Color, color, color - it's all I can think about lately! There are plenty of new shades and textures to play with, and these are just a few to consider. Enjoy! We are also starting a new giveaway, so be sure to read on for details...

Revlon Skinlights Face Illuminator Lotion
With all the high-end shimmer face products currently available (Prescriptives Magic, MAC Strobe Cream and Hyper Real makeup, Estee Lauder Spotlight, and on and on), I wasn't surprised at all to see Revlon bring it to the drugstore. Packaged in what looks like a squeeze tube but with a pump dispenser, Skinlights is the answer to more radiant looking skin, on a budget. I chose Natural Light from the selection of Natural, Rose, Bronze and Peach, and so far I like the slightly shimmery, pearl finish. I have been using it in place of foundation, and just dabbing a bit of concealer on any "problem" areas, and I am pleased with the sheer, subtly concealing coverage. Like the more expensive light-reflecting lotions, this one also seems to diffuse the light that hits the face, blurring fine lines and uneven tones. I also like that the color isn't too red, purple or shimmery. On my normal-to-dry skin, it lasts all day with minimal shine break-through on my forehead, and it's safe for acne prone skin. It also contains no animal, vegetable or mineral oil and has an SPF of 10.

The Revlon Skinlights range includes this lotion, a cheek glaze, lip lacquer palette and some shimmer powders. They are brand new, so keep checking back at stores near you until they carry them. I got mine from Longs Drugs here in Portland, Oregon.

L'Oreal Colour Juice Lip Shimmer and Sheer Lip Gloss
Since L'Oreal and Lancome are owned by the same company (Cosmair), it came as no surprise to me that L'Oreal introduced these new glosses, considering the success Lancome had with their Juicy Tubes gloss.

Lip Shimmer is a thick, lacquer-style gloss with high shine and shimmer, and decent staying power. It's packaged in a squeeze tube and has a rounded tip with a hole in it where the gloss comes out. I bought Dulce de Leche, a light bronze, and was surprised at how sheer it went on. If it came in a different package, like a tube with an angled tip, or a wand like the Sheer Gloss, I think I would like it more.

Sheer Lip Gloss is sheer (obviously) with a thinner texture but also nice shine. It's wand-style package with a sponge-tip applicator (identical to L'Oreal's Rouge Pulp) in my opinion makes it easier and less messy to apply than the Lip Shimmer. I chose Tropical Punch, a vibrant pink, and was pleased that the color is more see-through on the lips than it appears in the tube. This one lasts fairly well and comes in some pretty and perky colors.

These L'Oreal lipcolors are brand new, so don't be surprised if it takes your local store a while to get them. I got mine at Longs here in Portland; L'Oreal has yet to put them online (http://www.lorealparis.com).

Vincent Longo Faerie Creme All Over Magic ($20)
Sephora has become one of the beauty sites I visit almost daily, simply because they seem to carry everything (if they can keep it in stock, anyway). Whether I'm checking prices, ingredients, colors, or just what's new, I always manage to find something I want :) A recent trip led me to this multi-use color from Vincent Longo, and I decided to go with their most popular shade, Tribal Potion. I don't typically buy colors for myself that are described as "earthy rust," but I took a chance and I really like it. The texture is light and somewhat powdery, it blends beautifully on the skin, and wears all day with minimal fading. I use it primarily as blush, but you can also apply it to lips and eyes. Faerie Creme also comes in Lunar, Magic Rose and Stellar. See the colors at Sephora.com.

Trish McEvoy Luxury Girl palette ($55)
Every once in a while I like to treat myself to something decadent and special, and for me that often means cosmetics! I own maybe two or three Trish items, so when I spotted this palette compact, I knew it was for me. The 3x6inch compact houses warm beige, cashmere (a medium rose pink) and deep amethyst eyeshadows along with weekend and mauve shimmer lipsticks. All the shades are gorgeous on any skintone and create a polished look with just a few shades. You can toss the compact into a purse, briefcase, weekend bag, diaper bag, whatever! Trish's quality goes without saying - creaseless shadows, creamy lipcolors. I highly recommend this palette as a nice treat for yourself or a fellow cosmetic enthusiast.

You can find Trish at ibeauty.com, or at a fine department store in your area (like Saks Fifth Avenue).

Enter To Win!
Our Urban Decay giveaway is now over (see the winners' names here) and now we're on to the next great giveaway, sponsored by Spa₂O.com. Pampering is what they are all about, and we've got 17 great prizes including The Goddess Tub Kit, Envy Struck Kandle Lite, Clay Pie, and several $20 gift certificates. Enter to win now! Check back next week to see who the lucky winners are!

If you're interested in picking up any of these great products, visit Spa₂O.com.