For all the great products I try, there are always a few that just don't live up to their claims, or that are just plain duds. Consider this week's report your "don't buy" guide!

After a fairly successful test of Mary Kay's basic skin care products, I decided to see what their Skin Revival System (serum and cream together $40) was all about. MK claims the serum together with the separate cream (oil-free or regular) deliver alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) benefits more effectively and with less irritation than a single AHA product. This is simply not true, and there is no reason to use multiple AHA products at once (it can actually irritate your skin more).

The Skin Revival Serum (step one) is mostly water and SD alcohol (drying to the skin), with about 4 to 5% AHAs in the form of lactic and salicylic acids, and a touch of green tea extract for good measure (there isn't enough to really soothe the skin, though). AHA serums are a great idea, but not when they are mostly alcohol. After the serum comes either the regular or oil-free version of the Skin Revival Cream, which contains a tiny amount of AHAs (lactic acid) in a basic moisturizing base. Many of the potentially beneficial ingredients like allantoin, panthenol, kola nut extract, and algae extract are just too far down on the list to actually give any benefits.

For real AHA results, there are plenty of products on the market that really work for a lot less money, like Avon Anew, Alpha Hydrox, Neutrogena Healthy Skin, and Pond's Age Defying Complex.

Disappointment number two this week was Rusk's Str8 (pronounced "straight") anti-frizz/anti-curl lotion (around $10 at salons). Not only is it not very effective at controlling frizz or smoothing curl, but it leaves the hair sticky and unmanageable. It doesn't condition at all like many lotion styling aids do, and it doesn't protect at all against humidity. Strike Two!

I have never been a fan of the Revlon ColorStay line of products. The foundation is too heavy for a natural look, and the lipstick, even after an overhaul, is still dry and crumbly. I was hopeful but skeptical when I discovered the new ColorStay Lite Makeup ($10) at my local drugstore. Like the original ColorStay makeup, the Lite version doesn't rub off and is relatively oil-free. With a truly lightweight feel, fairly sheer finish, and SPF12 sunscreen, I was actually starting to like this new makeup - until it made my cheeks breakout in dozens of tiny pimples and blackheads! This new makeup does have promise (breakouts like mine aren't all that common), so if you like the long-wearing benefits, be sure to buy ColorStay Lite at a store that accepts returns, in case you don't like it. That's where mine is going!

Revlon has also introduced a new ColorStay LipTint lipcolor ($8) as a more sheer version of the original lipcolor. No matter how many times Revlon reformulates this lipstick, I still find the texture too dry and crumbly to actually be comfortable. Revlon touts the LipTint as almost a lipbalm type product, "with vitamin E and aloe to help soften, smooth, and protect", but it couldn't be further from lipbalm. If you don't mind the feel of transfer-resistant lipstick, LipTint does come in some nice colors, like Petal, Toffee, Jelly, Rosewood, and Mica.

The Makeup Diva is In! Experimenting with your hair color can be fun, and it can be a disaster! Our resident Makeup Diva dabbles in hair color advice with some easy to use, no commitment hair color choices that are sure to perk up your 'do for 1998.

For those of you with oily skin, you're going to love this month's new Feature, "Skin Care for Oily Skin". Our newest Panelist, Alissa, offers her personal picks for effective cleansers, toners, and lotions that are just right for oily skin.

See you next week for reviews of Alberto VO5 Hot Oil Shower Works hair treatment, Avon Perfect Wear makeup remover, and much more.