With spring just around the corner, now is a great time to update your makeup with some fresh and pretty pastels. Avon's new "Spring Illusions" collection is a mix of shimmery neutrals and sheer pastels in lime, lilac, and lavender. Choose from:

Palette #1 (warm colors)

• True Color Eyeshadow Quad #213 ($5.25) in Brown Haze, Bisque, Lime, and Barely Beige
• Moisture 15 Satin Smooth Lipstick ($4.75) and matching Color Last Nail Enamel ($3.25) in Golden Reflection and Coral Blaze

Palette #2 (cool colors)

• True Color Eyeshadow Quad #224 ($5.25) in Black Shadow, Wisteria, Misty, and Lilac Light
• Moisture 15 Satin Smooth Lipstick ($4.75) and matching Color Last Nail Enamel ($3.25) in Lilac Illusion and Dream Pink

Both eye shadows quads have long lasting colors that you can mix and match for different looks. The "cool" quad with Dream Pink lipstick is a personal favorite. Get these and other great Avon colors from your Avon representative, Avon Online (as of March 9), or by calling 1-800-FOR-AVON.

Spring 98 is about lively, wearable color, and what better place to show off those pretty pastels and eye-catching brights than... your hair! Christian Dior's popular Mascara Flash colored hair mascara ($19.50) has just come out in great new spring colors, including Lilac Samba, Pop Violet, Disco Rose, Honey, Techno Blue. Honey is the most neutral, but I really recommend trying one of the brighter shades just for fun; they look more vibrant in the tube than they do in your hair, and they wash out with your next shampoo.

Was one of your New Year's resolutions to lose weight or get in better shape? If working out at the gym isn't your favorite activity, but you still want to firm up, you might consider one of the many cellulite gels or creams on the market that claim to reduce cellulite in as little as 4 weeks. I'm no exercise buff, so I decided to put Lancome's Reflexe Minceur Cellulite Refining Gel ($40.00) to the test for 4 weeks. Could it really make a difference?

I faithfully applied the gel to my "target areas" every morning for 4 weeks, and I see NO difference whatsoever. The gel creates a filmy finish over the skin that can make it temporarily appear smooth, but that it just washes away with no lasting effect. If you truly want to lose inches or tone up those less than perfect areas, I'm afraid we still have to do it the hard way!

Thinking about trying some new skin care products this spring? Hair colorist to the stars Brad Johns has a wonderful but little known skin care collection for dry/sensitive or oily/blemish prone skin that's worth checking out if you're tired of department store lines. I tested the dry/sensitive products, which would also work great for normal skin, including lotion cleanser ($20 for 8.4 ounces), alcohol-free toner ($18 for 8.4 ounces), moisturizer cream ($36 for 2 ounce jar), and, for all skin types, gentle exfoliating beads ($36 for 4 ounces). Don't let the plain black and white packaging fool you - these are quality, high-end products. All four products contain aloe vera gel as the main ingredient, along with vitamins E and C, to be gentle to the skin. My skin hasn't looked this good in a long time! Call 1-888-OLIVIAN for ordering information.

Tired of ragged cuticles, brittle nails, and parched hands? Our new Feature for February on Hand and Nail Care is your complete guide to hand and nail treatments as well as fun nail polishes to try.

The Makeup Diva is In! One of the easiest ways to get healthy color on your face is with blush, but the last thing you want is that racing stripe look. Learn foolproof tricks in this week's Ask The Makeup Diva column.