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THE COSMETIC REPORT
July 18, 1997

During the summer, doing complicated makeup and fussing with my hair are two things that seldom interest me! I want quick and easy, but I also want the products I choose to do more - like one pencil that does the job of three, or an eye cream that smooths fine lines and has extra sun protection.

When it comes to dealing with my hair, the less I have to do to it, the better. I want softness and volume without complicated blowdrying techniques, or three or four individual products for volume, shine, and hold. After discovering KMS Haircare recently, I decided to put their AMP Volume line of shampoo ($6.50), reconstructor ($8.50), and styling foam ($8.96) to the test with my fine, dry, flyaway hair. Made with Amino acids, Magnesium and Panthenol (hence the name AMP), these products are supposed to add substantial volume to fine hair without weighing it down.

While I found that they really do give fine hair a lift, the compromise is hair that is a bit stiff and almost gritty, like the hair is heavily coated. What this added "texture" is great for, however, is involved hair styles like french twists, ponytails, and up-do's that fine hair can often slip out of; for someone with fine hair that is often unmanageable, being able to actually style the hair is a fair trade for a little stickiness!

Although many women experience more oily skin in the summer, moisturizers are still a standard in most beauty routines because these days they do more than just hydrate. From controlling oil to exfoliating the skin, a lotion that does that job of three separate products has become the new standard. Kiehl's Ultra Protection Moisturizing Eye Gel SPF 18 ($28.50) is a great example - it moisturizes the delicate eye area, reduces puffiness, makes the undereye area appear more firm, and gives the added protection of SPF 18 sunscreen, which helps prevent wrinkles and dryness from sun damage. The cream-gel formula is light enough to absorb quickly but thick enough to provide adequate moisturizing benefits.

For a body lotion with an extra kick, check out BeneFit's Wonderbod 10% AHA lotion ($24 for 8 ounces). This product outperforms regular body lotions by smoothing the skin in two ways - it hydrates and exfoliates. Use this lotion for a few weeks on legs, elbows, wherever, and you can say goodbye to scaly dry skin. Be warned, however, that the "peppery tingle" the label warns about is pretty strong, so do a spot test to make sure your skin can handle it. My sensitive skin was seriously itchy for several minutes the first two or three times I applied it, then it subsided.

For a very fun evening or "going out" look with just one product, I love BeneFit's new "Gilded!" gold pencil ($14) for eyes, lips (over lipstick or alone), and cheeks (over blush or alone). The sparkly gold color looks glamorous and gives a whole new look to your usual makeup colors. Very fun and versatile!

For a fresh outdoor look, great for a casual weekend or lazy summer day, BeneFit's BeneTint lip and cheek stain ($24) gives a healthy rosey glow that lasts longer than any regular blush or lipstick. BeneTint's red liquid mix of real rose petals and soothing glycerin comes bottled like nail polish with a brush on the cap and a blending sponge. If you like no-fuss makeup, BeneTint delivers great all-day color. One small note: it works better on bare cheeks - when it hits foundation, it dries too quickly to blend. Try putting it on first, then apply foundation lightly over it.

I frequently get email from Cosmetic Connection readers asking me what I do with all the products I test after I've tested them. If it was a product I really liked, I'll often incorporate it into my regular cosmetics or skin care. For those items that just didn't work for me, like an eyeshadow that was the wrong color or a moisturizer that was too heavy for my skin, I'll trade it in for something I *do* want at Mikki's Swap Page. Mikki's done a super job at making it easy to post and swap all those cosmetics that may be junk to you but a treasure to somebody else. The searchable database is great if you are looking for something specific, and her new Swap Soiree message board lets you chat with other swappers. Mikki's Swap Page is pay service, but her special of $9 a year for unlimited swapping is really worth it, especially if you have as many cosmetics as I do!

The Makeup Diva is In! Do you ever have a cosmetic complaint, suggestion, or question that you'd love to ask the cosmetic companies themselves? This week Miss Diva offers a list of phone numbers to some of the most asked about lines. Don't miss it!

We've also got a great new Feature for July from Product Panelist, Sondra. Sondra shares her picks for the best makeup lines for women of color. A must read!


 

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