Unfortunately my Avon daring Defifinition gel eye liner arrived without the brush to apply it so I have had to wait several days to try it. Now that I have tried it, I must say I like it very well.

I have never been one for painting eyeliner on, simply because I lack a steady hand at times. But using the correct brush, this gel formula glides on easily and smoothly. The color is as rich as they claim, with high-intensity pigments and a slight hint of pearlescence that gives it depth. The look is definitely dramatic but you can do thin, subtle lines - it’s all in how you apply it. Getting the exact look you want is much easier than with a pencil and the rich depth of the color is definitely worth it.

I wish the brush came with the product but Avon does sell a specifically designed brush for application. The amount of product is generous and the consistency is very nice, a gel formula that is easy to apply and yet thick enough to give you great definition.

The shade I used was Black/Brown Pearl but Daring Definition comes in Black Pearl, Brown Pearl and Navy Pearl.

Colored eyeliner is back in style and when you choose the right color for yourself it can be very effective. Light pastels and metallics are fine for evening when you want a dramatic look, but other colors can be employed for a subtle daytime look.

Choose rich, muted colors. If you have brown or hazel eyes, green is a wonderful choice but go for an olive shade. If your eyes are blue or grey, try navy rather than a bright blue. A dazzling cobalt blue may draw your attention but will drab out your eyecolor instead of enhancing it. Purple comes in several deep, muted shades - just avoid anything too pinky.

They key to color is subtlety. Use a soft pencil and smudge slightly, choose a color that brings out your eye color. Add to your color collection as you find the right shades and free yourself from the basic black and brown.

One of the great things about Christmas gifts from my daughter is the way she manages to find something very nice that still fits her budget. She has a knack for finding the items that are greatest in value and (dare I say it?) elegance at the trusty dollar store.

This year she picked up a moisture drenched lipstick in a luscious raspberry red, flecked throughout with tiny bits of glitter that shine and catch the light. Unfortunately, it’s a discontinued Aziza lip color so I won’t be able to replace it once it’s gone. Perhaps that adds to the value of it for me; it’s already rare. I am not one who normally goes in for lots of glitter on my lips, but the holiday season isn’t over yet as New Year’s approaches and I may have plans for this little gem-like lip color.

Nevertheless, I so liked the glittery look and imagining how that will catch attention at any New Year’s gathering, I went out in search of something that might work as a substitute for anyone looking for a special shimmer come midnight Dec. 31st.

These Glitter Tube Tints from Bobbi Brown come in a set of three shades. If the picture shows the color faithfully, then the darkest shade on the left is close to what I have. A good choice if you like something light with the sheer quality of a gloss.

The closest contender as a replacement might be Glitter Lipstick by Sephora. There’s a good selection in the shades and it goes on like a lipstick but can be worn over another lipstick or under gloss.

When you think of green makeup you probably think of Frankenstein’s monster, but there are times when you might consider using green-tinted makeup on your face (and no, it’s not on Halloween).

Your regular concealer is no match for red splotchy patches, blemishes or acne. You need to apply a color corrective under your foundation to hide the angry red and give yourself a flawless and even skin tone. A concealer with a green tint will correct the redness. Apply over the blemish, then apply your foundation. You can even apply the concealer again over your foundation and blend for a more complete coverage.

If the problem is more than a few blemishes with red splotches or rosacea (see our article on rosacea) then a product specifically designed for rosacea will be more effective.

Brenda Christian’s Rosacea Eraser is a multi-toned powder of Italian pigments micro-filled with Jojoba and Vitame E. It will neutralize red tones and soothe and protect skin.

Available at our Beauty Store