One thing this magazine does that I always enjoy reading is they rate and compare products.  This month they did dishwasher detergent, fruit juice and budget makeup.  Here is what they have to say:

Dishwasher Detergent-they break it down into three categories.  Best Powder-Cascade Complete.  Not a huge fan of this brand.  I have been trying to use more eco-friendly cleaning products, so I have not tried ‘the new and improved’ version.  Best Liquid-Mrs. Meyer’s automatic Dishwashing liquid.  Have tried and LOVE IT.  This stuff really works.  The scent can be a bit strong, but it dissipates quickly, and leaves a nice clean scent behind.  My favorite is Lemon Verbena, but basil seems to get high marks so maybe I will give that a shot.  Best Pellet-Finish Quantum.  Again, from what I have read not the most eco-friendly product, certainly not the most economical, so I have not tried this one either.  Nice to know that my Mrs. Meyer’s supplies are getting the recognition they deserve.

Fruit Juice-LOTS of stuff here.  LOTS of stuff I have not heard of or tried.  Best Orange-Natalie’s Orchid Island..never hard of this brand. (We like Simply Orange or Tropicana) Best Apple-Mott’s Natural Fresh Pressed (my kids like this one! SCORE!)  Best Grape-Old Orchard Organics Heard of it, but never tried it (I don’t think I really buy grape Juice…does Grape kool-aid count?) Best Grapefruit-Simply Grapefruit-Love the brand, didn’t even know they made grapefruit juice!  Best Pomegranate-Whole Foods (NOT my cup of tea, pomegrante juice is just too tart for me, and my husband refuses to pay 10 dollars for that Pom stuff) Best Orange Blend-Tropicana Pure Valencia with Mango (tried this, and dug it! but my oldst son just drinks the whole bottle, so “R” and I rarely get a chance to enjoy it) Best Apple Blend-Martinelle’s Gold Medal Apple-Pomegranate (Never heard of it, and frankly I don’t know about those two blended together…) Best Pomegranate Blend-Pom Wonderful Pom blueberry (NOT paying 12 dollars for 48 ounces of juice…sorry, not happening) and finally Best Cranberry Blend-RW Knudsen Family Cranberry Raspberry-heard of the brand, sounds yummy, but never tried it (I usually drink Ocean Spray, or Target’s brand)  I realize that my family and I have very mundane taste in juice, but I am cool with that.  I mean really , how good can $11 juice really be?

Best Budget Makeup-this is what I was really interested in.  I don’t work in an office, so I rarely ‘makeup’ my face.  So frankly, I see no point in spending $40 on lipstick.  They break it down into two sub-categories-The classic and the Newcomer.  I did try to find a link but it would appear that Real Simple’s website is a few months behind.  So, I will only touch on a few things.  Best Lipsticks-LOVE lipstick.  Putting this on always makes me feel a bit more polished.  The classic-surprise, surprise Revlon Super Lustrous (with 72 colors, EVERYONE can find something!) The Newcomer-Maybelline New York Mineral Power Lipcolor-never heard of this, and I admit that I usually walk by the Maybelline aisle on my way to Revlon’s huge inventory, but this one sounds promising.  Though there are only 12 shades at the momey, so I imagine the shades are more universal, and you aren’t likely to find something special color wise here.  Best Nail Polish-Classic-Again, Revlon wins.  With over 60 shades, and the companies reputation behind it, this one is a no brainer.  The Newcomer-Nicole by OPI.  I LOVE OPI’s witty names for their polishes (one of their new colors is called “Paint my Moji-toes red”  Too cute!) I have seen this brand at Walgreens, some amazing colors!  You can choose from a classic baby pink to a shocking emerald green. Best blushes-The classic Covergirl.  17 shades to choose from…not too shabby when it comes to blush.  And you can’t beat the price (I have seen this at Walmart for 3 dollars!) The Newcomer-Sonia Kushuk.  Target carries this, and while it is more than double the price of the Covergirl winner, I think the color is much better on your face.  They go through a few more products, and give some great reasoning behind their picks.

This was a great issue.  TONS of information, and some truly great tips and ideas.