So you say you're feeling a little funky. You wouldn't mind a little glitz and glamour, but nothing in your makeup kit is quite up to the challenge.

For less than four dollars a tube in most stores -- a good buy for eyeshadow -- Maybelline's Cool Effects might be just what the doctor ordered. Available in six different shades, Cool Effects is glimmery, shimmery, and oh-so-cool.

As a self-confessed makeup junkie, and raccoon-like in my adoration of all things shiny, I snatched up Cool Effects in a variety of colors as soon as they hit the market.

Gel-like in consistency, the shadow is remarkably cool, a definite perk on a humid, hot August morn. Of course, coolness is not really a reason that I buy eyeshadow. More important, by far, is how it looks, and Cool Effects has a great look.

Used sparsely (and by sparsely, I mean a pinhead drop of the gel), Cool Effects is little more than a veil of color. Done this way, the look is romantic and light -- perfect for a summer event, though perhaps a bit sparkly for the office.

Add a little more color, and what you get is pure drama. "Cool Beans" is just right for a big night out, and what could be more perfect than "Cool as a Cucumber" for a holiday party? For those of you uninitiated to Cool Effects, "Cool Beans" is a deep bronze, and "Cool as a Cucumber" is a terrific green.

If you reach for a color like "Cool Cat", you might even try it at the office. "Cool Cat" -- a pale, shimmery copper -- is probably the only color I'd grab for everyday use.

But ease of use is where Cool Effects falls short. The gel is difficult to blend, and it's all too easy to come away with an uneven, blotchy effect. Blending is tedious, and if, like me, you favor a more dramatic look, beware. With the heavier application of colors comes another dilemma. If you don't keep your eyes closed while until it dries completely, Cool Effects creases badly.

Oh, and be sure to have a sink handy. For best results, you'll need to apply it with your fingertips. I've tried with cotton swabs and makeup sponges, but they just don't do the same job. Unfortunately, on a few occasions I've had to go back and wipe shimmery fingerprints from doorknobs or faucets.