My Favorite Sunscreens: Supergoop Sunscreen Oil and Setting Mist

One of my least favorite parts of my morning routine is applying sunblock. With a normal sunblock, it just takes so long and requires constant skin rubbing. But no more! My routine literally now takes seconds with the Supergoop Setting Mist and Sunscreen Oil. I've repurchased these twice, and have my application process down cold.

I start the morning off by spritzing my face and neck a few times all over with the Setting Mist, which is SPF 50+ but seriously is like spraying a toner over your face. Granted, I think there's a risk that it won't be as effective as old-fashioned rubbing sunscreen over your face, but for the time it saves I'll take this option. After spraying, I gently pat it into my skin. The one thing you have to be careful of is to not inhale this stuff when you spray. I usually take a deep breath and hold it until I have patted the product in. 

For the body, I use the sunscreen oil. I just spray and rub into my legs, and it sinks in amazingly well. I don't use this on my face because honestly it's too greasy and will make you look gross. But on the body it's fantastic, and moisturizing to boot. 

My one complaint is with the spritzer, which I find tends to jam up with use. I usually end up just uncapping the bottle and pouring some out directly into my hands later on. 

What I like about Supergoop is that while the products are inevitably chemical based (as physical based sunscreens can't be made into a mist or oil consistency, they do stay clear of parabens, Oxybenzone, and other harmful ingredients. Yes, it's probably not as healthy as an old fashioned physical sunscreen, but it's so much easier to apply and I'm willing to make the tradeoff. 

 What are you favorite sunscreens?

Ipsy January 2016 Unboxing

I finally joined the subscription box bandwagon, but only for Ipsy as it seems to genuinely deliver value, and is almost universally ranked better than Birchbox on the comparisons I've seen. This was my first subscription bag, and honestly I'm very pleased. At $10.89 a month after tax, I think it's a fun way to try out new products, and at a very fair price point assuming you actually use everything they include. I've definitely spent more on just a single product, and here you get at least one full-size item, plus several samples and a cute little bag (one can never have enough bags in my opinion).

Since I joined while they were running promos for the free Em by Michelle Phan mascara, I also got a free full-size of the lash gallery mascara. I get that the Em brand hasn't exactly taken root and thus they're probably just giving away the old, unsold products, but I'll take it! Awesome value, and even without the mascara I would have been pleased as I got a full size The Balm eyeliner in a deep purple shade called Scott. That alone would retail for the price of the bag, so throw in the cute glasses bag plus all the other little items and I'm thrilled.

Below is a snap of all the items in my bag. I will update this review with impressions / thoughts once I actually start using all of these items.

Hanalei Sugar Lip Scrub

I was initially least excited about this item, because I'm not a lip scrub user as I generally don't think they do much except irritate the lips. Yet I had to change my mind once I actually tried this. Unlike other sugar scrubs, this one is surprisingly not gritty, and features a delicious lemony scent and sweet taste. You're meant to scrub and wipe off with a tissue rather than rinse off, and I found it to be gentle and very moisturizing. It leaves a hydrating layer afterwards, which goes away after a few moments. And my lips looked very hydrated and plump, which is always a great thing. I like!

The Balm Mr. Write (Now) Eyeliner Pencil in Scott

When I first previewed my Ipsy bag online, it looked like they had selected the yellow /gold shade of this eyeliner for me, which would have been awful as there's no way I could have used that on my Asian complexion. But it seems like Ipsy does take into account your profile details, and luckily I received this very usable, deep purple color, which is quite flattering against dark eyes and which I can't wait to start using.

The product features a pointed tip, and I'm not sure about how it sharpens but assume the cap is self-sharpening. It was incredibly easy to use and glided very smoothly on the skin in my trial-run on my arm, so we'll see how it holds up on the eyes. Generally I'm quite pleased.

(Sorry for the blurry swatch!)

Pixi by Petra eyeshadow dual in Lavendar Bloom

This was another product that I'm surprisingly pleased with. Again, the colors are perfect for my Asian-toned skin and eyes, and will go beautifully with The Balm liner. They swatch beautifully as well, especially the bronzey-champagne shade. The lavendar shade is more matte, while the champagne is a nice shimmery color that I can probably wear everyday.

Burt's Bee's cleansing oil: Interestingly, I was just about to buy this product in CVS, but luckily did not as now I can give it a trial run. I haven't tried many cleansing oils, but as I'm always on the hunt for one that will be effective at removing all of my makeup I'm excited to give this a shot. Will keep you posted!

Skone Eyeshadow smudger brush: To be honest, I don't foresee much use for this. The bristles are really short and were quite hard to work with in my quick trial run. They were also quite hard and uncomfortable. We'll see if it softens up, but for now I'm not impressed.

Thanks for reading! Let me know if you have any thoughts on subscription boxes / Ipsy!

Cle de Peau Beaute Radiantly Perfect Eyes Collection

I'm constantly on the lookout for a nice eye cream, as my undereye wrinkles are one of my sticking points. I've heard great things about Cle de Peau (which is a higher-end offshoot of Shiseido), so was immediately drawn when I spotted the Radiantly Perfect Eyes set. This set retails at $140, which is the same price as the eye cream alone. Still very pricey, but potentially a better deal together.

Below are all the items in the kit. Note, the sunscreen and body lotion are not included, these were items I received as a sample from the sales associate (always ask for samples!)

In total, the kit includes the eye cream, a mascara, a lash curler, makeup remover, cotton pads, and a cute blue bag.

I like the texture of the eye cream, as it's light yet moisturizing. I'll report back once I use it a bit longer to see how effective it is.

The thing I surprisingly do love is the eyelash curler. I have fairly flat eyes, so it's hard to find curlers that are able to fit against my lashes. I've used the Tweezerman curlers for the past few years, but when I tried this one out it really was a noticeable improvement. The curler features a very thin pad, which allows you to better scoop and squeeze your lashes, thus giving a firmer curl that lasts longer. I'm impressed.

The body lotion isn't anything to write home about, in case any of you are thinking about it separately. It smells nice and does the job, but as with all body lotions, nothing amazing here.

The bag is one of the cuter freebie bags I've received yet. This has gained a permanent place in my handbag. Nicely sized but not too bulky, and looks quite a bit better than the freebie Sephora bags.

This was definitely a pricey product, but I figure when it comes to skincare, and especially eye cream, they last so long for me that it's worth the one time investment. Let me know if you have any experience with this brand!

Josie Maran Whimsical Wonder Set

What I love about the post-holiday season are the sales. I took advantage of Sephora's 20% off sale section to score this Josie Maran Whimsical Wonder set for ~$20. Not a bad deal, especially if you're a fan of the brand. 

The kit includes 5 miniatures of the following:

Whipped Argan Oil Body Lotion in Be Joyful

I like this, it's exactly what you'd expect of a whipped body butter, that's nourishing yet not greasy and easy to rub in. There's nothing amazing, but it does the job. Update: I'm actually obsessed with this body butter. The texture is so beautiful and delicious, and the scent is lovely but not cloying. Very seriously considering getting the full size once it runs out, it honestly makes me want to moisturize my hands (a task that I'm normally always forgetting / too tired for). 

Argan Infinity Intensive Creamy Oil

I've surprisingly found this more useful than I expected. Now that it's sniffling season, my nose is constantly chapped. I dab a bit of this around my nose during the day, and it's wonderfully moisturizing and nourishing. It can be on the greasy side, but as my workplace is pretty dry, I find it absorbs in quite quickly and doesn't leave me shiny for long. I even put it on my cheeks after blusher to provide a boost of shine as they say. Great and hydrating.

Pure Argan Milk Intensive Hydrating Treatment

This is like a night cream, and I dab a bit over my face at night. Like all of her products, it's on the hydrating side, but I like it as it sinks in well and seems to actually be effective in locking in moisture.



Pure Argan Oil

I never got on the bandwagon with this, but now that I have it I find it surprisingly easy and nice to drop a bit of this into my normal body lotion. I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes, but I feel like it can't hurt? I don't use this directly on my skin as I think that would be too greasy, but as a supplement it's nice.

Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47

I've used a full bottle of this in the past and remember liking it but finding it a bit greasy at times. Now that it's winter I don't mind as much, and I love that it's made with natural ingredients unlike so many sunblocks out there. And on the scale of things, I'd much prefer a hydrating formula than a chalky sunblock given the number of hours I spend in dry, heated places.


Overall, I think this was a great value for the price, and I'm certain that I can easily use up all the products. This range is definitely meant more for those with dry skin (I'm on the borderline of normal / dry), as naturally oily people may find it a bit heavy. But honestly, I think in the winter everyone can benefit from hydration, and we all know staying hydrated and keeping the skin moist is one of the most effective anti-aging tips.

Kiehl's Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash

I've mentioned before that I've been on the hunt for a one-stop makeup remover that will easily and quickly get off all my makeup at night. Unfortunately, my Emma Hardie balm just hasn't been cutting it (requires far too much rubbing to remove eye makeup), so I swung into Kiehl's after seeing the signs for their new face wash.

Although I have dry skin, the sales associate assured me that this product would work. I like that it's simple to use, you literally just pump out some of the clear fluid and lather it up on your face. 

The product itself is clear and with a very light herbal fragrance, and works up into a light lather that isn't drying (though you will need to moisturize well afterwards). I've been using it now all summer, and I will say it's by far the most effective product I've tried yet. Unfortunately, it still requires a bit of work to remove eyeliner, but for non-waterproof mascara and eyeshadow it does wonders - a few smears and it comes off.

Overall I'm very pleased with the product, and as a bonus the Kiehl's associate was super sweet and threw in samples for their creamy avocado eye cream and midnight recovery oil. I recommend this if you're also on the hunt for an effective, all-in-one makeup remover.

My Nighttime Skincare Routine

I try to keep my skincare routine down to about 5-10 mins at night, because honestly I don't think I would commit to much more than that at the expense of sleep. Here are the products I've been using lately. Keep in mind that I have dry skin and usually wear only light makeup (including nonwaterproof mascara). I'm probably also not as thorough as many of the other bloggers out there in terms of cleansing, but so far this has been working well.

I have only four steps in my routine: 1) Cleanse, 2) Eye cream, 3) Face Treatment Cream, and 4) Moisturize. I will rotate out products in these four steps, especially the face treatment as I run low on things, but generally I stick closely to this regime. I'll also be away from home for much of the summer, so here are the products I will pretty much be using for the next three months:

Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser: I got this on a whim, and am surprised at how much I've been using it. I love that it foams, because it makes it feel so much faster and easier to just give it a quick pump and immediately slather it on the face. I will say that this is not great at removing makeup, and on days when I do wear more makeup I have to resort to a cleansing balm instead. However, for light summer days, this is good, and also generally effective at getting my mascara off.

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Eye Cream: I like this the best of the eye creams I've tried. It's rich but easy to rub in, and it also doesn't cause millia unlike many other creams I've tried. I just wish it were more moisturizing.

Sulwhasoo Timetreasure Renovating Cream: I got this as a sample, and so far I like it. It has a nice herbal scent, and I think I do notice a slight difference in my skin texture and general glow after a few uses. But it's not quite enough to justify the $400 full-size price tag - yikes!

Kiehl's Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream: This was also a sample, and I use it on days when I don't use the Sulwhasoo. I like the smell and the light texture, but after continual use I'm not sure it's all that effective, as I haven't noticed any significant changes to my lines. But it is pleasant to use.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream: This has been my nighttime moisturizer for quite some time now (reviewed here), and I find I keep going back to this. It's just so easy to use and really is very effective at keeping my dry skin hydrated. But it contains parabens, so I'm going to need to find a replacement after I finish it up.


In terms of how I use these products, I always make sure to gently pat them in and avoid rubbing, which causes premature wrinkles. I also try to be gentle when cleansing. I see so many girls tugging harshly at their faces while cleansing, and it makes me wonder if by being so thorough they're doing more harm than good. Thus, my philosophy is to stay as minimal and delicate as possible with my skin. I won't kill my face to try to get every last scrap of makeup off, but I will do as much as I can. It's a balancing act.

All About Sun Protection - Why It's important, What Ingredients to Avoid, and Application Advice

With summer now well underway, here's a summary of my knowledge on sun protection. I'm not a professional, but I have read up extensively on the topic.

Why use sunscreen?

Most people don't realize that the sun is associated with as much as 90% of wrinkles and skin aging. Even worse, the effects of sun damage may not show up for 20 years, so what may seem like harmless tanning or Vitamin D-getting now can wreck havoc on your skin later on. 

Additionally, UV penetrates the clouds year-round, so whether you live in gray Seattle or the sunny equator, be sure to apply any time you'll be outside, rain or shine!

General: There are two types of sunscreens:

·        Physical: Use minerals Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide to physically block sun. May leave a white cast on the face with flash photography, but generally safer to use.

·        Chemical: Uses chemicals that absorb UV rays (e.g. Oxybenzone).

Avoid:

·    Oxybenzone: Active ingredient in most chemical sunscreens, a hormone disrupter that may be absorbed into the skin

·    Retinyl Palmitate: A form of Vitamin A that can increase risk of skin cancer when the used on sun-exposed skin

·    SPFs over 50: Generally not shown to be effective, and may even cause more exposure to UV radiation

·    Parabens: Preservatives included under inactive ingredients

Make sure to:

• Reapply at least every 2 hours because the sun breaks down the sunscreen
• Find a “broad spectrum” sunblock that covers UVA and UVB. UVA causes wrinkles, UVB causes burns. Some sunscreens only protect against UVB so make sure to be aware of this.
• For spray sunscreens, make sure to not inhale while spraying (or spray on hand and then rub onto face). Also make sure to spray a couple times to ensure even coverage.
• Apply if you're sitting in front of a window or driving in a sunny car! Glass only blocks UVB, but not UVA rays, so keep your skin shielded.
• Wear wide-brimmed hats whenever possible - they're not only a fashion statement, but also offer valuable protection. Try to get a hat with tightly weaved straw so that the sun isn't able to get through. For the winter, look for stylish black wool options.
• Pat, don't rub, sunscreens into your face. You don't want to tug mercilessly on your face and cause wrinkles!

Stay tuned for a list of the specific sunscreens I use!

Links to read more:

http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/16/health/sunscreen-report/

http://foodbabe.com/2013/05/05/what-you-need-to-know-before-you-ever-buy-sunscreen-again/

Check the list of the safest sunscreens here: http://www.ewg.org/2013sunscreen/about-the-sunscreens/

SK-II Cellumination Mask-In Lotion

I purchased this item almost a year ago, during a phase of skincare obsession. It's a very pricey product, retailing at $75, though I got it during a Sephora discount period for just over $60. Relative to the rest of the SK-II line, this is actually quite "affordable", in that their typical products retail for well over $100. I'll admit I haven't really used the others in the line, but was quite disappointed with this product.

For starters, even after months of use I'm still confused as to what this product is designed to do. The description states it's "A mask in the form of a toning lotion that delivers immediate and long-lasting hydration." It describes it as a pre-lotion that's meant to enhance hydration. The fluid has a slightly milky and very runny consistency. Unfortunately, I've found minimal to zero hydration benefits, which rather goes against its definition as both a "mask" and "lotion". On the plus side, there's zero residue, as the product absorbs quickly and disappears almost immediately on the skin. But that leaves me skeptical as to whether it's actually done anything.

On the anti-aging front, I've also not noticed any difference. I've used other creams and products that get the job done far better than this seems to. Overall, it's like a very expensive water for the skin, and I will not be repurchasing it.

Kiehl's: Ultra Facial Cream Review

Aside from just body moisturizers, I've also been on the hunt for a nourishing facial night cream. I picked up Kiehl's famous Ultra Facial Cream, which is apparently made with extracts from desert plants that work to protect skin from the cold and dry winter air. So far, it seems to be living up to its 24-hour moisture promise, leaving me with moisturized, non-greasy skin all night and into the morning.

The cream itself is plain white and unscented, with a surprisingly light texture that isn't greasy and is very easy to apply and absorb into the skin. You probably could use this during the day but I've been solely reserving this for evenings. It does live up to its word, for I wake up with my skin feeling normal and not tight, despite having the heater running all night.



I think this may just be my new night cream, winning out even over my Shiseido White Lucent by being non-greasy and just solid all around. The only caveat is it does contain parabens (preservatives), which is rather disappointing for a brand that's built its image around natural, high-quality products.