Since the first time I tried my roommate's Rosemary Mint hair conditioner back in 1991, I have been hooked on Aveda. It wasn't until I started frequenting an Aveda salon to get my hair done that I finally bought some of the hair products. Now that my husband is hooked, too, we are an Aveda-exclusive household!

Recently, on my quest for a new fall/winter skin care routine, I decided to give the Aveda skin care line a try. A new Aveda Lifestyle Store and Spa just opened here in downtown Portland, so I visited to check the place out and see about some samples. Even though they had no proper containers in the store for samples, the woman who was helping me wanted to make sure I could try the products. She actually poured the samples into little paper drinking cups for me so I could take them home! Is that service or what?

So what did I think of the products? Here's a list of the samples I got plus how I feel about them:

• Purifying Cream Cleanser $18 for 5.5 ounces
  Even though it was a little heavy for my normal-to-dry (rather than just dry) skin, this cleanser took off all my makeup, even mascara, and rinsed off relatively easily with just water. If your skin is more all-over dry, this cleanser may be a good choice, but see if you can try before you buy.
• Hydrating Lotion $24 for 5.5 ounces
  As face lotions go, this one was really nice, not too heavy, and has that great Aveda scent. If your skin is normal-to-dry or dry, this would be a good choice.
• All Sensitive Cleanser $19 for 5.5 ounces
  "All Sensitive" is a new line from Aveda designed for people with sensitive skin. Since mine does tend to be sensitive, I thought I'd give it a try. I was surprised that I liked this cleanser better than than the Purifying Cream Cleanser. I thought it would be heavier and less rinseable, but it was actually very effective. It is very creamy, though, so if you are used to something that foams, this may take some getting used to. All in all a very nice product that worked well on my sensitive skin.
• All Sensitive Lotion $28 for 5.5 ounces
  I think product is designed more for a truly dry skin type that is also sensitive. In warmer weather, I found it too be a bit too heavy and emollient for my skin, but in the cold winter wind, this lotion is a welcome comforter. A little goes a long way with this product, so the bottle should last a long time.
• Skin Firming/Toning Agent 5.5 ounces
  I didn't notice any visible firming with this spray-on toner, but it is very refreshing (thankfully without alcohol or witch hazel) and nicely moisturizing. In the winter, I actually prefer this spray toner over a wipe-away version because it is much more soothing. This Firming/Toning Agent is basically rosewater, so if you like a simple toner and you're an Aveda fan, this one is a good choice.
• All Sensitive Toner $18 for 5.5 ounces
  This toner is similar to the Skin Firming/Toning Agent except that is has a much lighter fragrance. This is a very light toner that would be good if you like an added layer of moisture on your face before you apply your moisturizer.
• Intensive Hydrating Masque $30 for 5.5 ounces
  If your skin is feeling the effects of the cold outside and the heat inside, this mask is worth a try. Andrea at my local Aveda Spa sent me home yet again with my sample in a paper dixie cup! This mask is a clear gel that you can either apply in a thick layer, leave on for 5-10 minutes and rinse off, or you can apply a thin layer and just let it completely soak in. My ultimate test was trying it after a night of waiting outside for over an hour to see Star Wars at my local movie theater! My skin was so dehydrated from the cold that after about 5 minutes of letting the mask soak in, there was really nothing left to wipe away! Thankfully it left my skin feeling softer and more comfortable.

  Color Cosmetics

• Dual Performance Creme Powder foundation $22.00 plus $12.00 for the optional refillable silver compact
  After using MAC Studio Fix for years, it was a leap of faith for me to try another line's powder-based foundation. I was very pleasantly surprised with the incredibly smooth texture and softness of this one from Aveda. I also found a terrific color for my skin ("Cream") that was a much better match. Too many foundations these days are either too pink or too yellow for my skin. If you have normal, slightly oily, slightly dry, or combination skin, this creme powder from Aveda is a great, quick and easy foundation choice.