There are two things I buy on Amazon, and they are books, and naturally, beauty products. I mean, they're so freakin specific it's sickening. They anticipate exactly what you want (sort of like iTunes), before you even know you want it, in a refreshingly non-confrontational way (perfume sprayers at the dept store anyone?). As long as you don't have a shopping addiction and aren't tempted to buy everything they suggest, this is a completely benign, yet helpful and eerily fascinating feature. A recent browsing sesh made me think about what other online venues are just waiting to make your day. Well um, and fill their own pockets, natch.

For example, Brits love Lovelula, a very hip organic apothecary where you can find fabulous brands you might not have heard of, like Viridian and Suki.

Speaking of apothecaries, C.O. Bigelow, a chemist based in NYC, is another great place to trip the skin care light fantastic. It's fab for finding homeopathic remedies and beauty imports. Live for Aveda's famous shampoo? Try Bigelow's to-die-for Rosemary Mint Body Lotion.

Okay, and speaking of beauty imports, get those cute, portable, individual packets of face cleanser (Cleansing Powder Facial Care) from Japanese brand Komenuka Bijin, who specializes in brilliant rice bran products that really work, and offers free shipping for orders over $80 in the U.S.

If you want to go really far off the rack, I'm obsessed with the handmade, all-natural Egyptian products available at Nefertari. (Some of their recipes date back to the Pharaohs.) Try them for amazing all-natural olive oil and goat's milk soaps, almond face cream and gorgeously packaged lip balms.

Sadly, Ricky's, another NYC-based store, shockingly still lacks an online outlet, which is sad news for 14-year-olds in the Midwest looking to purchase Manic Panic to dye their hair Atomic Turquoise, but another Gotham staple, Bliss, steps up to the plate with tons of skin care offerings for every dilemma and pampering moment as well, plus they do gift certificates and have lots of gifty things, too.

For true skincare junkies and devout Product Fiends, Skinstore is a one-stop shop with a focus on education. They cover all the derm-backed biggies--Perricone, Dr. Brandt, Kinerase, MDSkincare, Atopalm and Relastin--plus they offer amazing (surprising!) tips and product recommendations, like this nifty one:

Heat Absorbs While You Sleep
Does your night cream end up on your pillow while you sleep? Try this--slightly heat the skin care product and then apply. The cream will penetrate better and stay on your face, not your pillow.

It's easy: First, heat water in a small cooking pan on your stovetop. Next, hold a spoonful of cream over the water for a few moments. Be careful not to burn your hand from the steam. Finally, apply the warm skin care product to your face.

Don't heat the cream in a microwave--the intense heat can cause a change in the ingredient properties.

Sleep is the best time for renewal. For maximum results, use one of our skincare favorites, Z.Bigatti Re-Storation Good Night Facial Cream.

Of course, if you want to come full circle back to more mainstream offerings, Drugstore.com can't be beat for finding exactly what you need at the cheapest prices. You know, things you can probably access quite easily but you are either a) agoraphobic or b) ridiculously lazy (no judging here).