There are times when you want eyelashes to look as full and long as they can but perhaps you don’t want heavy color that can melt and smudge and leave you with raccoon eyes. If your plans include engaging in outdoor activities on a warm day, you may feel more comfortable with a minimal or no-makeup look but you can still make those lashes stand out.

Using a clear mascara will give you definition and length without leaving color on your lashes. Max Factor’s No Color Mascara has a gel formula that does everything a mascara should - except add color.

Eyebrows too, need grooming - especially with brows getting fuller this year. Just because there is more brow doesn’t mean it should be wild and out of control. If you use a brow-defining pencil or no brow color at all, a quick and light brushing with a clear mascara is a great way to make eyebrows look well-groomed and set them for the day. Not too much though, you don’t want them to look glued into place.

It’s spring finally and under a warming sun that is creeping higher in the sky each day your makeup looks tired and out of place. Time to shake off winter routines and go for something light and breezy, something that lets the real you shine out.

Metallics are fine for nighttime wear but if you’re going to be out and about in the sunshine, you might feel and look more natural in mattes and neutral colors.

Eyeliner should be dotted in between the lashes, not a drawn line. Eyeshadows can be neutrals, pinks, sandy beige or earthy. Maybelline Expert Wear Eye Shadow Duo in Cocoa Delight or Indian Summer have neutral shades that are suitable for most skin tones. Try brown mascara if you have light brown or blonde hair, you can use black if your hair is darker.

When you get to lips, it’s okay to stay neutral but forget the matte and go for a moisture-drenched gloss. Gloss in barely-there hues will give you a fresh look and a hint of color. I like Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Nude Lustre.

Neutrogena introduces do-it-yourself microdermabrasion in a kit that includes everything you need to give yourself professional results at home.

The Neutrogena Advanced Solutions At Home MicroDermabrasion System contains:

* Advanced Solutions Micro-Oxide Crystallized Cream 2.5 oz - Contains the same aluminum-oxide crystals used by dermatologists and salon professionals for professional level microdermabrasions.

* Advanced Solutions System Applicator - This tool has two speeds to allow you to control the intensity of your treatment for maximum results without discomfort.

* Advanced Solutions Soft Foam Sponge Head - Two sponges are included in the system.

* 2 AA Batteries and Custom Stand for convenient storage when not in use.

The instructions say to use for 5 days in a row to start, then give your skin a week off to adjust. After that you can use the system 2-3 times a week to maintain your results. Neutrogena says that using the microdermabrasion system will exfoliate and lift dead skin, lessen fine lines and wrinkles, fade sun and age spots and give you finer, softer and younger-looking skin.

I approached this product with a slightly scrunched up look, one that sort of says “ouch”. But after reading what others are saying about it, I think it’s a wonderful alternative to paying high prices for similar treatments in a salon or spa. Retailing at about $39.99, it pays for itself with just one use. Future expenses will include replacing the micro-oxide cream and the batteries.

Carpenters’ nails are made of steel for strength. Fingernails on the other hand (forgive the pun) are not made of steel but it would be nice if they were. We would spend a lot less time repairing split and torn nails.

L’Oreal may have invented the next best thing to nails of steel with their Steel Colour nail polish. The formula contains what they call “steel elements” to help strengthen and harden nails as well as provide long-lasting color.

What I did notice about the ingredients is that there are a few toxic chemicals missing that are often found in nail polish. There is no formaldehyde in this nail polish. Toluene, another dangerous chemical often found in nail polish, is also missing from the ingredient list. The plasticizer, dibutyl pthalate is not listed as an ingredient. DBP has been found to have damaging effects on unborn male babies.

Less importantly health-wise but still handy is the bottle’s chunky shape. Delicate, fluted bottles are much too easily knocked over and spilled. I like a bottle that has stability, especially with something as permanently staining as nail polish.

There are 23 shades available. The colors are rich and the shine factor is not bad. As for hardening and strengthening nails, only time will tell if it will give me nails of steel.