Run, don't walk to the Cosmetic Connection website! Why? We are celebrating our One Year Anniversary this week with a fresh new logo and site re-design to make your visit to Cosmetic Connection easier and more enjoyable. We've also got more reviews, and October's new Feature - the results from the Reader's Survey of the Best Beauty Products. Read what your fellow cosmetic enthusiasts think are the best cleansers, moisturizers, foundations, and much more. Enjoy!

On this week's hunt through the drugstore for cool and interesting products, I found three that I either really liked or really hated. Read on!

Anyone who knows me knows I rarely, if ever, use eye liner pencils. For lining, I always use a dark eye shadow and a liner brush because the look is softer, more precise, and it lasts longer than pencils. For a change of pace, I decided this week to give a couple of pencils a shot to see if they could measure up.

L'Oreal Pencil Perfect automatic eyeliner (around $6)
Could it be - a pencil I actually like? This one comes in a great selection of colors that are smooth and blendable with great staying power so the color won't fade or smear. For longer wear, remember this important eye makeup tip: make sure any creams you apply to the eye area are fully absorbed before you put on your eye makeup; if the eye area is too oily or greasy, your makeup will fade away within a few hours. Apply a thin layer of concealer, foundation, and/or loose powder to your eye lid before your shadow and liner for longer lasting color.

Almay One Coat gel eye pencil (around $6)
For every good product, I suppose there has to be a bad one, and this is it! I have no idea what Almay was thinking when they made this product - the pencil tip is thick, greasy, and impossible to control. When I tried sharpening the tip down to make it thinner, it broke off into little blobs of oozy gel goo. Yuck!

Drugstore mascara has always been a favorite of mine because it's cheap and it works. For well defined lashes and absolutely zero globs or clumps, Maybelline Lash by Lash (around $5) is my new favorite. The long, straight brush is densely packed with short, thin bristles that deliver a smooth, even application of color every time.

After reviewing Biore's terrific Pore Perfect Deep Cleaning strips in the June 27th issue of The Cosmetic Report, I've been swamped with requests for more Biore reviews. This week, I tried the non-foaming Facial Cleansing Gel (around $6) and really liked it! The main ingredient, sorbitol, is a naturally derived humectant from fruit that holds water in your skin so you don't get that dry, taut feeling. The gel is refreshing and effective at removing makeup, and since it doesn't foam, it works well for any skin type. Check out the Biore website for a cool demonstration of how this cleanser works.

The Makeup Diva is In! Alpha hydroxy acids are in just about every lotion and potion these days, and they aren't just for skin with wrinkles. Get the straight story and some handy product suggestions in this week's column. Don't miss it!