It's a new year, and for many of us that means taking a look at our lives and finding ways to make them better. For those of us passionate about beauty, a new year only reminds us of our on-going pursuit for the best products and new ways to use them. In this issue of The Cosmetic Report, Product Panelist Gigi offers her advice on getting the best look from your foundation.

Gigi is a 43-year-old business teacher (at both the high school and college levels) who lives in a suburb of Pittsburgh, PA. As a German, Slovak, and Irish "hybrid," she has extremely fair and combination skin (still quite prone to monthly breakouts!), true auburn hair, and hazel eyes. Gigi has done some informal modeling and has taken modeling courses, including skin care and professional training in makeup application. She attributes her "addiction" to color from her very early love of art and painting with watercolors, acrylics, and oils. Despite the plethora of skin care items she owns, she's now becoming serious about preventing signs of aging (she's been "hit-and-miss" until now). What interests her most is preserving her "young" skin and finding products that stay put.

If you've read my part one report, GETTING BACK TO BASE-IC'S: Choose and Use Foundation with Ease, you've hopefully chosen a foundation that is a perfect match to your own skin tone, in a texture you prefer. Something to keep in mind: Your skin is a reflection of your overall health and well-being. As the seasons, weather, and stress in your life continually change (presenting new challenges), you'll most likely need to adjust your skin care routine and makeup accordingly, especially foundation. So how do you achieve maximum results from a base? The following obvious (and not-so-obvious) suggestions should leave you looking flawless.

Refine and Prepare
Even the finest makeup cannot hide neglected skin. Caring for your face is certainly a necessity, but it should also be a pleasure. Select products with enticing scents and qualities to leave it soothed as well as refreshed and refined, creating the perfect canvas for color. Juice Beauty (available at beautydoor.com) and DHC (from dhccare.com or Sephora.com) are just two of the many companies with an outstanding regimen of items to cleanse, tone, and moisturize.

Regular weekly exfoliation will also enhance both your appearance and ability to apply foundation expertly. Beauty Without Cruelty Aromatherapy Extra Gentle Facial Smoother ($7.95 at drugstore.com) combines tiny jojoba beads and other, all-natural ingredients to safely slough away dead cells. Joey New York Pure Pores Crushed Honey and Almond Scrub ($28.00 at Beauty.com or Sephora.com) is well worth its price. It works with utmost tenderness to reveal a more polished complexion. Herbal Logix Gentle Facial Buff (about $6.50 at Cosmetic Mall) is a great scrub, part of an all-natural group formulated to combat blemishes without irritation.

Follow with moisturizer. Better Botanicals Sandalwood Moisturizers and Dandelion Moisturizer nourish skin with vitamins and minerals while smoothing away fine lines (a 1.7-ounce bottle is $19.99 at betterbotanicals.com). Don't be deceived by the lightweight feel and translucent appearance of Beauty Without Cruelty Green Tea Eye Gel ($14.95). This industrial-strength item will not only prevent puffiness when applied to the eye area, but softens your face and hands as well (chill it in your refrigerator before applying for a treat!). BWC can be purchased at drugstore.com.

Laura Geller Spackle Cream Under Makeup Primer ($38.50 for two ounces) employs plant extracts and emollients to re-texturize skin and keep foundation in place even in hot, humid weather and long days. Find this innovation at laurageller.com or qvc.com. BECCA Cosmetics Silky Hydrating Primer and Mattifying Primer which virtually disappear into skin-to soothe, hydrate, perfect--while improving the staying power of any base ($32 at Nordstrom.com).

The "Disappearing Act"
Your next step is concealer. Choose a lightweight, creamy formula to lighten circles under your eyes (no more than one shade lighter than your own skin here; avoid white, as it leaves noticeable, "owl-like" rings). Make a habit of applying with your ring finger, as it is your weakest, working from the outside in (placing less stress on this very delicate area). Cover the innermost corners of your eyes for a "wide-awake" look. For truly professional results, use a small brush. Profaces brushes are probably the finest ones around (in a wide variety of synthetic and natural-hair styles and prices at Profaces). Some other good choices for the eye area are Prescriptives Traceless Skin Response Corrector ($18.00 at department stores, Prescriptives.com or gloss.com) and Maybelline Everfresh Concealer (at discount/drugstores for about $7.00). Both blend easily and stay put. While experiencing a temporary loss of sanity, I purchased Diane Young Under Eye C-Circles Vanish wand for $47.25 at qvc.com, but the immediate results helped me to overcome my guilt for paying this price. It's packed with essential nutrients and has light-diffusing ingredients to diminish fine lines (especially good for older women or those whose have developed premature wrinkles). The feather-weight consistency glides on effortlessly, making it nearly impossible to overdo. If you find working with cover-up products difficult, this is definitely for you (available in a "one-shade-fits-most" hue).

In order to hide blemishes, opt for a kit which combines two or more true skin-tone hues rather than using the same lighter shade meant for dark eye circles. Daub or brush directly on the spot with care, and smooth the edges into skin; over-blending will lessen coverage. Prescriptives Full Coverage Camouflage Kit is an excellent solution, combining two complementary colors, setting powder, and brushes ($27 at department stores, Prescriptives.com or gloss.com).

The "Cover Girl" Illusion
A key principal with nearly every cosmetic is "less is more." Once moisturizer and/or primer has had a few minutes to be absorbed into your complexion, dot small amounts of foundation only on the uneven, discolored, or troubled areas of your face. Depending on your base's consistency, follow with a brush or dampened sponge to spread gently with downward strokes. Pores are minimized, and you have a healthy glow rather than the dreaded "orange mask" too often sported by women. Cast caution aside and view your results in sunlight to see if you've blended consistently; if necessary, add more foundation. What looks good in candle and moonlight will seem unnatural during the day. You want others to notice your skin, not your makeup.

Increase foundation's endurance by dusting your face with a skin-toned loose powder (translucent powders may look chalky). This also helps pores to appear reduced. Careful here: Never use powder under your eyes, as it clings to even the tiniest crevices, calling attention to them. You should stay fresh-looking for hours. If you need a touch-up, Clean and Clear Oil Blotting Papers (50 for around $5.00 locally or online at drugstore.com). When lightly pressed against your face, shine is removed and makeup remains intact. Prefer a powder compact? Be sure it's the same shade as your foundation and use just a little. Now you're "good to glow!"

Thanks for that report, Gigi. We hope you enjoyed this issue of The Cosmetic Report!