Has winter gotten you down? Check out some of these great new products and colors for a definite pick-me-up!

BeneFit Cheekies Cream Blush ($20)
BeneFit is just introducing these as part of their Love in Bloom Spring 2001 Color Collection, and what a great addition they are! Cheekies is a soft, creamy color that's easy to blend (just use a tiny dab) and turns into a powder that lasts all day. You could even use it one your lips if you felt like it. Cheekies comes in Gotta Crush on You (peach), Crazy in Love (rose), Head Over Heels (bubblegum pink) and Yours for Keeps (soft pink). Each one comes with a blending sponge, but I recommend just using your fingers.

BeneFit Lash Lovies Cream Mascara ($18)
Also in the spring collection are these retro cream mascaras in playful colors like Breathless (purple), Swoonderful (green), Infatuation (teal) and Smitten (cranberry). If you've never used a cream or cake mascara before, Lash Lovies take some getting used to. Each squeeze tube comes with a separate mini mascara wand on which you apply a thin line of the cream mascara, then brush it through your lashes. I clearly need to practice, because every time I do it I get all the cream on one section of my lashes! These are fun and nostalgic if you miss the cream or cake mascaras from years ago. Personally I'd like more detailed instructions, and maybe a tamer color like black or brown :)

Check the BeneFit counter or boutique near you for the spring collection coming soon.

Olay Total Effects Full Treatment Lipcolor ($10.25)
Olay is doing something very interesting with their newest cosmetic launch from their Total Effects line - the new foundation and lipstick are currently only available online (coming nationwide in March 2001 to mass and online retailers, drug stores and supermarkets). Both products contain the Total Effects VitaNiacin complex of Vitamin E, panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) and niacinamide (Vitamin B3) that is supposed to hydrate and soften lips, and eventually help them look younger. I think the best ingredient in this lipstick to help with aging is the SPF 15 sunscreen. Yes, even your lips can get sun damaged.

I decided to try my luck with nectar, truffle, holly and crimson. Of the four, I like Crimson the best; it's an everyday, wearable medium rose. Because the lipstick shades are fairly opaque (the color does not let your lip color show through), Nectar was much to pale and ghostly for me, Truffle was not the most complementary of light browns, and Holly ended up being a brighter fuchsia than I expected. Crimson is the best for me, and I've enjoyed its creamy texture and comfortable feel - you know it's there, but it doesn't feel thick or pasty.

To see the colors, visit http://www.total-effects.com/cosmetics/lips.html.

5S Compact Color ($20 with compact; $15 for just a refill)
I've been dabbling more with compact foundations lately because they are so quick and easy - just swipe it on and you're done. For my normal to dry skin, I tend to gravitate toward cream to powder versions, so this strictly powder one from 5S was unusual for me (you can moisten the sponge and use it wet, but that method never seems to work for me). I was pleased that it ended up having a nice soft finish (not too matte) and decent coverage, plus an SPF 18 sunscreen. My only problem was with the color I got - Y21, the lightest of 4 yellow-based shades, was just a bit too yellow for my complexion. I think I would try P21 next time, the lightest of 3 pink-based shades.

To see the colors, visit http://www.five-s.com/site/compact_yellow.html.

Stila Sport Bare Color ($12)
Looking for the perfect little weekend lip tint? This one fits the bill both literally and figuratively - Bare Color is moisturizing like a lipbalm but with just the right hint of color for a casual day, weekend, or for someone who doesn't like lipstick but wants some color, plus it's packaged in a short, skinny tube perfect to throw in your pocket. Bare Color comes in berry, mocha, nude, pink, plum, red, rose and wine. I tried pink and mocha; I like pink but think I would like berry or red better.