Thanks to everyone who submitted her favorite foundation to me this past week. I definitely have a great list to start trying! This week, as usual, I seem to be trying a little of this and a little of that. I hope in a month or so to have a complete review of my experience with Renee Rouleau skin care, which I have been testing for the last few weeks. After that I move on to Simone France, a cleansing line that many of you have been asking about.

Alba Botanica Sun (4oz, $7.95-$8.95)
We've been having some beautiful weather here in Portland over the last few weeks, and while I am diligent about sun protection every day on my face and neck, my arms and legs were in need of attention. While shopping recently at my favorite local whole foods store, I spotted a tube of this sunscreen in SPF 30 and decided to try it. Although it says "very water resistant" on the label and is described as being for active outdoor use, I just like the high SPF for my fair skin; if you want less protection, it also comes in SPF 15 or 18. The SPF 30 is a full protection, broad spectrum lotion with lavender, chamomile, ginkgo biloba, green tea, vitamin E and vitamin A, all in a base of 100% vegetarian ingredients. It has a nice light feel and subtle lavender aroma. This is more expensive than Banana Boat or other drugstore brands, but I like the subtler scent and greaseless feel.

Find out more, and even order online, at the Alba Botanica site at AvalonNaturalProducts.com.

Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadow
Ever since cream and gel blush started getting popular, I find I am drawn to any form of makeup that you can apply with your fingers. I honestly can't remember the last time I consistently used a brush for anything! These new cream eye shadows from Revlon have become my new basics because they are so easy to use. This versatile palette of four compatible shades is a perfect addition to any makeup bag. The shadows go on smoothly (no brush required), resist creasing, and can be layered for just the look you want. I chose a basic neutral palette of Not Just Nudes, but you can also find more vibrant shades like Va Va Bloom, Precious Metals, and Wild Orchids.

For a photo and brief description, visit Revlon.com.

Calvin Klein Medium Coverage Foundation Oil Free SPF 8 ($38)
Foundation seems to be one of those things I am constantly trying. Whether I'm after better coverage, a smoother texture, or a more natural finish, it seems to be at the top of my soon-to-review list. I recently picked up this compact cream makeup at my local Nordstrom, and I wish I could say I've been 100% happy with it. My happiness level fist started to break down with the color - I bought the #2 Linen shade because the #1 Ivory shade was *much* too light, but I really need a shade in between the two. Linen is just not quite right. Then, after I wore the foundation several times, I consistently noticed significant coverage fading by midday, especially on the redder areas of my face (chin and nose) - and I don't even have oily skin. On the rest of my face, the makeup became caked and my skin looked like it was dry and flaky underneath (lovely!), so by 5pm all I wanted to do was wash it off. I keep testing it hoping it will work, but in the end I am fairly disappointed. If I had not used so much of it in my repeated testing, I would return it.

Thermasilk Heat Activated Shine & Shape Gel ($3.99 for 8oz pump)
I've been using Thermasilk's Weightless Frizz Fighter for a few months but realized recently that I needed a bit more control, so I picked up a bottle of this gel at Target. It's not big on hold (it only comes in "light control"), but I actually like it better than Frizz Fighter. This lightweight, slightly shimmery gel does a great job of smoothing and controlling frizz without weighing the hair down or making it feel stiff or "crunchy." Three pumps distributed through my just-past-shoulder length hair makes it smooth and frizz-free all day. This is a keeper!