If you haven't been to your local drugstore lately, you may be missing out on their newest arrival - Neutrogena Cosmetics. With the tagline "Beautiful & Beneficial", Neutrogena is out to sell you skin care benefits in makeup, but don't believe it. While it's great that the products are fragrance free and hopefully won't make you break out, the small amount of skin care ingredients like pro-retinol and vitamin E certainly can't replace your regular skin care products. This is just a nice cosmetic line that I think is worth a look.

Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup ($9.99)
I chose "classic porcelain" from the array of 16 shades (see descriptions below). This foundation is oil-free (as in, no mineral oil), has SPF 20 sun protection (unfortunately not broad spectrum, though), and trace amounts of pro-retinol (a vitamin A derivative), vitamin E, and melibiose (a sugar derivative).

I really like this foundation! The medium coverage has a subtle matte finish that enhances your skin rather than making it look "made up". What I really like is the way you can build the coverage on areas that need more attention (like blemishes or red spots) and the foundation doesn't get cakey or look too dark.

Healthy Skin Cream Powder Makeup ($9.99)
Like the liquid foundation, this one comes in the same 16 shades (I chose "classic porcelain" again), is also oil-free, has SPF 20 sun protection (unfortunately also not broad spectrum), and trace amounts of pro-retinol, vitamin E, and melibiose. The texture is like most cream to powder formulas - creamy but slightly dry, with sheer to medium coverage that can be built up a little by layering. I'm impressed with how well this makeup wears throughout the day; by evening, my skin still looked fresh, not shiny, and the makeup didn't settle into fine lines or look cakey. This is a nice product if you have normal, normal to oily, or combination skin.

Here are the foundation shades as described in Neutrogena's informational pamphlet:

For "Fair" skin:

• "Fresh Vanilla" - for skin with golden undertones, gives a warm natural glow to the very fairest skin
• "Classic Porcelain" - for skin with neutral undertones, a soft, classic look for very fair, china-white complexions
• "Blushing Ivory" - for skin with rosy undertones, rose-tinted shade for very fair skin that blushes easily

• "Softest Gold" - for skin with golden undertones, gives soft, warm radiance to light skin
• "Natural Buff" - for skin with neutral undertones, neutral beige for "peaches & cream" complexion
• "Rose Cream" - for skin with rosy undertones, flattering shade for light skin with naturally rosy cheeks

• "Golden Bisque" - for skin with golden undertones, warm beige gives a golden glow to medium complexions
• "True Beige" - for skin with neutral undertones, soft, neutral tone for medium complexions
• "Copper Sand" - for skin with rosy undertones, flatters medium complexions which blush easily
• "Toasted Honey" - for skin with golden or olive undertones, this dusky shade compliments olive complexions

• "Warm Caramel" - for skin with golden, olive or black undertones, enhances deeper or bronzed olive complexions
• "Spiced Almond" - for skin with golden, olive, red or black undertones, a warm "cafe au lait" suited to medium-deep complexions
• "Real Pecan" - for skin with golden, red or black undertones, a rich, golden, taffy color

• "Rich Sable" - for skin with golden, red or black undertones, a deep russet brown
• "Bronzed Cocoa" - for skin with golden, red, black or blue undertones, for a real milk-chocolate shade
• "Soft Mahogany" - for skin with golden, red, black or blue undertones, deepest warm complexions

Fresh Finish Loose Powder ($9.99)
If you are looking for a good quality loose powder in natural shades, this is it. I've been spending way too much for department store powder, but not anymore! I really like this one. It has a light feel and just the right balance of oil control and soft finish.

Fresh Finish Pressed Powder ($9.99)
As pressed powders go, this one is fine. It's basically the same as the loose, only in pressed form.

Soft Color Blush ($8.49)
While I like the selection of natural looking colors (I chose a medium plum pink, "sweet raisin"), I was surprised that a cosmetic line this new has such dated packaging for their blush. The tiny blush brush is really a joke (unless you like racing stripes on your cheeks) and the rectangular strip of blush is a bit narrow to get to with a proper blush brush. If you can get past that (I did), this is a nice blush with some pretty colors and a soft, natural looking texture.

Full Length Defining Mascara ($5.99)
I really like this mascara. It reminds me a bit of Bobbi Brown's defining mascara, with its thin, short-bristled brush and subtle, lash defining formula. In my weeks of testing it didn't clump, smear, or glob once. This mascara comes in three colors - black, soft black, and brown black.

Lip Plush Lip Color ($7.99)
Again, another nice selection of natural looking shades to complement a variety of skin tones and tastes. I chose "rose suede", a basic, neutral brown-pink. The lipstick texture is very creamy and smooth, which feels great on but also has a tendency to wander into any fine lines around the lips. Be sure to use a lip liner to keep the color in place.

Neutrogena also has Under Cover concealer stick in 4 skintone shades and 2 color correcting shades (yellow and green), which I plan on trying soon. Although these are drugstore products and individually are not what I would consider expensive, when you buy all of them at once (like I did), it gets a little spendy - my total bill was $62.43! These new cosmetics from Neutrogena are definitely worth checking out, though.

You loved it the first time, so we're bringing her back for more! What else could it be but Pam Tested/Pam Approved Part 2, the final word in the current "it" products from our own glamour girl, Pam. From revelations in blush to foundation that won't end up in the makeup junk drawer, this guide is your ticket to cosmetic bliss.

March Feature: Pam Tested/Pam Approved (Part 2)