When I get the chance to visit a Stila counter, I go crazy! This week, we've got even more cool colors from Stila of their new All Over Shimmers. Check out these four great shades of allover lip, eye, and cheek color, along with descriptions.

Each creamy shimmer color sells for $28 and comes in Stila's famous aluminum tube (decorated in deep midnight blue with gold stars). For a glowing new look, or a quick way to update colors you already have, these shimmers are great fun!

The hot lipstick color for fall is my favorite (and soon to be yours): RED! I've scoured the drugstore and department store lines for the best reds for fall, and here they are! Whether you favor true blue red, or a warm brown red, you're sure to find something just for you this season.

• MAC "Dubonnet"
• Prestige "Sheer Berry"
• Lord & Berry Intense "Scarlet"
• Stila Lipshine "red shine"
• Maybelline Great Wear "Garnet"
• L'Oreal "Sheer Robin"
• Bobbi Brown "Burnt Red"
• Clarins Secret de Rouge "#203"
• Origins "Huckleberry"
• Circle of Beauty Rich & Lasting Cream "#029 Rich Real Red"
• English Ideas "Royal Red"
• Beauticontrol Color Freeze "Siren"
• Christian Dior "Autumn Rose"

Our third installment of our makeup brush reviews series continues this week with a look at some basic brushes from Estee Lauder.

1. Powder ($20) - I like the full, soft bristles, but they are cut in a strange angled shape. A few bristles came out when I pulled on them (a good way to test the quality of the craftsmanship), which is not a good sign.

2. Blush ($18.50) - The small tapered shape and soft bristles give a soft application of color. No bristles fell out, but there were a few gaps between the bristles and the ferrule (the metal piece that clamps the bristles onto the handle), which could scrape the skin if it got too close.

3. Square shading for eyes ($15) - I like this shape and the softness of the bristles very much. If you usually use one shadow color, this is a nice soft brush for smooth, allover color.

4. Eyeshadow/Contouring ($12.50) - This is a knock-off of MAC's #36 crease brush. The bristles are soft but floppy, making any serious crease application next to impossible.

5. Angled eyeshadow/brows ($12.50) - This brush may be good for smudgy liner, but it's much too soft for precise brow or crease color.

6. Concealer ($12.50) - I typically like a brush to place concealer, then I use my finger to blend it out. This is a nice shape, and large enough to cover undereye circles in one sweep.

I've had so much fun catalog shopping lately, that I've decided to continue and share my findings. On trips to cities that actually carry Benefit cosmetics, I've had the pleasure of choosing some of their products right from the stores and counters. This week, I took a chance and ordered from the catalog a few items I had never seen before: All Types Skin Wash, Alpha Smooth toner, and Eye Lift.

If you like Cetaphil cleanser but always seem to need a separate eye makeup remover to get mascara and shadow off, check out Benefit's All Types Skin Wash ($14 for 4 ounces). It looks and feels just like Cetaphil, only it's much better at removing makeup.

I've been using BeneFit's Seven % AHA cream for the past few months with great results, but it wasn't until I added the Alpha Smooth toner ($18 for 4 ounces) to my cleansing routine that I really saw a difference in some more stubborn areas (especially minimizing the number of blackheads and little forehead bumps). I was worried that a toner with 5% glycolic acid would irritate my sensitive skin, but it is actually one of the gentlest toners I've ever used (the 4th ingredient is aloe vera gel). For a toner that actually does something, this is a terrific choice.

My only disappointment was with Eye Lift ($25 for one ounce). This eye cream claims to smooth and tighten the eye area; for me, the plant extracts were more of an irritant than a soother. Any eye cream can temporarily smooth wrinkles by plumping them up with moisture, and this one is no different. It does help reduce puffiness, but the overall possibility for irritation makes it hard for me to recommend, especially at this price.

For our final reviews this week, a look at Elizabeth Arden's Modern SkinCare line. Based on samples of the 2 in 1 Cleanser, Skin Illuminating Complex, and Daily Moisture SPF 15, here's what I thought of them:

• 2 in 1 Cleanser ($17.50 for 4.2 ounce tube)
  A fine cleanser for normal, combination, or normal-to-oily skin. The creamy lather cleanses the skin, doesn't leave it dried out or tight, and doesn't require a toner afterwards. With so many cleansers to choose from, this one does the job but is really nothing special.

• Skin Illuminating Complex ($42.50 for one ounce)
  After using my sample for several days, I noticed no positive difference in my skin. I imagine it would take several weeks to really see any change, but I have a hard time spending $42.50 for such a tiny bottle of lotion that is supposed to do the same thing as Avon's retinol cream ($17.50). It does contain squalane, which is a known antibacterial that is beneficial to the skin, but I didn't like the thin texture and filmy appearance this lotion left on my skin. For the benefits of squalane, I would sooner choose something like BeneFit's Hyaluronic Cream ($24) instead.

• Daily Moisture SPF 15 ($32.50 for 1.7 ounces)
  An average but overpriced lotion for normal-to-oily or oily skin. It was not moisturizing enough for my combination skin, so I had to use a separate moisturizer underneath (defeats the purpose of their three simple product approach).

Make your opinion count! Have you ever searched and searched for the best cleanser or foundation out there, only to be completely overwhelmed by all the choices? Make it easier for your fellow cosmetic junkies to learn about the best products out there with Cosmetic Connection's Best Beauty Products Reader's Survey. Speak your mind today!