As I'm sure you can imagine, I spend a fair amount of time at makeup counters, drugstores, and beauty supply stores tracking down the newest, coolest, and next "must-have" products. Sometimes I'm looking for something specific, and sometimes I'm just plain looking. This week, my mission was to find real solutions to common beauty problems, like peeling nails, gloppy mascara, and unmanageable skin.

If you were blessed with perfect nails, lucky you! For the rest of us, dry, brittle, peeling, and breaking nails are one of those nagging beauty problems that never seems to go away. For me, everyday activities like computer work and household chores make my nails split and peel. On a recent visit to a local beauty supply store, I spotted Poshe 4 in 1 treatment base for nails (around $14; 1-888-POSHE-4-U) and decided to give it a try. While most nail treatments only work if you apply them faithfully every night for weeks on end, you can apply this one every few days, or once a week if you like. I found it works better under polish or at least under a topcoat; by itself it wore off too quickly on the tips of my nails, where I need the protection the most. After cutting my nails a bit shorter to remove any seriously peeling areas, and using Poshe for two weeks under my regular polish, my nails are stronger and haven't started peeling at all. If you have peeling, splitting, dry, or weak nails, give Poshe 4 in 1 a try for a few weeks for a real difference.

If ever there was an endless search for a cosmetic product, it is foundation. With so many brands, formulas, and colors to choose from, you'd think it would be foolproof by now, right? This week I actually found a brand to seriously consider: Revlon Professional. Sold at Sally Beauty Supply stores, this line includes a fabulous liquid foundation ($8.99) that easily rivals any other brand I've tried. No kidding! I was skeptical when I read "for all skin types" on the bottle, but the claims really are true: it is long wearing, has adjustable, natural looking coverage, and a smooth and even application on any skin type. With a complete range of a dozen or so colors from fair ivory to deep chocolate, and an incredible under $10 price tag, you won't want to pass this up!

For those of you who love Bobbi Brown's lip gloss, you'll find Revlon Professional lip gloss ($4.99) is just as emollient and just as long lasting for about 1/3 the price! The brush applicator is practically identical to Bobbi Brown's, and with great colors like "brownie", "fig", and "pink pout", why spend $18 for one Bobbi when you can have three Revlon Professional? Another must have!

Another on-going search is for the "perfect" skin care products. Most of the skin care questions I get from readers like you asks, "How do I get rid of pimples and keep them from coming back?" Or my personal favorite, because I can really identify with it, "Why I am I getting pimples at my age? I thought this was supposed to stop!" While no one skin care system works for every face, Garden Botanika's new Skin Correcting line might just be the solution you've been looking for. The collection includes: Deep Cleansing Face Wash ($10 for 8 ounces), Cleansing Bar (if you like a bar cleanser; $4) Purifying Toning Lotion ($10 for 8 ounces), Corrective Blemish Treatment gel ($7.50 for .5 ounce), Essential Moisture Lotion (oil-free) ($10.50 for 1.7 ounces), and Activated Charcoal Mask ($10 for 3.4 ounce tube). The main active ingredient in most of the products, salicylic acid, together with botanicals like tea tree, bilberry, willow bark, grape seed, and passionflower extracts, act to keep the skin free of the bacteria that cause blemishes in the first place.

I had my doubts about Garden Botanika's claim that any skin type can use this line, but even my normal-to-dry, only slightly acne prone skin has responded well to it. The face wash does lather, but it is not drying at all. The alcohol free toner is also non-drying and has mild salicylic acid that penetrates your pores to prevent oil and dead cell buildup that can start pimples. The moisture lotion is lightweight, which is nice for oily skin; if you have drier skin, just use two pumps of lotion instead of one to get the moisture your skin needs. For all-over oily or broken out skin, the charcoal mask really helps by drawing out excess oil; if you have dry skin, use it only on oily or blemished areas of your face (I use it in the T-zone). For spot treatment, the blemish gel works overnight or under makeup to reduce blemishes and keep them from coming back.

For Garden Botanika locations or a catalog, call 1-800-968-7842.

My final excellent find this week was Maybelline Volum Express mascara ($3.99) in "Berry Brown", a hot new color for fall. It builds full lashes easily in one coat without clumping, flaking, or smearing. For a great fall look, this formula and color can't be beat; I even tried Lancome's Definicils mascara ($16) in their new fall color, "Porto", only to find it looked exactly the same and wore just as well as Maybelline's! Why pay more?

The Makeup Diva is In! For anyone just getting started with makeup, the choices can be overwhelming. This week, Miss Diva gives her tips for essential makeup basics. Don't miss it!

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 new Reader's Survey. Speak your mind today!