.:: CybeleSays ::.

And I don’t think there is a product for it. Here’s the scenario: my typical day, I get up, shower, dry my hair (if it’s a hair washing day), apply a SPF 30 on the face and décolletage. Then move to the bedroom and put on a little foundation, some mascara and having a little extra time on this day, apply some bronzer and blush. Gorg and ready for the day!

So here is the dilemma. I’ve applied a full face of sunscreen like I’m supposed before I put on makeup but in a few hours I’m supposed to apply some more because what I put on at 9am has worn off. Since I have makeup on, will I reapply some sunscreen and chance ruining my makeup? I did an informal Facebook poll and 80% of the people who answered that they apply it in the morning and that’s it and the majority of the reason is because they are wearing makeup. So why hasn’t the beauty world come up with a product that can be applied throughout the day without messing up makeup? Is there a product out there for this?

The only thing I can find is this powder one I wrote about many years ago back when Cybelesays.com was a monthly (so it will be hard to find it in the archives!) but while I like the convenience of it, I did have a friend use it months after the post published and her shoulders got really burned after applying it. So basically I’m not sure it worked well for her.

I also just read in the May 2013 issue of Allure that SPF wipes are dissappearing from drugstore shelves because the FDA is currently reviewing their effectiveness but there hasn't been a decision made.

Do you have an answer for this? 

While we’re on the topic of sunscreens, MURAD just came out with the Essential-C Sun Balm SPF 35/PA+++ ($25/.33oz @ murad.com). With that PA+++ at the end, this one is surely not messing around! Not only is this one easy to tote with no worry about spillage but they also pack in major anti-oxidants like A, C and E as well as Broccoli Extract, which they say stimulates the skin’s natural defense against UV damage. Wow, really?

So is regular old sunscreen the answer to the above issue? Would love to hear your thoughts.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes.

What do you need to make sure you have on hand this summer to look great at all times? Here are some suggestions. From L to R clockwise:

A Quick Way to Clean Your Skin - SIMPLE Soothing Facial Toner - $6.99/6.7oz @ simpleskincare.com – Witch Hazel, Pro-Vitamin B5 and chamomile help calm and rebalance the skin.

An Anti-Aging Sunscreen – AMWAY Artistry Time Defiance Day Protect Lotion SPF 15 - $64.10/1.7oz @ amway.com -  protects skin with their own Artistry Defense Complex 4 anti-aging ingredients while protecting from  UVA and UVB rays.

A Summery Scent To Tie It All Together – ESCADA Especially Escada EDP Spray - $62/2.5oz @ sephora.com – a fruity flowery mix of pear, rose, Ambrette Seeds, Ylang Ylang and musk.

A Bronzer to Boost My “It’s Summertime!” Look – PHYSICIANS FORMULA Bronze Booster - $14.95 @ physiciansformula.com – a little here and a little there help brighten and accentuate the face.

A Won’t Budge Eye Shadow Primer - MAKE UP FOR EVER Eye Prime - $19 @ sephora.com – I used this one to test out yesterday’s shadows and it really made a difference.

To Keep the Eye Area Hydrated – BASQ Cucumber Tea Soothing Eye Gel - $24/.5oz @ basqnyc.com – cucumber and green tea soothe the area around eyes.

I don’t want to make this reminder just because it is now spring because sunscreen should be worn year round but if this is the time of year when it sinks in, so be it! I’ve been trying out two from the MURAD line.

We all know that the sun is the biggest cause of aging and wrinkles so when picking out a sunscreen, why not get one with some major anti-aging ingredients? It doesn’t have to break the bank and these two are good ones to consider.

Waterproof Sunblock SPF 30 ($30/4.3oz) – if you absolutely need one that’s waterproof, this is a fantastic one to consider. It contains a Pomegranate extracts, hyaluronic acid and a patented Skin Repair System to keep skin in check.

Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 15 Sheer Tint ($26/1.7oz) – I’ve tried a few tinted skin creams that have SPF in them and they seem to be rather chalky looking on the skin but this one blended in well and looked rather normal. This one also contains their Pomegranate extracts and is oil-free.

Both @ murad.com.

Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided for review purposes.

For some reason, anytime I see a visibly older woman, I always check out the backs of her hands to see how she is aging. Yes, we all look at the face but so many things can be done to the face that can’t be done to the hands when it comes to aging. Thankfully the twosome behind the successful Proactiv, created these next two products, made just for the backs of hands.

Part of the Anti-Age collection, RODAN + FIELDS comes at us with a two-product answer – the Anti-Age Hand Treatment Regimen.

There’s the Shield Hand Balm SPF 30 (1oz) that not only protects the skin from the harsh rays of both UVA/UVB rays with their patented SHIELDrf sunscreen technology but it also contains a stable form of vitamin C for its anti-aging benefits. And it’s in a fun and easy-to-tote balm form, which I love.

And for damage that is already done, use the ANTI-AGE Brightening Hand Treatment (1.7oz) will help bring them back around and lighten brown spots and really even out the skins tone.

$67 for the two or buy each separately, Balm ($43) and Treatment ($32) @ rodanandfields.com.

Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided for review purposes.

What makes a great sunscreen for me? Yes, the high SPF protection and protection from both UVA and UVB. But the most important trait? That it sinks into the skin quickly with no leftover white residue. Haven’t you had this happen where it lingers? After you apply sunscreen you have to sit around and wait for it to absorb before applying makeup, and even then, it usually makes your face greasy? Maybe this is why some people don’t even apply sunscreen in the morning? Things that make you go hmmmm.

Anyway, this one does not leave a totally matte finish but I think it dries down pretty quickly and half the time I don’t even see that I have it on. Big plus! So am I shallow in just wanting a sunscreen like this? So be it … but I’m shallow with no residue on my face!

So all this brings me to a super recommendation for you - one that not only sinks in super quick but it’s quite purse-friendly. OLAY Complete All Day UV Moisturizer with Vitamins E & B3 UV Skin Shield SPF 15 Lotion (wow, that’s a mouthful!) is also non-comedogenic and contains vitamins E and C. They are somehow able to include a sheer zinc oxide (the sunscreen part) in this and it protects from both UVA and UVB. Big recommendation. $8.99/4oz @ drugstore.com.

Quite a few skin care products have come out and here are three I am giving my stamp of approval.

COLORESCIENCE PRO Illuminating Cleanser Mineral Powder Formula ($37.50/1.4oz @ colorescience.com) – this powder looks like diamond dust and is great at not only cleansing and exfoliating the skin with Salicylic Acid but it also removes makeup. No tightness of the skin after using this one. Big recommendation.

BURT’S BEES Sensitive Night Cream ($15/1.8oz @ burtsbees.com) – part of the new Sensitive line they just put out, which includes a Cleanser, Moisturizing Cream and Eye Cream. These contain Cotton Extract to help minimize the effects of potential irritants, as well as aloe. So your skin is getting what it needs but gently.

PREVAGE Day Intensive Anti-aging Moisturizing Cream SPF 30 ($129/1.7oz) – Liz Arden’s Prevage brand has received rave reviews and they just came out with two new products. This day cream not only guards against UVA/UVB rays, but it also contains the powerful ingredient Idebenone to protect the skin from daily environmental assaults. The other new one is their Night Anti-aging Restorative Cream ($132/1.7oz). Get them both @ prevageskin.com.

Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided for review purposes.

I’ve just been settling for some sunscreens for the face lately that I don’t really like in hopes of just using them up – most leave white behind that just takes too long to absorb. But this DR. JART Premium BB Beauty Balm ($39/1.5oz @ sephora.com) is a whole new avenue for me! It’s a moisturizer, sunscreen (SPF 45), and treatment serum that contains brightening properties. All things I can use these days! The best part about this one is that it’s tinted and the tint is supposed to adjust to your skin tone, which it seems to do pretty well. I’m a light to medium olive skin tone and at first my face looked kind of chalky but that faded after 5 minutes or so and the coverage is pretty sheer, so perfect for just evening out the skin tone.

From what I understand, BB Creams are really big in Asia and they are just being made available stateside and I can see why. If they do all this multi-tasking, what’s not to like or love?

Will you be trying this from Dr.Jart+?

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes.

  ELIZABETH ARDEN Eight Hour Cream Targeted Sun Defense Stick SPF 50 Sunscreen PA +++ ($20 @ elizabetharden.com) – I’m loving the totablility/no white residue of this sunscreen!! Yes, I’ve gotten better about making sure I have sunscreen on before leaving the house in the morning but tucking this one in my purse guarantees I will never have an excuse.

THE SEAWEED BATH CO. Foot Butter ($12.89/2oz @ seaweedbathco.com) – this reminds me of this one and is just in time for summer feet! The ingredients include: Cocoa butter, natural beeswax, bladderwrack, seaweed extract in safflower oil, neem oil, kakum butter, arrowroot powder, lanolin, vitamin E, peppermint essential oil, tea tree essential oil. Need I say more?

And there’s even a travel version of this one too, so like the above sunscreen, the purse will be housing this one too this summer.

Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided for review purposes.

My 2 year-old niece, Collette, is really into swimming these days and I’m always concerned about the sun when she’s in the pool with her delicate baby skin. Of course this being Memorial Day Weekend, everyone is at the beach or the pool, including us. NEUTROGENA just put out a few new sunblocks for the season and one is made just for kids. Wet Skin Kids Sunblock Spray SPF 70+ ($11.99/6oz @ drugstore.com) and one for us adults, Wet Skin Sunblock Spray SPF 30 ($9.99/6oz @ drugstore.com) and same with SPF 50. New technology allows it to adhere well to skin that’s wet from swimming or sweating and it has their own Helioplex broad spectrum against UVA and UVB rays. As you can imagine, I was all over spraying these on us all!

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes.

It’s sad to say that most people only think of sunscreen when it comes to the spring and summer but I think overall we are getting better with it and soon every woman with think of donning it year ‘round. Incorporating it automatically in your moisturizer is a good way to always remember and the NEOVA line has one that’s getting high marks on my end. It’s called Day Therapy SPF 30 and think of this one as a deluxe sunscreen in that it not only protects against both UVA/UVB rays but it uses major anti-aging ingredients. The only other company I have heard of that embraces copper like this one does in its products is this one. It contains a GHK Copper  Peptide Complex, that’s a major antioxidant boost to the skin. So if you’re going to SPF it, and I hope you do often, why not help fight the signs of aging at the same time? $85/1.7oz @ nextderm.com.

This product contains Propylparaben, which is seen by some as an ingredient of concern.

Read my ingredient disclaimer here.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes.