Our Panel of busy cosmetic and skin care testing divas is hard at work, and we've got the reviews to show for it. Read on for a look at Estee Lauder, BeneFit, and Armani skin care from Kristen, then head over to CosmeticConnection.com for new reviews of Maybelline Wonder Finish Foundation, L'Oreal Cherie Tale fall colors, Clarins Fairy Lights collection, and BeneFit fall colors.

Kristen is 26 years old and from a Texas town just east of Houston. Kristen frequently makes trips to Houston for cosmetics and skincare and the people at the Laura Mercier counter and the Sephora store know her by name. She has combination skin that is exacerbated in the summer (due to the extreme humidity in Texas) and normal to dry in the winter. She is acne prone with redness around the nose and chin and a handful of red acne scars, which she is always looking for something to even those out. Kristen has large, almond-shaped blue/green eyes that she considers to be her best feature. She is a natural brunette but highlights so it's blonde and "Julia Robert's curly" that she straightens.

Now on to Kristen's reviews!

Estee Lauder Idealist Micro-D Deep Thermal Refinisher ($45)
Since the Idealist Skin Refinisher is a skincare staple of mine, I was more than happy that Estee Lauder decided to expand to the line a bit. This self-heating exfoliator touts itself to be the at-home solution to microdermabrasion. It promises to reduce the size of your pores (but we all know there's nothing that can actually do that) and basically make your skin look better after all the yucky stuff has been sloughed off. It comes out very thick, so a little goes a long way. It does heat up on your face and feels quite nice, but I think that's all that it has going for it. I don't really have sensitive skin and I thought this too be a bit too harsh for my face. The granules were rough. As far as its efficacy, I don't think it worked any better than their other exfoliator, So Polished, which is a little less than half the price.

Estee Lauder Daywear Plus
This is not my first experience with the Daywear line. It's a fantastic line and I've not used it in a while, so I am glad I had this chance to revisit it. The Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Lotion SPF 15 ($37.50 for 1.7oz) and the Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15 ($37.50 for 1.7oz) are not new items, but definitely the stars in the Estee Lauder skincare line up. I forgot how fabulous these products are. Infused with a faint smell of cucumbers, it goes on smoothly and doesn't make your face feel greasy. The Creme is for those of you who need more moisture than what the Lotion will give you. The Lotion is geared for all skintypes, really, but not as heavy as the Creme. The newer item is the Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Moisturizer Sheer Tint Release Formula ($37.50 for 1.7oz). With the same scent as the lotion and cream, it is supposed to even out the skintone ever so slightly and will illuminate all skintones. Of course, it also has the usual goodies in it to protect your skin from the ailments. I wouldn't necessarily call it a "tint," but my face looked a little better after having used it for a few days and I did notice it made my foundation glide on without primer. I would definitely buy this again. If you have not tried the Daywear line, you are missing out.

You can find Estee Lauder products in department stores and online at Gloss.com.

BeneFit
There have been a few items that I've wanted to try, but never did for whatever reason. I recently had the chance to check out some of BeneFit's stuff, including the new Do It Daily moisturizer and Bad Gal Lash mascara, among some other signature BeneFit items, Lemon Aid and Brow Zings (02 and 03).
Do It Daily moisturizer ($18 for 1oz) is lightweight with a combination of the normal goodies that I can't pronounce. It was an okay moisturizer. It went on well enough and I didn't break out. For a something daily, I'd much sooner choose the Estee Lauder Daywear Sheer Tint. I didn't see anything different in my complexion after having used this, but in its defense it really doesn't say it will get rid of wrinkles or redness. It has some goodies in it and it does put some moisture on my face, but those of you will dry skin might not think this is enough.

Bad Gal Lash ($18) is a black mascara that complements the very black Bad Gal eyeliner pencil. It has a fat wand, which I am not used to and find a bit hard to get the lashes near the corners of my eyes. It's okay, but I recently used a mascara from Bourjois that is fabulous. It makes my lashes black and long. Lemon Aid ($18) is an eyelid primer that is to conceal veins, redness and provide a bright, even look to your eyes. I didn't care for this. My concealer works much better and even if it didn't, I could not suggest buying this second product that does not work very well. Last in the lineup, Brow Zings ($26), to tame up those brows and keep them looking well groomed. It's a small compact that has a powder to fill in the color and a wax in a matching shade that keeps the hairs in place. It also comes with two mini brushes for application and a pair of mini-tweezers. I didn't care for the applicator brush, so I used another. I thought the color I used was a bit too pigmented at first, so apply with a light hand. As far as the wax, it does keep my brow hairs in place, but I found the application of the wax a little difficult at first. I think what I don't like about it is it makes my brows look a little too "drawn on". Maybe I don't have a whole lot of patience for this little set since what I already do works just fine in half the time.

You can find BeneFit products at department stores, BeneFit boutiques (check BeneFitCosmetics.com for locations), and online at Sephora.com.

Giorgio Armani
I was waiting for Armani to come out with a skin care line after having launched a successful cosmetics campaign, which I like, by the way. The skincare that I got my hands on was not as spectacular as the cosmetics. The Gentle Cleansing Milk for Face and Eyes is a milky cleanser that does a decent job of taking off my makeup. The only thing I can think of off the top of my head for comparison is the Milky Lotion Cleanser from Estee Lauder. At first, I found it to be a bit greasy while massaging it in and I surely thought it would make my face break out. Well, after I cleansed my face and patted it dry, my face was pretty soft and not greasy, nor did it make my face break out. But that would not be enough for me to purchase it. I also tried Water in Gel Softening Lotion, an odd gel toner. I don't really know what this gel is supposed to do, but I don't think it did it. It certainly did not make my face soft. By all means, don't let this review scare you from the fabulous Armani cosmetics collection!

Three Custom Color Specialists
This is my introduction to the line and what a nice introduction it is! I tried the Face Powder #2, the Creme Concealer in 2 and 3, and Cool Bronzer and was quite impressed with them all. The face powder ($19.50) is in the cutest, smallest container, but it does big things. It's a very lightweight, finely milled pressed powder that is perfect for touch-ups without the cakey look. It's very sheer and effectively gets rid of the shine. I find that once I've touched up with it, I don't have to do it for the rest of the day. A huge plus with this powder is the size of the compact. It can fit in my pocket, and it doesn't take up a lot of room in my already-packed purse. I said goodbye to the big bulky powder I've been carrying around. Now, I just need to find a mini face powder puff.

The Creme Concealer ($19.50) is a very light, emollient undereye concealer that provides nice coverage without settling into any lines you may have, and it is very easy to blend. It rivals my all-time favorite concealer so I would definitely get this again. Like the Face Powder in size, it also comes in a flip-top lid and is refillable.

Cool Bronzer ($36.50) is a loose powder bronzer in a typical loose powder container with the sifter. It comes with a puff, but I found it to be useless. A big puffy brush makes the application much easier and natural looking. I've never found a loose everyday bronzing powder I like, but I do like this one a lot. The loose ones I have used in the past tend to not go on evenly. It doesn't make me look orange or dirty, which most bronzers can do. I've not found a bronzer that I like as much as the one I've used for a couple of years, but this would be a nice replacement.

You can check out all of what Three Custom Color Specialists has to offer at threecustom.com. In addition to having cosmetics that "they don't make until you order it", they also have "ready to wear".

Thanks for the update, Kristen. I hope you enjoyed this issue of The Cosmetic Report!