Beauty Board

If you're never quite sure whether the ads for popular beauty products can be believed, relax. Our 4you Beauty Board is made up of veteran testers ready to try the latest when it comes to all things beauty. We'll share what worked and what bombed with the hope of making life a little easier for you.

Check out our online database of reviews at TBO.com, Keyword: Health.

Soap & Glory Wash Your Hands of It Hand Wash

Available at most Target stores and www.target.com; $9.99 for 8.4 ounces

"Shea butter and silk soft liquid hand wash with soothing lime tree blossom and built-in skin conditioners"

Rating: A

Cloe says: Washing my hands doesn't usually make me smile, but when the suds come from a cute, retro-looking bottle straight out of the "I Love Lucy" era, it makes things fun. All of the Soap & Glory products come in cute, candy-colored packaging with witty names like Mist You Madly; Clean of England; Clean, Girls; and Scrub Em' and Leave Em' . Many (like the hand wash) feature vintage photos of beauties that look darn cute on my bathroom vanity. But, more importantly, this product works. It left my hands soft, smooth and moisturized with a fabulous floral scent that lingers. And when the bottle was nearly empty, I added a little water and was able to work up some extra suds. Sure, 10 bucks for a hand wash is an indulgence, but you'll come clean with a smile on your face every time.

Cloe Cabrera, 43, covers fashion and beauty for the Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8.

Avon Skin So Soft Wintersoft Hand Wash with Hydroseal Complex

Available at www.avon.com; 8.4 ounces for $6 (now on sale for $3)

"Intense moisture for winter's driest skin ... rich formula moisturizes and softens like oil, cleanses and foams like a wash."

Rating: A-

Michelle says: I love, love, love Avon's Skin So Soft line - it's one of the most versatile products out there. Yes, I use it to bring some life back to my parched skin but also to ward off pesky mosquitoes, keep flies off my horses and give my dog some relief from nonstop scratching. With this hand wash, just a little dab is all it takes to work up a luxurious foam that leaves my hands feeling soft and silky with no oily residue. And it also works on those nasty cracked elbows and heels (there's that versatility again). An added bonus: It smells simply divine. For the price, this is the best hand wash I've ever used.

Michelle Bearden, 55, covers faith and values for the Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8.

Jason Rosewater Satin Soap

Available on several websites, including www.healthsuperstore.com, www.amazon.com and www.vita

cost.com; $5.23 for 16 fluid ounces

"Combining the antioxidant properties of vitamins A and E with the aroma therapeutic benefits of rosewater, Jason Rosewater Satin Soap will leave your skin feeling clean, soft and smooth."

Rating: A-

Wendy says: Soap. Seems like a pretty simple concept. We use it multiple times a day, generally without complaint. Or so I thought until I started thinking about reviewing this product. I realized I do have standards. Or, more specifically, there are qualities I don't want in my soap. If it's runny, stinky (overpowering or unpleasant) or drying, or squirts willy-nilly out of the dispenser, no thanks. This soap is none of those things. It's thick, rich and sudsy, and left my hands feeling clean and soft. Basically, it does all the things the maker claims. And it's certified organic. The "rosewater" gave me pause initially, putting my stinky sensor on alert. (I have a few years before I want to smell like my dear grandma.) False alarm. Even the scent is pleasant. Lather up.

Wendy M. Whitt, 44, is the Tribune's audience editor.

Softsoap Rich Moisturizing Shea Butter Hand Soap

Available at Publix, Target, CVS and other large retail stores; $3.29 for 8.5 ounces

"Contains beads filled with shea butter, a natural moisturizer."

Rating: B

Kim says: Soap is soap, unless it has something special packed inside. This one has beads with shea butter to help moisturize your hands whenever you wash them - a great idea. But I was a little disappointed. The soap didn't smell as yummy as I thought it would - or as good as most hand soaps do these days - and I didn't notice any special moisturizing benefits. My hands got clean, though, which is no easy feat when you're a gardener. I'm using the Softsoap with mango now; it cleans just as well, and I like the scent a whole lot better. I'll count on other products for moisturizing my mitts.

Kim Franke-Folstad, 52, is the editor of 4you.