Wouldn’t it be great if we could buy a lipstick or a foundation with confidence, knowing that it would be perfect for our skin?

Thanks to facial recognition technology, makeup apps can help you choose the perfect products for your look, before you need to spend a dollar. How great is that? Other apps can book a salon appointment, or keep an eye out for toxic nasties in our products. They really are a girl’s best friend. Here’s our top 10.

Makeup by Modiface

Want to know what the makeup will look like on you before you buy? This app combines facial recognition technology with makeup application. Simply upload an image of your face, and then transform your look with the makeup palettes. With thousands of products to try out for skin, nail, eyes and lips – this app will keep you busy for hours. Available for iPhone, iPad and Android.

OPI

This is the app for those who love their fingernails. With adjustable skin tones and nail and finger length, you can choose from 100s of OPI colours to find the perfect match for your outfit. Available for iPhone and iPad.

Plum Perfect

This app lets you upload a selfie, and through analysing your skin tones and features, will suggest branded products at different price points for you to try. Available for iPhone and iPad.

L’Oreal Makeup Genius

This app lets you create your own or try ready-to-wear looks using cosmetics from the L’Oreal Paris range. After trying them on virtually, you can send a picture of yourself to your best friend for a comment, or buy the product directly from L’Oreal. Available for iPad, iPhone and Android.

Beautiful Me

Using photos sourced from your Facebook profile, this app analyses up to 500 images to visualise changes in your facial features, makeup, aging and hairstyle. This analysis of many images over a period of time allows the app to pull together a combination of curated skin, anti-aging and cosmetic products that best match your profile. Available for iPhone and iPad.

Beauty Mark

This tutorial app teaches you how to put your own look together. Do you want a natural, dramatic, glamour or bridal look? Then choose your skin tone. You can mix and match combinations of eye, lip and cheek options, and then you can download a how-to video or step by step instructions to help you recreate the look. Available for iPhone and iPad.

Total Beauty

Offering more than 280,000 unbiased consumer reviews, the Total Beauty app gives you ratings on more than 45,000 beauty products. Find popular products such as department-store best sellers like MAC, Chanel and Estee Lauder and supermarket brands Olay, Neutrogena and Cover Girl. The price comparison tool helps you get the best deal. Available for iPhone, iPad and Android.

Glamazon

This app helps you make salon bookings by allowing clients and salons to take advantage of last minute cancellations. Clients can find available appointments at convenient locations, and it helps salons to fill those empty seats when people have cancelled. Available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

Sunsmart

The official SunSmart app helps you stay on track with your sun protection. With the help of the Bureau of Meteorology it gives you a 7-day forecast, plus the UV level and sun protection times in your part of Australia. It reminds you to reapply your sunscreen and helps you find out if you are getting the right amount of UV to help with your vitamin D levels. Available for iPhone, iPad and Android.

ThinkDirty

This app helps you learn about the potentially toxic ingredients in your cosmetics and personal care products. This independent source lets you compare products as you shop. Simply scanning the barcode gives you easy-to-understand info on the product and its ingredients and gives you cleaner options. Available for iPhone and iPad.