I hope this past holiday season was enjoyable and fulfilling for you all. Did you get all the cosmetic goodies you wanted? Here's hoping 1999 brings us exciting new products, perky new colors, and solutions to all of our beauty challenges.

This week we've got a great article on concealer advice for women over 40 from our Panelist Brita:

"When it comes to undereye concealers, it really doesn't matter what you use - no brand is perfect. Here are my tips to making the most of the concealer you choose:

• First, try to repair any damage in the eye area with a glycolic cream. Keep this area well moisturized.

• You're never going to cover the area totally. Fifty percent improvement is realistic, concealer is half the story. You also have to play up your lashes and brows so this area is less prominent.

• Whatever concealer you use, less is better than more. Also, how and where you apply it is very important. Dot it on with a brush, cotton swab, or sponge applicator, then blend very gently with a sponge.

• I like a two-step process to cover the discoloration with a mauve correcting concealer, then blend a flesh tone over it. I also like to warm up the color on my hand, then apply it with a brush.

• Don't put concealer on the entire undereye area - it will crease. Concentrate on the area next to the nose, above and below the eye.

• If undereye bags are really prominent, gently ice this area before applying makeup.

While I've found that most brands are relatively the same, here are a few that I've had particular success with:

Trish McEvoy (online at ibeauty.com) is good for a high end brand; Revlon for a low end. The Body shop wand concealer is good for touch-ups. The mauve undercoat I use is a Joe Blasco stage product. I've found it makes all the difference.

The basic difference in brands is in tones - most of the cheaper ones are too pink - and thickness. However, if you warm them up before using them, the consistency is pretty much the same."

If you have questions or comments for Brita about concealers, you can reach her from our Panelist Profile page.

Since having my baby last month, I'm not able to take as much time for beauty as I did before. With just a few minutes (if I'm lucky) to freshen up every day, I've come to really appreciate products and tools that make "getting beautiful" easier.

As most of you know, the key to flawless, professional looking makeup application is in the tools. Your favorite Cover Girl lipstick can look just as swanky and rich as a high priced Chanel shade if it is applied well with a great lipbrush. So who makes a great selection of brushes? I've always like MAC and Stila the best for shape and durability, but I've recently discovered a new line to add to my list of favorites: Profaces Professional Brush Kit ($110). Designed by Profaces makeup artists to their exact size and shape specifications, these high quality brushes come in a roll-up leather pouch that makes carrying and protecting your set easy. Here's what you get and what the brushes are made of:

• Blush - Bai Jiang Feng Goat Hair
• Large Fluff - Fine Squirrel Mix
• Large Contour - Sable Substitute
• mall Contour - Sable Substitute
• Large Sponge Applicator
• Eyeliner - 100% Sable
• Flocked Lip - Sable Substitute
• Angle Brow - Toray Nylon

My personal favorites of the set are the blush brush (perfect shape for great color placement), lip brush (just stiff and pointed enough for excellent control), and the small contour brush (great size and texture for applying concealer around the eyes and nose). If you are looking for a quality set of brushes, I definitely recommend checking these out. For more information on Profaces, visit their website at http://www.profaces.com

Passionate about a perfect pout? Our Panelist Pam has put together the ultimate guide to lip gloss for beginners and gloss devotees alike. From ultrabasic Kiehl's baby lip balm to long lasting but super sticky MAC Lipglass, Pam has found something for everyone.

January Feature: Lip Gloss Revolution

Looking for a particular review, or curious if I've ever reviewed your favorite brand of lipstick? Try out our updated search function on Cosmetic Connection that will make your quest easier. Simply click on the "search" button on the front of Cosmetic Connection (in the yellow channel), or use this direct URL: http://www.cosmeticconnection.com/search.html