Have you been eyeing the calendar lately wondering when winter will finally be over? If you consider the new colors at the cosmetic counters lately as any indication, spring is definitely right around the corner! Lines like Lancome, Prescriptives, Estee Lauder, and Origins are all blooming with cheerful pastels and soft browns and purples to help you shake off those winter blahs. Origins has also introduced two new products just in time for spring: "Sprinkler System" facial spray freshener, and "Mind Your Mouth" lip balm. Some stores are also doing Origins makeover promotions with their new spring colors, complete with a take-home gift! Definitely worth investigating!

Since I've spent a bit of time at the Origins counter lately, I've had a chance to try their Original Skin foundation in all three levels of coverage, appropriately named "Some", "More", and "Most". Having fair skin and rosey cheeks always makes me a candidate for what I call the Pink Face Syndrome - cosmetic companies think because I have fair skin, I must be very pink, too. The first Original Skin samples in "Porcelain" were, of course, way too pink. I looked like I slathered my face in calamine lotion! My second try with "Ivory" was much better, but then I couldn't find a coverage that I liked. "Some" was too sheer to even bother putting on, "More" was streaky and a bit hard to blend, and "Most" was too opaque and matte for someone with relatively normal skin. If your skin is more oily and you need a good coverage with some oil control, "Most" might work for you. All in all, I think Origins' idea of three formulas is great, but none of them really did anything for me.

One more quick Origins' note: I did find a great product for sore muscles called Muscle Easing On the Spot Gel. Apply this cream-gel to sore shoulders, neck, legs, or wherever you need it for instant relief, and a nice touch of aromatherapy. Great if you carry a heavy purse, backpack, or briefcase around all day!

I've gotten a few requests lately from readers wondering about Chanel products and if they are worthy of those high price tags. This week I decided to investigate, starting with Chanel's new "Teint Caresse Naturel" Natural Perfection Makeup in Soft Ivory. Although the coverage is considered sheer, I found it to be just enough to cover any slight redness or uneven skin tone without looking like makeup. It was a little hard to blend at first, but using a very slightly dampened sponge helped. After setting it with a little powder, the color looked natural and lasted all day without getting cakey, crumbly, or shiny, even on my shine-prone forehead. I did like this foundation, but would I switch from paying $18 for MAC Satin Finish to paying $40 for Chanel? For a change of pace and a less emollient texture, I would definitely consider it, but don't feel like you have to spend $40 to get a quality foundation. You don't.

The last item on this week's cosmetic shopping list was Clinique's new treatment product, Exceptionally Soothing Lotion (or cream) for Upset Skin. I tried both the lotion and the cream, and I can't say that either one really helped relieve any itchy or red spots on my skin that much. With the main ingredient being hydrocortisone, which can be found in your average over-the-counter drugstore itch lotion, I'm not sure why Clinique believes their $30 formula is so much better. Clinique has actually been liberal with sample packets of this product, so if you have sensitive skin, I'd say try it for yourself and see if you think it's worth $30.