Skincare Saturday: Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA+++ Review

I'm taking a break from the Rainshadow Labs coverage (but don't worry, it'll be back) to talk about my new HG BFF product: Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA+++, henceforth referred to using pronouns and deictics, because that name is ridiculous.

"this" / "it"

I have pale skin that slightly tans, but mostly just burns and then freckles. I actually like my freckles (angel kisses!), but skin cancer and sunburns are pretty shitty, so sunscreen needs to be a daily staple for me. In spite of this, though, I've not always been as diligent about applying it as I should be (I know! Bad past Amy.) My skin is also really, really oily, and prone to freaking the fuck out at the introduction of any new product, but after reading the positive reviews at MUA, I decided to pick up a tube of this. My prior declaration of HG BFF status should tell you how that went for me! Here's why I love it:

Sunscreen Saturday: Boscia Self-Defense Vital Antioxidant Moisture SPF 30

The last of my little sunscreen samples that are here in Turkey with me! Also, hi, sorry I've been utterly lax at posting––I've been writing rather massive posts for my other blog and haven't wanted to write for this blog, too. But don't worry! I still love you guys! And I'll be back with semi-interesting content at some point. For now, here are my thoughts on this sunscreen.

via Sephora

It's good stuff. It's very lightweight and liquidy, though not quite runny, and it absorbs quickly. It doesn't break me out nor contribute to oiliness and it plays well under makeup. I wish it had higher SPF (at 30, it's the lowest of the ones I brought with me), but it supposedly has antioxidants that are good for...something, though I always take those claims with a big heap of salt.

It's not particularly cheap, at $36 for 1.4 oz, but I will gladly use up my sample and put this on my list of sunscreens I'd be willing to purchase (on sale, natch). Available from Sephora!

Have you tried any Boscia sunscreens? How do you feel about grandiose skincare claims?

Sunscreen Saturday: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream+ Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ For Face Review

After my success with Josie Maran, I turned my attention to one I hadn't heard anything about, Lancôme Bienfait Multi-Vital SPF 30 Cream. Fast-absorbing, lightweight, but even the sample packaging is insanely bulky, so I decided not to find out if the increased blemishes were a fluke or not and instead testdrive one with sleeker packaging. And so, let me tell you about Shiseido's Ultimate Sun Protection Cream+ Broad Spectrum SPF 50+! Herewith called "this sunscreen", because that name is just absurd.

via Sephora

Sunscreen Saturday: Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 40

I managed to snag one of Sephora's Sun Safety kits, as I knew I would be going abroad this summer and wanted portable sun protection. I'm wearing several of the included sunscreens (though not all, as I don't have time!) before I go so that I can make sure they behave well with my skin. The first one I tried was Josie Maran's Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 40, which I shall tell you about today.

via Sephora

Skincare Saturday: Sunday Riley Cashmere SPF 30 Sun Defense Review

Yet another Sunday Riley product that I got from the generous SA at Bergdorf! Out of all the products from the line that I've tried, this is the one I like the best.

image via Sephora

Many sunscreens leave my skin feeling oily and slick with a heavy feeling that takes forever to soak in. Not so for this! It's pleasantly creamy, but not thick, so it spreads and absorbs really easily. I've taken to wearing it under my Cover FX primer, and I find it is plenty moisturizing for my oily skin, and as far as I can tell it hasn't made my skin worse, as if that's possible...It has a faint chemical smell, but it's really mild and fades quickly, and a little product goes a long way (though I do make sure to apply more than I think I need to try and ensure adequate sun protection!). It doesn't seem to increase my oiliness, and it does definitely work as a sunscreen––I know this because, after a bit of time in the sun, compared to my non-sunscreened chest my face looks very pale (as contrasted to the red that is my neck, whoops; I envy those people who can be in the sun for longer than 5 minutes without getting red, seriously). Unfortunately, like all Sunday Riley products, such loveliness comes at a price––$125 for 1.7 oz. I will gladly use up my samples, but I shan't be purchasing the full size. If you have the collateral, though, it's definitely worth checking out, especially if you find that sunscreen usually leaves you looking ashen or is overly heavy and oily.
$125 for 1.7 oz, available from Sephora, Barneys, and Sunday Riley

Miracle Skin Transformer SPF 20 Quick Review (that's actually quick! whoa!)

This was another product I got from the Sephora Prep Kit. Much like the DDF Amplifying Elixir, I wasn't quite sure what exactly this product is supposed to do, and honestly, I'm still not sure. It touts itself as being a product that "hydrates, protects, and transforms the complexion for a luminous, airbrushed effect [and] minimizes the appearance of fine lines and pores". I think that's a flowery way of saying it's a primer with SPF. Great.

image via Sephora

So, I tried this out for a few days. I didn't find it to break me out, and it did help smooth out my pores, but: it also made my foundation apply weirdly, and it seemed to make me get oily faster. Not a win for me. Oh wells.
Note: I got the translucent shade, but it also comes in tinted varieties.
$9 for 0.85 oz, $48 for 1.7 oz, available from Sephora

Have you tried Miracle Skin Transformer? How did it work for you?

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 60 PA+++ Review

This was one of the sunscreens that came with the Sephora Sun Safety kit (previous reviews from the kit include Boscia, Philosophy, and Peter Thomas Roth moisturizers).  It came in a teeny little 0.23 oz bottle which has enough for at least a few applications.  It's got ridiculously high SPF and PA+++ (the Asian standard for SPF measurement; the more +'s the better the protection, where +++ is the highest), which can be risky for the face, since many with high SPF are thick and sticky.

Image from Sephora.com