No one can deny that the modern woman enjoys a complex and long-lived relationship with beauty products. And it’s really no surprise considering not only the vast abundance of options in the marketplace, not to mention our culture’s unhealthy obsession with the feminine ideal of youth and beauty. Confronted by images of stick-thin models who seem to be in a perpetual state of perfection (thanks to airbrushing in most cases), one can easily understand why women of every age are using hair dye, cosmetics, and all manner of beauty products to make the most of their God-given features, despite the fact that they can’t hope to measure up to the unrealistic ideal presented by the media at large. Plus, it must be – admitted – makeup is fun.

Transforming oneself through beauty products is a pursuit that has both defeated and elevated women throughout the course of history. But aside from lofty concerns about the role these goods play in our lives and in our society at large, many women consider them simply a part of the daily routine. And with so many options out there it can be difficult to choose the best products. Luckily, TotalBeauty has come up with the ‘Beauty Product Reviews by TotalBeauty.com‘ application with the intent of helping the average user find what she seeks in the way of lotions, potions, and cosmetics via the input of other women.

This free app currently enjoys an impressive 4.5-star rating on iTunes, thanks largely to its easy functionality and wide scope. Users can get started by selecting from four overarching search categories; face, makeup, hair, and body; after which they can peruse product listings or further narrow their search by particular brands or specific items (lipstick, flat irons, cuticle cream, etc.). Each product listed comes with a number rating (from 1 to 10) averaged from consumer reviews, and when an item from the list is selected, users can access product info, read (or write) reviews, compare prices, and even make a purchase.

With an estimated 45,000 products listed across all price points, you’ll easily be able to compare similar products from high-end brands like Chanel, professional sources like MAC, and drugstore options like Neutrogena, just for example. And considering that there are close to 300,000 reviews already posted, you shouldn’t have a hard time finding the advice that will tell you which products are worth the price and which you’ll be better off saving your money on. Plus, you can add your own opinions and experiences to the mix, hopefully helping another lady to find the right wrinkle cream, or stay away from a product that has irritating fragrances and dyes.

Whether you’re looking for cruelty-free cosmetics, you’d like to try skin lightening serums, or you want the glossy hair that you see in commercials, Beauty Product Reviews by TotalBeauty.com can give you the data you need to make an informed decision while you’re standing in the pharmacy or at a cosmetics counter. It can help you to avoid overspending on products that won’t really work for you and give you the 411 on what to try if you’re looking for targeted results. In short, you might consider it your mobile navigator in the vast ocean of beauty products. And considering it’s free to download, there’s no reason to deny yourself this valuable resource.