Total Effects Full Treatment Lipcolor ($10.25)
Olay is doing something very interesting with their newest cosmetic launch from their Total Effects line - the new foundation and lipstick are currently only available online (coming nationwide in March 2001 to mass and online retailers, drug stores and supermarkets). Both products contain the Total Effects VitaNiacin complex of Vitamin E, panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) and niacinamide (Vitamin B3) that is supposed to hydrate and soften lips, and eventually help them look younger. I think the best ingredient in this lipstick to help with aging is the SPF 15 sunscreen. Yes, even your lips can get sun damaged.

I decided to try my luck with nectar, truffle, holly and crimson. Of the four, I like Crimson the best; it's an everyday, wearable medium rose. Because the lipstick shades are fairly opaque (the color does not let your lip color show through), Nectar was much to pale and ghostly for me, Truffle was not the most complementary of light browns, and Holly ended up being a brighter fuchsia than I expected. Crimson is the best for me, and I've enjoyed its creamy texture and comfortable feel - you know it's there, but it doesn't feel thick or pasty.

To see the colors, visit http://www.total-effects.com/cosmetics/lips.html.

review: 1/01

All Day Moisture Stick Foundation ($11.25)
When a friend told me recently that she tried this new foundation from Oil of Olay and loved it - comparing it to Vincent Longo Water Canvas, no less - I knew I had to try it. I had high hopes for a lightweight makeup that would look more like real skin than makeup, but this can't replace Water Canvas for me.

For starters, Moisture Stick is very, very sheer, to the point where it made me wonder why I was putting anything on at all. The only upside is that it does dry down to a nice finish that kept my skin hydrated and natural looking all day - something I can't say about any other stick foundation I've used on my winter dry skin. I just wish the coverage was better.

I could have lived with sheer coverage and just used a concealer, but I won't live with the pimples I got from Moisture Stick after wearing it for just three days. My most prone area - my chin - already red from past blemishes, was Breakout Central where I layered on Moisture Stick trying to get extra coverage. A quick glance at the ingredient list revealed carrageenan (seaweed), which can cause acne for some people. Apparently I am one of those people. This is not a concern for everyone, so if you are acne-prone and this foundation sounds appealing to you, make sure you purchase it from a store that takes returns, just in case.

The best quality of Moisture Stick is the cool feeling on the skin when you put it on. It is so cool and wet, it's almost spongy. It dries quickly, so I recommend drawing a few swipes on one area of your face, like a cheek, blending it completely, then repeating that all over your face. If you apply it all over your face and then try to blend, you may be stuck with makeup that won't budge.

Moisture Stick is designed for normal to dry skin and comes in ten wearable colors from the lightest Fair Honey (the color I got) to the deepest Dark Honey. You should be able to find it in stores now.

review: 1/00

Complete Radiance Compact Foundation ($13.95) in Fair Honey
This new makeup from Oil of Olay will be coming in March to a drugstore near you; I was fortunate enough to get a sample ahead of time. Oil of Olay is doing a great job of expanding their cosmetic line, and for the non-acne prone, this is a nice new choice in powder-based foundations. Complete Radiance powder has a soft, silky feel with medium coverage that is lightly oil absorbing. It also has broad spectrum SPF 15 sun protection and comes in 10 natural looking shades. I like that it doesn't emphasize dry areas of the face, and it doesn't get oily or shiny looking by the middle of the day. What did not thrill me was the pimples it gave me, thanks to tocopherol and dioctyl succinate, two acne-causing ingredients. This is yet another lesson that you can't always believe the product package - this one says non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic. If this is not a concern for you, then you might like the look, feel, and fairly reasonable price.

review: 1/00

Shine Control Foundation
Oil of Olay's line has two foundations: this one labelled for combination and oily skin, and another one labelled for dry skin. I couldn't decide which would be better for me, since the ingredients on the tube are very similar, so I took a chance with this one. I wore this foundation every day for a week, and I never really liked it. The consistency is thin, the coverage fairly sheer, but the worst part in my opinion is the way my skin looked after just a few hours - shiny! Considering that my skin isn't even oily, the fact that this so-called "shine control" actually created shine is not a big plus in my book. I would not buy this again.

One observation about Oil of Olay's foundation: all the fashion magazines have been promoting the All Day Moisture version, and it's that formula, not the Shine Control formula, that Oil of Olay is sending samples of in the mail. Maybe they know that the Shine Control version is inferior... Just a thought :)

Concealer
What Oil of Olay's foundations lack is definitely made up for with their concealer. This is a great creamy stick that works just as well for undereye circles as it does for blemishes. I like to apply it with my finger or a brush rather than straight from the stick for the best coverage and control. I would buy this again.

Blush in "Soft Rosewood"
Much like the new makeup from Neutrogena (read my review in the March 28th Cosmetic Report), Oil of Olay also decided to use some fairly dated packaging, much to my dismay. This small squarish bit of blush comes with a "blush" brush that is so small, you could use it for eye shadow. Do yourself a favor and get a real blush brush. As for the blush itself, the selection of colors leaves a bit to be desired - quite a few bright, unnatural shades that I doubt would complement very many skintones. I think I picked the best of the bunch for my skin (soft rosewood), but even it is bright enough that I have to take care in applying just a little and blending it really well. I would not buy this again.

Eye Shadow Duo in "Autumn & Spring"
Much like the blush selection, the colors Oil of Olay offers for eye shadow need a little improvement. The duo I chose is one of the few wearable color sets; the "autumn" color is a medium plum brown, while the "spring" shade is medium pink pearl with a hint of gold shimmer. Too many of the other sets have bright blues and pinks that aren't as universally flattering as they could be. The texture is nice, though, and stayed crease-free for most of the day - a definite plus. If you can find shades that work for you, these shadows are worth trying.

Beauty Mascara
Along with the concealer, this mascara is a real find. The look is natural but full and well defined. I had no problems with globs, smearing, or flaking, and it washes off easily with regular facial cleanser.

Lipstick in "Fresh Plum"
Okay, so I liked half of the Oil of Olay products I tried! This lipstick has a smooth, creamy feel and comes in a good range of colors. This shade is a medium pink-plum that reminds me of the color you get on your lips when you eat fresh blackberries. The colors available in the lipsticks are much better than the blush or eyeshadow. A few of the other colors include "spicy red", "brazil", "autumn leaves", and "cobblestone".

Oil of Olay cosmetics are now available at drug and mass retail stores around the US like Target, Walmart, Drug Emporium, Long's, etc. The snazzy lighted display has a mirror, testers (yay!), and color suggestions for different skintones.