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FEATURE FOCUS: YOUR HAIR: You may have been hiding it under hats for the past few months, but soon, there will be no place for "hat hair" to hide!  Here are some products to help make sure your hair is as beautiful as the rest of you! 

RUSK is known for high quality hair products, but they have high quality hair styling tools, as well. Good beauty tools are an investment, and I want to give you enough information so you know what you are getting before you buy, so I am reviewing one of two Rusk electronic styling tools in this column, and the other next month, in our APRIL column. Be sure to watch for it!   The Rusk Professional 2" Barrel Hot Air Amplifier $99.00 with natural boar bristles (stylists say they're best for your hair) and 600 watts of power, make hair smooth, silky, soft, and shiny hair -- with added volume and body--and quickly! Ceramic is the key to getting the look easily and safely. Ceramic holds heat evenly and longer, so you can dry your hair (or style damp hair) gently but effectively in less time, and avoid frying it in the process.    But there's something else that really makes this an exceptional tool -- a dual iconic port system may sound unsexy, but what it does is deliver millions of negative ions to your hair, making frizz disappear and softness and shine, even more apparent.   I have very thick hair and didn't need too much volume, but reviewers with limp hair loved the amplifying effect (you'll still need to use a spray or gel to keep it that way).  We loved the ergonomic handle (the brush is relatively light but this makes things more pleasant when you're holding it up for long periods of time). We also appreciate the the six speeds and choice of heat settings, since you may not always need the same amount of heat, every time. There's a limited, two-year warrantee as well, welcome when you're investing in professional tools that you expect will not only perform, but last a long time.  If your hair is always limp, you have perpetual "hat hair" or you just want to amp up the va-va-voom factor of your style, this is a "must-have," at a good price.

When you're styling your hair without the aid of an electrical appliance, great brushes are the key to great looking hair! . Stylists Edward Tricomi and colorist Joel Warren have created the Warren-Tricomi Brush Collection, offering six, do-it-yourself, professional quality bushes, that work for different types of hair and styling options. We tried the Large Vented Thermal Brush $40.00 (there's a medium size, too) which has a metal core for blow-drying, and  atural boar and nylon bristles for styling.  The brush is designed specifically to work with a hairdryer. The vents allow air to flow directly to your hair, while the metal core heats up to boost your styling powers. I must admit, I was skeptical that any brush could be worth this month, but it's the one I am habitually reaching for, time after time, becuase of the major different it's made in how much control I now have over styling my usually rebellious, hair. The design is key. The bristles start with slightly raised, nylon ones, that pull the hair into the brush where natural boar bristles smooth and polish each strand.  The result is smooth, perfectly styled hair! We liked the fact that even though the brush is large, it is lightweight, with a soft, easy-grip handle. Good tools, taken care of, last a long time and give you great results, every time you use them.   If you want to make it easier to style your hair with great results,  you can't go wrong investing just a bit of cash in some of these.

The Pro-V Line of products by Pantene is consistently wins raves from people, everywhere for good products at great prices.   If your hair is dry or damaged (or both) and you want to start treating it right before Summer arrives, start using Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Moisturizing Shampoo $3.99 13.5 fl. oz. The pearly-white, fruit-scented shampoo has a new complex (Amino Pro-V) to cleanse gently without stripping hair of essential moisture, while nourishing each strand with moisturizers to prevent split ends and frizz. The Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Moisturizing Conditioner $3.99 23.5 fl. oz. adds even more conditioning moisturizer and helps to repair already damaged strands by filling in gaps in the hair shaft surface and smoothing the hair cuticle. The result? Healthier, shinier, soften, better looking hair.  If your hair is really damaged, there are two restoring and moisturizing treatments to try, as well. It takes just three minutes to softer, silkier hair with Repair & Protect Intensive Restoration Treatment $3.99 6.8 oz. This product helps to reinforce your hair's natural strength while protecting it from additional breakage. These products are so inexpensive you can try all eight products in the Moisture Renewal line, and still not break your budget--what have you got to lose, except lackluster, dry, hair?!

Straight hair is a sophisticated, timeless look.  Some products on the market smooth and straighten, but the downside is that your hair is coated with greasy residue. Salon Straight Soothing Balm $5.00 5 fl. oz by MARK is a gel-based product that smoothes, conditions and fights flyways and frizz with a nearly weightless finish. Simply smooth on this on damp or dry hair, and let the lightly orange and sandalwood-scented product nourish your hair, protect it from the sun's damaging rays, and of course, make it smooth and sleek without leaving an oil slick behind! For additional shine, spritz on Salon Straight Shine Spray $5.00  4 fl. oz and let it amp up the healthy shine quotient of your hair. You'll not only get shine, you'll be protecting your hair from the sun's UV rays while nourishing, protecting and conditioning it.  As long as you're going to use products to help make your hair look good, you might as well do it some good, as well. These products definitely do both!

Put On Pieces are smart, clip-on hairpieces that are not only fun to use, but easy. In the past, "faux" hair looked so completely fake and one dimensional--and felt that way, too--that few women would dare to wear them unless they had to cover up thin or balding patches. Now, these modern hair add-ons are made of Kanekalon Vibralite, a synthetic that looks and feels more like healthy hair, with multi-tonal highlights make them look much more natural. You can even wash these in mild soap and water. Choose a color close to your own hair color to enhance a style, or pick one that obviously contrasts with your hair to try a temporary change without being stuck for more than the few seconds it takes to remove the hairpiece! Ponytails are all the rage for Spring (and into the Fall, as well) so we tried "Clique" $58.00 (photo) a straight, shoulder length bob on a simple, claw-clip, that reverses to a fuller, layered look. Simply pull your hair back, clip on the "ponytail" and you've got an instant, shiny, perfect hairdo! The easy claw clasp is a bit heavy, but it holds the hairpiece securely.  If you want to try something fun, try "Prism," $42.00 a short cluster of curls that dress up an updo, instantly,  or "Soft Curls" $58.00 - a soft cascade of curls that you can reverse for an even longer look. or one of ten styles from short to long. Whether your hair is thin or thick, or you want to go from short to long, straight to curly, in a flash, these are fun and fantastic!

The Charles Worthington Smart Fixx Line of hairstyling products are not only unisex, but can be mixed and matched to suit a wide variety of individual styles. We tend to think that curly hair just needs to dry without any assistance, but if you want shiny, manageable curls (not frizz), a bit of Smart FIXX Curl Enhancing Cream $6.99 4.5 fl. oz is in order! This pearly gel tames waves and curls without frizz, but the feel is natural, not  stiff and crunchy. Create everything from a soft wave to a spiral curl with just your hands, a blow dryer, or a diffuser. It's simply, and it works. If you love curls, you'll love this product.  We'll be reviewing more Charles Worthington, in April.

Joico is new to our review, this column, but we think the name really should be "joy-co" due to the smiles on reviewer's faces after using Joico products. Debuting this month is  Joico Color Endure Shampoo $9.95 10.1 fl. oz, Conditioner 10.1 fl. oz $11.95, and Leave-In Protectant 10.1 fl. oz  $12.95. These products contain antioxidants derived from green tea, broad spectrum protection from the sun's damaging rays (the kiss of death for colored hair!) and something called  "quadramine complex" comprised of the same 19 amino acids found in human hair. They're pleasantly, lightly scented with what we thought was a hint of fruit, but the press info says is actually a mix of tuberose, jasmine, violet and a hint of sandalwood. What you'll really notice, however, is the way the superb shampoo gently but thoroughly cleanses without dulling your color, and the way the conditioner and leave-in protectant leave your hair soft and shiny and nourished.   Does it help preserve your color?  Yes. Will you love these products for the way you hair looks anyway? Yes!  We hope to review more Joico products in future columns.

We have always coveted L'Occitane products for their classic products and packaging of the very highest quality.  The L'Occitane Olive Extra Gentle Shampoo $16.00 8.4 fl. oz (photo) is a great choice for men and women who like to shampoo frequently, without drying out their hair. A sturdy and attractive plastic bottle with gold cap holds a great, gentle shampoo created with A.O.C. olive oil that leaves hair clean, soft, and shiny, even if there is no time to use a conditioner!  Of course, if you use the Olive Daily Conditioner $14.00 8.4 fl. oz as well, you'll be getting an exceptional conditioner enriched with A.O.C. olive oil, olive water, lemon extract, and vinegar to provide additional benefits of a detangler and smoother  Your hair will be shiny, soft and easy to style without a hint of oil or heaviness.  The heavenly, citrus-cedar spa scent is unisex, and universally pleasing.

We first reviewed Thibiant Bevely Hills in our January Column, and we were very impressed. Even if you can't get to this upscale day spa, you can still pamper yourself with their high quality products. Thibiant Beverly Hills Spa Essentials For the Hair Replenishing Shampoo $14.00 8.5 fl. oz and Conditioner $14.00 6.7 fl. oz bring the same type of renewal and nourishment to your hair that the spa treatments provide for the rest of your body. These mild, lightly scented products work for every hair type, nourishing, repairing and cleansing without stripping hair. It's a simple regimen that leaves hair t soft, manageable and pretty--as it should be. 

Redken products always amaze and please us, and their new O1 Outshine Anti-Frizz Polishing Milk $14.95 3.4 fl. oz doesn't disappoint.  This multi-tasking styler comes in mild (01), medium (06-15) or maximum (16 & 26) holding formulas. The milky cream can be used on damp or dry hair as a styling or finishing product. It's not greasy, heavy or sticky, but shea butter, wheat protein, cationic plymers and silicones work together to make sure that even the mild (01) formula helps prevent frizz, adds shine, and helps create a style when blow-drying or air-drying. Try using a round, boar bristle brush (see above) for extra smoothness.

FOCUS ON FACIAL PRODUCTS: fashion isn't the only thing that changes with the seasons. Your skincare routine also needs updating when the weather starts to change. Here are some new and notable products to try, and some for specific skin challenges:

Why just cleanse your skin, when you can pamper mind and spirit? Stila's Petal Infusions Gel Cleanser $20.00 4.2 fl. oz is a softly scented, clear gel that gently gets rid of all the things you don't want on your face (eg. oil, dirt, makeup residue) and leaves it beautifully clean and ready to make your foundation look flawless. As with all the products in Stila's Petal Infusions Line, this cleanser (good for all skin types) has  essential oils to give you an aromatherapy experience while it works. Active ingredients include a yummy selection including: lime oil (to calm oily skin), Rosewood Oil (to aid in tissue regeneration), and also bauhinia essence, bottlebrush essence, and bush iris. This is a great cleanser that makes washing a treat, not a chore.

Can you fall in love, overnight? Definitely, if the object of your affections is Bobbi Brown Overnight Cream $50.00 debuting on makeup counters this month. It has sweet almond oil (to retain moisture), milk thistle extract (plums and smoothes tired skin) and a light, lavender extract, to calm and refresh. The cream is not your mother's "overnight" treatment. This one is lightweight and absorbs quickly, so your skin feels soft and pampered, but not greasy or sticky. This is a true "restorative," that works while you sleep to make your skin look and feel better, while an advanced protein activator boosts collagen production and reduces the look of fine, dry lines.  Finally, you'll love the way you look in the morning! Also new from Bobbi Brown this month are Buffing Grains For the Face $40.00 to luxuriously and gently exfoliate your skin -- without overdoing it.  The tiny, oatmeal-colored grains quickly turn into a soft paste when you mix then with with water, or your favorite (Bobbi Brown) cleanser. Japanese Adzuki Bean Powder is the star, encouraging skin cell turnover and eliminating dry patches. This new product provides a truly customized level of exfoliation. Massaging the do-it-yourself paste onto my skin for just a moment left it incredibly soft and glowing, in literally, seconds. The grains are dry, so this is be great for travel, too. TIP:   I don't know if this is sanctioned by Bobbi Brown, and it would be pricey except for stubborn, dry patches, but I also mixed the Buffing Grains with a bit of moisturizer and gently massaged it onto the back of my hand--the result? Instantly smoother skin with results I could actually see!

Olay's Complete Multi-Radiance Daily Illuminating UV Lotion $13.492.5 fl. oz is a multi-tasking moisturizer with a dual personality:  it's a broad spectrum UVA/UB sun screen (SPF 15),  has good hydrating qualities, and also contains natural light enhancers for the appearance of smoother, more even skintone -- all in one bottle. Reviewers liked the way their skin felt soft and smooth (thanks in part to Vitamin E, B3 and pro-vitamin b5). Even better, they were delighted with the immediate radiance their skin achieved thanks to an exclusive, radiance-vitamin complex with mandarin extract and light reflecting particles. And, since this product has SPF 15, your skin is protected from the sun's damaging rays without having to add yet another product to your face--economical, and a great time saver, too. There are two versions: Complete Multi-Radiance and Complete Multi-Radiance Fragrance Free. It's an innovative product that will make your face look great--and for just a few dollars. Another multi-tasker by OLAY is the new, Dual Action Cleanser and Toner $6.99 6.7 fl. oz. The plastic pump bottle holds a unique cleanser/toner that does both in one step!  This product features cucumber extract (refreshing!) and glycerin, which helps keep your skin from becoming overly dry. Reviewers liked the way this fruity-fresh cleanser made their skin feel healthy,  clean and firm, but not tight or dry. If you tend to get a bit lazy about applying a good toner as a second step, or if you just want to streamline your skincare routine, this is a nifty, new product you'll want to try.

We usually think of the luxe line, Jack Black, as being pretty much for men (lucky things), but they do have plenty of products just for women, and to share. One his/hers product we like is the Jack Black Line Smoother Face Moisturizer $26.00 3.3 0z with Natural Fruit Acids. It comes in the distinctive, cobalt-blue, plastic, Jack Black bottle. Inside, an unscented, lightweight moisturizer gives instant TLC to dry and maturing skin (and skin that doesn't want to get that way!). The key ingredients include: glycolic acid, grape seed extract, and Vitamin A (to minimize fine lines and wrinkles), along with Vitamin E (an anti-oxidant that protects skin from the sun's damaging rays), and pathenol and glycerin to moisturize and soften your skin.  A little goes a long way (a dab about the size of a nickel will work). It absorbs so fast you'll forget it's even there and yet it helps to minimize fine lines with regular use. If you want a moisturizing facial product that both of you can love, this is it!  TIP: is your man still not in a metrosexual frame of mind? Leave unisex products in the bathroom. Soon, his curiosity will get the better of him. Once he realizes how great good products make him look and feel, he'll be hooked. 

Caudalíe is fast becoming one of my favorite skin and bodycare lines. Created in France, known for it's fine wine, these products also give you the benefits of grapes-- for your skin. Caudalíe was first to use stabilized grape seed ingredients in skincare. The products are full of these antioxidants that help you defend and preserve your skin as you age.  The latest and greatest is a simple white dropper bottle filled with Energizing Concentrate for Sensitive Skin $39.00  .5 fl. oz.  A combo of plant-based ingredients gives new life to a lackluster complexion. Along with grape seed oil (natch!) there are many interesting organic oils in this exceptional complexion-booster including: sweet almond oil (nourishing), must rose oil (regenerating), Neroli and petit grain (revitalizing), lavender oil (soothing), carrot oil (combat wrinkles) and sandal oil (drain toxins).  The serum absorbs quickly and since you only need six drops, a little goes a long way towards great looking skin.  If your skin isn't sensitive it will still work well for you, too!   

Anna Sui skincare products were in goodie bags for fashionistas at Fall Olympus Fashion Week and you can enjoy these products at home.  Anna Sui Moisturizing Emulsion $29.00 5 fl. oz bottle (photo) has a curvy, plastic bottle embellished with graceful curlicue design, and a large, black, rose for the top. Inside, a smooth, milky, romantically rose-scented moisturizer uses Two types of oil to improve the look and feel of your skin. These protect and moisturize, soften, and help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  If your winter-weary skin needs additional TLC, a good choice is Anna Sui Moisturizing Essence $29.00 1.1 fl. oz. An eye-dropper style bottle contains a light, moisturizing serum with precious ingredients such as algae extract (for skin hydration and to encourage collagen production) and Jojoba Seed oil acts (an  an emollient that improves your skin’s elasticity) to give you radiant, younger-looking skin. We like the way this absorbs into skin to make it immediately feel smoothed, hydrated, refreshed, and pampered!

The 15 Minute Face Lift $19.95 by Zia Natural Skincare, new to our reviews, gives skin an immediate firming effect that lasts up to 10 hours (some reviewers said even longer). Designed for slightly aged or stressed skin, the ingredients include a mixture of cornstarch, wheat protein and silk powder that increase circulation and plumps up skin to make it tighter and firmer, while egg white proteins and natural allantoin firm and softer, and ylang ylang and cypress essential oils soothe and minimize redness.  You'll get a bottle of toner,a jar of powder and a good quality, wooden fan brush.  Reviewers said they didn't mind the mixing process that can be a bit messy (one tablespoon of the face lift powder with one of the sea tonic rosewater & aloe toner to form a thin paste) because once they applied it (with the included brush), they soon felt the tightening effect that becomes more pronounced as the mask dries (in 15-20 minutes).  Soften and remove the mask with a wet washcloth (you can't get it off easily without), rinse, follow with toner and moisturizer. The results are there to see!  Despite the do-it-yourself activity and the wait, reviewers said it really worked, and they loved it! There is also an Ultimate Age Defining Mask $27.95 3. fl. oz. This cruelty-free product comes in a pre-mixed tube, and contains DMAE combined with  shea butter to improve firmness, restore moisture and smooth fine lines, plus borage oil, red mandarin and a vitamin complex (A & C) and something called "tocotrienol that helps to neutralize cell damage, and stimulate cell repair to make your skin look it's best.  We liked the way DMAE combines with shea butter to visibly improve firmness, restore moisture and smooth fine lines.  Borage oil, red mandarin and a vitamin complex stimulate cell repair.the thick, luxe, yellow cream and light, fresh scent made us look and feel! This is a little treat good for all skin types-why not indulge once a week?

Luxe, L’Occitane products are made from the plants and essential oils found in the South of France, in Provence--an area lush with olive groves, lavender fields, and vineyards. In this romantic mood, we suggest you think about pampering the delicate skin under your eyes with Olive Express Eye Treatment $30.00 .05 fl. oz by L'Occitane. This exceptional, new, non-greasy gel has olive water (free radical protection), an anti-puffiness agent, and a complex of aquatic extract and amino acids that moisturize and soften.  Unlike many under-eye creams, this one is unscented, super-light, and fast absorbing for no greasy feel but lots of great benefits. It is safe for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes, and we just love the petite, portable, locking, pump bottle that dispenses one serving of this great product. It makes  application clean and easy, too.

An aged, sagging neck or décolleté just screams "elderly!"  Alas, we often forget about this part of our body--and it  needs special care.  I had the privilege to try a very special cream: the Vie Age Concept Collection Multi-Active Anti-Aging Neck and Decollate Cream 1.6 fl.oz $203.00 by Phytomer from their Vie Age Concept Collection. It features seaside plant ingredients to make your skin look amazing. I have no idea why the retail price is exactly two hundred and three dollars, but I am sure that this pricey product is perfect for those often-ignored areas of neck and decollate. When you are buying a specialized, luxury item, even if it's from Phytomer, whose high-quality and innovative products have a justly earned reputation for excellence,  you'll want to know what you're getting. After 30 years of research studying marine plant life, scientists at this French company have created an anti-aging formula (using special marine ingredients) including something called "Salisterol®," which increases collagen production while it tighten and strengthens skin, and amazingly, adapts specifically to the needs of your specific skin type.  The point of this pricey cream is to reduce sagging, while improving the look and feel of the skin on your neck (men and woman) and décolleté as well.  The thick, silky cream applies easily and absorbs in a flash, leaving skin luxuriously soft.  In the spirit of getting the review to you, I did not use it long enough to see the type of results you are likely to get from continued use, but the many products we have reviewed in the past from Phytomer in the past, have consistently been of the highest quality, and very effective, and there is an entire line of VIE Age Concept Collection products for the face and body, to try.  We haven't found that many products that specifically and effectively target neck and décolleté, so if you want to treat these difficult-to-manage parts of your skin with the same sort of serious skincare as you'd use on your face, this product is an excellent choice.

Whirled peas for your face? Why not?! Collective Wellbeing's latest is the Whirled Peas Hydrating Mask $12.00 5 oz containing lots of good-for-your-skin ingredients including green pea powder (to fight free radicals and promote collagen production) along with apricot, sweet almond oil, aloe vera leaf juice, vitamins E and B5, sea kelp, chamomile flower, and jojoba seed. The herbally-scented cream looks like baby peas in the tube, but on your face, it works extra hard to make skin soft and beautiful. Collective Wellbeing products not only make you look good, you'll feel good buying them too, because a portion of the proceeds from every sale goes to benefit worthy charitable organizations you help to choose (visit the web site in the buying guide, below)

New to our column is SAMPAR.  The products in their Urban Active Age Antidote line $90.00 are designed to help the urban woman deal with toxins that attack the skin, including carbon monoxide, lead, and nicotine, while helping to prevent and protect against premature aging. All of the products in the line contain what the company calls an "urban active complex." This is a combo of natural, active extracts that help rejuvenate, regenerate, and soothe. You'll see three key ingredients: shea butter (softening and smoothing), mint leaves, and plant and milk sugar.  the Age-Antidote products combine the cutting-edge technology of  Urban Active Complex with an Age Antidote Complex. comprised of walnut extract, chestnut extracts and peptides, along with other good-for-your-skin ingredients.  If this all sounds a bit complicated, the most important thing to remember is that these are high-tech products specifically designed to combat specific skin areas. Our favorite is the Urban Active Age Antidote Lavish Dream Cream 1.7 fl. oz $68.00, which gives your face a true one-two-punch against the environment, and aging (photo-middle product). The first thing we love is the round jar with unique, clever and clean, flat push-pump top. You never even have to open the jar!  Just one push dispenses just the right amount of product through a small hole in the top, to do the job, effectively. The rich cream itself is lightly touched with a floral scent, absorbs quickly, and makes skin silky, instantly. As with most high-performance products, you'll feel the results right away, but you won't get the true benefits until you have used the product for a few weeks. We will be reviewing two additional SAMPAR products in our APRIL column.

EmerginC has a luxe, high-performance cream simply called Earth  $67.50 1.76 fl. oz. The press information was a complex description of ingredients, and what you really want to know is what it does, and does it work?  If you want to renew your winter-weary skin, nearly instantly, this super-hydrating, fast-absorbing, non-greasy cream feels fantastic on your skin.  It has minerals and other ingredients that help synthesize new collagen and elastin, which means younger looking, better looking skin, for you!  Two nice touches on this high quality product is a little application  spatula,  and a protective,  plastic inner top with a pull ring. These make it clean and easy to apply the product.

FRESH NEW FRAGRANCES: fragrances is so uplifting! Use it to make yourself feel good, every day, or find a scent that's bewitching, and enchant someone else!

I didn't receive VOW 2006 Eau de Parfum $60.00 1.7 fl. oz, in time to review it at it's launch date and in our February (Valentine's Day) column, but I just had to include it in here in our March column for Spring brides-to-be, and frankly, any woman who likes unique and beautiful fragrances.  The scent, designed by French perfumer Alix Mistral (she was an apprentice for top perfume houses including Chanel) was created for own own wedding.  This is meant to be a special occasion fragrance with an exclusive vibe. The beautiful box is in white and gold, with a letterpressed label affixed by hand to each box. The first 400 of these labels were hand written by the artist, celebrity calligrapher Anne Robin, in a numbered series.  On the bottle, there's a crystal-look top (plastic) in the shape of a flower bud, and the slim, curvy, clear glass bottle with gold lettering. Inside, there is an immediate scent of sparkling citrus (I thought it was orange blossom)  combined with white pepper and pink freesia,  a heart of champagne roses, honeysuckle, and orange flower with night blooming wild jasmine, and a base of amber and a hint of sheer musk.  The mix is a surprising mix of classic and modern. It actually smells fresh and flowery, not sweet and dried down to a distinctly tea-like scent that I really love. In the box is a "Credit card" with a unique ID number. Enter it at the Vow 2006 web site to register your  "vintage" of perfume and you can re-order it just as it once was, as the years roll by.  I am captivated by this romantic and sophisticated scent that is perfect for every day, not just for brides, but it's only available through 2006, so don't wait for a wedding...get yours now!

Another unique fragrance that made it's debut in February is Lacoste Essential Eau de Toilette Pour Homme $62.00 4.2 oz spray, $45.00 2.5 oz Eau de Toilette spray  The iconic alligator adorns a metallic green box and is embossed on usually shaped, curved, glass bottle in such a manner that it actually appears to be inside of it.  Along with our bottle, we received literature about time release technology that is used in this unusual fragrance. It's pretty technical, but all you need to know is that time release fragrances are created with more top-note oils than a traditional fragrance, which allows it to renew itself over time. This allows the fragrance to stay true for a longer period of time, and actually allows it to renew itself as you wear it, making it smell as fresh as when you first applied it.  For men, who are probably not going to carry a fragrance with them to re-apply it, this is welcome technology.  And what of the fragrance? Our male reviewers loved it!  Here is something really new. It's modern, and sophisticated --a mix of fresh and aromatic ingredients, rich fruit notes and sexy woods. You find that it is complex but fun to wear for everyday.  There are top notes of tangerine, bergamot, tomato leaves and cassis, middle notes of rose and black pepper, and a masculine   base of sandalwood, patchouli, and wood accord. Men who know and wear Lacoste clothing are going to want this fragrance (and the accompanying bath & body products as well), but if you are also just seeking something new, or want a gift for that special man, this is a superb choice.

For past "What Works" Beauty, Cosmetics, and Fashion Review columns, see the "What Works Archives"

NEW EYE PRODUCTS: A new eyeshadow can help you update your look easily. Try some of these!

Sue Devitt's "Naked Chic" Spring & Summer Collection is reminiscent of lazy days in the South of France.   Four new Eye Shadows $18.00 arrive for the season in chic, slim, matte silver compacts, There are three Silky Sheen Eye Shadows $18.00 that will make your eyes luminous, but without the heavy, shimmery look we loved during the holidays. We adore "Cap Ferrat," a pearly, sandy, ivory, and "Monaco," a pearly, light beige. Both work beautifully as a lid color or highlighter. "Eze" is a pinkish-beige that warms lids in a flash, with just enough drama to make things interesting. There is also a new, Silky Matte Shadow $18.00 in "Mirimar," a cocoa-inspired taupe that looked gorgeous on us all.

I admit that I've ignored my lashes -- I only curl them when I'm not rushed, or when I'm feeling particularly luxurious, but now that I've tried the Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler $15.00 by Tarte, I'm resolving to put this essential step back into my beauty routine.  Fragile commodities such as eye lashes require good equipment. The curler has purple plastic, ergonomic handles that let you squeeze quickly and evenly without pulling. The pads are wide and smooth so you don't end up with weirdly shaped curves, and you even get a replacement, all continued in a sheer purple organza storage bag.  TIP: to use an eyelash curler correctly, simply place the open curler at the base of lashes and gently squeeze the curler until the purple handles touch, then release and coat with your favorite mascara if you wish. While we are on the subject of often-ignored eye routines, don;t forget your brows need TLC, too.  The Tarte Toolbox $32.00 is an amazingly compact kit in light, medium and dark tones with everything your need for great brows in just four steps: First, tweeze stray hairs with the mini (but highly effective) tweezer using the full, fine or natural-shaped templates. Then smooth stray hairs with an application of clear brow way (from a swing-out compartment), and  "fill in the cracks" with your shade specific brow powder (mini brush included) or with the mini brow pencil. Finally, seal your handiwork with a coat of clear brow gel. The products are great quality, and the entire, mirrored compact is less than the size of a credit card and about the thickness of a half-pack of gum!

The surest sign of Spring arriving are soft, sexy pastel colors.  Get the feel of Spring this month, even if the weather is still a bit chilly, with a nifty, new Iridescent Eye Shadow Kit $5.25 by Cover Girl. A trio of soft, sheer, shimmery, creamy colors, come in four different color sets.  We tried "Kit #4 Butterflies," which has a light blue lid shadow paired with icy pink and white/iridescent shadows for highlighting or for mixing your own, unique color blends. The kits have a dual-wanded sponge applicator, but the product is so light and creamy you can just apply with just your fingertip, too.  This is an affordable way to jump-start your Spring beauty collection.

Do you want to look up a review about a product, or read a column you may have missed? They are in the 'WHAT WORKS" ARCHIVES

We love Hard Candy's up-to-the-minute, and always clever, products.  This March, we recommend putting your your makeup bag on a diet, starting with a Super Slim Eye Pencil $8.00 from Hard Candy. These skinny pencils apply smoothly, then stay put with a waterproof formula.  We liked the ability to create a subtle, thin line, or if you use the side of the pencil, a still- precise, wider one.  Most important of all, the colors are fantastic.  There are Four:  "Tarpit" (classic black), "Sushi" (a gorgeous, jade), "Vibe," ( vibrant lavender) and our fave, "Frigid," a clear, bright, medium blue. To keep your pencil sharp, you'll get a special sharpener. These are great pencils at a nice price.

There's just something irresistible about the new, Laura Geller Color Dots $31.00. Five tiny, round pans of color are arranged in a dice-like pattern in a slim, black compact with frosted, clear plastic top. The colors are subdued enough to wear now, but light enough to like with your Spring wardrobe. The jewel-toned, Italian-made formulas are so versatile! Apply them dry, for a natural wash of metallic color, or wet, for more intensity (they make a fantastic liner, as well). The colors are beautiful: a deep medium blue, pink, brown, grey and champagne give you virtually all the colors you'll want to be wearing. The dual-ended mini brush with flat liner on one end, sponge applicator on the other is a nice touch , as is the small, silky, carrying bag with multi-colored dots, for an easy to use kit at home, or "on the go."

We love the Petal Essence Single Eye Color $11.00 by AVEDA.  From the "Color Washed" palette I saw on models sashaying down the runway during Spring 2005 Fashion Week, I particularly liked a deep but soft plum-colored eye shadow color. The plum is deep but not as harsh as the super-dark colors from the Holidays.  There's also a lovely shimmery camel called "Lemon Spice" that adds a nice, neutral tint  to lids without a hint of "blah." Both of these are perfect for now and as you adjust to lighter, brighter clothes this Spring. My newest love for the upcoming has got to be the Aveda Triple Accent  $18.00 for eyes, lips and cheeks.  A medium-thick, dual-ended pencil is literally a face-in-a-pencil, product. One side features a light, soft, long-lasting, metallic eye cream and the other has a long-lasting cream lipstick/blush. Sunflower oil and organic jojoba oils nourish skin as an added bonus.   Brights on lips are always classic, but this Spring tangerine is a star!    From the "Sun Spiced" collection of colors for Spring, try a bold but warmed-up tangerine on lips (looks classy, not brassy) and a of-the-moment shimmery bright olive green on lids with the "Olive/Quince" pencil. Of course, all Aveda products are of the highest quality, but what makes the Petal Essence line so lovely are the exotic essence of petal oils that provide a soft, velvety texture with a lightweight finish.  Your lids and lips will look lovely and feel lovely, too! TIP: these pencils are quite blendable, but using a pencil as a blush requires a different technique.  Try dotting the pencil where you want to blush instead of drawing a harsh line. Then, simply blend the dots together.

THE LATEST LIP PRODUCTS: Whether you're using them for talking, smiling, or kissing, lips make an instant (and indelible) impression. Colors yours with forward-to-Spring shades now, and enjoy them all season.

About now, it's time to retire those super-deep Winter-worthy berries and plums, and starting thinking about applying softer and lighter lip looks. In fact, sometimes all  you really need is a super-shiny clear gloss! Effet 3D Lip Gloss $15.00 by Bourjois in "Transparent Oniric" is great to go it alone, or slick it over a deeper lipstick for instant drama.  This gloss never feels greasy or sticky. It's the one you'll pop into your makeup bag and reach for again and again.

One of the things we look forward to each season are the new, adorable color collection from BeneFit.   This Spring's fashionable collection doesn't disappoint.  A trio of terrific eye, lip and cheek colors for Spring. These feature magnetic closure, cardboard compacts,   with bright graphics featuring  photos of women with kitchy, 60's styled hairdos. Inside,  you'll find a little mirror, cleverly surrounding just the hairdo. What fun to see yourself in an new way, while making up your face with these freshly-minted products!  There are three color sets to suit just about every complexion.  he products are always of the highest quality, and the colors  are really beautiful. I tried "Look Me Up & Comb Me Over," $22.00, featuring a redhead with ivory skin on the compact, and inside, a very versatile, beige,   powder eye shadow, a subtly-shimmery apricot lip gloss (one of my new favorites), and an awesome, apricot cream cheek color that made me look rested and happy, even though I'd been standing on my feet all day.  I didn't review the pinks or mauve/nude collections, but I'd can assure you, they are equally pretty. 

We love Trish McEvoy Makeup, and there's nothing we like better than adding new colors from Trish to our makeup bag. A dramatic pink for Spring that looks great on just about everyone is "Sparkling Rose," a  Glaze Lip Color $20.00. This is semi-sheer glaze of medium-deep rose with just a hint of shimmer and lots of moisture and shine. Also nice is "Pretty Pink," a clear, soft pink that may be the only lipstick you need for early Spring. It looks wonderful as is and for daytime, but we also like it glammed up with a top coat of glittery gloss for special occasions. Those who crave color (also big for Spring) will like the Trish McEvoy Lip Color $20.00 in a reminiscent-of-the-40's "Paris Red," a smooth, matte, slightly glazed formula that also can be combined with lip liner and gloss for a variety of lip looks.  You'll feel like a movie star--and look like one, too!

Stila's Rain or Shine Collection for Spring has a forward-looking mix of refreshing colors that make you look and feel ready for the sunnier, warmer months. If you want to update your lip look, Stila Lip Polish $20.00 is a great choice, offering lots of silky, semi-opaque  color and tons of shine. I love the easy to tote and use, click-up pen with attached brush for precise application. I also love two brand new, non-shimmer but light-reflecting, super-shiny shades perfect for Spring.   "Flash," a deep rose, and "Dazzle," a clear pink.  There are 16 other great shades to choose from, as well!

Maybelline New York Superstay Lipcolor $9.99 is a new, long-lasting lip product  that we agree is nifty, and one you'll want to try. The dual-ended wand has one side containing rich color that slides on smoothly and evenly and dries to a slightly tacky matte finish.  It is transformed to a shiny, silky, luminous, saturated lip color that lasts for hours, once you've slicked on the lip balm on the other end!  You can also purchase an additional Clear Balm Cartridge $4.99 - nice touch!  We didn't test if for the 16 hours Maybelline New York claims it will last, but we did test it through dinner, dancing and even kissing, and it performed beautifully.   With 20 colors to choose from, the only problem you'll have is choosing your favorite one. For glam, our March pick is "Superstay Cherry" a slightly shimmery, warmed red, or go light and ladylike with "Superstay Peach," a light, toasted peach that looks great with all your earth-tones.

We love lip gloss, but sometimes we'd like the definition and control you get when it is applied with a lip liner. Since most liners are meant for more intensely pigmented lipsticks, most  are also too "obvious" to use with a sheer gloss. Prestige tackles the problem with a new and innovative, LightShine Gloss Lip Liner $4.95. It has less pigment than a traditional lip liner, and a soft, sheer, long-lasting finish that makes it a perfect partner to lip gloss ( you can wear it "au natural," as well). The liner stays put but isn't sticky or hard, and it comes in 8 shades (pink, plum, rose, brown, red, mauve, nude, persimmon) to suit   everything in your lip color collection.  If you are tired of your gloss gravitating into fine lines, this new product is not only a treat, it is a must-have.

We didn't get around to reviewing new Lip Sheer $21.00 by Bobbi Brown last column, but you'll definitely want to add at least one of these new, lightweight lip colors to your wardrobe right now.  Here is a persoal photo (taken behind-the-scenes at Olympus Spring 05 Fashion Week) of Bobbi Brown (far right) applying makeup to a model for the Lela Rose runway show. Hear me gush about her Pink Glitter Lip Gloss $19.00 as a guest on  the fashiontribes podcast and the fashiontribes blog ("Life, Career & Image Expert Alison Blackman Dunham - of the Advice Sisters - Dishes on Timeless Style, Beauty Secrets, Makeup to Avoid Like Your Life Depended on it - & why Groundhog Day Rocks,) I love the new Lip Sheers $21.00 too. They're natural, wearable and versatile. You can either use a lip liner in and around your lips for longer-lasting (and deeper) color, or slick on a topcoat of gloss for a still trendy, high-shine look. Used as-is, you'll get a silky, moist-looking, wash of see-through color that gives you a beautiful, every-day,   grab-it-and-go, natural tint.  My personal favorites are "Rosy," a subdued,  rosy mauve that leaves lips looking romantically touched with color, and   "Tangerine," a soft orange (warmed with a bit of natural pink) that looked amazing on fair to medium complexions-- especially redheads and those with auburn hair. On the opposite side of the spectrum is "Black Plum,"  which looks deep in the tube but delivers a surprisingly natural, black currant colored tint. The newest collection feature ten warm and wearable shades from browns to pinks to peaches, all perfect to perk up a Winter-weary face now, and coordinate with Spring trends in the coming months

THE FRESHEST FOUNDATIONS, BLUSHES & BRONZERS: Skin a bit sallow from too many days inside? Break out the blush!  The right shade will warm your complexion and give you a great glow, effortlessly. This is the perfect time to try a great, new foundation, too.

One of the things I really dislike about applying foundation is getting it out of the bottle and figuring out just how much to apply. MARK has come up with a neat solution - Face Xpert Flawless Touch Makeup $8.00 has a built-in, self-measuring sponge applicator right in the cap. This clever packaging is home to nine different colors based on warm/cool and light/medium/deep tones, so you can find a foundation that really works well with your complexion. The oil free formula has good-for-your skin ingredients such as pomegranate extract and Vitamins A,C and E) for antioxidant properties, soy extract to moisturize, and  cucumber extract to soothe. The foundation smoothes on easily and dries quickly with medium (full if you layer) coverage and a natural finish. It's a great product at an incredible price.

Maybelline New York's Cream Mousse Blush $7.50 makes a delectable impression on your complexion. The sheer, soft, blendable, air-whipped blush comes in a little round glass pot.  These blend quickly and easily and stay true to color a long time, even when your body temperature heats up. For a romantic blush for V-day and beyond, we like two pretty pinks with yummy names:  "Pink Frosting"is a light, soft pink with shimmery glimmer that adds new life to your cheeks. "Whipped Strawberries" is a slightly brighter, non-shimmery version that perks up medium to deeper complexions beautifully, and adds warmth to a Winter-pale face.

There are plenty of tinted moisturizers on the market, but we like multi-tasking ones the best. DuWop has a very sheer, very lightweight, very nice tinted moisturizer with SPF 15 (to help protect your face while you beautify it) called Revolotion Face $28.00. This moisturizer/tint/protector, in-a-tube,  could become your next "new love" in facial products. We love the way the product squeezes out in a rich, thick ribbons of creamy tint that smoothes on evenly and naturally, leaving skin feeling soft, not greasy.  Light-reflecting pigments also help to conceal fine lines, and six light, medium and dark shades to suit just about everyone.  This is a sheer tint that can be made more opaque by layering (to conceal redness or uneven tone) but the ultimate look is still natural, not mask-like. It won't settle into fine lines in your face (assuming you have them) and it stays true to color. Portable, easy, and effective --no wonder celebs such as Cindy Crawford,  Hilary Duff and Eva Longoria are choosing it.

It has been a while since we've reviewed anything from Tarte Cosmetics, but we haven't forgotten the uncomplicated, easy to apply makeup that Tarte is known for.  A great example is the  Cheek Stain $28.00. This chunky little stick of glide-in-on-and-go (or is that,"glow?"),  dabs on and blends in a flash. This lightweight, oil-free, sheer, slightly fruity-scented, long-lasting gel formula can be worn over foundation, or under a powder blush for added color.  There are 8 colors in all, each with a We tried Cloud 9, a new, pinked-mauve that looks amazing on cool complexions but don't worry - if your skin is cool there are 7 other choices in pinks, peaches and even, bronze.

Max Factor has ben in the beauty biz a long time, but even successful companies sometimes need a makeover. New, fashion-forward color collections and attractive, black and white packaging with "stage lights" spelling out the "MAX" in Max Factor, shows the company's fashion conscious vibe. We will review some of the new eye and lip products in the April column, but if your skin needs some improvement now, try  Max Factor Powdered Foundation $9.20. The light-diffusing formula goes on like a liquid, providing sheer to medium, matte coverage. We really liked the way this made our skin even-toned but natural, the way it blended easily with the included sponge, and they light feel on our skin.  An oil free and fragrance-free formula also helps to control shine--a nice plus.  I love powdered foundation because it's so much cleaner and easier to tote, and it goes on with more control. My choice was "Fair Ivory"  but six shades in warm and cool, light to dark, means there's going to be one perfect for you.

Innovative Skincare has cutting-edge, high-performance skincare products, and one that we really like, is tailor-made for fashionable women who want to protect their skin from the sun's damaging rays, but can't quite bring themselves to apply sun block, daily.  Innovative Skincare SPF 20 Sunscreen Powder $40.00 is a clever, portable foundation/powder in a brush--but with a twist--it's a highly effective sun block, too!  The formula is a combo of micronized, transparent, titanium oxide and microfine zinc oxide--two of the most effective UVA and UVB sun blockers. The natural, mineral powder is safe for all skin types, even if you've just undergone microdermabrasion or a light skin peel. Just brush the powder on your bare skin, or over your foundation--and go!  You're protected without stickiness or scent! This is truly a new generation sunscreen--one that you'll not only find easy and acceptable to use, but one that is a skin-saving product worth every penny.  

Even Skin Moisturizing Foundation by Trish McEvoy$55.00 debuts this month! If you are a fan of moist, glowing, perfect skin (and who isn't?)  without a hassle, you'll want to try this unusually nice foundation.  A new formula uses cutting edge technology with moisturizing and hydrating ingredients and a blend of light-reflecting pigments to make your skin look smooth, youthful, almost flawless. Amazingly, this full coverage foundation is light, fast-drying, and so natural that you'll forget you have it on --until you catch your reflection in a mirror and wonder why you look so good!  Five shades adjust to light (Natural and Beige), Medium (Golden) and Deep (Deep Honey and Mocha) so there is one that will be one that's best for you.  It's a bit pricey, but it's perfect!

BEAUTIFUL BATH & BODY PRODUCTS: Turn a daily routine into an uplifiting experience! Great bath & body products not only make you feel good, your skin will look good, too!

At spas, body treatments featuring Phytomer products can be pricey. Luckily this company,  the first  to put the benefits of the sea into modern cosmetology, offers some of their high-quality products for home use.  Relaxing Bath Crystals $56.00 10.5 oz by Phytomer  (photo) from the Body Relax line (formerly called "Aspara") are invigoratingly herbally scented jar of lilac-colored crystals that relax and relieve aches and pains.  Drop two level spoonfuls (measure spoon included) into a warm bath of at least 34°C to 38°C (to increase blood flow) and let the heat open up the pores and promote the elimination of toxins, while you soak away all your cares in beautifully colored bubbles. Soak in the tub at least ten minutes (you'll want to stay longer) and then rinse off with a cool shower. You'll feel wonderfully pampered and relaxed.  You'll be amazed at the package insert which is translated into 14 languages, too. TIP: if you have trouble sleeping, try this one before bed-time and we are certain that you will sleep better, too.  Also from this line is a lovely, lilac-colored BodyRelax Massage Cream $51.00 8.4 fl. oz that has that intoxicating, herbally scent. Massage the cream into your skin, focusing on rough spots and tension areas, and watch your mood, improve!  This is a luxe spa treatment that you can treat yourself to every day.  It's enriched with aromatic plants from the seashore, has a high mineral content that nurtures, protects and pampers your skin while you enjoy the aromatherapy benefits.

Are you looking for a romantic little splurge or a special gift for a special someone? Gianna Rose Atelier Soap Petals come in a cardboard box with clear display top $19.50/30 petals or glass Apothecary Jars $30.00 50 petals. Each "petal" looks like it was just picked off a cabbage rose, but they are really single-use hand soaps! We tried the gardenia-scented, ivory petals (there is also a pink rose petal) which are amazingly genuine in scent and just a pleasure to use. These lovely scents will remain on your hands long enough for you to enjoy them a while. You may find yourself wanting an excuse to wash them more often! We hope to review more Gianna Rose Atelier soaps, candles, accessories and bath & body products in the not-too-distant future.

Fleurs Artiste de Bonheur is a French cosmetics line focusing on integrating flowers into it's products. We introduced you to the line last month. Treat your entire body to a seemingly light moisturizer that packs a wallop of a satiny punch!  Fleurs Artiste de Bonheur Creamy Milk Body Moisturizer 6.7 fl. oz with extracts of elder, white water lily and lime blossom flowers. It sounds beautiful, but this cocktail of flower extracts goes one better than just scenting your skin with a delicate, floral fragrance, it instantly makes even dry patches and itchy skin, silky soft and super-pampered.  For even more moisture and pampering, try the AromaVedic Apricot Massage Oil 6.7 fl. oz. This one has a very slight but yummy apricotty-scent. We massaged it into our dry arms and legs and loved the way the non-greasy combo of unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E made our skin supple and smooth again. Of course, you can use it for actual massage, as well! The RétiVine Hydra-Replenishing Cream for the Body 6.7 fl. oz is a thick, rich, luxe body moisturizer created with a combo of anti-aging powerhouses. Your skin will feel deeply moisturized, smoothed and nourished, but you'll also get the benefits of Retinol and grape seeds to fight aging and make skin feel toned and supple. As an added bonus, we like the heavy, glass jar with simple, white top that adds a hint of chic to your dressing table.

HELPERS FOR HANDS, NAILS & FEET: You're not going to be able to keep your hands and feet in gloves or boots, much longer.  Here are some ways to get hands and feet in shape to meet the "public" as the weather warms up:

If we had to pick just one polish that gives enough color to flatter hands still pale from the Winter season, but light enough to signal Spring, it would be new "Rose Show", a Very Vernis Nail Enamel $9.00 by Bourjois from the "Beware of Angels" Spring collection. This gorgeous,  semi-sheer, very shimmery ballerina pink has golden highlights that warm skin and nails and will look lovely day or evening until it's time for Summer. The color is long-lasting and resists chipping. For added shine and protection, slick on a top coat of clear Fixant Brilliant $9.99.

Cover Girl Continuous Color Nails $2.99 come in a virtual riot of 40 colors. New for Spring, 2006, they are featuring six new ones including three limited edition, shimmery shades.  We love  "Celestial Star," a soft, silvered pearl, and "Heavenly Heather," a shimmery champagne. These nail polishes include a base coat, a color coat, and a top coat all in one bottle, so busy women don't have to deal with three different products. One bottle also means you can travel easily with it.  TIP: 18 of these nail colors match Cover Girl Continuous Color Lipsticks, so you can be perfectly coordinated head to toe.

Express Finish Advanced Wear Fast-Dry Nail Enamel by Maybelline New York goes from we to set in just 60 seconds. Whether you are in a rush to get ready, or you just don't want to sit around waiting for your nails to dry before you do something more important, this product works well for not a lot of cash. Our favorite color for Valentine's Day  Is definitely "Be Mine," a shiny, clear base into which little pink stars and tiny bits of red glitter have been infused. This one is just perfectly romantic for V-day (or any time you want to show your love).

Essie was generous enough to send us several six-packs of their awesome Nail Polish $8.00. We had too many to review in just one columns, we we reviewed a few of our favorite pinks & reds in the February column. This time we're focusing on versatile sheers and naturals.  "Imported Champagne" is a pearly, nearly-sheer nude that gives nails just a hint of color, with lots of shine. A slightly less shimmered, sheer version is "Intimate."  Pink lovers adored a two barely-there sheers:  "Limo-Scene," pale pink, and "Vanity Fairest," is even paler.  "Sugar Daddy" is also a sheer, light pink with lots of shine,  For more color with a  neutral look, try "Mambo," a  medium, opaque nude, or  "Sweetie Pie," a peachy-pinked pearl.   I also like Essie's newest collection of ladylike whites:  "Glamour," is a slightly shimmery wash of white that accentuates your own nail color. Ditto for "Marshmallow," another super-sheer and "Waltz," whites without "pearle." "Moon Stuck" is an opaque white great for a French manicure (all the sheers I've mentioned above will be perfect for the base color). TIP: while sheers are great for just a coat-and-go natural look or a French manicure, or, they're also great with stick-on rhinestones for a last-minute party look. We like opaque white as a base for stick-on decals, too. We will review more great Essie colors, next month!

Dry, cracked skin on your feet, especially your heels, is not only uncomfortable,   it's unsightly! Get help from two new products from the Spa-la-la line of Airplus for Her (a brand of Implus Footcare, whose Sof Sole products we reviewed in our 2005 summer column).   HEAL $5.99 is a super-hydrating creme made with paraffin to help keep moisture in.  We like the tea-scent, as well as the way it made our cracked heels feel pampered and smoother.  REPAIR $5.99  is even more moisturizing, a blend of natural ingredients such as citrus and nut oils, and mango butter to provide superb hydration to dry, cracked, difficult to hydrate heels.

Barielle's high quality products use safe and natural ingredients including keratin, protein, vitamins, oil and plant extracts to help your nails look great and stay healthy and they don't have nail-damaging ingredients (eg.   tolulene, formaldehyde). For nails that are protected while they are beautiful, try one of the  "Positive Emotions With Attitude" collection, featuring 7 colors in sheer, opaque and frosted formulas. My favorite is "Intriguing," a festive wash of sheer pearl infused with tons of tiny twinkles of silvery glitter (Uninhibited" has twinkles of gold glitter). Looking forward to the warmer months, I suggest "Expressive," a clear, cool-toned, shiny lilac and a great color to remind you that Spring really is on the way

Still Single? Alison's latest book, the  The Everything Dating Book 2nd Edition  (Adams Media, 2005) is a new book that goes back to basics, with a modern twist. You'll find literally "everything" you need to make your next search for love, swift, successful, and satisfying. VIEW THE TABLE OF CONTENTS AND VIEW A SAMPLE.  Get a collectible! You can buy the Everything Dating Book 2nd Edition in any bookstore online or locally, but if you purchase your copy through The Advice Sisters WEb Site, the author (Alison Blackman Dunham aka "Advice Sister Alison") will sign your book at no extra charge. This makes a great gift, too. Graduation, wedding season and Mother's and Father's day are coming.  *Standard prioirty mail shipping charges will apply.  International shipping charges apply outside of the United States. 

ABOUT THE 'What Works" REVIEWS:  All product reviews are conducted by Alison Blackman Dunham (aka. Advice Sister Alison). In some instances, the review reflects additional opinions of qualified, anonymous reviewers and the term "we" instead of "I" is used in the commentary.  Nobody gets financial compensation for reviewing products, and they are not affiliated with the companies mentioned.  If you have comments about the column, or if you would like to be considered as a reviewer and can pick up products from the New York area,  Email: advicesisters@advicesisters.net.