It's another all-makeup issue this week at Cosmetic Connection! Many of you have been asking about Tommy Hilfiger's new line of cosmetics, so I am pleased to bring you a review of the products I tried recently. Also, keep reading for a review of Philosophy's Complete Me mineral makeup at the end of this issue.

Tommy Hilfiger cosmetics
I must have walked by the Tommy Hilfiger skin and body care products at my local Meier & Frank department store a hundred times without stopping - until they got the color cosmetics in. The lighted, self-service displays were so appealing, and just low enough to keep my daughter entertained while sitting in her stroller :) When the salesperson told me a bit about the line, I was amazed at the reasonable prices and couldn't resist trying several colors.

Glow For It Cheek Color ($15) in Passionate and Adoring
On my first trip to the Hilfiger display, I picked up Passionate cheek color. Under the store lights it seemed like a medium plum-rose, but when I got it home I could see it was more of a warm orange-red - not at all what I thought I was getting. I promptly returned it (unopened) for Adoring, a medium pinky rose. The color is very sheer and subtle, so you could apply just a little for a touch of color or layer it on for more effect. I found the sheerness to be a nice change from the more pigmented products I've been using, and it would be perfect for someone just starting out with makeup. With colors this sheer, it's hard to make a mistake.

Double Feature Wet/Dry Eye Color ($10) in Blase, Dainty, and Seductive
I had the same color issue with one of the eye shadows - Seductive looked like an eggplant purple shade in the store but ended up being almost red on my skin. I exchanged it for Dainty, a pretty, slightly frosted pale pink. My favorite look with these colors is Dainty on the lid with Blase (a basic light cream shade) as a base up to the browbone, and a bit of brown eye liner. Like the cheek color, the shadows are sheer and blendable. They can also be used wet as liner or simply to make the color a bit richer.

Fresh Talk Conditioning Lip Color ($10) in R&B
I am loving this lipstick! Not only is there a great selection of colors from browns to reds and everything in between (even green and blue), but the texture is fantastic - creamy and smooth, not thick or pasty. If you try only one thing from this line, make it the lipstick.

Big Deal Volumizing Lash Color ($10) in Livin' Large Brown
When I returned to the store to exchange my blush and shadow colors, I decided to pick up this mascara as well. I typically wear brown or black/brown even though my lashes are black because I like a subtler look, but this brown is too light for me. It's more of a light chocolate shade, which might work well if you have lighter colored lashes. The brush has densely packed, short bristles that do a fair job of creating volume, but, again, the look is subtle. I may consider buying this mascara again, but I would definitely get black next time.

The Hilfiger cosmetic line also includes nail polish ($5), eye and lip liners, and makeup brushes (eyeshadow $10, cheek $15, powder $20). The salesperson I talked to said foundation and powder should be coming soon. This is a great line for every level of makeup enthusiast.

Philosophy Complete Me ($30 for 1.5 ounces) in Warm 1
Like the La Bella Donna and Youngblood brands I've tried before, Complete Me is a "high-pigment mineral powder" made of zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, bismuth oxychloride, and mica that works as a concealer, a foundation, and a powder all in one. The appeal of a product like this over traditional liquid or even talc-based powder foundations is usually better coverage with a lighter feel that has less chance of irritating sensitive skin. Mineral makeup does take some getting used to, though. You only need a very small amount to start, and you have to experiment with different application methods to find the one that works best for your skin (brush, puff, or sponge).

I found Complete Me to be comparable in quality to the other brands I've tried. While the formulas are almost the same, I found this one to be a bit less shiny, a definite plus especially for oily skin. The coverage can be as sheer or as full as you make it, depending on how you apply it. If you use the enclosed sponge, you can get full, opaque coverage, but beware that this technique can look heavy and masky if you aren't careful. Always start with a small amount of powder and add more only if you need it. I reserve using the sponge for small areas that need extra attention. For a lighter look, I like to apply it with a flat-top powder brush using a pressing motion on the skin (called "stippling"). Complete Me comes in a shaker container, so you can either shake some into the palm of your hand or onto a tissue, and then dip the brush or sponge into the powder.

The main downside for me with all the brands I've used is the color selection. The color you see in the container is not the color you get on your skin. I tested Complete Me in Warm 1, the lightest shade of the more pink-toned colors, and it was too dark and too pink. If I got even a little carried away using a bit too much powder, I had to wash my face and start over. I do like what mineral makeup can do, though, and it is safe for those of us who are acne-prone, so I will continue to search for a good color.

You can find Complete Me at a Philosophy counter near you, on the philosophy.com site, or at one of the online beauty stores. I got mine from ibeauty.com.