One of my favorite ways to find great new products (whether they’re new on the market or just new to me) is by reading other customers ratings and reviews. The best site that I’ve found for doing a splendid job of posting customer ratings truthfully, expeditiously, creatively and most importantly methodically is SkinStore.com.

For each type of product whether it be hair, skin, cosmetic or what’s new and hot, SkinStore has given you a number of ways to review what other customers have said. When you go to one of their brand pages or even a broader page such as all hair products you can literally search a number of ways by using a simple drop down box. The choices being such things as price, new, special and customer ratings. And I almost always choose the latter!

I used to be leery of customer reviews because I figured people may only be motivated to post one if they are upset with a product, and I’m sure that does happen from time to time (and that too is good info). However, many are positive and in addition they sometimes share tips and usage for the products that are informative. There are times where I’ve learned as much if not more from the user’s ratings and reviews than I have from the content descriptions of the products from the brands themselves.

I’m going to provide you with an example of how to search for customer ratings on SkinStore.com. I’m going to describe for you how I do it; however, you may find an easier way to navigate them. But this is fairly easy in and of itself.

My example will be “Natural” products. If I want to only use natural skincare and cosmetics I can simply check down the list on the left hand side of the website and click on the word “natural.” Then when I get to the natural page I click on the drop down box that I mentioned above and click on “customer ratings.” Once it navigates that page(s) all of the natural type products (whether it be hair, skin, makeup, etc) will appear. The first natural products you will see will be all products that have 5 stars, with 4 stars following, then 3, then 2, then 1 and then products that have not yet been reviewed by anyone. Then if you want to narrow your search after you’ve arrived at all natural products in order by ratings you can then go to the left hand column and choose the product type you’re specifically looking for. So if perhaps you want a natural skincare product you can click on “skincare,” again on “face” narrowing it down even further and then to “eye products.” Thus narrowing your search to all natural skincare eye products with the very best customer ratings showing up first in the line of order.

Is technology great, or is technology great?!? I can’t wait till my next entry where I share with you my top picks for a 5 star ratings regimen.