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Copyright © 2003-04 Kleinman.com Inc. and Cosmetic Connection. All rights reserved.


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THE COSMETIC REPORT
April 22, 2002

Let's get right to the reviews! I am excited about all the goodies I've been trying lately. We always welcome your suggestions, so please keep them coming to heather@kleinman.com.

MAC Studio Tech Foundation ($26)
For one of the best selections in both formulas and colors, you really can't beat MAC foundations. They have something for just about every level of coverage, and they've improved their offerings for different skin types. Years ago I swore by Studio Fix powder foundation - until my skin became both drier and more acne prone. What once made my face flawless suddenly turned it into a pimply Sahara desert. Thankfully MAC has taken everything I loved about Studio Fix - great coverage, easy of use, portability and great color selection - and made a creamy version for normal to dry skin. You get medium coverage in a cream base that dries down to a natural matte, lightly powdery finish, all in a portable compact. You can apply with the enclosed sponge or a Foundation Brush, depending on the look you want (sponge gives heavier coverage while the brush is sheer). Studio Tech delivers a lot of color in a small amount of product, so you do have to experiment with the right amount for your face. Since I've been using it I've had no breakout problems, and the ingredient list supports that for the most part - sodium chloride, which can aggravate acne in some people, is near the bottom of the list just before the preservatives (shouldn't cause a problem). Studio Tech comes in 18 shades that should work for just about anybody (I use NW15).

MAC Face and Body Foundation ($28.50 for 4oz)
This is another great formula from MAC, designed with makeup artists in mind with a light, water-based fluid application of highly pigmented, water-resistant color that can go anywhere and cover anything. Face and Body goes on smoothly, dries down to a natural finish that is slightly moist (not dewy) and fairly imperceptible, making is perfect for covering blemishes anywhere on your body. Applied with MAC's 190 Foundation Brush, you can really get the makeup in and around every area of your face (great for around eyes and nose), and it keeps the foundation from being too thick and heavy. Unlike many foundations on the market that dry very quickly, Face and Body gives you time to move and blend the foundation, so don't be surprised if it stays moist longer than you are used to. Once it's set, it looks great and stays that way all day. Face and Body is a terrific all-around foundation for any skin type, and with 17 shades to choose from, it's for just about any skin tone, too.

MAC Super Cleansing Oil ($15 for 5oz)
I've been using DHC Deep Cleansing Oil for the last 6 months and love the way it breaks down makeup but rinses easily away, so I was curious how MAC's oil would compare. While MAC feels lighter on the skin, and it also does a great job of removing makeup, it doesn't rinse away as well and left my eyes cloudy every time I used it. For a few nights I kept taking my glasses off to clean them before I realized it was my eyes that needed rinsing. I've also noticed a bit of cosmetic acne, which could be related to the rinsing problems. I think I will stick with DHC.

MAC Moisture Feed/Skin ($25 for 1.7oz jar)
With the weather warming up a bit, I've made some changes in my skin care that include switching my very rich moisturizers for ones that still moisturize well, but have a lighter feel. I had high hopes for Moisture Feed/Skin, and by all accounts it does moisturize well and have a light feel, but I was not happy about the major breakouts it gave me! My skin almost never breaks out anymore, so this was a very unwelcome side effect. The fourth ingredient, myristyl myristate, gets the blame. Too bad, too, because the cream has a nice mediumweight texture, subtle fruity/floral scent and unusual ingredients like kukui oil, passionfruit extract, and spinach extract. If you have no problems whatsoever with acne and you need a moisturizer for normal to dry skin, this one really does the job.

MAC Moisture Feed/Eye ($25 for .5oz jar)
If I can't have the skin cream, at least I can have the eye cream! This shea butter cream is perfect for softening little lines and keeping the eye area supple. You only need a tiny dab, and I recommend using it just under the eye and around the outer corner, but skip the lid so the cream doesn't travel into your eyes and make them cloudy and irritated. For excellent eye area moisturizing, I highly recommend Moisture Feed/Eye.

You can find MAC Cosmetics online at MACCosmetics.com and Gloss.com; check the MAC site for store locations.

Stila Cosmetics Mother's Day 5 Pan Compact ($28)
Palettes are so much fun for trying new colors, and so convenient! These colors couldn't be more perfect for spring. The five shades include three eye shadows in pale mauve, deep burgundy and fuchsia, a lip color in a sheer brown berry shade and an all over shimmer powder in mauve (which you can use on eyes and cheeks), all inside a slim mirrored compact with an applicator brush. I'm not crazy about the brush, except to maybe use for the lip color, so plan to pack a better quality travel eye shadow brush along. Other than that, I am totally in love with this palette! While you are buying one for Mom, don't forget to pick up one for yourself :)

You can find the Stila Cosmetics Mother's Day 5 Pan Compact at Sephora.com.

I hope you enjoyed this issue of The Cosmetic Report!

Until next time,


 

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