Beauty panel '07

It wasn't easy. More than 200 people wrote in to be on the N&O's second beauty panel. Our job was to narrow the list down to five people who best represented our community.

We think we found five good ones -- four women and one man.

While we knew our panel was diverse, we didn't know how no-nonsense they were until we asked more details about their daily beauty routines. One woman swears by her ChapStick. Three panelists say they use Oil of Olay products daily. (Olay's Regenerist line, as some of you may know, was recently named a top buy by Consumer Reports.) And several have a little-fuss strategy to start their day.

Their first task as panelists was to sample a collection of winterizing products, including several lotions, a lip balm and a leave-in hair conditioner. The only product they agreed on was the conditioner; they loved the smooth and shiny results.

Every four to six weeks over the next year, we will make them our personal guinea pigs, sampling the latest in the beauty product aisles and the stuff you always wanted to try but were afraid to buy.

Meet the panel

JEAN BAILEY

59, Raleigh, airline sales agent

In her words | "Since I work for an airline, I travel quite a bit and different climates sometimes call for different beauty products. I can never collect enough."

Beauty challenges | "I have very dry skin and can never seem to find lotions or creams that will last all day. I also have very thin hair and need shampoos and conditioners that would give my hair body and not weigh it down."

Can't live without | Dermablend cover stick. "I need it to cover my vitiligo 'white spots' on my face."

Latest favorite product | Olay Age Defying Daily Renewal Cream.

CARY EDGAR

27, Raleigh, communications director

In her words | "As a runner who often subjects her skin to 20+ miles of 'the elements' every week, staying moisturized and protected with sunscreen can definitely present a challenge. With a full work schedule, minimizing the entire beauty routine would be a lifesaver too."

Beauty challenges | "Despite many folks still maintaining that being tan is the beauty ideal, my everyday challenge is keeping my skin as fair as possible."

Can't live without | Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer SPF 30

Latest favorite product | Eyelash curler. "This is going to sound old-fashioned, but I've only just now discovered how much you can open your eyes with an eyelash curler."

ILINA EWEN

38, Raleigh, marketing consultant and mother of two boys -- ages 3 and 18 months

In her words | "I have loved and coveted beauty products since I was 12 years old and snuck Seventeen magazine home from my neighbor's house. I am Indian and lucky to have a good complexion but still slather on sunscreen. A few errant gray hairs are sneaking in on me, but I'm not ready to commit to hair color yet. I'm all about ease and 'one swipe does it all.' I don't consider myself vain, but you'll be hard-pressed to see me out and about without mascara and lip gloss."

Beauty challenges | "Dry hands in winter, dark undereye circles, wavy/curly hair that doesn't always cooperate."

Can't live without | ChapStick, Bobbie Brown corrector and concealer and liquid black eye liner

Latest favorite products | Smashbox Lip Gloss and Cover Girl LashExact Mascara

SUSANNAH SKIVER

20, Chapel Hill, student at UNC-Chapel Hill (French and religious studies)

In her words | "I'm a college student, which means I am both cheap and lazy. I like a simple morning routine and products which will work for me throughout the day. My beauty philosophy runs to 'less is more,' and I try to keep things as low-maintenance as possible."