This week I am pleased to bring you my review of Oil of Olay's new line of cosmetics. Enjoy!

Shine Control Foundation
Oil of Olay's line has two foundations: this one labelled for combination and oily skin, and another one labelled for dry skin. I couldn't decide which would be better for me, since the ingredients on the tube are very similar, so I took a chance with this one. I wore this foundation every day for a week, and I never really liked it. The consistency is thin, the coverage fairly sheer, but the worst part in my opinion is the way my skin looked after just a few hours - shiny! Considering that my skin isn't even oily, the fact that this so-called "shine control" actually created shine is not a big plus in my book. I would not buy this again.

One observation about Oil of Olay's foundation: all the fashion magazines have been promoting the All Day Moisture version, and it's that formula, not the Shine Control formula, that Oil of Olay is sending samples of in the mail. Maybe they know that the Shine Control version is inferior... Just a thought :)

Concealer
What Oil of Olay's foundations lack is definitely made up for with their concealer. This is a great creamy stick that works just as well for undereye circles as it does for blemishes. I like to apply it with my finger or a brush rather than straight from the stick for the best coverage and control. I would buy this again.

Blush in "Soft Rosewood"
Much like the new makeup from Neutrogena (read my review in the March 28th Cosmetic Report), Oil of Olay also decided to use some fairly dated packaging, much to my dismay. This small squarish bit of blush comes with a "blush" brush that is so small, you could use it for eye shadow. Do yourself a favor and get a real blush brush. As for the blush itself, the selection of colors leaves a bit to be desired - quite a few bright, unnatural shades that I doubt would complement very many skintones. I think I picked the best of the bunch for my skin (soft rosewood), but even it is bright enough that I have to take care in applying just a little and blending it really well. I would not buy this again.

Eye Shadow Duo in "Autumn & Spring"
Much like the blush selection, the colors Oil of Olay offers for eye shadow need a little improvement. The duo I chose is one of the few wearable color sets; the "autumn" color is a medium plum brown, while the "spring" shade is medium pink pearl with a hint of gold shimmer. Too many of the other sets have bright blues and pinks that aren't as universally flattering as they could be. The texture is nice, though, and stayed crease-free for most of the day - a definite plus. If you can find shades that work for you, these shadows are worth trying.

Beauty Mascara
Along with the concealer, this mascara is a real find. The look is natural but full and well defined. I had no problems with globs, smearing, or flaking, and it washes off easily with regular facial cleanser.

Lipstick in "Fresh Plum"
Okay, so I liked half of the Oil of Olay products I tried! This lipstick has a smooth, creamy feel and comes in a good range of colors. This shade is a medium pink-plum that reminds me of the color you get on your lips when you eat fresh blackberries. The colors available in the lipsticks are much better than the blush or eyeshadow. A few of the other colors include "spicy red", "brazil", "autumn leaves", and "cobblestone".

Oil of Olay cosmetics are now available at drug and mass retail stores around the US like Target, Walmart, Drug Emporium, Long's, etc. The snazzy lighted display has a mirror, testers (yay!), and color suggestions for different skintones.

Our spring color series continues this week with a look at the new collection from Stila. Called The Seashore Collection, these soft peaches and pinks are, in my opinion, a welcome change from the bright pastels from many other spring collections.

Eye Shadows
Shell - warm, peachy rose
Shore - lavender gray
Sun - deep golden peach

These are are beautiful alone on just the lid, or worn with a complementary crease or browbone shade. For the softest look, I recommend skipping eye liner (or use a very soft brown if you feel you need it) and adding just a light sweep of mascara.

Lip Colors
Emily - nude rose
Marisa - golden pink
Pixie - vibrant beige rose

Stila is famous for very wearable lipstick shades, and these fit right in. The Seashore Collection also includes Lip Shine gloss in Petal Shine (shimmery golden rose, a great neutral with just a hint of pink) and Nail Shimmer in Ilithyia (shimmery soft pink, also pretty and subtle). All these colors are very soft and wearable, and they integrate nicely with any neutrals you already have.

How would you like to win these great new colors? You can, by entering Cosmetic Connection's Stila Seashore Contest. Simply recommend Cosmetic Connection to a friend using our Recommend Form, and you are automatically entered to win! The drawing will be held on May 3rd, so enter today!

Cosmetic Connection Stila Seashore Contest:
http://www.kleinman.com/cosmetic/springcontest2.html

Spring has sprung, and that means it's time to rethink your makeup look and consider adding some fun new colors. Learn about all the latest spring collections in this month's new Feature, "Colors in Bloom", brought to you by our Panelist Lisa.

April Feature: Colors in Bloom - Spring 99

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