This week, I’m again featuring some samples that’s been sitting on my desk waiting to be tried. Been curious about these minis but I didn’t have the time to test them, until recently. Some of these are the ones I’ve always wanted to buy but for some reason, they kind of had given me some mixed feelings. So, let’s check out these samples once and for all and see which of them are worth having.
Lancome Click & Glow Highlighting Skin Fluid ($23) – I really love how subtle these highlighters are. I thought they’d be just like any other highlighters out there, and I also thought that they won’t really show on my face, but actually, they do. Their effect is so natural and yet very buildable. I really like that they give such a nice healthy glow without looking too dewy.
Stila Stay All Day Foundation + Concealer ($40) – I’m so surprised to have fallen in love with this. I really like the way this is formulated, kinda like a foundation/concealer hybrid that really covers blemishes, dark spots, dark circles, and any other imperfection on the skin. This doesn’t cake and this lasts a long time. I definitely need this foundation in its full size.
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (0.22 oz: $30) – Always a favorite and one of the best concealers out there. This blends well into the skin because of its nice smooth creamy consistency that doesn’t cake or move around even when you sweat. Custard is my shade.
Sephora Collection Lipstick – These lipsticks have different finishes and I think they’re all good. I love their formulation and they’re really pigmented. Some of the colors may no longer be available now, but I do believe that Sephora got these lipsticks right especially in terms of lasting power, texture, and scent. My favorites are Rebel Chic and Enchanting Blush.
Urban Decay Meltdown Makeup Remover Dissolving Spray (mini/1 oz: $12, 3.38 oz: $26) – I like the concept of this spray-on makeup remover, however, it is kinda messy to apply, and it does feel oily or it has a silicon feel to it even though it says it doesn’t. It does remove the makeup well, including the eye makeup but it kinda left my face feeling oily. So, I think I’ll just stick to my favorite makeup remover for now.
Dr. Brandt Needles No More 3-D LIP PLUMPFIX ($39) – This lip cream has two formulas – one for AM and one for PM. The AM one has a nice fruity lemon scent that gives a tingling sensation on the lips, thus making it look and feel plump. While the PM one just feels creamy (like a lotion) and did nothing to my lips. I don’t find these to be extremely moisturizing, so I think it’s better to stick to my favorite lip balms, as those will probably do a much better job than these 2-in-1 lip creme/conditioner.
Giorgio Armani Neo Nude Ecstasy Balm (0.10 oz: $34) – This untinted lip balm has a fruity scent and it feels lightweight on the lips, however, it’s not really moisturizing. I expected a lot from this balm, especially because I love Armani Beauty, but I think I won’t be changing my favorite lip balms any moment soon.
Patchology FlashPatch Night Restoring Eye Gels (5 ct: $20, 30 ct: $60) – These are so fun to use and I love the earthy scent. The patches are soft, gel-like, and are super-drenched which really moisturize the undereye. Not sure if they melt afterward or not, but mine did disappear overnight. I’m pretty sure they weren’t on my pillowcase either.
Pinrose Pillowtalk Poet Eau de Parfum (1.7 oz: $65) – I like the light powdery musky scent of this towelette sample, but the scent is a bit too light and it does disappear within a few minutes of wear on me.
Cartier L’Envol de Cartier Eau de Parfum (1.6 oz: $90.00 – 2.7 oz: $115.00) – This masculine scent comes off as way too strong and kind of overpowering at first, especially because of its intense musk and alcohol scent. However, its dry down is really romantic and overall irresistible and seductive.
First Aid Beauty Coconut Water Cream (1.7 oz: $34) – This is such a nice lightweight moisturizer that is perfect for any skin type, especially for those with sensitive skin. This moisturizes well and it has a nice mild scent to it.
Erborian CC Crรจme High Definition Radiance Skin Perfector in Clair (1.5 oz: $44) – I really like this two-tone CC cream which goes on white at first, then it transforms into some kind of a creamy beige shade that surprisingly blurs the pores very well. It makes the skin look really even, smooth, and young-looking. I feel like I could use this on good skin days (doesn’t cover the dark spots completely) and just set it with a very good setting powder as an everyday foundation.
Korres Greek Yoghurt Smoothie Priming Moisturiser (1.01 oz: $42)– This smells just like its Yoghurt Cream Cleanser which I love, reviewed HERE. It does seem to be doing a good job as a moisturizer/primer hybrid because it holds my foundation well and it also moisturizes my skin, not to mention, saving you the time of applying a separate primer on your face.
Sisley Paris Double Tenseur Moisturizing Gel (1 oz: $192) – Dubbed as the Rolls Royce of all face primers, I could tell there’s a lot to love about this product. This feels light and gel-like, almost like a lightweight cream/gel moisturizer, and it preps/smooths the skin well for just about any type of foundation. It isn’t super sticky but it holds the makeup nicely for the whole day, preventing any cakeyness. The result is a glowy fresh face. The only caveat really for this is the price.
Hello Everyone! There’s only a few days left of Summer and Fall’s just around the corner, oh my, how time goes by so fast. Yet from where I am, the sun is still shining brightly and though I could feel the temperature slowly dipping 1 digit down, it’s still pretty much Summer in here, no doubt. So before we reach the official start of Fall, I’d like to wrap up some sunscreens that I’ve used this Summer and even from the previous ones. Since I haven’t really done an official sunscreen roundup review on this blog, let’s do a recap of some of the sunscreen’s I’ve tried. Some of these products were a hit for me, while some were also a miss.
Let’s find out, shall we?
BODY
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Cooling Broad Spectrum Spf 60 Water-Lotion Sunscreen (150 ml: $35.99) – A fragrance-free, oil-free, paraben-free, great for sensitive skin sunscreen that has a light water-like texture. It’s great for face and body with added antioxidant protection and water resistant for 80 minutes. Though this was described as cooling and refreshing water-lotion, this didn’t really feel cooling for me, but others whom I’ve also asked to try claimed that they felt a bit of a cooling sensation upon applying it. So it might be just me being insensitive, LOL. The nice thing about this Sunscreen is that it’s not greasy, it’s super lightweight, my skin absorbs this easily and has no discerning scent. This also prevents me from getting sunburned and it’s not sticky while I sweat or stay under the sun. Definitely a great sunscreen if you have a sensitive skin, or if you just want an all-around good sunscreen that won’t irritate your nose. It’s kinda pricey for a sunscreen though, but you can tell that it’s good quality.
Supergoop! Super Power Sunscreen Mousse Broad Spectrum Spf 50 (3.4 oz: $19; 7.1 oz: $34) – A very different sunscreen that comes out as a mousse which spreads really well on the skin. It’s extremely lightweight and has a bit of a cooling or refreshing feel. It also has a nice light floral scent with antioxidants and is also water-resistant. The dispenser can be a bit tricky or difficult to use, and even though the mousse/foam, which feels like a shaving cream, was very spreadable, it kinda feels a bit greasy, but it disappears and melts into the skin easily. I usually use this for the body, but a lot of people also use this on their face. This gives me good coverage under the sun while it’s also fun to apply. The only problem is that because its packaging is pressurized, you’re not gonna be able to carry this when you travel.
Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Spf 30 in Aloe Vera (4 oz: $6.50) – I’ve always enjoyed this organic and water-resistant affordable sunscreen, plus, it’s pretty much easy to find. I like that this feels like a moisturizing lotion and it melts into my skin very well without leaving a white cast and it’s non-greasy. This scent can be a bit too sweet, like sweet lemons, but it’s not a bad fruity scent. It reminds me of Caudalie Foot Beauty Cream’s scent, but this one is great for sensitive skin with no parabens, no harsh sulfates, and made of 100% vegetarian ingredients. It’s a cheap but effective suncare.
Coola Sport Continuous Spray Broad Spectrum Spf 50 in Guava Mango & Spf 30 in Citrus Mimosa (3.4 oz: $24, 8 oz: $36) – Probably one of the best (if not the best) scented spray sunscreens I’ve ever tried. Made of organic ingredients, antioxidant-infused, and water resistant for 80 minutes. These sunscreens are ideal for just about any activity you want to do under the sun. I use this for running, hiking, and gardening. It doesn’t feel sticky even after I sweat a lot. I also never get sunburned with this, and it gets absorbed by my skin rather easily, plus it leaves no white residue whatsoever. In addition to that, the sprayer sprays evenly and finely onto the skin making it easy to spread and apply all over the arms and legs. Further reviewed HERE.
Coppertone Sport Continuous Spray Broad Spectrum Spf 70 (6 oz: $8.99) – One of the first ever sport sunscreen I’ve ever used, and it’s supposed to be made of high-performance formulations-antioxidants, water-resistant for 80 minutes, supposed to stay on your skin even after you sweat, and won’t run into your eyes and sting. Oh well, if I had not tried other sport sunscreens, I would have thought that all sunscreens are as sticky and strong-smelling as this. This particular sunscreen feels a bit thick and greasy upon application, and it gets even greasier once you start sweating with it. It almost feels gross, like your skin cannot breathe and it feels a bit hot. The nice thing about this is that it has a very high Spf, otherwise, there’s definitely other sunscreens that are better than this.
Clarins Sunscreen Care Oil Spray Broad Spectrum Spf 30 (5 oz: $36) – This was a hit for me the moment I first sprayed this on my skin. That powdery-floral scent could last for a good 4-6 hours and I never get tired of it. This spray has a very “summer on the beach” vibe, and it’s also great to spray on your hair to protect it from drying when exposed to a lot of sun and also from salt water. This is definitely my favorite suncare oil spray because it’s not greasy, it disappears into the skin easily, it leaves no white cast, and it protects me from the sun. I wish it has a higher Spf, but so far, I never had a sunburn or redness with this.
Top Care Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum Spf 50 (8 oz: $5.99) – Found this at my local supermarket when I was in sudden need of a sunscreen. This may be hard to find online nowadays, but I’m pretty sure you might find this in your local grocery stores. This was an impulse buy for me and I picked this not knowing anything about this particular product or brand at all. Of course, I had other choices, like Coppertone and Neutrogena, but after my experience with Coppertone’s Sport Continuous Spray, I felt like, Nah, I’m gonna have to pass. Also, I love Neutrogena products, but their sunscreens are too thick and too sticky for me. They also leave a white cast on my face and skin to the point that I looked like Casper. LOL. So, I picked this Top Care sunscreen and much to my surprise, I actually love it. It’s very moisturizing and it goes through my skin easily. I also love the delightful clean scent. It feels just like a lightweight lotion and it’s not greasy. I really like this a lot.
FACE
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream Broad Spectrum Spt 50+ Wetforce For Face (1.2 oz: $22, 2 oz: $36) – This sunscreen smells so good and a little bit goes a long way when it comes to its application. A tiny dot is pretty much all you need for your face because this feels very concentrated and thick for a facial lotion. It also tends to leave a bit of white cast on the face, but it goes away after a few minutes, still, you’re gonna have to go easy on this. I like that this is hydrating and very lightweight. Also, this sunscreen kinda makes my face a bit luminous or slightly dewy. It’s also water-activated, so this becomes even more effective when exposed to water or sweat. So far, I also never get a sunburn or even a tan from this. Another big hit for me.
EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum Spf 46 (1.7 oz: $32.50) – A sunscreen that’s ideal for people with sensitive skin, especially to those who are acne-prone, has rosacea or even has discolorations or hyperpigmentations. While this claimed to not leave any residue, I still somehow noticed a bit of a white cast on my face. Also, this sunscreen tends to pill with time, but it’s very lightweight and fragrance-free. With that being said, this sunscreen has a very strong Spf scent that you could smell like it for the entire day, which can be really overwhelming on the nose. However, this never gave me any breakouts, and it is indeed great for sensitive skin. I also never had a sunburn while using this, perhaps, just a bit of tan, but this can feel a bit sticky when you sweat. You also need to reapply this a lot whenever you’re in a hot and humid place, or even when you’re sweating in your face a lot. I also find this to be too pricey for its Spf and for its packaging size, but I like its silky texture and it could almost look dewy on the face.
Coola Classic Face Sport Broad Spectrum Spf 50 in White Tea (1.7 oz: $32) – With a nice and clean tea-floral scent that’s ideal for any skin types. It’s water-resistant for 80 minutes, super lightweight, and non-greasy. This organic suncare and moisturizer don’t leave a white residue on the face, and it almost has a gel-like texture. It goes onto the skin easily and I never felt any greasiness nor stickiness. This even goes well with any foundation and it’s hydrating on the face. Also, this feels soothing, and it’s meant to reduce redness and balance the skin tone. To me, this is a great overall Spf moisturizer that truly delivers what it’s supposed to do. Further reviewed HERE.
Algenist Sublime Defense Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid Spf 50 (1 oz: $28) – This is a lightweight sheer fluid that spreads easily on the skin and you don’t need to apply a lot of it. It also has Alguronic acid and antioxidants with an oil-free formulation that’s supposed to give a matte finish upon application. While I like this a lot when I tried this in-store and thought that it also had a pleasing vanilla-ish scent, Oh well, when I finally tried this at home, I was surprised by its strong awful glue-like smell. I almost couldn’t stand it and wanted to throw it away, but as I spread it all over my face, the scent sort of disseminated and became bearable. This also feels greasy but it settled on my skin somehow and though it didn’t really look mattifying on the face, it’s still ok under foundation. I think you could for sure find other face sunscreens that are much better than this.
Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution Sunscreen Multi-Protection Broad Spectrum Spf 50 Non-Tinted (1.7 oz: $43) – This is one of the best facial sunscreens I’ve ever tried. I just love that mild, clean, and irresistible scent. This goes on smoothly on my skin and it doesn’t feel greasy because it’s oil-free. It’s hydrating but not so dewy, and it’s great to go under makeup. I also noticed a mattifying effect on my skin, regardless of what foundation I use. I love that this fights free radicals and shields the skin from pollution. Also, this feels extremely lightweight, doesn’t leave a white cast on the face, and it doesn’t sting the eyes.
There you go guys! that’s a wrap for all the sunscreens I’ve tried this summer and in the previous ones. I’ve tried other sunscreens before that are not included in this review, but those didn’t register much to me. Hopefully, there will be more breakthroughs in sunscreen products for the next summer soon…
Bye Bye Summah! Hello Fall!
More reviews to come soon, including a couple of Travel Diaries (which I’m currently up to) and some more beauty stuff. Stay tuned…
Song of the week: Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Rey.
*Coola Products provided courtesy of Coola Suncare
Hello Friyay! Planning on hitting the beach? A long hike? Or just a nice short stroll somewhere? Whatever your plans may be, it’s always good to have a nice handy sunscreen in hand, and I’ve got just the right products for ya. As you all know, I’m a huge fan of Coola suncare products. You can read it my previous post here and here. They’re pretty much the only sun protection I use (sunblocks to BB creams) because I like that they’re really innovative with their sunblock formulations and they seem to put their customer’s preference in mind. Also, they have such well-scented products.
I have three products to recommend in today’s post. These are really useful when you expose yourself to the sun, or even if it’s overcast because it’s always good to protect yourself from the harsh UV rays, no matter what.
Coola Sport Continuous Spray Spf 50 in Guava Mango (3.4 oz: $24, 8 oz: 36) – I’ve reviewed the Spf 30 Citrus Mimosa version before, found here. This sunscreen sprays on smoothly and it’s non-sticky. It’s also organic, water-resistant for 80 minutes, has antioxidant properties, and hypoallergenic. This feels pretty much lightweight and it won’t feel tacky even after you sweat. I like going on a hiking trip and this is mostly what I use. I’ve never had any issue with this, no sunburn and no dark spots noticed on my skin. On top of that, I really love the fresh sweet mango and fruit punch scent. Glad to have a sunscreen like this.
Coola Classic Face Sport Spf 50 Moisturizer in White Tea (1.7 oz: $32) – This is my first time trying this sunscreen/moisturizer and I couldn’t be happier. I usually use a moisturizer with an added Spf that is a lot lower than this during the day. While that helped, I was always hoping for a moisturizer with Spf that could do more. Well, I’m glad that I found this product from Coola because I love that this has an even higher Spf and it feels really moisturizing on the face while not being greasy. This is a great moisturizer to layer under any foundation, and it gives a natural hint of dewiness. Also a lightweight product, this feels soothing and doesn’t leave a white cast on the face, like most regular sunblocks do. It has a bit of a silky feel and it’s basically organic, antioxidant-infused, great for sensitive skin, and water-resistant for 80 minutes. In addition to that, this also has a great blend of fresh sweet floral scent that’s hard to resist.
Coola Liplux Spf 30 (0.15 oz: $12) – A lot of us may have forgotten that our lips need to be protected from the sun as well. I, for one, is guilty of that, not just because I simply forgot, but also because I haven’t really found the right sunscreen balm that suits my needs. Well, first, there’s not really a lot of sunscreen balms out there, or even lipsticks with added Spfs, to say the least. Second, the sunscreen balms I’ve used in the past tend to be sticky, kinda heavy on the lips, and has a weird aftertaste. Guess what, this Coola Liplux is not like those. This balm feels light on the lips, it doesn’t make it look too shiny, in fact, it has a sort of matte finish, and it moisturizes and heals dry chapped lips very well. This smells amazing the moment you open the tube, like a fresh burst of yummy berries without any aftertaste. I will definitely be using this a lot as I think I may have found the perfect sunscreen balm, and I truly recommend this product. Plus, this organic balm has broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, hypoallergenic, water-resistant (80 minutes), and with added vitamins and antioxidants.
These products are such wonderful twists compared to what most normal sunscreens are. Gone were the days when sunblocks are just obligatory stuff you need to apply. Nowadays, applying any of this Coola suncare feels more like a treat.
Urban Decay Meltdown Makeup Remover Dissolving Spray (mini/1 oz: $12, 3.38 oz: $26) – I like the concept of this spray-on makeup remover, however, it is kinda messy to apply, and it does feel oily or it has a silicon feel to it even though it says it doesn’t. It does remove the makeup well, including the eye makeup but it kinda left my face feeling oily. So, I think I’ll just stick to my favorite makeup remover for now.
