Showing posts with label sun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sun. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Hang Ten Classic Sport SPF 50

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $12.99

THE SKINNY: I remember Hang Ten sun products from the 1980s. Who knew the brand was still around?

Not me. I had a little chuckle when I opened a recent Ipsy bag and saw a large sample of Hang Ten Classic Sport.

The product is exactly as I remember from the '80s, too. That's not good. Today's products are light, oil-free and often come in aerosol cans. Hang Ten Classic Sport is watery and a little sticky and left my skin feeling oily.

I used the sunscreen during a recent tennis match in partly sunny and 90+ degree temperatures. I didn't get sunburned, but if I touched my skin I got that sheen on my fingers. At the end of the match, I just felt sticky.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep, but only because it's good to throw in my workout bag.

CHECK IT OUT: If you want to try it, buy online at Hang Ten's site.

-- Tested by Shay

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

COOLA Mineral Face SPF 20 Rose Essence Tint

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $36 for 1.7 ounces

THE SKINNY: Sad that this mineral sunscreen is only SPF 20 or I'd be forever converted. This is a creamy moisturizer with great color. It adds a lot of luminosity and bronzing to my skin tone, giving me that "I just sat in the sun for a few hours" glow.

The tint lasts all day, and the lotion does adequate job of controlling the oily patches. I can live with adequate because this is a sunscreen, not a BB cream.

The only real drawback is the smell, which is a little like a clinical sunscreen.

Ingredients include plankton to help rejuvenate skin and cucumber to calm it.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: COOLA offers three lines of certified organic sun protection, and all products are up to 97 percent certified organic and are manufactured using solar power.

-- Tested by Shay

Monday, June 24, 2013

Supergoop SPF 30 City Sunscreen Serum

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2.5 stars

COST: $42 for 1.7 ounces (smaller options available at Ulta)

THE SKINNY: The thing that bugs me the most about sunscreens is this: Even the ones designed for your face still feel heavy and slightly sticky. I really liked the idea of a serum sunscreen, especially at SPF 30, but Supergoop's serum feels just as heavy and sticky as nearly everything else I've tried.

The sensation doesn't last long, as the serum soaks into your skin fairly quickly. But that's not enough to make me love this product. It's still thicker and heavier than I think it should be.

City Sunscreen Serum is more designed to help hide the signs of aging than to be a lightweight sunscreen option.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep, but I'm still sticking with Shiseido's Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 42 for Face. It's the most lightweight sunscreen I've tried.

CHECK IT OUT: City Sunscreen Serum is a non-greasy sunscreen.

-- Tested by Shay

Friday, July 27, 2012

Julep Daylight Defense SPF 30


RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $28 for 3 ounces

THE SKINNY: Julep Daylight Defense SPF 30 was an extra freebie in a recent Julep Maven box. I love the idea of a summer moisturizer that you can use on your hands and face with a high-level SPF.

The scent was light with a hint of oranges -- I loved the perfectly summer fragrance.

But the lotion was a little too thick for my combination skin. I really loved the feel and sun protection but was left with a lot of shine along the T-zone. So, for me, this is much more of a winter product. The moisture is just a little too much for the heat. (And SPF is good year round!)

I bet the formula is great for people with drier skin than mine.

But for now, I will probably use it on my hands rather than face because I can't get enough of the orange-y smell.

KEEP OR TOSS: I'll use the sample that came in my Julep Maven box, but it seems a little pricey for a product that I can't use for half of the year.

CHECK IT OUT: I really love the Julep Maven program. It allows me to try a lot of new products (not just nail polish) for $20 a month and you can skip months without foregoing the membership. Check it out and make sure to search for a promo code, you can usually get your first month for a penny! You can also but products such as Daylight Defense on their own -- no membership required.


-- Tested by Carrie

Friday, July 6, 2012

Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder


RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $28 for 0.28 ounces

THE SKINNY: Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder give you a hint of that sun-kissed look without ever actually having to go out in the sun.

I was a little worried about this product at first. It does not come in different shades and the color on the card look much too dark for my somewhat pale skin.

But it glided on like a charm. The color was super subtle, yet highlighting and natural. I was very pleased with the overall look.

Sadly, this is one of the more expensive bronzers I have tried. As seldom as I use one, I am just not sure $28 is a good value and once I get a touch of a natural tan, I am not sure you would even see results.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. I really liked this product and hope I get a hold of a few more samples.

CHECK IT OUT: Find out more about Hoola or buy direct from Benefit.


-- Tested by Carrie

Friday, June 22, 2012

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion N

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4.5 stars

COST: $39 for 3.3 fl. oz.

THE SKINNY: Much like it's sibling, Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector, this is an extremely lightweight sunscreen that is awesome. Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion N boasts SPF 60 (wow!), plus it's anti-aging, water- and sweat-resistant and, for those of you heading to the beach this summer, sand-proof.

I've tried dozens of facial sunscreens over the years, and it really doesn't get much better than this. Shiseido describes this lotion as: "A highly nourishing sunscreen lotion for the face and body that defends against powerful UVA/UVB rays that cause sunburn, cell damage and premature signs of aging."

Be sure to shake up this product, as it has a tendency to separate in the bottle. But that's my only complaint. It's not sticky, smelly or in any way icky.

I wore this sunscreen on my face (it's a small sample) during a long day of yard work in sunny, hot and humid conditions. It stayed put, didn't sting my eyes and allowed only the slightest tan on my face. I also wore it during an afternoon on the tennis court. Same result.

The lotion didn't irritate my skin or cause any blemishes.

It's a little expensive, but this lotion is runny. That means little bit goes a long way.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep, and I will definitely be investing in this product.

CHECK IT OUT: Find other products in Shiseido's Ultimate Sun Protection line online.

-- Tested by Shay