Gentle Cleansing Cream 1 ($10 for 4 ounces)
If you follow the directions, this is a nice cleanser for dry skin that is not irritated by the use of a washcloth - you can rinse this cleanser off, but a washcloth makes it much easier. It does a fair job of removing makeup, has minimal fragrance, and works well with just a small amount.

Creamy Cleanser 2 ($10 for 6.5 ounces)
Very similar to the Gentle Cleansing Cream, you can splash this one off, or use a washcloth. It is more fluid than the cream, removes makeup just as well, and is a good choice for somewhat dry or normal skin that likes a more milky cleanser that doesn't foam or lather.

Moisture Rich Mask 1 ($12 for 4 ounces)
I like that all MK's masks are exfoliating as well as deep cleaning or moisturizing. This one has tiny waxy beads in a creamy base, great as a scrub or a mask for dry skin. Great in the shower!

Revitalizing Mask 2 ($12 for 4 ounces)
I was not as happy with this mask - it has ground up shells and seeds that are too sharp and jagged for your skin. Exfoliating should always be gentle. If you have normal to oily skin, the clay base of this mask is nice for excess oil, just be careful about how much scrubbing you do.

Hydrating Freshener 1 ($11 for 6.5 ounces)
This level one toner for dry skin is the only one that doesn't contain alcohol, so it's the only one I tried. I'm not a fan of alcohol in toners because they strip too much of the natural moisture from your face, which, if you are oily, only makes your skin produce more oil to make up for the dryness. This freshener does contain menthol, arnica, and peppermint, which can be irritating to sensitive skin, but it also contains allantoin and aloe, which are soothing. This is definitely worth sampling first before you buy to see if it works for you.

Enriched Moisturizer 1 ($16 for 4 ounces)
This is a very basic, and fairly effective, moisturizer that contains mostly water and mineral oil. If you are extremely dry, you'll need something more emollient as this lotion is somewhat thin, but for normal to dry skin, it's lightweight and works well.

Balancing Moisturizer 2 ($16 for 4 ounces)
Very similar to the Enriched Moisturizer, I really couldn't tell the difference on my face between the two. For normal skin as a daily moisturizer, this is a fine choice. The only thing both lotions are missing is sunscreen.

Acne Treatment Gel ($6 for 1.5 ounces)
For the occasional blemishes, this 5% benzoyl peroxide cream-gel works well and doesn't overdry the skin. I tried it on a few pesky pimples and saw excellent results within 2 days.

Day Radiance 2 Liquid Foundation SPF8 ($11 for 1 ounce)
MK believes that foundation is part of your skin care routine, as a protectant from the environment, so it's included with your initial skin care purchase. I've been very pleased so far with this liquid foundation for its medium coverage, smooth demi-matte finish, and allday wear without caking or fading. The color selection is decent, and you can choose from oil-free liquid, regular liquid, or compact cream.

I also had fun playing with MK colors, and created these looks:

1. "Crystalline" shadow with "sable" pencil on eyes, "desert bloom" and "camel" blushes on cheeks, "suede" lipstick with "choice chocolate" liner

2. "White sand", "spun silk", and "truffle" (as liner) shadows on eyes, "azalea" blush on cheeks, "chocolate mousse" lipstick with "choice chocolate" liner

All of the MK colors lasted well throughout the day, especially the lipsticks. Overall, I'm glad I finally tried Mary Kay and can recommend most of their products as effective and reasonably priced. For more information about Mary Kay, visit them online at www.marykay.com, or contact your local consultant.