Welcome to the Cosmetic Report^™ newsletter. It's our goal to bring you unbiased information about cosmetic products and trends so you can make educated buying decisions. If you've been searching for straightforward beauty information and advice, you've found it here. The Cosmetic Connection Panel of reviewers are consumers just like you who face the same issues and challenges, and look to the beauty industry to help solve them.

Lisa is 30 years old, and hails from from Columbus, OH. She has very fair skin that tends to be "combination," with unexpected rages of sensitivity. Lisa's heritage is rather mixed - mostly Hungarian, with some Scottish and French mixed in with a dash of Native American. Her very fair skin tans like nobody's business and produces a myriad of freckles, so she always wears plenty of sunscreen. Lisa has golden-green eyes, and auburn hair (not naturally, though - she's been coloring it every shade of red imaginable since she was 15). Lisa's main beauty concerns are puffy, sensitive, "circled" eyes, (which she remedies with Creme de La Mer applied at night, and Avon Lighten Up Plus in the daytime) and blackheads on her nose. The best thing she's found so far for the blackheads is "Queen Helene" Mint Julep mask - it works great, and has that fun retro packaging (it's available for mere dollars at drugstores and beauty supply stores nationwide) - and the AHA mask from Tipton Charles.

With summer in full swing, my cosmetic routine is seriously pared-down: some sheer, tinted moisturizer, and a swipe of gloss on the weekends, and I'm good to go. But I do need a more polished look for work during the week. Most importantly, I'm concerned with keeping everything in balance throughout the day - keeping my skin from becoming too oily (on my face) or too dehydrated (on my body) is a tall order to fill during the hot and humid days of a Midwestern July. Here are some really great products that make the job so much easier.

Clarins Colour Quench Lip Balm ($18.50)
My love affair with Clarins grows more devoted every time I use their lipcolor. This sheer color gloss is a rich, moisturizing formulas with ingredients like shea butter, wild mango extract, and vitamin E make lips feel utterly fantastic. With 6 different shades, ranging from soft gold to plum, these glosses are Clarins version of products like Lancome's Juicy Tubes or Aveda's Lipshine. They even have a hint of fruit flavor. At $18.50, they are very spendy, but if you want to treat yourself, these are a wonderful choice. A word of caution: while the glosses claim to "protect lips from daytime aggressors," I don't think that they actually contain sunscreen, so use something else if you will be outside all day.

DUWOP COSMETICS
What a great line of products! I love the approach, as well as the versatility of the items. The creators of the line, self-described as "two girls from Brooklyn" have been makeup artists for over ten years, and design products to meet multiple beauty needs. I'll definitely be a loyal DuWop groupie from now on. I tried three of their products, and will definitely re-purchase all of them at some point.

DuWop I-gels
These cool discs of gel are reminiscent of those "jell-o jigglers" you had during your childhood. Infused with botanical extracts to calm, firm, and de-circle, these eye gels work best when stored in the fridge. I tried the blue ones, which contain chamomile, yarrow root, and lavender, reputedly to refresh tired eyes. They felt wonderful, and definitely decreased a bit of puffiness I was fighting from my allergies. As long as you keep them sealed so they don't dry out, you'll get multiple uses from one pair.

DuWop Hands 2 Hair
This styling/moisturizing cream is such a brilliant idea. Use it to separate, de-frizz and add a bit texture to your coif (it is best for medium-textured hair that has some layers) and then rub it into your hands to moisturize. I love it! This styling cream is lightweight and moisturizing, and has a fresh, slightly fruity fragrance. I've also noticed it has helped the state of my cuticles considerably.

DuWop Lip Venom (original and colored formulas)
Every femme fatale needs a deadly kiss, and while this venom isn't poison, it does make your lips tingle (and those of the person you'll be smooching), and might make you feel a bit naughty. To me, this lip gloss tastes a lot like Trident bubblegum, with a little "punch." The clear formula will make lips slightly fuller, and add a bit of natural tint from the blood responding to the essential oils.

The color glosses come in the tube style (a la juicy tubes) and have the same "secret blend" of oils to make your kisser feel moisturized and marvelous. I tried Jessamine (a nude-y beige) and Tulip (a sheer, clear red) and love 'em both.

TONY & TINA
For the most part, I really like Tony & Tina Cosmetics - great formulas and innovative ideas make for some nice cosmetic choices. However, I can really do without their hokey-vibrational remedy mumbo-jumbo. While herbal extracts have definitely been shown to produce real skin benefits, I know by virtue of logic (as you do, as well) that mascara will not balance my chakras. So, aside from that, I dig a lot of their products quite a bit.

Tony & Tina Environmental Rescue Luna Essence Liquid Foundation
This is a light to medium coverage foundation that straddles the line between treatment and concealment. A long list of natural extracts promise to promote fewer wrinkles and free radicals, while a bit of shimmer and pigment even skintone. It is definitely moisturizing enough to skip a first layer of lotion or cream if you have a normal-to-oily complexion (which I do, in the summer). The color choices are all pretty pale, and will work well with fair-to-medium complexions. One shade (Moonray) doubles as a bronzer for really fair skin like mine. Be warned, while the shimmer is fairly subtle, it might not be the best choice for full-on, natural light. Maybe it's just my own particular skin type, but I cross from dewy to greaseball pretty quickly in this heat.

Tony & Tina Environmental Rescue Luna Essence Pressed Mineral Powder Foundation
During the summer, I really do prefer a powder formula foundation to combat shine. This pressed powder compact has a little shimmer, but definitely less than its liquid counterpart. Dampen the sponge, and it can be used as concealer for moderate under-eye circles, or full full-coverage foundation. Use it dry with a velour puff, or brush, for light coverage over the entire face. I've been using this every day, and I like the fact that it feels comfortable, and doesn't seem to encourage acne (it's hard to tell in the summer since the heat aggravates my skin). Again, the colors are meant for fair to medium tones, so the range is limited, but this pressed powder is perfect if your complexion falls into that category.

That's it for now! Stay cool, and enjoy some fun this season!

We hope you enjoyed this issue of The Cosmetic Report!