". Getting the lowdown from the beauty pros, Sephora divulges what it takes to leave the house looking like you had your own personal team of stylists. Filled with fun quotes, FAQs and fabulous advice, Sephora is a must-read for every woman who wants to be in the know when it comes to beauty.