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This list may be short (just two items,) but I couldn’t help but post it all the same!
Violet blush, ladies. I love it, so perhaps now that it’s gone mainstream, you’ll give it a try as well? (Seriously, do!! And let me know how it goes; I’m dying to know if anyone else is into it too.)
And the most hardcore sunscreen container ever:
Product: Murad Oil-Free Sunblock SPF30
What they say:
A featherweight, easily absorbed sunblock that protects and restores the appearance of healthy skin.
Prevents signs of premature aging caused by environmental exposure by delivering high SPF protection and intense hydration with an oil-free, matte finish.
The truth? Talk about a gross mess! Though it felt smooth upon application, the second I looked in the mirror, I soon saw the sticky, shiny finish it left! My skin was incredibly oily after only two hours — and this is after I drowned myself in silica spheres to try to counter the shininess. I don’t think I’ve ever been quite this disgusted with a product!
What’s even worse: it ate through my plastic. Ate through my plastic. I had it in a five gram jar, and now the jar is toast. There’s a white outline where the sunscreen was, and yes — I’ve tried washing it. It’s damage, not just residue. On top of this, it’s only SPF30, contains parabens and chemical suncreens. If it’s so normal, why couldn’t they have… gee, I don’t know. Made it suck less?
The veriduct? Duh! Don’t even sample this. It’s that nasty. I just don’t understand! The reviews are so good! Unless the sample I tried had gone bad (doubtful) or I’m just crazy (also doubtful, but less so) people are setting their standards way too low.
I suppose if you had never tried high-end sunscreen before, this would be decent… compared to $6 store-brand waterproof goop. But honestly? I’d reach for my $10 Neutrogena way before reaching for this!
No one likes an oompa loompa tan – but there’s certainly something that can be said for it. (Aside from “tacky”, of course.)
I’ve finally decided that I cannot single-handedly erase the public opinion that tanned is good. I can, of course, still stand tall on my soapbox and preach about it: super-tan is not super-healthy. Beautiful does not have to be bronze.
That said, I support fake tanning. I still don’t think being tan is a necessity, but I support getting bronzed in your bathroom – does that make sense? So, while I still think a bad bottle-bronze looks tacky and awful, I feel a strange sense of support for it.
Why?
Well, while bronze may not say beautiful, orangeish says that you’re too smart to let the sun roast away your epidermis just so you won’t be pale. With self-tanners and bronzers, you can slather on the SPF, keep yourself safe, and still look as bronzed as you want. Orangeish means that you don’t have to risk your health just to be tan.
And this is why I support fake tanning.
(But seriously, guys. If you’re so orange I want to eat you — you need to lay off the GlowFusion.)
Major skin conditions are not taken into concern, but I’ve picked out ones that should be good for all skintypes. Why? Well, I have dry skin, my sister has combination (and a paraben allergy) and my mum has very oily skin. That gives me pretty much the entire skincare range to subject to product testing!
I want a…
super-fabulous, cheap body sunscreen: $ Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch, in the SPF of your choice!
scent-free facial sunscreen for drier skin:
$$$ MAC Prep and Prime SPF50
gorgeously sheer (and mattifying!) face or body sunscreen:
$$Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF55 PA+++
paraben-free physical suncreen for the face:
$$$$ Clarins Day Screen SPF40
cheap paraben-free physical sunscreen for face and body:
$ Neutrogena Pure and Free SPF60 (PureScreen; not recommended over NC25ish)
The “SPF” links lead to product pages and the “xxbrandxx” links lead to my reviews, if I’ve reviewed them. (They will all have links, eventually!)
And lastly…
If price was no object, I’d use… Clarins Day Screen
But reasonably, I’d use… Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection (for my face) and Neutrogena PureScreen (for my face and/or body)
And, on a budget, I’d use… Neutrogena PureScreen (or Ultra Sheer, if you have a darker skintone.)
Product: Clarins Plus Day Screen SPF 40
What they say about it:
Clarins UV Plus Day Screen High Protection SPF 40 is the ultimate natural, non-chemical day screen. It has anti-UV and anti-pollution protection with 100% micronized, microdispersed mineral filters that guarantees optimal tolerance for even the most delicate skin.
The good stuff: I love how this is a physical sunscreen, protecting with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide instead of chemical sunscreens. The texture is amasing – like the Shiseido sunscreens I’m so in love with, this is a milk-like lotion that goes on thinly and smoothly. And, though it looks quite greasy going on, after about two to three minutes it dries to a gorgeous velvety finish.
The okay stuff: This is a “day screen” rather than a moisturiser with SPF, so it has to be layered – some people may be bothered by this extra step! Though it’s quite scented, said scent fades within ten minutes of putting it on, leaving you with scent-free (no sunscreen smell!) for the rest of the day.
The bad stuff: This baby is $42/oz… more than four times more expensive than the awesome Shiseido SPF55! Though it’s not listed on the package (which is only one ounce – super tiny!) it’s also only good for six months, another major negative.
The verdict? Pass. Unless you have cash to burn and need a good chemical-free sunscreen, there is no way this could be worth it!
Stay tuned – tomorrow (Saturday) I’ll be posting a breakdown of which suncreens I think are worth it, and for who they’re best suited to! I’ve spent so much time researching, trying, and hunting down sunscreens that I live, breathe, and eat this stuff.
But not the last one. I hope. Because that’s just gross.
