MOISTURIZE & PROTECT: Summer sun and sports can parch skin and leave it dull, dry, and lifeless. These moisturizers heal, smooth and protect!

Prescriptives All You Need $54.00 Broad Spectrum Moisture Lotion looks unassuming in a simple pump bottle, but it does a lot.  SPF 15 protects against the sun, and there are other ingredients to protect against aging, with moisturizing properties that ensure a constant and consistent moisture level throughout the day. Light reflecting filaments make skin look more even, and of course, smooth and soft, too!

Neutrogena’s Visibly Firm Face Lotion $9.99 gives the appearance of firmer skin and protects against the sun’s rays with a hefty SPF 20. It’s non-greasy formula is quickly absorbed. The light, unscented Neutrogena Healthy Defense Untinted Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30 $9.99 (shown above)  is also a great choice, or try one of the Healthy Defense Tinted Daily Moisturizers with SPF 30 $9.99 available in light or medium tint. These really smooth imperfections, with just a hint of color Neutrogena Visibly Even™ with SPF-15 $15.99 is a daily moisturizer that not only moisturizes, it has retinol and vitamin C to even out skin tone and brighten skin. Our reviewers loved it's light, non-greasy formula. This is great sun protection and preventative skincare for not a lot of money!

Cover Girl CG Smoothers SPF Tinted Moisturizer $6.95 does double-duty as a skin protector and sheer foundation, for not a lot of cash. You get a moisturizer, coupled with SPF 15 protection and a sheer, shimmery tint to even out skin tone.  Four shades suit most, and we think you’ll like them...a lot!

A new product line that has completely won us over and that is being reviewed for the first time is SkinCeuticals. Their superb products are available from skin care professionals, physicians, and upscale salons.  We tried the SkinCeuticals Body Polish $28.50 which exfoliated our flaky skin without making it feel tortured. Exfoliation is a must if you’re planning to use a self-tanner. We also used the SkinCeuticals Topical Vitamin-C Eye Gel $42.00 and Topical Vitamin-C High Potency Serum 15 $75.00. They’re pricey, but they’re great, lightweight, oil-free. They absorb quickly and contain generous concentrations of Vitamin-C, which also acts as an anti-inflammatory to aid recovery from sunburned skin, and provides (an unspecified amount) of UVB and UVA protection. Just a few drops are all you need. The company says these products continue working for 72 hours and cannot be rubbed, washed, or perspired off. Another SkinCeuticals Antioxidant Lip Repair $30.00 comes in a handy  pump bottle and has antioxidants to soothe, protect and repair. As a lipstick base, it instantly smoothed little lines and chapped area on our lips!

June Jacobs Spa Collection Lip Silk $12.00 comes in an simple tube, but it is wonderful stuff!  It not only protects lips with SPF 20, but it smooths chapped lips without shea butter, mango butter and aloe, and wasn't sticky. It smells good, too!

Aveeno’s Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer $23.95 moisturizes with total soy complex and natural light diffusers to make your skin look clear and healthy-looking. We liked the way it's oil free, hypoallergenic, and unscented. Reviewers said it really evened out skin tone as it protected with SPF 15. 

FACE Stockholm’s SPF Moisture Cream $25.00 has SPF 15. While the company (responsibly) says it shouldn’t be used for sun-tanning protection, every bit helps and it did help protect our skin.  We also like it's unscented, quickly absorbed qualities.

Zhen Whipped Face Cream $20.00 protects and moisturizes with SPF 25, anti-oxidants and avocado oil. We liked the way felt and appreciated the fact that it didn’t make a greasy mess on our skin!

Philosophy, making it’s "Advice Sisters" review debut, has nice cosmetics and skincare products with really clever names. Philosophy’s "Take A Hike" $11.00 is an aromatic, foot emollient that helps protects feet from blisters while you’re on the path up that mountain, or pounding the pavement on the road to life!

Avon BeComing Luminous is a skin care line that provides age defense by responding your changing bio-cycles, BeComing Brighter Days Moisture Lotion SPF 15 is a creamy lotion that uses Lumin8, Milk Protein and Tomato Extract to smooth, shield and maintain healthy moisture levels. A great new moisturizer you'll want to try!

June Jacobs Sun Shield Day Cream may seem a bit pricey at $56.00 but SPF 15, along with other serious skin protectors, wrinkle preventors, and healing ingredients makes it worth the investment. We also really liked June Jacobs Lip Silk with SPF 20 $12.00. which smooths and moisturizes while it protects lips from the sun’s, and is even good for cold sores and fever blisters.

Deodorize and perk up aching feet with a spritz of Biotherm Aqua Sport Refreshing Foot Spray $16.00 which reduces swelling and smells nice.  If the rest of your body aches from too much exercise or stress, the pleasant, calming scent of Biotherm Acqua Sport Massage Gel $26.00 will warm and relax muscles while you get aroma therapy attitude adjustment!

FOUNDATION & SPF = BEAUTIFUL FACES: get flawless skin and skin protection with these super new foundations containing with "good for you" ingredients...and more!

Prescriptives Traceless $32.00 is not quite a foundation, not quite a tinted moisturizer, but it is quite wonderful, with light deflecting properties and SPF8.  Prescriptives says that the technology in this this new product adjusts the balance of light to bring all skins to their most natural shade. You just choose the right "level" for your skin tone, and the product neutralizes the colors in your skin to make it look natural, and flawless. We loved the way it looked. Try it for yourself.

Your complexion not only changes tone in summer, it may change type, too.  Cover Girl has been a household name for makeup since 1961. One of the three quality foundations we reviewed should be right for you. New to the market is CG Smoothers AquaSmooth Makeup $8.50 (shown above) which transforms from solid compact to liquid to a demi-matte powder when it makes contact with your skin. It also contains good-for-your-skin vitamins, and SPF15.  You'll appreciate the option of 15 pretty shades, along with the feel, the protection, and most definitely, the price! Another Cover Girl innovation is Cover Girl Fresh Complexion Pocket Powder Oil Control Foundation $6.50 with a patented formula that controls oil, covers skin imperfections, and has 15 shades to choose from. Now, oily-complexions have something to cheer about!

BeautiControl’s Color Freeze Liquid Makeup $20.00 has SPF 12 to protect, and it’s waterproof, too! We really liked the way it smoothed and felt weightless on our skin. It comes in a wide variety of color choices so you'll find at least one a great choice for summer, and beyond.

We’re also reviewing Mirenesse Makeup for the first time and can honestly say it's a winner! Although the company is in Australia, it will be available in the USA on the Home Shopping Network, or you can order online. Mirenesse Emulsion Pact Foundation $24.00  is an opaque foundation, concealer, powder and sunscreen in five wearable shades from light to medium. Reviewers of all types tried it  and liked the coverage and soft, silky feel.  Better still, titanium dioxide provides a whopping SPF 25+ -- and there’s even a Refill $18.00

Another foundation that’s great for summer is Avon Incredible Finish Foundation $7.00 with SPF8, antioxidants and a what Avon calls a"smart blend" of ingredients that knows where to moisturize and where to absorb excess oil. We liked the lightweight, oil-free formula that dried quickly to a long-lasting finish, and didn’t cost us a mint!

Vincent Longo’s Liquid Canvas Healthy Fluid Foundation $35.00 premiering in this column has a lot more than just SPF 6. This beautiful and luxurious foundation also has "good for you" ingredients, and somehow managed to evedn out the complexions of everyone who tried it, while still keeping skin sheer and natural. Eight shades suit almost everyone. We were amazed! It's worth every penny.

We’re reviewing FRESH cosmetics for the first time. Fresh’s Freshface Foundation $42.00 comes in 11 colors in warm and cool tones, ranging from light "Northern Light" to deep "half moon club." We love the pump bottle which dispenses just the right amount (not a gusher) of this high-quality, high performance foundation. Fresh’s Freshface Absolute Concealer $22.00  (shown above) also comes in a handy little pump in two warm and two cool tones which should suit just about everyone. You get what you pay for with a product that's silky smooth, gives great coverage, and is very long lasting.

Revlon makes products that are easy are easy on the pocketbook, as well as the eyes. Three of their popular foundations really great for summer are: Revlon New Complexion One-Step Makeup $11.75 which combines the coverage of a liquid with the finish of a powder. You get 16 different shades to choose from and protection with SPF 15. Revlon Colorstay Lite Makeup $12.50 (shown above) has SPF 12. We applied is quickly and liked the fast-drying, smooth finish. For those who hate shine, Revlon's Shine Control Mattyfying Makeup $12.40 which has SPF 15, comes in a variety of colors to suit different skin tones, and still manages to tone and minimize pores. That’s a lot from a foundation, but Revlon, delivers!

Zhen Cosmetics Inc., was created by  Chinese American sisters and is touted  as best suited to Asian (yellow) undertones, but we tried the products on a variety of women and found that they looked good on most everyone. The products are truly high quality!  Of note is Zhen’s Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15 $21.00 with fun names like "Hong Kong" (deep), "Shanghai" (medium) and "Bejing" (light.). The coverage is sheer and light. Zhen Pressed Mosaic Powder $25.00 comes in a stylish black and gold compact with elegant Chinese lettering, and a puff. Multi colored powders blend together in a beige finishing powder, or bronzer.

Max Factor’s Facefinity Long Lasting Makeup $9.80 hit the market last winter. Nine beautiful liquid foundation shades from light "light ivory" to dark "almond" flatter most women, go on smoothly, protect with SPF15 and (really do) stay "put" even in summer’s heat. The foundation also has oil-absorbing powders to keep the shine level, down. Great! 

CUTE KITS & COLLECTIONS: the best things do come in small packages!  

TrishMcEvoy has some of the most sophisticated colors and high quality products around. We think they have the most wonderful kits. The latest, Trish McEvoy Down to Earth Face Essentials2 $45.00. We love the square, chic, black cases with the TrishMcEvoy signature on them. Inside, pretty earthttone colors of eye shadows lipstick and liner make summer looks easy, tote-able, and beautiful!

Urban Decay is known for fun, flirty products. One that’s perfect for yourself or a special hostess is the limited edition Urban Decay Face Ease Nymph-Glam $34.00. A matte silver, compact  has everything you need --even instructions -- to create stunning day and evening looks from subtle to glam. You'll find four eye shadows: "Speed, Polyester Bride, Stalker, and Acid Rain:, two Lipsticks with the ear-catching titles: "X" and "Asphyxia" along with two Lip Gunks (glosses) with less than pretty monikers: "Litter and Bruise"  but very pretty parti-glitter and pearly plum and a silver Body Haze (glitter) called "Uzi." 

Tony & Tina has a stunning new collection of lip glosses in kit called Universal Kisses $25.00. We wish we had a photo to show you! It's a sleek, silvery case no bigger than a business card houses six stunning glosses ( matte, pearl, and glitter) containing good-for-your-lips extracts of Bergamot, Geranium, and Tangerine that smell wonderful and shine like crazy! Look closely on the inside mirror and you’ll see a message guaranteed to make you smile.

Trish McEvoy’s summer version of Trish McEvoy Maxed Out Lip and Gloss Kit $19.00 features the same fabulous, super-thin, credit-card sized compact as the winter version which we went wild for. This one has another ten lipstick and gloss, complete with a high-quality mini-lip brush, and a decent-sized mirror. Our makeup bags will never be without one, and it’s also a great gift!

ALL EYES ON SUMMER: summer lids need a light touch. These products will do the job even when the temperature soars, and help you look great! 

Mirenesse Curling Mascara $14.50 is a gentle formula contact lens wearers will appreciate. It is available in navy, black and brown. It supposedly lasts up to 24 hours although none of our reviewers stayed up that long. On the other hand, they did say that it did stay put as long as they were wearing it, and really did appear to add texture and curl to lashes as it sets. Best of all, it washes off so you don’t need to use eye makeup remover-amazing! There is also a smaller size mascara $7.30 which would be good for makeup bags or travel.

Prescriptives False Eyelashes mascara $26.50 magnifies sun-bleached lashes and makes them look long and lush. Better still, it has emollients for healthy lashes, the perfect prescription for sun-parched lashes in black and black/brown!

The only thing better than a great eye shadow is a great eye shadow in an equally-great compact. One that comes to mind for summer is BeneFit She Shells Eye Cremes $18.00, housed in a white scallop shell compact with a large, black pearl (surprise!) nestled whimsically in the lid. There are three iridescent colors but our hands-down favorite was "she star" an amazing iridescent pistachio that looked great on everyone. "She Shore," an iridescent pink coral makes a great evening or accent color, too.

Urban Decay’s eye shadow $15.00 comes in adorable good-for-one-fare "token" boxes with clear middle you can see the color without opening the lid) are intense colorful, blend able, and can be dry or wet (for more drama). "Baked" is an amazing, metallic copper that would look stunning with a tan, or used wet (as an eye liner). "Gifter" is a shimmery light lilac with silver glitter flakes that would be flattering on everyone!

We love the new, long-lasting creme to powder shadows.  Origins Underwear for Lids Delicate Color for Eyes $12.00 are slightly shimmery shadows that won’t crease or smudge, with optical diffusers to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Skin conditioning ingredients and anti-oxidants such as Aloe Vera and Vitamin E protect and moisturize the skin and help prevent irritation. The very pretty "Pink Wink" and "Silvery Stare" provide a light touch and a bit of glittery shimmer, without overdoing it.

Stila has the cutest cardboard containers! Stila’s beauty & the Beach collection features silvery circles with adorable bathing beauty illustrations. . For summer eyes, try the new Stila Eye Shadow Trio $28.00 in "Capri." featuring plum-oriented colors in soft light pink, medium pinkish mauve, and plum, for a dramatic liner.

We admit that we’re not usually fans of eye shadow pencils. We like the convenience, but find that most don’t stick around long enough for wear in summer heat. Cover Girl Eye Slicks Gel EyeColor $4.50 may just be the pencil that changes our mind. Four (really gorgeous) glimmery gel-based pencil glide on smoothly, condition with cucumber and aloe, and manage to last! "Dark Denim" made a dynamite liner, too!

Another way to get summer glamour if you’re budget conscious is with Physicians Formula. Swipe a brush over Physicians Formula Pearls of Perfection Multi-Colored Eye Shadow Pearls $6.96 in their clear lucite cubes packed with multi-colors "pearls" of color and you’ll get sheer, long-lasting, shimmery color. We particularly liked Bronze Pearl" and the silvery "metallic pearl" to accent an evening look, especially with a tan! Palefaces will get a similar effect with Physicians Formula Virtual Eyes Loose Eyelighter $6.96 and Virtual Eyes Multi-Reflective Eye Shadow Contour Pencil $6.96 in "Up In The Clouds" that combines iridescent, white, pink and sky blue hues to create a pretty, pearly-white lid color or highlighter.

Face Stockholm’s eye shadow $15.00 is long lasting and sophisticated. Four new summer pearl shadows feature jewel tones. #23 is a shimmery rose that would look universally flattering on anyone’s lids. Ditto #35 , a shimmery beige. Tired of neutrals? Try #34, a clear, mint green or #33, a slightly-shimmery (but very wearable) medium blue.

M·A·C’s Sheer Colour Extract $12.50 is a liquid cream that comes in a little tube, smooths on, and stays put. It comes in five colors just right for summer. You can wear this day or evening. We particularly liked the pearly-nude "bellyflop" and the beautiful, shimmery beige "breastroke.

Prestige Eye Shadow Singles $2.69 are generously sized and come in dozens of sophisticated colors with a silky, blend able feel that makes you feel luxe, even if you’re budget-conscious. Our hands-down favorite for summer is "Golden Retriever" accented with the ivory-golden-glitter-flecked "Glisten."

Avon BeComing line, making it’s Advice Sisters debut in this column, has a wide range of colors and vitamin enriched products to suit just about anyone. Two to try this summer are Becoming Dynamic Duo eyecolor and liner which pairs a nearly-black plum liner with a very soft, greyed-lilac under the hard-t0-resist name "fairy dust" and BeComing Multi-look eyecolor Trio Three Cheers in "Aura" (shown above) pairs a classic brown and beige shadow combo with a very pretty, glossy shimmering highlighter.

Clinique’s "Isn’t it Romantic" collection is a forward-looking trend for Fall. Their High Impact Eye Shadow Single $12.00 in "Timeless Teal" s a soft "beach house" blue-grey that would flatter summer lids beautifully. The collection hits the shelves in August, 2002 for a limited time - hurry!

Another trendy teal is Mirenesse two-way single shadow $9.00 in "Nicolle." The clear, flip-top compact highlights an unusually pretty flower design embossed into the shadow. The shadow itself has anti-oxidants, vitamins (E &F) and all sorts of other "good for you" ingredients to protect and soothe. The colors are intense (a little goes a long way) and subtle. You can also buy Mirenesse shadows in a beautiful silvery compact (included free with your purchase) as a trio $27.00 and choose your own colors from literally dozens! Our trio had three shimmery earthtones from light beige "Ariadne" to dark bronze "Erato"

One of the quickest ways to perk up pale summer skin is to highlight your eyes. BeautiControl’s Sensuous Shadows $9.00 glide on with silky, single colors that blend easily and stand up to summer heat. There are 18 colors to choose from. Try silvery "Platinum" or trendy "Teal" or "Eggplant" for a strong statement, medium pink "Shell Pink" or soft, shimmery "Greige" for daytime.

Vincent Longo’s "Afresco-matic" pens $25.00 deliver a sheer wash of fast-drying color in a pen-style wand, at the click of a button. His Amalfi Dream collection for summer is inspired by the colors of the Amalfi-Coast (romantic!). Glittery-champagne-colored "Sophia" makes lids sparkle.

BLUSH WITHOUT SUN!  Blush helps your face look alive and healthy without a tan.  Here are some just right for summer:

At first glance, Prescriptives Fresh Cut Cheek Color $38.00 looks like a potpourri in a precious, lucite cube which looked pretty on our dressing table, but when we opened the lid and brushed a fan brush over the top, we realized that it’s real purpose is to give cheeks a sheer, shimmery and natural "strawberry ice cream" glow that comes from four allover face shadows that have been broken into pieces and tossed together like a floral bouquet. Like the flowers they were inspired by, no two boxes are exactly the same.

We love Stila’s sophisticated, subtle, and simply beautiful colors and think it’s especially nice when you find a color that is nearly one-type-suits-all. Stila Cheek Color $15.00 in "Beach Bloom" is a warm and earthy-rose, which goes on sheer and can be layered more generously for intensity and to flatter deeper complexions.

IIt’s nice to simplify in the summer. Make Up Forever’s Mat Blush Pencils$14.00 are chubby and portable sticks of color that blend quickly and easily to a powder finish. There are four pretty colors to choose from, but #3 "Deep Rose" would be universally flattering to warm up pale to medium complexions.

Clinique’s new blush just right for summer is Gel Blush $10.50 which is not only reasonably priced, but a sheer, natural looking blush that looks great even without foundation, and comes in a nice, tote-able tube. Clinique says it’s also sweat-proof, smudge-proof, and fade-proof. Our reviewers agreed! "Shell Pink" is pretty for cool, pale complexions, "black Honey" will enhance sallow, warm-based ones.

Avon True Color Blush $7.50 cares for skin as it colors with Vitamins A, C and E. There lots of beautiful, summer-worthy shades to select, but we think that the medium-coral "peach tint" will flatter most women whether they’re tan, or not!

Vincent Longo’s Color Wash $18.00 is a natural, sheer "stain" that comes in cranberry, golden brown, and lilac. Reviewers said that not only were the colors wearable, they liked the idea of using one all-purpose color wash for cheeks, eyes, and lips. The colors blend quickly and easily with the attached wand, and really stay true. "Neo Aura" is a sheer warm brown that makes you skin look sun-kissed, even if it’s not. If you’re traveling and need to save space, one of these is the beauty tool to take!

M·A·C Satin Blush $16.00 is a powder blush that’s not only generously sized, but has light enhancing particles and pigments to enhance as well as warm up skin. Deeper complexions and those with dark tans will love the intense, warm red "Bikini Blush"from the M·A·C "Pool Party collection!"

Physicians Formula has a new line called "Les Botaniques" that feature multi-colored powders pressed into a compact featuring a different flower for each item. Les Botaniques Botanical Highlighter $11.95 in "Fancy Pansy" gives you just a hint of a rosy glow and contains ingredients to soothe and protect skin. Les Botaniques Botanical Translucent Face Powder $11.95 in "OppsiDaily" warms your complexion with just a hint of bronze and shimmer.

We’re mentioning FACE Stockholm’s new fall Matte Eye Shadow $16.00 in a deep rust called "Persika" because we really think it makes the most dynamite blush for deep tans! Later in the Fall, when your tan has faded, it will do-double-duty as the eye shadow it’s intended to be.

Maybelline’s Express Blush $7.75 delivers lasting, creamy color in a portable stick that great for travel, the office, the gym and long weekends. Swivel up one of eight colors, apply directly to the cheek and blend with finger tips. A boon for palefaces is "Rosy," which offers a natural, soft pink glow. Traditionalists who like a more glimmery, but natural look will love Maybelline’s Mosaic Bronzer $5.95. We suggest "Sun Blushed" for light complexions, or one of three others pretty shades deeper tones.

For a "sun-kissed" look without bronzer, try Revlon Skinlights Face Illuminator $12.80 and Revlon Skinlights Face Illusion Wand $8.95 The face illuminator is a sheer, non-greasy, skin-brightening, shimmery lotion with Vitamins A, C & E and SPF 15. "Bare Light" is a pretty, shimmery pearl, and "Pink Light" has a light touch of shimmery gold. The illusion wand is a light-diffusing concealer with SPF 12, which goes on smooth and opaque, dispensed from a dial-up wand (neat!).

Victoria’s Secret Sudden Blush Sheer Blushing Powder $25.00 is light, sheer, and stays true to color. Warm rosy-brown #55 "Earthy" can be used as a blush and as an alternative to orange-y bronzers to warm up pale skin. We haven’t wanted to wear another blush, since!

NOTE!!!   MORE PRODUCTS FOR LIPS, NAILS & FRAGRANCE & HAIR CARE  AND OUR EXCLUSIVE BUYING GUIDE LINKS  FOLLOW ON PAGE TWO - GO THERE NOW