I must admit, I've been an absolute MAC fiend since I started using their makeup. Being of Canadian decent, I'm lucky to have a large family living in the Toronto area. My female cousins were raving about MAC's lipsticks long before anyone in the U.S. even knew about them! When I finally tried them, I realized what all the fuss was about. I've amassed quite a large collection of MAC cosmetics that keeps growing, and growing...

Now, MAC is available pretty much everywhere this side of Canada, with help from their new website (maccosmetics.com), so everyone can experience their wonderful products. I was really excited when their new skin care line came out last month. Here's what I tried:

Green Gel Cleanser ($15.00 for a 5 oz. bottle)
If you're a fan of foamy cleansers, you must try this one. It lathers up really well and foams away makeup and dirt efficiently without irritation. There are similar products at and below this price point, but I feel this one is really worth trying. If you are normal-to-oily, you'll be happy with it. And, no need to waste time with a toner afterwards. Besides, there are none in the new line.

Oil Control Lotion ($22.00 for a 1.7 oz. bottle)
For me, this is the star product of this line. It keeps my skin hydrated and manages to banish shine all day without any need for powdering. Will someone please tell me where I left my pressed powder compact?!

Strobe Cream ($25.00 for a 1.7 oz. tube)
This cream is supposed to add glow and vitality to tired, stressed out skin. I used it repeatedly and didn't notice much of a change. If you're looking to boost your skin's glow, I would suggest trying MAC's wonderful Hyper Real foundation and pass on this cream. You'll thank me.

Fast Response Eye Cream ($25.00 for a 1/2 oz. tube)
This is a great, basic eye cream to use morning and night. It hydrates and softens the eye area at night, and works well on puffiness and dark circles in the morning. It won't interfere with eye makeup, so your mascara will stay put.

Scrub Mask ($16.50 for a 3.6 oz. tube)
This is a gentle clay scrub that performs really well if you use it in the shower. I wasn't thrilled about it as a mask. It took forever to dry and really didn't do anything that amazing for my skin. I'll stick with it as an exfoliating option only. It's totally non-irritating for everyday use.

Wipes ($12.50 for 45 cloths)
These really came in handy during the humid dog days of August. They're packaged in a re-sealable soft plastic sleeve. They're bigger than Ponds or Biore cloths and smell like green tea. Very good for midday refreshment, and taking off makeup at the end of the day.

Blot Film ($10.00 for 30 sheets)
These sheets are identical to Clean 'n Clear's blotting papers, except they're a bit larger. They'll wipe any shine right off your face without disturbing your makeup. If cost is a factor, go with Clean 'n Clear. Odds are, you won't be able to tell the difference.

In addition to the new website, you can find MAC in the U.S. at select Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and Dillards department stores, as well as in freestanding MAC stores. Generous samples of all the Pro-Preferred skin care items are available.

Happy shopping!