Everyone and their mother lusts after iconic, high-end cosmetics. But just like snagging a one-of-a-kind vintage bag or a custom, hand-beaded frock, one of our favorite things in life (and at Total Beauty) is to discover awesome and unique handmade beauty products -- best kept secrets, if you will -- that will have all your friends asking, "Where on earth did you find this stuff? It's amazing."

Where do we find this stuff, you ask? Etsy -- it's an absolute goldmine. No, for real. If you think Etsy is the exclusive domain of felt, feather and glue gun-wielding "crafters" (why so many owls, people?), you'll be as shocked as we were to find incredible, high-quality and ultra-unique homemade beauty products. Of course, for every luxe beauty peddler we found on Etsy, there were at least 20 who were a little too made-it-in-my-bathtub DIY for us.

So we spent weeks combing through more of the Etsy Beauty section than we ever knew existed. We met some fascinating characters along the way: a registered nurse who thought there weren't enough unique nail polishes on the market and decided to make her own; a crafty New Yorker with a sweet tooth who turned her hobby of making yummy lip balms into a full time job; a practitioner of traditional Indian medicine who wanted to share the Ayurvedic Principals through her holistic, chemical-free skincare. Amazing crafters, amazing stories.

But beyond these lovely Etsy vendors, who were each a hundred times more pleasant than any of the intimidating attendants who work in high-end makeup boutiques, so many of their products truly impressed us. After sampling mountains of DIY makeup, from mineral powders to moisturizers, we've picked our eleven favorites. Many of them are paraben-free, cruelty-free or organic (unlike most mainstream products), and all of them are fabulous.

Best of all: these products are totally below the radar (for now). Like your favorite hole-in-the-wall dive bar or obscure rock band, you can say you "discovered" these underground beauty products before they hit the mainstream.

Frog Goes to Market's shea butter body lotion comes in a variety of bright, refreshing scents. My favorite is Lavender Orange, but it's also available unscented if you have issues with fragrances or essential oils. The lotion has a creamy, almost whipped texture that feels deliciously light and non-greasy. I also love the sophisticated but rustic packaging, which looks particularly charming in the 6-pack shea butter gift set ($22). Tote the portable 4 oz. container around in your bag for on-the-go application, and you're bound to overhear at least one or two people ask, "What smells so good?"

If you're hunting for an all-natural, invigorating exfoliant, look no further. Skin Apotheke's handmade facemask in fresh wild rose and sandalwood is 100 percent organic, preservative-free, natural and raw. And surprisingly, it works. Here's how you use it: mix the powder with water, plain milk, yogurt, honey or any kind of fresh juice, smear it all over your face, chill for 20 minutes and rinse. I loved the way it made my skin look and feel -- rehydrated, brightened and deeply exfoliated. Virtually odor-free, the mask suits all skin types, from severely dry to acne-prone. Try Skin Apotheke's fresh-scented Wild Rose, Helichrysum and Sandalwood Rejuvenating Facial Toner, $20.99, for extra hydration.

I'm still not exactly sure how someone makes a nail polish without industrial machinery and vats of ingredients suited for an episode of "Breaking Bad," but Darling Diva Polish creates truly small-batch polishes. One liter per batch, to be exact. Made from a bunch of very scientific sounding, but evidently legal ingredients in her regular-sized kitchen. You'd never guess it though. The Darling Diva collection is amazing -- like a psychedelic candy shop with more than 50 one-of-a-kind shades, including color-shifting glitter polishes, glow-in-the-dark lacquers, and sparkly, geometric topcoats. My favorites: Bitchcraft and Wild Child. The polishes are fun, fast-drying and range in price from $9 to $14 -- well worth it for the production value and fun factor.

These uber-moisturizing lip colors come in 12 gorgeous tints (with awesome names like Spark and Bitten), and each have a natural finish with a subtle sheen. The lipsticks are infused with totally natural ingredients, including certified organic herbs, which make your lips feel fresh and hydrated -- ideal for those whose lips crack easily. Individually handcrafted by the Noirliliana Etsy shop owner, the lipsticks truly look and feel like they were made with artistry and love.