Sun Screen recommendations

I was going to write some long paragraph on the importance of skin care during the summer but screw that. All of you are probably old enough to know the ups and downs and don't need nagging. Although I am quite  pro at nagging. Now here are what I currently use for the summer. Also, excuse the quality of the pictures because they are from my droid and isn't as good as they would regularly be.

I finally got my hands on the Shiseido Sun protectant for $20.00 and I love it. Now I can say that the Dior is better but I don't have $52 to waste on 1oz of product. Screw Dat! Now this isn't as light but it still beats the pants off of the other drugstore ones. It's still pretty light for being a cream and unlike Dior, it isn't a s runny.

It has a light scent that it's too heavy and does fade. It is also non greasy and isn't heavy or mask like on the skin. I've also noticed that it doesn't leave my face feeling like it has heavy mask on nor does it show up white. It blends into the skin well and it also happens to be water resistant. I walked in the sun for a while and didn't feel this sliding or greasing up my face. Adore this better than my previous Aveeno sunblock for the face.

For the body...

I use Clinique's body cream SPF 30 with UVA and UVB protection. Everything I previously said about the Shiseido is something that I would repeat here.

Thick but non greasy and doesn't leave marks on clothing. It does have a heavier sunblock scent but it really isn't troublesome. I do enjoy the spray can sunscreen but they tend to be pretty oily, but this isn't oily but does leave a light sheen on the skin.

Now for safe tanning, I use this Hampton Sun tanning gel with SPF. My arms and face do tend to tan but since I'm quite the prude, I don't wear anything much that exposes any other part of my body. So the white pasty complexion of my legs tend to stand out prominently when I do go to the beach. This gel tans you nicely but not drastically. I go about one to two shades darker rather than complete faux orange and it helps my skin tan and look more natural.

I also got this hair butter that I am really excited to try out. Since my hair is quite long again, it really needs some TLC. So going to talk to you later. Bye.

Face Q's Caviar and Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Mask

 There is a blistering heat wave here and one thing that I use to keep me cool while keeping my looks from deteriorating any further are face masks. I put them in the fridge and after a hard day, I put these on. I usually get mine from The Face Shop because I can get them in store and it's about $1 each but then I saw these Face Q's Caviar and Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Masks. I forgot how much I paid for these but I remember them being a bit pricer than my regular masks.

The packaging looks so adorable and while I can't read what this says, I assume it has something to do with anti-aging and skin repair based on some drawings in the back. I also googled Hyaluronic Acid  and it states that it is used in skin repair when used for cosmetic purposes. 

Here is a list of ingredients, luckily in English and nothing seems out of the ordinary. These have a light scent that may bother some but I found it refreshing. When removing the masks, they were soaked in the liquid and I had to wring them out so that they would actually stick instead of sliding on my skin. The masks themselves were made of good quality and I did not see anything ripping.

This is what I like about these mask. See the edge? Usually most masks would just be a big circle but these had ear hooks that help your mask stay on. It fits comfortably and all around my face.

The other part that I liked were that the mask also extends to the neck and had the piece of fabric come below the jaw and it has an opening for your ear as well. It wraps against your neck comfortably, so that you get the most coverage. Now this did burn for a short time but after you get over that stage, the mask dries down comfortably with no sticky residue. Of course my face did appear brighter, but that's probably just a temporary side effect. I haven't broken out nor am I seeing dramatic changes so this mask is just so-so. Meh, I would probably just this up but save my money for some other masks but I hope that other companies would pick up on the shape and style of the mask.

It's so hot that I've gotten too lazy to cook and have been drinking my meals. Smoothies and juices. Too hot to cook. Do you see my finger?

A mosquito sneaked up on me in the night and bit not only the finger but in between it as well. The only other place that sucks even more than the fingers is the face. Never on the face. My finger plumped up like a juicy sausage and I was in a foul mood. But revenge came fast and swift. With a heroic war cry of " I've killed better mosquitoes than you mother fer" I got it. Haha!

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer Spf 15

I'm melting... Big girls like me that are pale and tend to burn rather than tan should not have to be out in the sun. I've lost hope on applying makeup but still have to be religiously diligent about applying sunscreen. But being the lazy ass that I am, I've been trying to pare down the routine. I know that SPF 15 isn't much but at least it's something. 

One big selling point for this lotion was that it was supposed to even tone and texture as well as brighten skin. It was around $14 dollars at any drugstore and I've been using it for a couple of months in the morning. Although it is a moisturizer, I don't think that it's very moisturizing. Let's see if it brightens. 

I do understand that this is a bad picture of the before shot, mostly because of the flash but please bear with me. As you can see, I still have scarring and red marks from all of the acne. This is a fresh face with nothing on. 

The moisturizer is very heavy and I do have to make sure to warm it up to make it fluid enough to spread. It also has a strong scent that I don't mind but it does linger. It has no visible sparkle in it and is easy to pump on to the hand. Does it provide moisture? Not really. My skin doesn't feel dry but it doesn't feel very refreshing on the skin. Maybe because I'm used to a more watery texture but not a big fan. It also does nothing to control the oil on my face. I'm still oily as heck and this does nothing to help. Let's see if it brightens.

The picture deceives. Natural daylight looks great in photos. It does seem to lighten my skin up a smidgen but it is only temporary. The effects fade and then you're left with oily skin. I honestly wanted the Shiseido cream for ~20.00 but it's sold out. Oh well.

Argh, I have to start writing better reviews. Sorry. I promise to be a bit better.

Quick Park Avenue Princess Bronzer from Tarte

No ramblings to day, just straight to business. I got this from a friend who received it from a 500 perk set. This ended up being too light for her and she passed it on to me. It is a non overtly shimmery bronzer from Tarte and while I do enjoy it, I can't wear it as a bronzer. It retails for $29.00... Ouch.

This is the flashed picture, which shows how shimmery it is. No glitter but just light shimmer that gives a great glow. However, make sure to use this sparingly, just in case.

 This is the no flash color and this color looks to be a bit more true to what you might see. However, when you swatch it, it doesn't seem to be too dark on the skin.

 With flash you can barely see the color on my hand. It's a pretty noticeable color that would show up nicely on light to medium skin but not much use for darker colors. It lasted for a good amount of time on my skin but it is't really sweat proof.

 See, is it me or does it seem to look orangey on the skin? I swatched my Sephora bronzer against it and my Sephora bronzer looks coppery too. I don't know what's happened but maybe I haven't been getting enough carrots in my diet. I noticed that both the Sephora and Tarte bronzers break me out when applied to the hollows of my face. While I no longer really have a use for the Sephora bronzer, I use the Tarte one as a light glowy blush on my skin. I really brightens up my skin and for some reason doesn't break me pout when applied to my cheeks. Would I but this for over $30(tax)? Heck naw. It's too hot for  makeup here anyway.

In conjunction to Memorial Day, NYC had fleet week. My friend and I went the day after memorial day so it wasn't busy but the ship she wanted to see had already sailed from port. I saw a good mix of men and women along but families as well. It was so hot that I blotted and sweat my makeup off. The train station was really far from the ships and I got blisters. My friend teased me by telling me that I deserved it because I was wearing crocs. No! Croc sandals are good for short distances and they are really comfy while being squishy.

 Saw a lot of helicopters as well as guns just scattered for everyone to pick up. I have a weird thing about guns and didn't want to hold one but my friend was all COD and loved it. Telling me about the heft and the range... Like I care. It wasn't loaded but she made a comment about just pistol whipping people with it, I just backed away from her with one eye on her while having the other one search for a safe exit point.

 Everyone on the ships were all so very nice and it was great to see all the guys in uniform. Drool.

 There was also a guided tour of the other ship and we saw and learned a lot.

That was how I spent my Monday. I'm also trying to change up my diet for summer and I'm doing a bit of a lifestyle change with my diet. I don't know if I can actually manage to change it but you know... Cross your fingers and wish me the best.