Beauty house websites are rated according to a star system
  not worth the download time
  worth it if you're a customer
  worth a visit even if you are not customer
  time to change your beauty house
  inspired to buy

Dior
Graphically, this is a beautiful site to visit. Be prepared to wait a while for the site to download. But if you want to shop online, don't bother. They don't ship to SA.

Givenchy
Not a very user-friendly site. But when you manage to get around, the site offers quite a useful product description.

Lancôme
Beautiful site. Very easy to use. You'll find FAQ's, read all about the complete Lancôme range, find solutions to specific problems and be in the know of product launches. But no online shopping available.

Revlon
Here you'll find product info and interactive tools such as the Revlon/women24™ makeover tool. This site will also keep you up to date with Revlon product launches in SApaul.

Cover Girl
They call it the 'easy breezy beauty guide' - and so it is! It's a very comprehensive site, which is easy to navigate. Play around with their interactive elements such as the Makeup Match finder.

Esteé Lauder
On the first page, you're forced to choose among USA, UK, Australia and Canada. But click through anyway, go to 'what's right for you', choose your specific beauty problem and they'll recommend a product. But forget about ordering this product online - you'll have to go to an Esteé Lauder counter near you.

Neutrogena
Get a list of products, find out about new products. Don't expect any 'bells and whistles' - this site focuses on giving information only.

Almay
Almay focuses mainly on e-tail (online shopping) or retail (finding a store near you). For online shopping, they'll lead you to three shopping sites that stock Almay products - all of which do not ship to SA.

Clairol
Play around on the 'fun stuff' pages, try different hairstyles or ask your most pressing hair questions but forget about shopping online.

Paul Mitchell
Not very useful. The 'salons' page is still under construction. It's a lot more useful to go to your nearest professional hair salon.

Oil of Olay
You can only choose among the following countries: US, Canada, China, Netherlands, Thailand and the UK.

L'Oreal
Click on L'Oreal worldwide and you'll find a SA link. You'll basically find a history on L'Oreal's entry into the SA market and the address of their head office.

Wella
Believe or not - www.wella.co.za does exist. Here you'll find news and events, a range of products, a toll-free number and other contact details as well as info on the Wella Heads First Club. A few broken links here and there, though.

Vidal Sassoon
Get directions and advice on certain products that will help you achieve the look of your choice. No online shopping available.

Mac
Forget about buying your favourite MAC product online - they only ship to the US and Canada. But fortunately you can buy your MAC-ssentials at specific beauty counters in SA.

Elizabeth Arden
Shipping only in the USA. On their 'personal consultation' pages you can play around with the 'EA-makeover', do a skin analysis and use the fragrance finder to find your signature scent.

Decleor
Site under construction but you can enter your contact details and you'll be alerted when they launch.

Chanel
Find your individual skin profile, take a look at the FAQ's and then consult the very useful glossary for beauty terms.