You could fight past the hordes of pointy-elbowed shoppers at the cosmetics counter, only to find that the shade of lipstick you were after is out of stock -- or you could do it like this.

Don't bother with long queues at the make-up counter and the hassle of not being able to find that latest must-have cosmetic as you trawl the shops -- sassy women today are choosing the information superhighway over the high street.

More women are clicking on the mouse to stock up on their favourite beauty products, with more than half of online shoppers admitting that they spend more on the internet now than they did a year ago.

Shopping on the internet has its benefits -- it's convenient, easy and effortless. You can spend from the comfort and privacy of your own home with no crowds to contend with, and if you don't find what you want from one site, you're bound to find it at another.

So what are you waiting for? Get clicking!

All you want

These websites should be on everyone's Favourites list because they have all your beauty needs.

Shopping online at Boots (www.boots.com) is like shopping at the high street store because everything is under one roof. Whether you're looking for make-up, skincare, bodycare, haircare or bath and shower essentials, Boots will probably have it. The Brand Boutique includes names like Chanel, Elizabeth Arden and Dior.

Garden Pharmacy (www.garden.co.uk) is the UK's largest and longest-established online health and beauty site. It carries all the leading cosmetics and skincare brands, including Clarins, Lancome, Clinique and Guerlain. They also have hard-to-find scents like Annick Goutal and Michael Kors.

It's not just hair stuff you'll find at HQHair (www.hqhair.com), but an extensive range of beauty and cosmetic products too. The

distinctive brands they stock such as Pout, Philosophy, Mario Badescu and Bumble and bumble -- to name a few -- can be quite tricky to get on the high street. If you really want to splash out, treat yourself to the Hei Poa bath line or the celebrity favourite Luscious make-up found here.

At Miss Groovy (www.missgroovy.co.uk), you'll find cult goodies like DuWop Lip Venom, Blax Snag-Free hair bands, and Frownies wrinkle patches. There are also gadgets galore, from GHD ceramic hair straighteners to Tweezerman tweezers. There's free delivery if you spend over £50 -- an incentive to buy more.

Bargain sites

Shopping online can also be a great way to save, which is perfect if you want to stock up on classic products.

Direct Cosmetics (www.directcosmetics.com) has been selling branded cosmetics and fragrances direct to the public since 1977, at prices up to 90 per cent off UK RRP. Brands on offer include Elizabeth Arden, Estee Lauder, Urban Decay, Clarins and more.

At Make Up Direct (www.makeupdirect.net), you can buy leading brand cosmetics from the likes of Revlon, Max Factor, L'Oreal, Elizabeth Arden and Maybelline. Prices are up to 50 per cent cheaper than most stores with free postage if you spend over £15 and free returns if you change your mind. They also source products direct from the US so if you're lucky, you'll find something that hasn't arrived on British shores yet.

For perfume bargains, head to Cheap Smells (www.cheapsmells.com) and Fragrance Bay (www.fragrancebay.com). Cheap Smells offers up to 70 per cent off RRP on popular fragrances and new scents like Sarah Jessica Parker's Lovely and Cacharel's Promesse, while Fragrance Bay offers up to 60 per cent off.

Don't let Slap It On's name put you off shopping with them. This website (www.slapiton.co.uk) offers free UK postage and packaging on top-selling products like Biotherm, Lancome, Fudge and Kerastase.

Harder to find

The internet can come in handy when you're looking for products that aren't readily available on the high street.

At Beauty Expert (www.beautyexpert.co.uk), you'll find some of the most innovative products in the industry, along with expert advice. Brands stocked there include Phytomer, Germaine de Capuccini, REN and Molton Brown.

Henry's Brown Boxes (www.henrysbrownboxes.com) has some of the most elusive brands around, such as Jessica Simpson's Dessert range, Clean fragrances, Voluspa candles and Pharmacopia skincare.

Rare beauty brands from around the world are stocked at My Vanity Case (www.myvanitycase.com). With delicious offerings such as Hawaiian Malie Kaua'i and South Pacific Pure Fiji bath ranges, to Kenya's Nyakio fragrances and Japanese Shizen facecare line, you'll have to fight hard to keep temptation at bay.