Happy Holidays from the Cosmetic Connection!

It's $10 Challenge time again! If you are new to this ultimate drugstore scavenger hunt, here's how it works: take $10 into a drug or discount store and see what cool products you can find. Simple! For our 5th installment of this Cosmetic Connection favorite, I discovered these products at my local Drug Emporium store:

Almay Extra Moisturizing Under Eye Cover Cream ($3.49)
If you have oily skin, you might not select this concealer with a name like "extra moisturizing", but you'd be missing out on something that might give you the stay-put coverage you're looking for. With a consistency that is actually more powdery than moisturizing, Almay Extra Moisturizing is really better suited to oily skin than dry any day. If you have fines lines or dry skin, I'd sooner recommend Revlon New Complexion, Stila, Bobbi Brown, which are more creamy.

Wet & Wild Mega Colors lipstick "toasted coconut" ($0.89)
I must admit, in the 10+ years that I have been a "cosmetic enthusiast", this was my first time trying Wet 'n Wild! Thankfully, I overcame my skepticism and found out how great their lipsticks are! Stick with matte neutrals or classic shades and you'll find Wet 'n Wild is actually better than some department store brands. What a great find!

M Professional mascara "black" ($2.99)
This mascara easily joins the ranks of other drugstore mascaras that I love (Jane, L'Oreeal, Max Factor). It has a full, densely packed brush that delivers clump-free lash building and lengthening color in just a few strokes. Perfect!

Revlon Velvet Touch lipstick "sherry seduction" ($3.29)
Another huge hit of this $10 Challenge, this lipstick from Revlon re-defines "velvet". If you like full, rich color with great staying power, this lipstick is it. With beautiful colors and an incredible silky feel, you just can't beat it, especially at this price.

During a routine search for new sites and interesting cosmetics online, I discovered that Lush Cosmetics, the popular all natural, fresh ingredient line from England, has a website at lushcanada.com. From their famous bath bombs to solid shampoo and great smelling bath and shower gels, Lush has a great selection that tempted me to pick up a few things right online!

I love shower gels instead of soap, so I couldn't resist crush, a yummy orange juice infused fragrance ($7.95 canadian), and back to breakfast, another citrus favorite with lemon, grapefruit and lime ($9.95 canadian). Great for a fresh morning wake-up!

To combat dry, winter skin, I love Lush's dream cream ($14.95 canadian), a thick, rich cream packed with essential oils like rose, chamomile, tea tree, and lavender. Combined with cocoa butter, this is the ultimate fresh hand and body lotion.

For my last indulgence, I can never resist a new cleanser, so spring cleanser for all skin types ($9.95 canadian) with its fresh cucumber and chamomile was a perfect choice. I love it in the shower or after a long day when my skin really needs to feel refreshed. Check out Lush Online for these and lots of other great fresh products.

Cosmetic Connection is pleased to finally bring you long-awaited reviews of Mary Kay cosmetics and skin care, coming up in next week's report. I have been pleasantly surprised with many of the products, so you're sure to enjoy the reviews, complete with makeup looks I've tried. See you next week!

The Makeup Diva is In! Red lipstick is a natural choice and beautiful look for the holidays, but how do you keep the rest of your makeup from competing? Miss Diva offers her tips for a classic look in this week's Ask The Makeup Diva column. Pucker up!