This week I'm pleased to invite back our Panelist Deanna as a featured contributor. Deanna recently tried Models Prefer makeup and skin care sold on QVC. With the popularity of infomercial cosmetic lines taking off, I know many of you will be very interested in her findings! Learn more about Deanna here.

Take it away, Deanna!

Attention: QVC shoppers! (I know you're out there, don't try to hide!) You've probably seen the Models Prefer line on QVC. Currently, this is the only place that you can buy this brand of cosmetics. The company's founder and President, Stacey Scheiffelin, a former international, high fashion model, actually sits in on the television presentations of her products bare faced and in curlers. Then, using her line of cosmetics, makes the "transformation." The line is targeted for busy women of all types is designed to "simplify everyday beauty routines." The company emphasizes a "back-to-basics approach with products that produce maximum results with minimal effort all at an affordable price in neutral colors that will suit anyone." I rarely mention product packaging in my reviews - I'm more of a "results" kind of a person - however, some of the packaging of these products is extremely innovative. Also, each product comes with a pamphlet entitled "tips of the trade" which suggests product use techniques.

"Hands-Free" Light Diffusing Foundation and Sponge Applicator (2oz for $19.94 plus s/h)
The foundation comes in three colors: light, medium and dark. It also comes with a good quality diamond shaped sponge applicator. I chose the "Dark," which like many QVC product descriptions, actually means tan/olive toned. This product is water based and contains a SPF 8 sunscreen, Vitamins A and E and, happily, no comedogenic ingredients. The liquid foundation is in a tube, the end covered by with a small "applicator" sponge designed to evenly spread the foundation over the "T-zone" to reduce the amount of product needed to cover the face. It worked well, providing sheer to medium coverage that was a natural-looking, matte finish without a "caking." I found it held up very well without turning orange, even on my oily skin in Maryland's heat and humidity. I don't know about the "light diffusing" aspects, but I will say this is the only foundation I've tried that did not "grab" or emphasize my wrinkly eyelids and provided a nice base to powder eye shadow. The drawbacks: the foundation only comes in three colors and although I was able to achieve a close match with the "Dark", in the winter I will probably have to use a combination of "Dark" and "Medium" to get a good color match.

Flawless Neutralizing Powder and Kabuki-Style Brush (1.25oz for $18.00 plus s/h)
This is a talc-based finishing powder. Colorwise, it's between a Bobbi Brown "Pale Yellow" and a T. LeClerc "Banane." The powder is made in Italy and is extremely fine. Given that the powder is talc based, I was surprised that this powder did not cake or streak like some others I've tried and it lasted well throughout the day with only one touch up. It comes in a cone-shaped container with a Kabuki-style powder brush. A little of this product is all you'll need, just what you will shake out into the lid through four small holes in a "screen" attached to the top of the powder container, so it will definitely last a while. The drawbacks: pitch the brush and use your own - too many "flying" hairs.

Blend and Conceal Concealer and half moon sponge applicator ($16.00 plus s/h)
This silver compact actually contains three different colors, a light ivory/pink, a medium warm yellow and a darker tan. By blending the medium and dark colors (more medium than dark), I was able to conceal my under eye dark circles quite well, and it lasted throughout the day. This product contains no comedogenic ingredients. I found the light ivory/pink shade to be a nice brow bone highlighter, so I did find a use for it. The half-moon sponge fits into the compact and is a nice quality; it didn't fall apart on me, even after multiple washing. The drawbacks: the product did have a little drag, a bit more than some others I've used, especially on the under eye area, but dampening the applicator sponge with water fixed that problem.

Grater Bronzer with powder brush (.35oz for $24.98 plus s/h)
I have only taken to wearing bronzers in the last four years or so, when I began to shun sunlight. This product has replaced my old bronzer as a definite favorite. It has a "grater" on top of it that allows you to "shave" from the compact underneath, only the amount you'd need for one application. The powder is very fine and soft and gives a natural, sun-kissed look without turning orange. It's also a great contouring powder. Best of all, no comedogenic ingredients. The brush is soft, a better quality than the powder brush.

Automatic Eyebrow Pencil (2 pencils for $14.71 plus s/h)
Since I don't have a naturally high brow arch, eyebrow pencils are important to me. These eyebrow pencils were described in American Marie Claire magazine (March 1999) as "goof-proof". I'll have to say I agree. These pencils require no sharpening and are very soft. With no drag, the color blended right into the hairs to accent my brows. It is a universal taupe color that could go with just about any hair color, depending on how it's used. The brow brush is built in with the pencil, at the other end with a cover that fits tightly and doesn't come off in my cosmetic bag. A definite plus in my book!

Blush Duo ($16.25 plus s/h)
The blush duo compact is the same silver compact as the concealer withstwo blushes of the same color but different formulations. One is a cream and the other is a powder. It comes in two colors, Racy Rose (pink) and Tempting Tangerine (peach). I chose the tangerine color. The blush had good staying power, even on my oily skin, but I found it was even better when I layered the cream under the powder. It's a pretty blush, natural looking and matte, however it does contain ascorbyl palmitate, a comedogenic ingredient. It is listed pretty far down on the ingredient list, so there isn't much. I was able to use this blush with no problems, so my suggestion is to try it, and if you find that you are "breaking out" in the cheekbone area, return it. Also, the cream does have a little drag to it, so dampening the applicator is necessary.

Four in One Eye Collection ($16.00 plus s/h)
The collection consists of two tubes with different products at each end. One tube is waterproof mascara and thickening mascara, both in black. The other tube is clear brow gel and liquid eyeliner in black frost. The mascara brushes are the Christmas tree type and work well. Both mascaras performed well with no flaking. The eyeliner is what caught my attention. I hadn't used liquid liner in a long time and I was worried that the combination of "frost" and liquid liner would age my eyes. Not so, this liner actually enhanced my eyes making them "pop", without aging them. It did not look hard, peel, or flake - problems I've had with liquids in the past. It is possible to "smudge" the liner, if you prefer, but it does take a steady hand and you'll need to do it while its still slightly wet; once it's dry, it's there to stay.

All in all, I'm very impressed with the Models Prefer line. It performed very well and was, in my opinion, an excellent value. So far, I've found it to be a great line of affordable basics. Altogether, there are about 25 products. If you watch the TV presentations, one piece of advice: if you see something you like, call quickly. These products constantly "sell out." You can find these products at www.qvc.com or by calling 1-800-455-8845 you can request a catalogue of the 13 most wanted and it has a coupon for the "Mix and Match Lip Palette." I recently purchased a few other items from this line, and, if you're interested in finding out how they worked, just keep reading the Cosmetic Connection! I'll be back with more reviews.
-Deanna