I was anxious to try my new Physicians Formula Baked Collection wet/dry eyeshadow. There’s something about mineral makeup, a certain shimmer and shine that naturally attracts the eye. I had looked at this item a few times in the store before I finally plunked down my $7 for a trio of shimmering colors in a collection called Baked Sugar. This selection features a pinkish color, one that is a darker pinkish brown and a whitish highlight shimmer.

First let me say that either dry or wet, the product applies nicely, feels smooth and soft on and does produce a lot of shimmer. When applied dry, I thought it wore off too easily and had less staying power than when applied wet.

Perhaps I bought the wrong shade collection but I was disappointed that the color didn’t stay true from container to application, looking much lighter and less rich after it was on my eyelids. Also - wet or dry - the two darker colors really didn’t look any different after application. I even tried applying both colors next to each other on the back of my hand and was unable to distinguish one from the other. So much for a darker color to create shadow in the crease. The lightest shade, white, was distinct from the other two but the least likely to be used on a daily basis.

There are darker shade trios in the Baked Collection line that might perform better but I am loath to try them after this experience. I gave the Baked Sugar trio to my daughter. The light pinkish shimmer will suit her young face much better and because of the natural and hypoallergenic formula, I won’t have to worry about it irritating her eyes or skin.

Camouflaging dark circles can require more than just a dab of a light colored concealer. If you have very noticeable dark circles, it is usually because the skin beneath the eye area is thinning and this creates shadows in the hollows. Because the skin is thinner, blood vessels under the skin cast a darkish, bluish hue.

To counteract the blue, yellow is the color you use. Apply a yellow-based concealer in the darkened areas and follow it up with a light flesh color makeup applied over it. The yellow will help reflect light away from the area, creating fewer shadows and brightening the under-eye area.

I have found what I think is the perfect product for this purpose: Physicians Formula Concealer Twins Cream Concealer 2-in-1 Correct and Cover.

This duo combines a yellow color corrective that is applied over dark under-eye circles and bluish skin and a cream concealer that covers the yellow. The formula is transfer-resistant and water-resistant. It’s also hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores). Under $7, and available at drug and department stores everywhere.

The newest trend in comsetics is mineral make-up. Consisting of inorganic minerals and pigments found in nature,such as zinc oxides, mica, titanium dioxide and ultramarine pigments, these products are advertised as better for your skin than regular make-up. From powders to eyeshadow, there is a great variety of these natural mineral products being marketed.

These products promise to eliminate allergic reactions and breakouts and be safe for all skin types. For selection and always with price in mind, I recommend Physicians Formula or Neutrogena’s line of mineral makeup products. Physicians Formula has multiple products and I particularly liked their Solar Powder bronzer with sunscreen. Neutrogena is a name we know we can trust and their line of Mineral Sheers includes foundation powder and eyeshadow with a little shimmer. Best of all, both are available at drugstore prices.