If you are interested in the latest in skin care and cosmetics, this week's newsletter is for you. We've got the newest moisturizer from L'Oreal, compact makeup from Cover Girl, new additions to the Infinity collection from Max Factor, and more. Keep those suggestions coming!

L'Oreal Plenitude Visible Results Skin Renewing Moisture Treatment ($18.96 for 1.6oz)
I bought this on a recent drugstore trip because it was new (must try everything new!) and I was looking for an all-in-one day cream with sunscreen and some sort of anti-aging benefits. I have to say the product packaging has more marketing babble than I've seen in a long time. Instant healthy glow! Refined pores! Reduced lines & wrinkles in 8 days! All this and more can be yours with the revolutionary ingredient Activa-Cell! Activa what? What in the world is that? I would have liked a better explanation of what was going to make me "see new skin begin in just 8 days. And I love this line: "Visible Results was created to aid the natural defense system against external UV aggressions." Um, that's called sunscreen. All in all this is a disappointing moisturizer. "Optical light diffusers" translates to a gallon of mica (super shiny on the skin), and as for its claim to moisturize for 24 hours, I don't think it kept my skin hydrated for 24 minutes. It also balled up terribly (like little eraser bits), and not just under makeup, but in any spot on my face where it didn't soak in, which could be fixed it the pump didn't dispense so much. I was left with super iridescent skin that was greasy on the surface but dry and flaky underneath (not normal for me), and leaving a trail of moisturizer bits everywhere I went. And all this for the obnoxiously expensive price of almost $20! This is a drugstore product, right? If you want a bargain cream with anti-aging, brightening and moisturizing benefits, put your money toward Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Moisturizer ($12.99 for 1oz) instead.

Cover Girl Aqua Smooth Makeup
I've known about this makeup for several months and have been eager to try it. Like Vincent Longo Water Canvas, Awake Hydro Touch, and Stila Sport Pivotal Skin, Aqua Smooth is a cream in a compact that goes on smoothly and easily like a liquid, and then dries down to a demi-matte finish. It can work for all skin types as long as you prep your skin appropriately; I found that the coverage faded by midday if I didn't let my moisturizer soak in completely before applying Aqua Smooth, so keep that in mind to get maximum coverage and wear. Otherwise the coverage is medium - good enough to hide dark circles and moderate "flaws" like red spots. Aqua Smooth looks good on, comes in a nice range of 15 shades in cool, warm and neutral undertone groups, and it's portable. This is a great choice in drugstore makeup!

When I picked up Aqua Smooth, it was a Tiny Try trial pack with two small color swatches and a sponge - very handy for trying a few shades to see what's best for you. I have just started to see Aqua Smooth in the full size at stores in my area (Portland, OR). You can learn more at CoverGirl.com.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit ($35)
Several readers had written me about this kit so I decided to try it. Bobbi Brown has packaged her undereye concealer together with a small jar of loose powder in a small tower that screws together. It even has a small powder puff so you have everything you need to touch-up on the go.

I had hoped that Creamy Concealer Kit would be something that I could use under my eyes and on any uneven areas, as an alternative to full foundation. Unfortunately, as the package indicates, it really is best for just the eye area; when I used it on other areas, the coverage faded quickly and I got small cosmetic acne breakouts. I didn't have any breakout problems around my eyes, but I still plan to return the kit because I'm not happy with the finished look - no matter how many ways I try it, I can't get the concealer to not crease and settle into fine lines. I've tried rich eye cream, light eye cream, no eye cream, a light dusting of powder, a medium dusting of powder, and even no powder, but it never looks natural.

You can find Bobbi Brown products online at BobbiBrown.com and Gloss.com, as well as at fine department stores.

Max Factor Facefinity Long Lasting Make-Up ($10.29)
I can't tell you how many times I've visited my local stores looking for this foundation. With all the promises of long wear (akin to their Lipfinity long wearing lipcolor) and natural look and feel, who wouldn't want to try it? I was so excited to finally find it at my local Longs Drugs, and one of the helpful cosmetic sales people worked with me to pick out the best shade. Max Factor has an annoying habit of numbering their foundation shades with little connection to color order (01 is not always lighter than 02 or 03), so I could tell right away I could easily buy the wrong shade. I picked up 05 Buff Beige, which surprised me since I usually wear the lightest porcelain or ivory shades, but so far this one is terrific on me.

Upon first trying Facefinity, I was surprised that there are no directions. The foundation does not come in a box, and the bottle simply states that the color lasts all day, it's oil free but contains moisturizers, that it washes off easily with soap and water, and that it should be applied before sun exposure. It mentions the Permawear name but doesn't talk at all about what it is or how it works, which is too bad because it's pretty interesting! Permawear is a semi-permanent, smudge-resistant, color-bond system that allows the color to adhere to the skin but still look and feel natural, like there's nothing there. Although the makeup dries down matte, I found the finish ultimately depends on what you do to prep your skin (as it does with most makeup); on the days when I moisturized my dry skin as usual (Osmotics Kinetin Cellular Renewal Serum, B. Kamins Bio-Maple Eye Cream or Blisslabs All Around Eye Cream, and Bobbi Brown Extra SPF 25 Moisturizing Balm), Facefinity goes on evenly and smoothly, either applied with fingers or a sponge (my preferred method for this foundation), whereas on days when I skipped the Bobbi Brown cream and used something lighter, Facefinity set faster, was a bit harder to blend, and after a few hours emphasized my skin's need for more moisturizer. It actually wears longer and looks more natural on me when I apply it over my heavier moisturizer, so I encourage you to experiment to find the best skin care/Facefinity combination for you.

I have found that Facefinity really lasts all day until I take it off, and while the label says "washes off with soap and water", this is a bit of a misnomer. I don't know about you, but I use a cleanser, not soap, and I found out that just any old cleanser won't do. My dependable favorite, DHC Cleansing Oil, removes it with ease, but a lotion like June Jacobs Creamy Cranberry Cleanser has more trouble. Again, you may have to experiment if your regular cleanser doesn't remove it.

I definitely like this foundation and would buy it again in a heartbeat. Facefinity comes in 9 shades and is making its way into drug and mass merchandise stores (like ULTA.com) now.

Max Factor Lashfinity Mascara ($6.49)
In addition to Facefinity foundation and Lipfinity lipcolor, there is also a long wearing mascara in Max Factor's Infinity collection. Lashfinity also has a semi-permanent color system, like Lipfinity and Facefinity, that bonds to lashes to prevent flaking, running, and smudging. It's waterproof but comes off easily with makeup remover, an oil-based cleanser, or a sudsy facial cleanser. Lashfinity does a little bit of everything: lengthens, thickens, and separates lashes. It looks fairly natural, not clumpy or spidery, and it lasts all day without flaking or smearing. I like a soft, natural look, so one coat is more than enough to add color and length; if you want more drama, just brush on a second coat. For the money, Lashfinity is a great choice in mascaras.

You can learn more about these Max Factor products at their parent site, Proctor & Gamble.

I hope you enjoyed this issue of The Cosmetic Report!