Peter Thomas Roth Bronze Instant Mineral SPF 30

It's the weekend again thankfully! The weather has been pretty hit or miss around here lately but I'm really hoping for a nice cool weekend for me. Don't get me wrong I love the sunny weather but I'm not a fan of the beaches and parks on the weekend when they are crammed with a lot of the sketchy folks who seem to congregate there. I'm hoping tomorrow will be a good day to hit my favorite beach/park/boat launch for a little final editing of my novel, Scrambled Greg! I'm so excited to be done with it and share a little bit with you!

If you are out and about today I know you wanna look your best and what better way to do that in the summer months than with a little bronzer? Bronzer and I didn't really get along in the past but now that the market has picked up for them there are a lot of choices out there for people of every skintone.

I love multitasking products and I have to say there's nothing better than SPF in makeup items, except maybe SPF products that double as beauty products. With these you know that you're going to be wearing enough to get adequate coverage unlike many added SPFs in foundation and powder products. Did you know that you'd have to use significantly more foundation just to get HALF of the UV coverage the SPF on the bottle claims. I use these products as an extra layer of protection, not my only means!

Peter Thomas Roth Bronze Instant Mineral SPF 30 is a great product to actually get your SPF requirement with. Though I haven't tried the bronzed formula I did quite enjoy Instant Mineral. It's a little pricey for me at $35 but it would be great for people who don't enjoy the feel of sunscreen on the skin or who want a little bronze with their protection.

This one comes in brush-topped container so it makes it really easy to just swipe on. In the past I've had issues with these kinds of brush applicators but I know there has been a lot of improvement in the area as more products have started using this type of topper. Just be warned! The adjustable dial means that you can up the color of the bronzer if you've faked baked recently or dial it down when you want a more subtle look.

I feel I must also mention that many people reviewing the product on Sephora.com had issues with the cover falling off. This probably isn't the best product to travel with and I know from plenty of bad experiences that I don't want to travel with loose powder period. I think that's just a matter of my personal preference since I'm a klutz but I thought you should know.

Mary Kay Tinted Lip Balm

It's the weekend!!! That means it's time to talk about suncare products. I hope you're out enjoying this wonderful weather and having a good time. As much as I know you're having fun I bet a few of you aren't protecting yourselves in the way you should. How about that SPF, applying every 2 hours? I hope so. I also hope you're protecting your lips.

If you're anything like me and like to wear lipgloss on a daily basis you're probably doing more harm than good to your poor lips this time of year. The gloss attracts the sun to your lips and actually causes them to burn faster than they would if they were naked. Fact! You know when you're on a boat or chillaxin' in a lake and you end up 10x more sunburned than you would if you were on dry land? It's the same deal. The water reflects the sunlight back onto you and gloss does the same thing for your lips. Who knew?

Now if you want to protect them I highly suggest getting a lipbalm or lipstick with SPF. Make sure you're going to use enough to actually protect yourself and reapply when your lips no longer feel hydrated. Not only does the sun burn and age your lips but it can seriously dry them out. But how can we go without color on our lips all weekend, Jaime? I can hear it now! I've got your solution, Mary Kay Tinted Lip Balm SPF 15.

Wait, I can read your mind again, Mary Kay, Jaime? Really? Really! Mary Kay might be your mother's overpriced favorite but us Generation Y-ers are more apt to spend our hard earned money on Urban Decay and Tarte at Sephora! I've actually tried these lip balms and they are great. They're available in 5 colors, all which are more pigmented than you'd expect in a lip balm. They retail for $13 and come in a MAC Slimshine-like package(mine was a sample), thin tall tubes instead of short chubby ones we're used to for balms, so make sure you keep this one cool or it's going to melt all over you and possibly scald your lips when you apply. Bonus, this one smells a lot like MAC lipglass, the cupcake-esque vanilla smell.

I tried Blush and Poppy, two totally different shades. Blush is a brownish rose shade. It's not the color I make when I blush nor the color of any blushes I own but still, I can see why they named it that, it's not that much of a stretch. Poppy is a bright pink, exactly what you'd expect from the name. Take a look (Blush on top, Poppy on bottom)

This is a lighter swatch, equivalent to one coat.

This is a couple coats.

The best part about these is the way they fade. Since they're so pigmented I figured I'd be left with a big ring of color around my lips and a faded center but that wasn't the case with these. They faded into a stain which looked awesome on. Once they were no longer moist to the touch you could conceivably add another layer of your regular balm on top, hopefully another one with SPF.

SunBurnt Therapeautic After Sun Relief Gel & Banana Boat Aloe Vera Gel

Today I wanted to talk about what to do if you didn't fully protect yourself from the sun. First of all, shame on you but I'm not one to hold a grudge! Secondly, let's work on doing better shall we? Reapply every two hours, after getting wet or excessively perspiring. I like spray SPF for it's convenience but use whichever formula you're most likely to actually use. Make sure to get everywhere, not just your face but ears, neck, chest, even hands and feet. The bottles have an expiration date for a reason but as long as you use within a year of purchasing you should be fine. Remember that 8oz bottle is supposed to last you a couple days, not a whole summer.


Well, if you're still reading that means you've been there. We all have. I've been so much better about protecting myself and my last major sunburn was in 2003. I burned the back of my thighs so bad I was a lobster shade of red and could barely walk. Plus, don't even get me started on the peeling, I shed so much Matt called me a snake for a while. That's the last time I'll make the mistake of not protecting my legs when I'm at the beach.

The best thing you can do is immediately take a cool shower to rinse off anything that can further irritate your skin. Use a gentle soap, if anything at all. As soon as you get out and dry off slather on some Aloe or after sun care, read on to see my favorites. Take 2 ibuprofen because it reduces inflammation that can cause pain. Make sure you're hydrated so you don't add dehydration on top of a killer sunburn, you don't know how much the sun takes out of you.

If it's really bad I've heard of people bathing in whole milk, the natural chemicals in the milk are very soothing to the skin. Hopefully you didn't get burned that bad and a little aloe works for you. If you're not lucky enough to have an aloe plant here are my favorite products. {PS, if you store them in the fridge they feel extra wonderful going on}


The product I currently have is Banana Boat Aloe Vera Spray Gel, it's so soothing I was sure it had Lidocaine in it but it doesn't seem to be in there. Just rub this on every couple hours and you'll feel relief. It can make your skin a little sticky as it sinks in but after a few minutes that feeling is gone.

Another one, one that I'm dying to try if I ever have a need for it, is SunBurnt Therapeutic After Sun Relief Gel. See a theme here? I love gel formulas because they sink in faster and seem to hold the cold better thus making them more soothing straight from the fridge. This one is also free of Lidocaine and is homeopathic.

Both of these products will keep your skin hydrated which goes a long way in preventing peeling. Since peeling is worse than the actual sunburn to me I definitely recommend reapplying as often as you want.

Aveeno Sun Protection

What a heatwave! I hope you get to be outside enjoying this beautiful weather with the ones you love or, like me, are at least cooped up in the AC while your other half works his butt off 6 days a week. God bless the air conditioner, I don't know how I would survive without it.

If you are outside enjoying the sunshine you're gonna need a great SPF and one of my personal favorites, along with the Coppertone I already told you about, is Aveeno. It happened by accident, I grabbed the cheapest bottle on the shelf and actually quite enjoyed it. That happy little accident was Aveeno Continuous Protection, and now I can't live without it. This stuff is the real deal, it even smells good. I'm partial to sprays but I must be careful to get every last inch of my body. It's light and the cool mist directly from the can is quite refreshing on a day like today when it's over 100 degrees.

Another huge hit this summer is Aveeno Hydrosport. Honestly, I haven't tried this one out yet but many of my favorite beauty bloggers are loving it. Check out Julia's Review on All About the Pretty and Christine at 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic. This is one you can apply to wet skin so don't worry about being completely dry before applying. I imagine it would be wonderful for those squirmy little kids and for boyfriends/husbands who can't stop throwing around a football long enough to get SPF'ed up.

Both of these are a fantastic value at under $10 anywhere beauty products are sold. They are available in both lotion and spray versions in varying levels of protection. You can't go wrong with that. I'm not willing to shell out big bucks when brands like Aveeno, Neutrogena and Coppertone make such affordable and high quality SPF products. What about you?

bareMinerals SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen

I'm all for getting your sunscreen any way you can, whatever it takes to make you feel better about your SPF protection. While I'm just terrified of the lobster-like effects of the sun on my super pale skin I understand that's not the case for everyone, there are those "lucky" ones who don't burn even if outside all day but that doesn't mean you can scrimp on sunscreen. Sun exposure causes skin cancer. PERIOD. We all have to protect ourselves and if you're timid about putting creams and lotions on your delicate skin then I think I've found your match, bareMinerals SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen. At $28 it's a little bit of a splurge as far as sun protection goes but if you're going to use it, and save yourself from the aging and cancer causing rays of the sun, it's worth it.

This powder is pigmented so you can skip your regular dose of bareMinerals foundation and use this as coverage instead if you're in need of less this summer. It also works wonderfully under or over bareMinerals SPF 15 foundation or Mineral Veil. It comes in three shades, Light, Medium and Tan but apparently doesn't cater to those darker than tan. I've always found this to be a huge disappointment just as much as it is when the palest shade is too dark for us extremely fair girls. What is up with that?

As usual this one is chock full of vitamins and antioxidants and free of harmful additives like parabens and sulfates. I admit I'd like to look more into doing away with things like this in my routine but I haven't yet out of sheer laziness and cheapskate-ness. This Micronized Titanium Dioxide formula also will not clog pores and helps keep you shine free during the day, acting as a physical shield against the aging UVA rays and burn causing UVB rays.

So keep those mugs protected any way that works for you and remember, just because you're not burning doesn't mean you're not doing damage to your skin. While you're at it why not splurge on a new pair of celebrity-huge sunnies to protect those peepers.

Coppertone Suncare

It's the weekend, time for those backyard BBQs, seafood bakes and fun at the beach. What are you waiting for? Get out there! But make sure you're protected from the harsh rays of the sun, especially now that we've officially hit summer!

Coppertone is a pretty iconic brand and surely everyone knows of their Water Babies line with the ubiquitous bottom-showing little girl. It's the #1 pediatrician recommended brand, now revamped for the times with Water Babies Pure & Simple, a line that is free of fragrance, dyes and oil and is perfect for babies as well as adults with sensitive skin. I think this is the best smelling sunscreen out there, a little less powdery than other brands. They've also upped the ante with a foaming version to actually lure your kids (and in most cases husbands/boyfriends) into sitting still long enough to get greased up.

For adults (those husbands/boyfriends mentioned above) there's also new Oil Free foam. How fun is that? This light as air mousse applies to the skin quickly and easily to make summer fun even fun-er (I know it's more fun but it's not as fun to say)! This formula is oil-free, perfect for those who have a tendency to breakout or get shiny mid-day. It even won a SHAPE magazine 2011 Sun Award, which I'd probably know without the website bragging if I'd actually had time to crack my SHAPE magazines, I'm two behind.

Of course, the classics from the line, Sport and ultraGUARD also have great options for all your sun protection needs. Stock up! You know that 8oz bottles are only good for 16 hours of sun protection right? You're supposed to use 1oz on your body every two hours you're in the sun, a fact I've known for quite some time but had a great reminder of recently.

Philosophy Hope Oil Free SPF 30

A while back I got a sample of Philosophy Hope Oil Free with SPF 30 and I put it to the test this week. As a girl who loves to spend time at the park (sitting in the shade still slathered in SPF) I figured I should give it a try. After a disastrous trial with a similar Cetaphil Product, I thought I might have better luck with Philosophy, a brand I love and trust. Practically my whole skincare and bath/shower routine revolves around Philosophy in some way from their fabulous cleansers and exfoliators to the 3n1 bubble bath, shower gel and shampoos that I seem to collect like Olympians collect metals.

I have to say this formula was much more moisturizing than I thought it would be and it sunk right into my skin with minimal work. I also loved that this didn't have a very strong sunscreen smell, give me fruity any day but I don't want to smell like powdery sunscreen. While I wouldn't normally use just SPF 30 I thought it was fine for a trial run as long as I stayed in the shade. I didn't notice any more freckles and had no sunburn to speak of even after 3-4 hours outside. I definitely couldn't say that if I went unprotected.

My only complaint was that by the end of the day (we're talking 10 or more hours and tons of product testing later) my skin was SHINY. I have dry skin but I do have a tendency to get a little slick after I exfoliate which I had done that AM. I woke up the next morning and my skin was still buttery soft, almost to the point that I'd be forced to use a skin primer whether I wanted to or not in order to just keep my makeup on my face. This is highly unusual for me but not completely awful. My skin is plumped up and smooth like I just had a facial and I have a feeling it would still be this way even if I hadn't just exfoliated.

There was no chalky residue or eye irritation whatsoever. I love the trail size tube and have relegated it to my makeup bag for emergency purposes. The $38 price tag for 2oz would definitely be a hindrance when it came to repurchusing but I think you're getting a much better product than some of those other moisturizers with SPF that are out there.

Summer Sun Protection

What's the quickest and easiest way to apply your SPF? A spray! A spray! It's so simple you're an idiot for not doing it (seriously, I said it). As long as you make sure to apply everywhere (and it's really not that hard) you're set. You don't even need to rub them in. I kid you not. I'm paler than pale and sun exposure turns me into a lobster and I've never had a problem that wasn't human error. Pack one of these for your next beach day, family outing or outdoor wedding. You may think I'm being harsh here but considering two of my closest friends have had cancerous moles removed, I'm not taking any chances with my life or those of my readers. Here are my picks, in no particular order of preference.

Aveeno Continuous Protection gives just that. Apply it every two hours and this fine, colorless mist will protect you from UVA and UVB rays to prevent burning, aging and freckling. This really has no scent and I've never had a problem with it staining my clothes or furniture.

New this summer is Aveeno Hydrosport, a sunblock spray that can be applied to wet skin and still provide protection. While I haven't used it I'm considering picking it up the next time I run out of sunscreen. I'm like a fish (swimming not drinking) at the beach and it would be quite killer not to have to completely towel off before reapplying, only to go right back into the surf.

A longtime favorite of mine is Neutrogena's Fresh Cooling line. Seriously, this sunscreen spray, also colorless and virtually scent-free, will cool down hot skin in no time. This one is available in some pretty high SPFs but that's no excuse not to reapply, trust me you'll be sorry if you don't.

Not to be outdone by Aveeno, Neutrogena has also released a line for wet skin appropriately named Wet Skin and Wet Skin Kids. These are most likely going to be my next purchase as I've had the best of luck with Neutrogena products in the past. Plus, the can's just a lot cooler than the yellow/orange Aveeno one and if you can't find simple pleasure in these things you're taking life a little too seriously.

Then there are products rivaling the convenience of a wipe in an application method you may prefer, SuperGoop's Wipes and stick. Wipes sound like an amazing idea but for $34 for 40 wipes they aren't going to be on my shopping list for a while. The stick, also a little pricey at $14.50, would be great for the face and ears but not so practical for the rest of your body. Plus, I have an inkling I'd leave it in the car and end up with a melted mess in my bag. There's also a new, online exclusive spray for $19.50, though it appears to come with a pump instead of an aerosol top and I'm not sure how well that would work if you were in a hurry and not being particularly careful and SPF 30 is just not enough for my fair complexion.

While you're at it pick up LaVanilla's Lipscreen with SPF 30. It's totable and perfect for your beach bag. Do you know how delicate lip skin is? Sunburns on this sensitive area are absolutely no fun and they burn quite easily surprisingly.

If you're not going to do it for yourself and save your skin from sunburns, age spots and wrinkles down the road, do it for your friends and family! Save them from losing you when your life is cut short from skin cancer. Stay tuned every weekend for more exciting sunscreen reviews.

Clarin's Sun Wrinkle Control Cream SPF 30

I'm so proud of myself, not once this week have I gone out without sun protection on my face. Of course, I need to get better about applying sunscreen to my body but one thing at a time is all I can handle. As I write this I'm sitting on my porch enjoying the wireless internet without an sun protection on my body. Well, at least it's evening and the sun has started to go down. Small steps, people, small steps.

What do I have on my face you might ask? Clarin's Sun Wrinkle Control Cream SPF 30, a deluxe sample I acquired some time ago but never got around to using. Now it's going right in my computer bag (yes I travel with my laptop at all times, I even bring it to the beach with me, what can I say, I'm a writer). While I wouldn't wear this on a daily basis the little tube is perfect for those days when I forget SPF or when I stay longer than I intended to at the park or beach.

I haven't really tried too many Clarin's products though I'm not really sure why. Call it an oversight. I have a few gripes about this one however. First off it's lavender scented which might be great for some people but I can't stand the smell. It's really strong too and given that natural lavender makes me sneeze like pepper to the nostril I probably should avoid it. If you like the scent you'll want to get this ASAP, it lingers on the skin for about an hour or so then is nearly undetectable. Once it wore off I was fine.

Secondly, I wish the SPF was higher. As a fair girl I need more than SPF 30, even in moisturizer and foundation I seek out higher concentrations. Also, this cream is a little thicker and therefore you have to check in the mirror to make sure you're not sporting the zinc white nose of SPFs past. It mostly rubbed in with little help but once it started to dry (and on drier areas of the face) I had a little difficulty getting it invisible.

Thirdly, it's really out of my price range. For $30 I could buy three 8oz bottles of my regular Neutrogena instead of this one paltry 2.7 ozer.

I know that sounds like an awful lot wrong with the product but really the way it makes my skin feel like silk and the fact that my makeup went on like a dream really redeems this product in my eyes. And speaking of eyes, I had zero instance of running into my eyes or irritating them in any way which is a huge plus to me. Like I said, I wouldn't use it daily and for that reason I won't be purchasing a bottle myself when this one runs out. I like trying new things too much to buy something I didn't absolutely love.

So tell me, what's your favorite facial SPF? Give me some recommendations. By the way I'm fine with scent and prefer it actually just not lavender.

Sephora Sun Safety Kit

Last weekend (and I'm so far behind in my writing that it actually was last weekend) I spent the entire afternoon at an outdoor concert sans SPF (it was the Avalanche tour with Stone Sour, Theory of a Deadman, Skillet, Halestorm and Art of Dying, for those who were wondering and it was amazing, review to come tomorrow). Bad, bad girl.

Luckily, I arrived in mid-afternoon, after peak sun hours and I didn't come out as red as a lobster, just a smidge of pink on my chest and nose and freckles galore. Every year at the beginning of the season I love my freckles and come late fall I'm wishing I never got them at all. Regardless of what I use for SPF I still freckle, it's genetic and although they are closely related to age spots, I've read that they are not always the same thing and I, for one, choose to believe that theory. It wouldn't matter if I was wearing SPF 100 I would still get freckles. Alas, I'm always on the lookout for sun protection for my fair skin that doesn't irritate my eyes. Even though they aren't particularly sensitive every year I end up spending the majority of the time directly after applying my SPF with eye drops in hand clearing the residue from my burning, stinging eyes. What a waste of a beautiful day.

As usual, Sephora has come to my rescue with their Sun Safety Kit, a multitude of all the top SPF products in a range of formulas and SPF levels. First of all, I'm in love with the adorable beach tote, we all need one of those right? The one I had back in high school is now my mom's and the one I picked up last year is so huge and bright gold that it's only used on those long beach days. This little bugger is perfect for a quick trip to the beach for a post work (or workout) cooldown. There are 11 deluxe sample sized products (which reviews state are generous sized) from brands ranging from Bare Escentuals to Ole Henriksen and everything in between, a self tanner and SPF up to 100 (perfect for fair girls like me)! Try them all out and pick your favorite to purchase a full size, it's that easy. Can I just say I love these little kits and just wish I could afford every single one they come out with.

Sephora's Sun Safety Kit retails for $25, is limited edition and you can find it here.