One of my favorite cosmetic pastimes is browsing my local drugstores for new products, great deals, and cool colors. This week I went on a mini shopping spree (spending a bit more than my usual $10 Challenge!), starting with Maybelline's new True Illusion oil-free foundation with SPF 10 (around $5).

I'm not really sure why Maybelline needed another foundation, but True Illusion is a nice addition to their collection. It's a bit like Prescriptives Virtual Skin, only less dewy; the "micro-mesh" formula delivers sheer to medium coverage with a completely natural look on the skin, whether you apply and blend with your fingers (as the directions advise) or with a sponge. The color selection is decent, and the formula should work well on most skin types. For a nice, natural looking makeup, I give True Illusion 4 out of 5 stars.

Next into my shopping basket was L'Oreal's new Le Grand Curl Lift and Curl mascara (around $6), the first mascara that claims to actually curl your lashes on its own (no lash curler/torture device necessary). The "flexible protein complex" is somehow supposed to curl the lashes and keep them curled all day, but I just didn't see it. I like the mascara itself very much - it doesn't clump, it's not overly wet, and the brush does a nice job of coloring and defining the lashes without spiky globs. As a basic mascara, it's a good choice, but not worth tossing your eyelash curler.

My final, and favorite, purchase was Maybelline's new Lip Polish hi-shine color (around $4). The tube package and wand applicator might make you think it's a traditional gloss, but Lip Polish is actually more creamy like lipstick, not tacky or gummy. Choose from 10 great colors including mauve star, plum shine, berry spacey, bronze goddess, and cocoa brown. I love the creamy feel and rich color, so this gets a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.

The spring makeup colors are still rolling in, and this week I got an up-close peek at MAC's newest "Shades of Venus" spring collection. This season, MAC's six new looks focus on interesting color combinations, bright and pretty shades of green, pink and yellow, and lots of blending. Some of the colors seem unusually bright in the container, but they are unique and worth trying on at the counter at least for fun. Here's a rundown of the new colors:

All of these colors are sheer, so they work well with one layer on light skin, or they can be built up for medium or darker skin tones.

Lipsticks

• Savory - burnt pumpkin orange
• Rizzo - bubble gum pink
• Relic - gray beige with a reddish pink undertone
• Force - silvery gray-blue glaze
• Mist - golden yellow

Eye Shadows

• Dream - powder gray-blue
• Putty - mint with a touch of gray
• Atlas - moss green with a hint of gold
• Frill - buttercup yellow
• Stencil - bright coral orange
• Plume - bright coral pink

The one blush color used in all the looks is Cheek, a pinky peach that can be soft or vibrant depending on your application. Cheek is packaged as a large shadow that can also be used as blush.

Nail Polish

• Dream - gray blue
• Twill - gray green
• Relic - gray beige with a reddish pink undertone (same as lipstick)
• Mist - iridescent white with hint of yellow

My favorite of the new looks combines Frill, Cheek, Plume, and lots of mascara on the eyes with Rizzo lipstick for a fresh, pretty pink theme that's beautiful on any skin tone.

What do the latest crop of vitamin-packed creams mean for your skin? Find out in our new Feature for March, Vitamin Therapy. Spring is a perfect time to give your skin a boost!

The Makeup Diva is In! Considering all the products I've reviewed, it's hard to remember which ones were good, bad, or just plain ordinary. This week our Makeup Diva puts together a list of our favorite moisturizers that we've reviewed, listed by skin type to make your shopping a little easier. Don't go to the mall without it!