Benefit Dream Screen

Another SPF review today and this time an offering from Benefit. As you’ve probably guessed by now, I’m keen at the moment on finding good daily SPF’s especially a facial one that works under makeup. Alpha-H’s offering is very good, but this wouldn’t be a very interesting beauty blog if I wasn’t the curious type when it came to trying new products.

Benefit claim that their Dream Screen, is ultra lightweight and that ‘you can’t feel it, you can’t see it, but it’s got you covered.’ And I would agree. It’s an oil sunscreen, which you immediately think won’t absorb into the skin and won’t work well as a makeup base. But, it does. That said, it doesn’t absorb quickly, you need to give it a few minutes, and the finish isn’t matte like Benefit claims.

It is meant to be an SPF of 45+, great for extreme temperatures, but it isn't waterproof so it's not one I would suggest for a poolside/beach holiday.

Dream Screen costs £25 and can be purchased online or from Benefit stores/counters.

Protection Plus Daily SPF 50+ By Alpha-H

Unsurprisingly, since moving to the Middle East finding good sun protection has been high on my beauty priority list. The sun is intense here so using a high SPF is crucial: I am yet to go outside for any length of time without going a little red.

While on holiday and lounging by the pool/beach all day the requirements for a sunscreen are pretty basic -- protect skin -- but when you live in a hot climate you need something that does that and sits well under makeup. And that is exactly Alpha-H's Protection Plus Daily SPF 50+ does. At this stage I will add this: this is my everyday moisturiser, and although it is ridiculously hot and sunny I make sure my sun exposure time is minimal and don't actually reapply this throughout the day.

I use this as the last step in my skincare routine, on top of my moisturiser. The SPF is tinted, but this doesn't translate on the skin at all. It sinks in quickly doesn't leave a film or tacky layer. It also doesn't seem to "melt" over the course of a day (I'm sure everyone can relate to those sun protection creams that ball up or settle on your nose after a time). My makeup lasts considerably longer while I am wearing this compared to a regular moisturiser/SPF combo, so I skip any primer step now. It would add though for the best result, give it a good few minutes to sink in; I usually brush my teeth then start with any makeup application.

Although it is not described as a moisturiser, dry skins don't need to worry about it causing dryness and, equally, oily skins don't need to worry about it feeling greasy either.

It does work out on the pricey side for everyday use, but can you really put a price on protecting your face?

You can purchase the moisturiser from Cult Beauty and QVC, at around £36 for 50ml.



p.s I have used this when out in the sun for longer periods and I did go a little red, partly because I was naughty and didn't reapply, and I did also swim. The formulation isn't waterproof so if you are thinking of using this for beach/pool-side use then you will either need to reapply much more frequently or pick up a waterproof sunscreen. 

Protect your face! Ambre Solaire Sheer Protect

The sun has finally come out to play here in the London! Hooray!

Glee aside, sun protection is something I feel very passionate about and that I have blogged about before. I’ve only ever had sun burn once and whenever I see people with pink or red raw skin I want to go over and plead with them to take more care! Apart from being painful in the short-term, sun burn does damage to your skin and DNA in the long-term.

I picked up Ambre Solaire Face Protect, SPF30 (which is also available in factor 15 and 50), to use on a daily basis. As you can tell from the name, sheer protect is specifically intended for use on the face but it can be used on the body too.

This how much product I use to cover my face and neck, as you can hopefully tell
from the picture the cream has quite a thick consistency

The formula is thicker than I expected for a product called ’sheer’ protect. It is non-sticky but I do find it a little greasy, even though it claims not to be, and it absorbs into the skin well. It does take a little longer than regular moisturiser to absorb so I make sure I cleanse, tone, moisturise etc first thing in the morning so that I can leave the sunscreen to settle before applying makeup.

Of course I can’t comment on how well it actually works as a sunscreen but it is meant to protect against both UVA (ageing) and UVB (burning) rays.

Ideally you should reapply sunscreen every few hours, especially if you are out in the sun but generally my morning application is all I do. At night, because I use a Clarisonic, I don’t double cleanse but it is recommended that you do to make sure you remove all the sunscreen.

Being summer there are lots of special offers on sunscreen at the moment. I picked the Sheer Protect using a half price offer at Boots.

I’d love to find something with a lighter texture, but for now something is definitely better than nothing.

Do you have a favourite SPF?

Summer in London essentials

I may be posting this blog too late but with the amazing summer weather we finally had for a few days I wanted to share my summer essentials when at home in London.

Safety first: sunscreen

Even though my makeup contains SPF, on sunnier days I wouldn't rely on this alone for my sun protection. I really like this facial sunscreen from Simple. It has a light, non-greasy texture and absorbs into the skin quickly. I apply two thin coats — I am very conscious of the fact that if you don't apply the right amount of cream you won't get the protection stated on the bottle — which I then leave to absorb for a few minutes before applying my makeup.

Eye spy: sunglasses

I've developed a bit of a sunglasses addiction lately since I discovered the bargains that can be found at T K Maxx. In the past I always purchased cheap and cheerful glasses, which I considered almost disposable for use on holidays abroad. I wanted something more long-lasting this summer and that I would actually be careful with and after a friend suggested TK Maxx for cheap designer wear I find myself always checking out what is available.

Of course you have to look out for any scratches and you are unlikely to find the same stock at each store or a specific pair but if you aren’t fussy TK Maxx is definitely the place to look. One thing I would look out for is the highest UV protection level possible, which is graded between 1-4.

Nail power: bright nail polish

Bright and pastel coloured nail polish looks good at any time of year, but it looks particularly good when the sun can add to the shine. Summer is also the only time I bother to paint my toe nails.

Just in case: umbrella and cardigans

Well it is England after all and you have to be prepared for a sudden downfall. I carry a small umbrella in my handbag, which I picked up for £5 at Marks and Spencer.  It is not the sturdiest but does the job as long as there isn’t a strong wind too!

Finally, I always carry a cardigan or light weight blazer/jacket with me. The evenings can sometimes be on the cool side and again it's all being prepared, plus a blazer can be a nice way to dress up an outfit for an evening outing.

Let’s hope that the good weather continues and let me know in the comments what your summer essentials are.

Sunday Night Thoughts #5

I hope everyone is having a lovely easter weekend. I love London in the sunshine, the good mood it brings to everyone and how pretty it makes everything look!

Now at the risk of sounding like a kill-joy, I hope everyone is protecting their skin!! Being a science graduate (and a skin care geek), I went to plenty of lectures about skin, cancers, and skin cancer, and remember being very scared by the things I was told. What I do think is good though, is that every summer, in magazines and on the television we are told about the best ways to protect our skin. Where with some topics, I find the information, confused and contradictory, with regard to sun protection I don’t think that there is any reason that people are not sure of the best way to use and apply their sun screen/block.

So just to add to the masses of information out there, I wanted to remind all of a few key points, since one thing which upsets me a lot, is the sight of burnt skin.

• Sun screen should be applied at least half an hour before sun exposure, take advantage of being able to strip off in your room and apply fully all over. Then reapply every 1-3 hours. Sun block on the other hand provides instant protection. 
• Be generous with it, you’ve brought it, you won’t be able to use it again at a later date, so use it!! I think as a rule 1 standard size bottle for a week away, per person! With sun screens in particular cover yourself so your skin is white and let it soak in if you want the full protection.
• Factor 15 or higher, preferably higher, with UVA and UVB protection.
• For those of you who sit under an umbrella you still need sun screen! It only blocks out 50% of sun rays. 
• Ladies, take advantage of the opportunity to wear that oversized hat, and that colourful printed coverup you brought!!

Having learnt that a tan is essentially a sign of damaged skin, it has changed my view somewhat, and I am not disappointed if I end up the fairest in my holiday group. It does seem strange to me that the majority of the year round we use anti-ageing moisturisers and serums and when the main culprit of skin damage literally shines on us, we abandon our concern and expose as much of our skin possible. 

This is a subject I could actually ramble on and on about, especially when you start to think about different cultures viewpoint on tans/skin colour, which sun protectors actually do the job, if different parts of the worlds rays are different and who is the most at risk of serious damage. However, I will stop here and make my final plee with all to protect your skin!! Would love if people would comment on good reasons not to get a tan, mine is the money I will save not having to buy another shade of foundation!