Like most cosmetic and skin care junkies, I may be perfectly satisfied with the products I'm using now, but I am still always on the lookout for something newer and better. When I spotted Freeman's new Skin Plus vitamin C line at my local drugstore, I knew I had to try it. All of the products contain an anti-oxidant vitamin complex of A, C, E, and B5 to help firm and protect your skin. I used the products for almost a month, and here's what I thought:

Cleanser + Toner (around $6.29 for 8 ounces)
At first, I liked the clean feeling and light minty tingle of this cleanser, and it didn't seem to dry my normal-to-dry skin. After a few weeks, however, the condition of my skin started going downhill - increased oil, several breakouts, all because my skin was dried out and working overtime to produce more oil to compensate. For drier skin, I would definitely recommend something else. For normal, combination, or slightly oily skin, this cleanser is still a good choice and deserves 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Moisturizer + SPF15 (around $7.39 for 2.5 ounces)
With summer approaching, it's more important than ever to make sure your morning skin care routine includes a sunscreen. This oil-free lotion combines a lightweight sunscreen with the line's anti-oxidant vitamin complex to smooth and protect. This is a great find that I give 4 out of 5 stars.

Eye Cream (around $8.39 for .5 ounce tube)
This is a good, basic eye cream that you can use morning or night. It doesn't ball up under makeup, and the lightweight texture absorbs easily without feeling heavy or greasy. For any skin type and any age, this eye cream is a fine choice that I give 4 out of 5 stars.

Night Repair (around $8.39 for 1 ounce)
In addition to the vitamin complex, Night Repair also contains glycolic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid) to gently exfoliate dead skin cells away while you sleep. If you are new to AHAs, this lightweight formula is a nice introduction; for those of us who use an AHA or BHA regularly, it just isn't strong enough to notice a difference. As a decent treatment for new AHA users, I give Night Repair 3.5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Freeman cosmetics, visit their website at http://www.freemancosmetics.com

With summer (hopefully) just around the corner, I decided it's time to find the perfect sunscreen, something that would work well without making my skin break out. A quick tip: sunscreens do get old and go bad. If you have a tube laying around that you haven't used since last summer, consider throwing it out and getting a new one. I didn't realize how old one of mine was until I put it on my face and, wow, did it ever sting! Do yourself a favor and invest in a new bottle. I chose Estee Lauder's new Advanced Suncare SunBlock for Face SPF 25 ($19.50 for 1.7 ounce tube), but I think I need to keep looking. While it'll be great for the beach or weekend outdoor activities, this SunBlock is too white and pastey looking for everyday wear. My search continues... EL SunBlock gets 3 out of 5 stars.

While our skin usually gets a little oilier in the summer, summer highlights and chlorinated swimming pools always manage to dry out our hair. Bumble & bumble comes to the rescue with their new Gentle Shampoo and Deeep Conditioner. Gentle Shampoo is a fairly basic creamy shampoo that is just what it says - gentle. It's a good choice for those days when your hair is feeling particularly dry or just in need of some special attention. I like it and give it 4 out of 5 stars. Deeep Conditioner (yes, that's spelled correctly) is also nice as a daily treatment for chronically dry hair, or weekly for less damaged types. The protein and plant oils help smooth and soften even the most damaged hair in no time. Deeep gets my approval with 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Be sure to check out bumble and bumble's snappy new website at http://www.bumbleandbumble.com

The product reviews are flying in here at Cosmetic Connection! Don't miss our newest Panel reviews of KMS, Basis, Chanel, Elizabeth Arden, and a great review of MAC clone eye shadows. You can find them all on our Product Review page, located at:

Product Reviews
http://www.kleinman.com/cosmetic/reviews.html

Tired of spending a fortune on department store products? You don't have to when there are so many great drugstore cosmetics and skin care to choose from. This month I've compiled my list of the Top Ten best products that are all under $10. Don't go shopping without it!

The Makeup Diva is in! Can firming creams and serums really make a difference as your skin ages? This week Miss Diva wrangled a few close friends in their 50s to reveal just what some of the popular brands can, and can't, do.