Happy Friday from the Cosmetic Connection!

It's November 15th already - time for this month's new Cosmetic Connection Feature. Skin Care 101 is your guide to choosing the best routine for your skin. Basic skin care doesn't have to be rocket science. By learning what your skin needs, you can choose products that will make it happy.

I seem to come across cool products everywhere I go, especially when I'm not even looking. On an errand at the discount store Marshall's, I discovered a great selection of H2O+ products for incredibly cheap. Would you believe alcohol-free toner for $1.99 and facial scrub for $2.99?! If you're an H2O+ fan like I am, check out your local discount stores for these fantastic bargains.

With the chilly autumn weather settled in, and winter wind and snow just around the corner, my favorite face-saver product for this time of year is a moisturizing treatment mask. I think a good one has to be both moisturizing and soothing, so I was delighted to find that the Body Shop Intense Moisture Mask I got in a GWP a few months ago really did the job. The gel formula takes just five minutes to work its magic, and it doesn't leave a greasy film on your face.

I admit I am biased when it comes to hair care products. Aveda is my favorite and I am pretty loyal. This week I was intrigued by a hair care product from Philosophy called "Let's Get Something Straight". Catchy name, but would it really made my wavy hair straighter?

If I had my old hair style, long and curly, it might have been a fine product, but it only made my short style wavier! To get this product to work, you really need to blowdry your hair straight by using a brush, but doesn't that miss the point? Isn't that what anyone with wavy or curly hair has to do anyway? I am sticking with my Aveda gel and anti-humectant, thank you.