You have an idea. You tell a few friends, but you don't actually do anything. Then, six months later, you're watching "Good Morning America" and some goof is hawking your invention to the world and banking millions. Sound familiar?

We've all been there. Consider the Cronut: a deep-fried donut-shaped croissant. Such a simple creation and yet so brilliant that it's become a worldwide phenomenon. Anyone could have created it -- but Dominique Ansel made it a reality.

In the beauty world, new tools, products, and gadgets hit the market every day. Some are useful, time-saving, gap-filling works of art. Others? Not so much. Here, we've rounded up the genius beauty inventions that really have changed our lives for the better.

"Fifteen years ago, I had a cordless brush that heated up using butane cartridges -- BUTANE! That's the same fuel used in camping stoves. I could actually smell it burning and hear it hissing while I brushed my hair. Still, I carried it around in the summer to touch up after steamy subway rides. Eventually, it was discontinued, and I'm guessing that there was an explosion and a lawsuit involved. Ever since, I've dreamed of having a portable, cordless tool to smooth out my hair -- without risk of inferno. And now it exists: celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa's new cordless flatiron, the Jetsetter." - Dawn Davis, NYC Beauty Editor

"When whitening strips hit the scene, I was all over it. You see, I'm addicted to coffee, but I also love having teeth that are blinding white. Unfortunately, the whole process became torture -- trying to function with all that whitening gel seeping out into my mouth, peeling off the gunky strips after 30 minutes, making sure I didn't go over 30 minutes. The selling point was that you could whiten on the go, but if there wasn't a sink around for me to rinse and spit, it wasn't happening. I eventually stopped for good. That is, until I discovered dissolving strips. They're dry, minty, easy to apply, and don't require a timer. I just apply and carry on with life." - Erica Smith, Assistant Editor

"I want great skin, but I have zero interest in spending hours of my life getting expensive treatments in my dermo's office. I never thought I'd go for a high-tech cosmetic treatment … until Skin Laundry hit my radar. Think: Drybar for laser facials. Skin Laundry does one thing, and they do it very well. Licensed registered nurses at the sleek, minimalist shops perform Skin Laundry's Signature Laser Facial, which zaps deep-down dirt and bacteria and stimulates collagen production with two different lasers. All in 10 minutes -- less time than it takes a fresh manicure to cure. It's the perfect concept: express laser facials in a chic and subtly clinical setting, but none of the logistical hoopla (or expense) of a dermo visit. I'd give anything to turn back time to invest in this genius endeavor. There are two (soon to be three) locations in Southern California, and there's no doubt the quickie medical facial concept will take off in other parts of the country." - Colleen Rush, Executive Editor

"I came to the dry shampoo craze late, but now I'm beyond obsessed. Partially for the sloth factor, since I'm about as lazy as they come about my hair, but also for the volume benefits. I have the flattest roots ever, but with lovely pouffy ends, and dry shampoo is a miracle worker when it comes to lifting and balancing out my hair. Prive Volumizing Dry Shampoo, $29, is one of my favorites." - Sarah Carrillo, Senior Editor