One down and a few more to go - Thanksgiving may be over, but the holiday season has only just begun. To ensure that you give to yourself as well as others this season, Philosophy has introduced a great, albeit overpriced, aromatherapy self-help kit called The Rainbow Connection. For an extravagant $125, you can get in touch with your inner self with this collection of 7 rainbow colored aromatherapy bath oils, a reflection journal, and a deck of meditation cards that can help you achieve more balance in your life.

I'm always the skeptic, but this time I jumped right in and let The Rainbow Connection lead me. Following the journal's directions, I shuffled the deck of 28 color-coded cards, selected the one that best expressed an issue I was dealing with (like security, faith, or balance), answered questions in the journal about my feelings, and finally took a color-coordinated bath as part of the aromatherapy experience. After each bath and journal writing (I tried it several times), I really did feel more centered and able to face my day with a better perspective on things. If you can follow the steps wholeheartedly, The Rainbow Connection is a creative and thoughtful way to better get in touch with yourself and your life. For the aromatherapy or self-help enthusiast in your life, this makes a very nice holiday gift.

With so many drugstore shampoos available, it may take me months to try them all! Our series continues this week with a few shampoos and conditioners from Redmond's Aussie line (all around $4):

Citrifier Shampoo - a good choice once a week to remove styling buildup. Because it is so effective at deep cleansing, dry hair will need extra conditioning to replace lost moisture. (For dry hair, I like Origins No Deposit shampoo better for more gently removing styling buildup.)

Moist Shampoo - designed for dry hair, but really better for normal hair. You'll get better results adding moisture to your hair with a conditioner, not a shampoo.

Instant Conditioner - a great everyday choice for every hair type. It leaves your hair feeling soft, silky, and smooth.

3 Minute Miracle - a nice deep conditioning treatment for any hair type (use a few times a week if you have dry hair).

For more information on Aussie products, check out the Aussie website. Next week we'll have even more shampoo reviews, including Finesse Plus 2-in-1, and one from the Pantene Gold Cap series.

If I had to choose the one cosmetic product that can do the most for your looks, it would be foundation. With so many shades and formulas to choose from, the chances of finding one that's right for you are almost guaranteed! For those of us who like quick, simplified makeup, the two new stick foundations from Prescriptives (Exact Matchstick $35) and Estee Lauder (Minute Makeup $27.50) are worth considering. They are easy to apply and be used all over, or just as concealer.

After trying both, I really like Prescriptives Exact Matchstick the best for its incredibly light and silky texture, combined with soft sheer-to-medium coverage that doesn't look or feel at all like makeup. Matchstick is oil-free, great for any skin type, and it comes in a decent range of Prescriptives' most popular colors.

For those of you who like a creamier makeup with a bit more coverage, Estee Lauder's Minute Makeup is a nice choice that feels moist and emollient, more like a traditional stick makeup. The color range is a bit better than Prescriptives, but the texture wouldn't work as well for an oily skin type.

Are you a regular Cosmetic Connection reader always on the lookout for new reviews? Maybe you stop by every week looking for something new about your favorite line? Have we got great news for you - Cosmetic Connection now has a great new search function! Type in Stila, Maybelline, KMS, or whatever line you're after, and you'll get an instant link to the review page you're looking for. Try it today!

Make your beauty routine less complicated this holiday season with a few tips from our new Feature for December, Makeup Basics. Don't go shopping without it! From creamy concealer to great versatile lipstick shades, you'll find great products that fit your time and your budget.

The Makeup Diva is In! We are now entering the Holiday Zone! Don't let your eyes give away just how tired you are. With a few tips and product recommendation from the queen of little sleep, you'll look refreshed and ready to go!