Choosing a skin care brand?

I'm just curious how you choose a brand of skin care. My last one was based on a facial while lounging on a tropical island, so its not super cheap but its been really nice and has a men's range as DH is pretty good with taking care of his skin too. But where I live I can only order it online and its a pain really.

I was thinking of going to something like Estee Lauder (after a recommendation of sorts) but while I was in Myer I got hijacked by the elizabeth arden consultant and it was all about her products of course.

I've found that many of the products are pretty similar in price, so how do you choose what would be best when you never seem to get an unbiased opinion in the stores??

I need help to be clear on how I would go about knowing which to choose...

TIA.