Let’s Talk About SPF Beauty Products.
During the summer, SPF sun protection is so important. It literally makes me flinch when I hear that someone doesn’t apply sunscreen – or worse, applies just tanning oil to their skin when they are at the beach, or spending the day in the sun. As I am writing this I am pretty much thinking of my husband, who up until about 2 years ago was a total tanning oil fanatic. I’ve never really been that person. Don’t get me wrong – I’ve had my fair share of bad sunburns, but not because I was being a carefree sun-worshipper. My worst burns have come from days where I ran out of my sunscreen and had to walk home, or when I was sitting under a sun umbrella but my shoulder had a strange sliver exposed to the sun. And yeah, there’s also (of course) the few times when I was a kid and I just didn’t really understand the importance of SPF. But even my care-free kid days didn’t last very long. When I was in Grade 5 (so… like 9 or 10?) I went on a road trip around the USA with a friend of mine’s family. We stopped in many different cities and I loved it.
But – one-stop though changed everything.
We were in Phoenix, Arizona and it was hot. And I mean HOT.
To give you a bit more perspective: it was so hot that the pavement was melting and sticking to our shoes. It was so hot that my sandals melted as I crossed a parking lot.
Anyways, it was during this segment of the trip that I got SUPER burnt, and then super tanned.
I ended up noticing that all over my shoulders I had little white freckles – how odd, right? Anyways, when I got home and went for my usual doctor check-up he noticed the freckles and advised me that this was a clear sign of skin damage and that I needed to be much more careful when I was spending time in the sun.
I remembered how bad the burn was, and how immediately the freckles popped up after that burn and it just made sense. The sun was damaging and I knew I had really put my skin through the wringer. It was time to take a bit better care of my skin by simply being more vigilant with sunscreen. So anyway, pretty much from that day forward I took sun care more seriously.
I recently had the opportunity to team up with London Drugs to dive into suncare and bronzing products a little more, and I am super excited to share with you a few productions that have become my summer go-to’s. Some of these products protect your skin, while others help you achieve that bronzy glow – all without the damaging effects of the sun.
7 SPF Beauty Products That I Absolutely LOVE!
Suncare & Bronzed Beauty Favourites with London Drugs
Bronzing: St. Tropez Bronzing Water Mousse
One of my all-time favourite bronzing products has to be the St. Tropez Bronzing Water Mousse. I’ve talked about it a number of times here on the UU – in my St. Tropez Bronzing Water Mousse review, in my top self-tanning tips post, and even in my bronzing favourites post – so clearly, I’m a fan. I love how natural this tanner looks on the skin – it’s not too orange, or too grey toned. It gives the perfect warm golden bronze. I also love how easy it is to apply. You simply just shave and exfoliate 24 hours before, apply the St. Tropez Bronzing Water Mousse with a tanning mitt, let it develop for 6-8 hours, and then rinse it off. I haven’t had many issues with streaks, but if I do ever notice an uneven spot, I simply just lightly exfoliate the area so it doesn’t appear harsh.
Bronzing: Biotherm Aqua Gelée Autobronzante Face Self-Tanning Serum
Another favourite is the Biotherm Aqua Gelée Autobronzante Face Self-Tanning Serum. Chefs kiss for this product for real! This product is one I’ve just begun using this year, and I have to say – I LOVE it. I love it so much I’ve even turned some friends and family members onto it. What makes this product so great is how amazing it feels and looks on the skin. Just like any tanner, you first want to exfoliate your skin before using this. Then, you want to apply this gel. You can either apply it with your hands or lately, I’ve been applying it with a brush and I find this makes it look even more smooth and natural once it’s developed. This gel feels super moisturizing and light on the skin. It takes about 4 hours for the tan to develop, and then you just want to lightly rinse your face. I find this tan lasts about 5 days, but you can use it daily to maintain a deeper facial tan.
Protect: Clinique Super City Block Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 40
The Clinique Super City Block sunscreen has been a favourite of mine for years. In high school, I could only use a few select sunscreens because my skin was so sensitive, and this was one of them. This sunscreen has a slight tint to it so it actually does act as a light coverage foundation/bb cream when applied. It feels lightweight on the skin and super comfortable so you can wear it for hours without feeling sticky or tacky – unlike so many other sunscreens!
Protect: Andalou Naturals Vitamin C BB Beauty Balm Sheer Tint SPF 30
The Andalou Naturals Vitamin C BB Beauty Balm Sheer Tint SPF 30 has become one of my daily go-to SPF beauty products. This product gives medium coverage (though, I do find it buildable) and makes your skin look so beautifully flawless. It feels comfortable on the skin and I love that it has SPF 30 in so I know that my skin is protected from the sun. I actually lost my original of this product, but I loved it so much I just knew I had to reorder it! **Note: I did have trouble finding it in stores so I recommend you purchase on London Drugs online.
Bronzing: Emani Perfecting Bronzer
I love finding GREAT affordable beauty products and I have to say Emani pretty much always delivers. Emani Perfecting Bronzer is one of my very favourite bronzers. It’s richly pigmented so you don’t have to use much (which means it lasts so long!) to get a beautiful bronze. This bronze is very blendable, too, so don’t worry if you apply too much – you can easily blend it out so it looks smooth and flawless. This bronzer has two sides to it, a matte and a luminous side. I personally like to mix them and apply them together for a more satin-like finish.
Glow: Burt’s Bees All Aglow Bronzer Stick
I’ve talked a lot about Burts Bees Makeup here on the UU, but I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned the Burt’s Bees All Aglow Bronzer Stick! The Burt’s Bees All Aglow Bronzer Stick gives a subtle yet luminous finish to the skin. I personally really love this highlighter for work as it doesn’t give your skin a blinding or harsh looking highlight. Instead, it adds a natural glow that looks stunning when it hits the light.
Protect: Shiseido UV Lip Color Splash Broad Spectrum SPF 30 in Nairobi Orange
The Shiseido UV Lip Color Splash Broad Spectrum SPF 30 lip glosses has lived in my purse for years. I’ve gone through about 3 of the pink shade (Miami pink) and now I am obsessed with Nairobi Orange. The lip glosses look super glossy and juicy on the lips. They feel super moisturizing, and they protect your lips from the sun. If you’ve ever burnt your lips before then you know it’s not fun! So, don’t risk it – just pick up a Shiseido UV Lip Color Splash Broad Spectrum SPF 30 to protect your lips from the sun.
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