With my new updated Heather's Favorite Products feature on CosmeticConnection.com, I figured it might be handy to formally review the products! Many of them are already on the site, but here are a few that I hadn't officially covered yet.

Maybelline Wear 'n Go Lipstick
When I knew this lipstick was coming out, I checked the Maybelline website for information and was pleasantly surprised to find a color selection tool. You indicate your skin tone (light, medium or dark), your hair color (blonde, brown or red), and which "look" you are after, like day versus night, and it recommends the right colors for you. Since I have been in transition with my hair color - not really blonde but not dark enough to be considered brown - I first selected blonde hair, light skin, and the "wear 'n go day look". The tool recommended Go Rose. I filed that in my memory and went back to reselect brown hair (which I now have thanks to L'Oreal Castings in Mocha), light skin, and the same "day" look; this time it recommended Go Mocha. At my local drugstore, I bought the recommended shades Go Rose and Go Mocha, and a color I thought I would normally choose for myself, Go Blush. Imagine my surprise when I got them all home, tried each one on, and found that the cocoa brown Go Mocha, not my usual pink or berry shade, is the most flattering on me. Go Blush and Go Rose both make me look sick (too heavy on the blue undertones). Thankfully I shop somewhere that is great about returns :)

As for the lipstick's texture, it is somewhere between creamy and matte, with decent staying power. I put it on in the morning, have coffee (minimal marking on the cup), make it to lunch without much change in the color, and if I have a sandwich or something that not particularly greasy, the color even lasts through food. By late afternoon, if I haven't put anymore on, the color does fade a little but it still looks acceptable (no "ring around the mouth"). I really like this lipstick, and the color, and have been wearing it everyday for the last two weeks. This is definitely one to try!

For more information on Wear 'n Go, click on "What's New" at the maybelline.com site.

SkinCeuticals Daily Sun Defense SPF 20 ($28 for 3oz tube)
Even though it's fall, it's still important to wear sunscreen every day to protect your skin from premature aging and UV damage. I feel like a broken record on this point, but it really does help! I discovered SkinCeuticals' range of sunscreens recently (SPFs 20, 30 and 45) and have enjoyed making this one part of my daily morning routine. It has broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection thanks to Z-Cote transparent zinc oxide, which minimizes the pasty white look that many sunscreens have. It has no oily or greasy residue, making it suitable for any skin type, including acne-prone skin.

I got mine from myskinmd.com.

Rimmel Extra Super Lash Mascara ($2)
I've got a collection of Rimmel cosmetics that I'll be reviewing soon, but I like this mascara so much I had to cover it first. This rivals any of the spendy brands and costs less than $2! It goes on smoothly, doesn't clump, doesn't smear, lasts all day, doesn't flake, builds nice fullness and length, and the brush design helps you reach every lash easily (even the short inside ones). I can't think of a mascara I like better for such a great price. In the US, Rimmel is available exclusively at Wal-mart; internationally (Rimmel was originally a British brand), ask at the drugstores near you.