If you've been keeping up with any of the women's magazine lately, the "in" looks for spring are sheer colors, brightening products for the face, and warm, citrusy makeup shades. This week I've got a few reviews that fall into that category, and next week I will have more with my review of the new Calvin Klein makeup line.

Estee Lauder Spotlight Skin Tone Perfector ($30)
There are several lines with lotions like this that have light reflective properties. Prescriptives Magic, BeneFit High Beam, and most other shimmer lotions have a similar concept, but Spotlight is touted also as a treatment that will improve your skin's appearance over time.

I found myself using Spotlight on the weekends when I didn't feel like putting on foundation, but wanted something on. I think I would be happier with some strategically placed concealer instead. Spotlight leaves a strange, sheer red-purple cast on my skin that really shows up in sunlight. It actually made some of the red areas of my face stand out MORE! If I am better off going bare-faced, I know this product is not for me.

MAC Hyper Real Foundation ($24)
When I heard about this foundation and that it had shimmery, light-reflective particles like the popular shimmer lotions, I knew I had to try it. I couldn't wait for my local Nordstrom to get it - they still haven't - so I called the MAC toll free number and ordered it. Hyper Real comes in 8 shades (numbered 100, 200, 300, up to 800) that are supposed to be adjustable to suit a wide range of skin colors. After speaking to the MAC rep on the phone and telling her that I normally wear their NC15 Studio Makeup, she recommended the lightest Hyper Real shade, 100.

After wearing Hyper Real every day for about a week, I am really happy with it. I have had no breakouts and no irritation, and it even looks great on days when my skin is dry. It has a nice dewy finish and soft shimmer that subtly conceals redness and evens out your skintone. For me, the coverage is sheer but the pigments and light reflectors cover as well as some medium-coverage foundations I've tried. I do like to use a separate concealer for dark under-eye circles, though, because Hyper Real is just a little too sheer to completely cover those. All in all I am a fan and would definitely buy this again.

For information on MAC products, locations, or ordering by phone, call 1-800-387-6707. MAC has had a website under construction for months at maccosmetics.com but there is really nothing there. The only other site I know of that sells MAC is thecanadashop.com, but they are more expensive for US shoppers (Hyper Real on their site is $30.60).

Cover Girl CG Smoothers Cheek Glaze in Sheer Berry
I hate to admit it, but even I can be a sucker for those product recommendations in women's magazines. In a recent article about pinks and reds for different skintones, the writer mentioned this Cover Girl gel blush as a great red for fair skin. Since Cover Girl is so reasonably priced, I figured what the heck, I'll give it a shot. This stuff is great! I've never been a fan of gel blush (dries too fast), but this one is different. Cheek Glaze is a gel stick that looks like an oversized lipstick. You simply dot or draw the color on your skin. It's very sheer, so you can get just a wash of color with a light application, or layer it on for more "pop". Cheek Glaze also comes in a peach shade for warm skintones. You can find it at drugstore.com for under $5.

Physician's Formula Beauty Spiral Brightening Foundation ($7.99)
I can never leave a drugstore with just one thing, so after picking up the CG Smoothers Cheek Glaze, I continued poking around and spotted this foundation. The idea is that it has two different colors that, when combined, are supposed to have brightening properties. Blending two different colors is a bit gimmicky, and I didn't find this makeup to be particularly brightening, but it is a nice medium to full coverage cream makeup that works well for normal or combination skin types. It is also safe for acne sufferers like myself. For my skin, however, it's not the best fit. On the areas of my face that tend to be dry, it accentuates flakiness and can be difficult to blend out, so it ends up looking rather pasty and uneven. I still haven't decided if I'm going to keep it or take it back...

Physician's Formula Eyebrightener Mascara
This mascara is even more gimmicky than the foundation. It supposedly swirls together regular black mascara with silver to make your eyes look brighter, but it just looks like plain black when you put it on. It's an okay mascara, nothing special, and I don't think I would buy it again. It's average for defining and thickening, and really does nothing in terms of lengthening.