If you're hoping to seek out a decent skincare buy or a hard-working foundation, it's best to avoid the pushy in-store sales assistants and speak to those who really know. Those who compare hundreds of newcomers and test more pots of cream than you could fill your bathroom with. 

Cue the queens of the beauty blogging world, whose discerning eyes can spot a decent serum or hair mask from a mile off; only the very best skincare, hair and make-up launches get their seal of approval. Honestly, these women pull no punches when it comes to what works and what doesn't.

With that in mind, we questioned a few of our favourite beauty bloggers about their number one product of 2013. And there were quite a few surprises. Bloggers Really Ree and Lily Pebbles both settled on YSL Youth Liberator Foundation as this year's hero (yes, we agree there), and another foundation that popped up was Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk, as chosen by Amelia of Liana Beauty. 

Elsewhere, several new kids on the beauty block made a stellar impression in the blogosphere, with Charlotte Tilbury’s make-up range and hair care line Swell receiving A star votes. 

But enough from us. Click through the gallery above to see what these picky but well opinionated bloggers thought cut the mustard across 2013's beauty launches.