Clinique Chubby Stick Colour & Shine Set

One of this year's hottest products has been Clinique's Chubby Sticks Moisturizing Lip Balms. I loved them and I'm pretty sure many of you did too.

How about a gift set featuring them?

Clinique's Chubby Colour and Shine set gives you 4 mini Chubby Sticks in Woppin' Watermelon, Mega Melon, Super Strawberry and Whole Lotta Honey, in a silver makeup pouch. ( See most of those shades here in my original post)

The set is exclusive to Macys and Macys.com and will debut mid November. Retail is $ 32.50

Clinique / Milly GWP at Bloomindales

Clinique has teamed with designer Milly for this adorable makeup bag that will be a GWP at Bloomingdales beginning August 31st.

I love the bag as it's got a bit of a retro thing going. Sort of looks like one someone would  have carried in the '60's doesn't it ? But it's modern too and just pretty. It's also very large , so it can hold a lot of your stash.

The best part though, is the  makeup brush holder. All I can think is why didn't I  have one of these before?  Were they out there and I missed them? Or has Clinique just really hit it with this ? The brush holder comes with 3 brushes as part of the gift and you can always put in your own short handled ones .

The rest of the bonus includes:

High Lengths Mascara
Vitamin C Antioxidant Lip Smoothie in Strawberry Bliss
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
Instant Lift for Eyes
Take The Day Off Remover
Color Surge Eyeshadow/Blush Duo

The GWP is yours with a $ 25.00 purchase at any Bloomingdales and runs from August 31st to September 18th.

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus All -Smooth Makeup SPF 15

Just in time for cooler weather Clinique is bringing out a new foundation - Repairwear Laser Focus All Smooth Makeup SPF 15. And yes that is one very long name.  The foundation incorporates the technology  of their  serum of  similar name.

This is a moisturizing, light to medium coverage foundation. Best for normal to dry skin. It  looks great on   and smoothes nicely as promised and gives skin a dewy look and feel.( Which is why it doesn't work so well for the oily skinned). Coverage, I think, is more medium than light. It covers pretty well.

The formula is said not only to help fight new UV damage but to repair past damage with Ultrasomes that gradually help skin damage. There are several ingredients with very long names that help plump skin and  Murumuru seed butter and Vitamin E for moisture.

While it's too dewy for my skin and I can't use anything like Murumuru Butter on my face, I like the finish of this and  all the good for skin ingredients. I've always been a big fan of Clinique's foundations. They do  some of the best  and at good price points. Acne Solutions is staple all summer and last winter I wore Even Better almost every day. 

Repairwear Laser Focus All Smooth Makeup SPF 15 is on sale now at Nordstrom for $ 32.50 and comes in 12 shades. All outlets will have it in September.

Clinique Lid Smoothie Antioxidant 8 Hr Eye Color

Clinique's tag line for their new Lid Smoothie eye colors is " Way cooler than your average eye colour". That's for 2 reasons- the  actually cool on the eyes metal applicator and the long wear  of the shadows.

These new shadows come in 12 shades  and have good pigment but go on with muted color but are not sheer.  Coverage is good . I am partial to the Cute-Cucumber green and Currant Affair plum shades. ( Other shades shown are Bit O'Honey and Born Freesia. Yes, someone had fun naming these).

As I've mentioned many, many times, eye makeup melts on me fast.  I am always happy to try anything meant to be long lasting as I need it. These did pretty well. I got about a half day of  wear , using a base. You may fare better as my eyelids are an oil well. 

The are very creamy and  fairly thick and blend easily but need a bit of drying time on the eyes. Not long, but give it a 60 second count to set to a more powder finish. There is also some shimmer.

The formula also includes beneficial antioxidants including Vitamin E, Broccoli , Carrot and Blueberry. It really does sound like a Smoothie. Cucumber , Aloe Vera and Caffiene are in there as well.

Available now for $ 19.50

My Summer Staples

Summer brings it's own special makeup , skincare and accessories. With my oily , perspiring skin, nothing heavy will do  and I like to get a bronzed glow on.   I  also love big bracelets as opposed to necklaces that sit on a warm neck this time of year.

Here are some of my every day staples of summer. Links lead back to my original review if there was one.

Havaianas- I used to think what's all the fuss about these flip flops? Then I got a pair. Now I have 4 and feel like I need many more. Far more sturdier than most and  very comfortable .

Guerlain Terracotta LipGloss- They release these in summer for a reason, they're totally right for the season. Usually they have SPF , unfortunately this time they don't. But the new bright coral shade is sheer and juicy,  and really not overly bright.  Perfect for a  pop of color. Still using last  year's more neutral bronze shade as well.  Doesn't hurt either that the packaging is so hot.

Dusting Powder- I live for dusting powder when it's hot. They refresh, cool and add light scent. Right now I am loving Caswell Massey's Lilac and Honeysuckle scents and Penhaligon's Violetta ( when do you ever see violet powder ? I've hoarded my tin for years now).

Citrus Fragrances- As much as I love fragrance, when it's really hot I can't do the heavier scents. I adore citrus always  but especially in summer. There are too many to show all of here, but Dior Escale a Pondicherry and Acqua Di Parma Arancia di Capri are two tops favs. Lancome's new O d'Azur  and Annick Goutal's Eau de Hadrien and Ninfeo Mio are  others that get a lot of use.

MAC Paint Pots- Cream shadow rarely  if ever lasts on me  but Paint Pots really work well. Better than powders often.  They are easy  and look great. Favorite  shade is  Indianwood.

Chanel Bronzer- I have two season's past version but they've released  one this year too. What makes this bronzer special is the bands of color. Just a hint of shimmer  and not too dark. You can skip the darkest ones if needed ( I  usually do) and just swipe across the shades that look best on you. I use the bottom ones for a nice light tan look.

Ray Ban Wayfarers- I wore these when they were cool the first time, I wore them when they weren't in style  and I wear them now that they are back again. I've never stopped loving  my Wayfarers and that's that. (  But somehow they got left out of the picture).

Clinique Acne Solutions Foundation- Kept my skin in top shape last summer, helping to hold back the oilies  and acne . It'll be back in the regimen this summer too. No messing with perfection.

Sunscreen (of course)- Hawaiian Tropic  Sheer Touch SPF 50 , this really holds up in water, best I've used for that. Anything with Mexoryl in it. It's the best SPF. Currently finishing my Ambre Solaire from France and have an Ombrelle waiting to be opened. For face- Clarins UV Plus HP  -no moisture, just SPF 40 , mineral and plant based. You never even know it's on. Skinceuticals Physical Fusion SPF 50 is my second fav  for face.

Bangle bracelets- Easy to wear when hot. Less sticking to your skin.  This one is  made of Mango Tree wood .  These are super fun, tribal looking, comfy and inexpensive. I also have a faux Ivory $3 one from H&M years ago that I wear all the time.

Blue Topaz ring- Thankfully I bought good jewelry  back when it was really well priced . This ring came from QVC at least 10 years ago and is Blue Topaz set in sterling. I have another similar one but set in a simple band. These are great for summer as the blue pops with a tan, is a summer color and  they are bold enough  to stand without other jewelry or look great with bangles  .

Phyto Sun Haircare-  For the past 2 summers the Phyto Plage Protective Sun Veil spray followed me to the pool. I use after swimming and run it through  my wet hair. It keeps it feeling soft and compensates for the drying and acidic effect of the water. If you have colored hair, it helps hold color in as well.

 What are some of your summer staples?  I'd love to hear .

The Clinique Forecast App

New mobile apps pop up all the time. More fun is when they are makeup oriented ones.

Clinique's new mobile app is quite cool as it not only advises you on product, but tells you the weather, the UV index, how humid it is and more. It can tell you nearest store locations and give you skin tips related to your current weather conditions.

Currently it's iPhone & iPad  but thankfully an Android version is coming soon.

The Clinique Forecast app  is available for download on iTunes. To view the app, just visit www.clinique.com/mobileapp

Clinique Even Better -Bigger Size ( and it does work)

If you love Clinique's Even Better  Dark Spot Corrector, and you need to if you have any spots you'd like faded, it now comes in an even larger size.

I've had my  1 oz bottle for awhile and used it occasionally. Not enough to see if it really worked. So about a month ago I decided to buckle down and use it daily. These things take long use to work, I know that and needed to put it to the test. I have  a few acne scars and some  minor pigmentation from the sun. I don't sun myself much but I am in the pool a  lot and no matter how  much I re-apply the SPF I still get some sun.

The verdict after 4 weeks- this works. It took 3 weeks to really see a difference but all of a sudden the spots seemed lighter, less and more  brighter was  skin visible.

I use Even Better once daily in the AM with Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM at night. Most days I use Clinique's Even Better foundation to amp up the brightening.  The foundation actually makes your skin glow a little , right from the bottle.

Even Better larger size is 1.7 oz and retails for $ 73.00 and the regular size is 1 oz for $ 49.50 , all at http://www.clinique.com/

The Lip Balm Guide to Super Hydration

With temps in the cellar here and in many places across the country , even so called warmer climes, lip balm is a must.  Good lip balm is even more of a must because not all are created equal.  I apply all day and night and begin to have chapped lips the minute it gets below 60 degrees.  After a fellow blogger was looking for product recs for her continuously parched lips, I decided it was time to do my lip hydration  post, one I've had in pipeline for awhile.

Things to know-

1.If it has shea butter, it's got mega moisture, many of those listed below fall into this category.

2. The more thick, and viscous a  balm, the more barrier protection from wind it will give you.  Ones like the Clinique  listed below as well as old standy Aquaphor which now comes in  a handy  lip treatment tube  fit this type.

   That said,  here is my list of personal favorites that  work in  freezing cold.  There are plenty other balms I love and use in milder, say 40-50 degree weather. But for the coldest times, these get highest marks. Links will go to my  original review if there was one.

Philosophy Kiss me Tonight- Also should be called The Lifesaver or maybe LipSaver.  This is meant as an overnight treatment, but can be used daytime as well, it just doesn't lend itself to being used under lipcolor.  It's a thick, jelly balm which  makes a  coating on lips. Its stays there long and is super healing and softening with shea and mango butters One of the few products I keep a backup of.

Shu Uemuea Depsea Hydrability- Almost oily in texture at times this one covers the lips with a heavy gel/balm and keeps out the wind and softens the lips. Ultra hydrating, no tint, no scent. Contains  depsea water as well as hyaluronic acid and macadamia oil.  Available  only online in US  at http://www.http//www.shuuemura-usa.com 

Clarins Colour Quench Balm - The balm you want if you want major moisture , gloss and color in one. These pack  more pigment than most balms and come in a huge color selection from light to bright. They also have shea butter, vitamin E and a nice fruity scent. You'll see my original post dates to 2007, these have been a staple for a longtime.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Lipcolor-  Lipstick with shea butter. When you want lipstick but you need help with chapped lips, look here. These have nice pigment, are a lipstick tube but pack  much more moisture than most lipsticks. I use my nude shade, Bronzed Pink,  all winter every year. It's what I usually reach for when I want lipstick  not balm.

L'Occitane Pure Shea Butter- The small tin of pure shea butter is just what lips need . Apply right on for healing and moisture . The real deal , simple and basic but  nothing works like  pure shea.

Clinique Super Balm Moisturizing Gloss- As the name says it's a glossy balm. It's also thick enough to stand up  to wind and cold. The colors are sheer and the formula has aloe vera and vitamin E.

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm

I finally have my hands on the new Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Colour Balms.These have been on the radar since I first read of them months ago. My love of tinted lip balms is well documented on here.

 They don't disappoint either. Chubby Sticks  pack plenty of moisture and pigment . These aren't sheer balms . They are not deep either but have more pigment than most tinted balms  .

The finish has some shine but is really a satin finish.  No shimmer. They are like  a balm/lipstick almost  but with a very light feeling on the lips.   The moisture comes from shea butter, mango seed butter , jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil and olive oil .   They apply like a dream since you're outlining with a pencil.   The only downside was they don't last as long as I would like. Thats not untypical with   some tinted balms so I just re-apply.

The color selection is  good  with several neutral brown based shades and several pinks along with more peachy Mega Melon( my  personal favorite).

Highlight- They twist up when you need more product . When I first saw images months ago I thought they would need an incovenient sharperner. Not so, just twist the bottom and the stick comes up.

PS- In a pinch, these could be used as cheek tint.

All shades are :

Chunky Cherry
Fuller Fig
Graped-Up
Mega Melon
Richer RaisinSuper Strawberry
Whole Lotta Honey
Woppin' Watermelon

$ 15.00 at all Clinique outlets and http://www.clinique.com/

Best of Beauty 2010

It's time for the best of the year , a look back at my top favorites. It's not always easy to slim the list down as I like so many products. But these that follow were the tops, or at least the ones that came immediately to mind. Most were reviewed here before so a link is there if you wish to read the original post. Please share your "best of" for the year in the comments. I'd love to know what's on everyones list.

Dior J'Adore L'Or- Full review coming soon on this as I only tried it at Christmastime.  An updating of the original J'Adore with a focus on purer , high grade essences and rose absolute and jasmine from Dior's own fields, this powerhouse white floral is beyond beautiful. So well done, and a bit more of an oil than as it's an essence of perfume rather than a  straight EDP.

Annick Goutal Ninfeo Mio- Another hit from the great house. Love at first sniff and few others came close to it all year. It's not like anything else out there and for Spring and Summer weather,  so beautiful, fresh and  green.

Clinique Acne Solutions  Liquid Makeup - Kept my skin in check all summer, the hottest on record here. Not as matte as I usually use but it worked so well at keeping acne  down and helped oilies as well, while also providing great coverage and good looking skin.

Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage- A genius idea. Cools, soothes , brightens and de-puffs all at once. Not it is not quite a miracle worker, you don't suddenly lose all puffiness etc.,  but it does make a difference and feels so good on. Anytime your eyes are tired or irritated , reach for this.

Dior Rouge Dior Haute Couleur Lipsticks- There were a lot of fabulous new lipsticks this fall, one from most major brands. I liked or loved  most , but the best to me was the new Dior. It feels like air on your lips but packs pigment and moisture and simply looks like lipstick should. 

Ellis Faas Makeup - Everything in this new  this year line but especially the Eye Lights metallic eye shadows.  With innovative colorways and packaging,  this became a huge favorite.

Origins Zero Oil Cleanser- Most amazing oily skin cleanser ever. Yes ,really. Did wonders for my skin in the super hot summer heat. Kept using all fall and into winter  even. Not harsh but cleanses well and helps bat down that pesky over oiliness. Zero Oil indeed. Maybe not all of it, but enough.

Chanel Les Khakis nail polish- The polish everyone at Fashion Week in Sept. 2010 was either talking about, wanting or wearing. I got more compliments on my Khaki Vert toes than I ever expected. I also didn't expect the  polish to look so good, but somehow it was perfect. The two other shades didn't move me as much but I still like them.

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger - This new line  grabbed a lot of reader attention and deservedly so . Deeply repairing for damaged and very dry hair, it's that good. 

MAC Venomous Villains- One of the most hotly anticipated collections of the year . This was simply fun but also had some great colors. I know people who wanted it simply because it was Disney, but most of us I think wanted it because it was Disney and MAC.  The decals/logos were well done and I love having at least one lippie sitting out where I can see it.

Honorable mentions go to :

 1. Clarins Extra Firming Foundation-  they do know foundation as well as skincare there .  Super coverage, firming, radiance. Hits all the marks.

2. Atelier Perfumes- a new, niche line  of old  style cologne  scents modernized and better.  

3. Maybelline Age Rewind The Eraser Foundation - A drugstore foundation that truly competes with the high end lines.

Clinique Click and Be Happy Gift Set

Cute  gift giving made easy.   That's the new Click and Be Happy Clinique Gift Set.  You get  3 fragrances and 3 lipglosses, all of which can interchanged .This set will debut in mid November at Macys Clinique Counters and Macys .com only and is LE.

The perfumes are rollerballs in Happy, Happy " Hint of Citrus" and Happy Wealth of Flowers.  The gloss is Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in  Air Kiss, Cabana Crush, and Clearly Pink.

Retail is $ 28.00

Clinique 2010 BCA Lipgloss Keyring

Clinique's always adorable keyring for BCA month makes a new appearance. This time you get  2 glosses and a mini lipstick.

These are so fun and of course help a great cause.   I have mine from last year on my keys  and everyone who notices it, loves it.

When you purchase,  $4 per key ring purchased during the month of October will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®


Colors are:
Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Clearly Pink, Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Grapefruit, and Different Lipstick in Glazed Berry.

 The keyring sells for $ 16.00.  Available at Macys, Bloomingdales and http://www.clinique.com/

Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup

It's summer and it's hot. When you have oily skin like I do, that means it going to be even oilier, greasy and well ,you get the idea.

A foundation with some acne helping ingredients seemed like a great idea. I have used Rimmel's Stay Matte and like it well enough but it's really sheer . I prefer more coverage. For some reason acne helping makeup =light coverage . Doesn't anyone get that spots and pores need more coverage? Well it seems Clinique did.

Their new Acne Solutions makeup is fabulous. I expected I would like it but not like this. I get medium/full but light feeling coverage that lasts all day. That almost never happens. The foundation goes on smoothly , evenly and looks great on. It isn't matte but manages to block the oil in my T Zone incredibly well. I needed to blot down only once . Most days it's at least twice and that's with a matte foundation/primer.

I have used this both with and without my CoverFx Clear Prep primer. It's better with the primer certainly, but does well both ways.

Acne solutions has .5 % salicyclic acid in the formula , so you get a low dose of acne banishing meds with your foundation.

With more adults having acne, this is a great choice for women who have oil/acne but don't want barely there formulas.

Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup is on counter now and is $ 24.50

Clinique All About Eyes Serum Rollerball

Clinique's All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage started as a Sephora exclusive and I knew I had to try it. Luckily I don't have puffiness but the idea of a cooling eye roller was catnip. I have used the cooling sticks from Lumene and Vichy and this goes one better.

The rollerball is medicinal grade stainless steel and is very cool, as in to the touch. It feels like a jolt of coolness on your eyes and I don't know about you, but I have plenty of days when my eyes are burning and tired. This little roller goes on under or over makeup and is refreshing. You can't dunk your eyes in ice water mid- day, but you can roll them.

The serum doesn't take too long to dry and is nicely moisturizing. You get a firmed up feeling too. There is caffeine in there to help with puffiness and the rolling action is said to help increase "micro- circulation".

It's so portable and easy to use, perfect for your bag, desk, pocket.

Available now for $ 25.50 for .5 oz tube.

Clinique Happy Day December 11th

Do we all not need a Happy Day? We do. Clinique is here to help. In a fun promotion they are celebrating Happy Day December 11th. Something free for you makes it even happier in this time of giving.

You can create an e-card for loved ones online, and pick up free Happy To Go fragrance pencils at your local counter that day. The pencils were a fav product of mine from last year and I was very happy to see them make a return. This year they come in a darling silver carry case , much better than last years see -thru bag.



All the details per Clinique:

Clinique Pays It Forward With Happy Day, December 11th
Partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters to Spread Happiness

Happiness is contagious evoking feelings of universal joy. In a tough economic climate, it’s even more important to spread happiness and give back in meaningful ways. For the third consecutive year, Clinique is partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the largest youth mentoring organization in the country, to continue its tradition of engaging in random acts of happiness.

CLINIQUE IS PAYING IT FORWARD:
· Help spread holiday cheer by creating one-of-a-kind holiday cards for all your Facebook friends using Clinique’s Happy Day Card Designer, a customizable e-card application on Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/clinique_happyday/fb/welcome. It’s easy, simply select pictures from your Facebook albums, choose a pattern, background colour, Big Brothers Big Sisters icon and greeting and you’re ready to go.

· Clinique has also teamed up with children from Big Brothers Big Sisters to create personalized holiday cards which will be available complimentary at Clinique counters nationwide and at Clinique.com with a $30 purchase. In addition, to help support Big Brothers Big Sisters initiatives, Clinique has made a cumulative donation of $350,000.

· Reward yourself, stop by a Clinique counter on Happy Day and pick up your free gift. Happy-To-Go fragrance pencils will be given out at Clinique counters nationwide.

CLINIQUE’S TOP TIPS TO MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON:
1. Smile!
2. Say thank you.
3. Perform an act of happiness.
4. Spread positivity.
5. Pay it forward.

Clinique Deep Comfort Hand Cream & Body Wash

It's beginning to be that time of year when I ( and maybe you) can't get enough hand cream. My hands started to get dry as soon as we had a few cold days. I hate that. So I add good creams to the stash whenever I can. Clinique's new Deep Comfort one fits the bill.

I had the huge tub of their Deep Comfort Body Balm years ago. It was highly moisturizing but took long to sink in. The hand cream is equally moisturizing but sinks in right away. It lasts long on your hands, is soothing and keeps them soft. There is no scent so it won't compete with fragance and will be fine for them men as well. I have been using it every day.

The cream has conditioning agents of glycerin , sodium hyaluronate, birch extract, vitamins C and E, a blend of other natural ingredients from barley, wheat and murumuru butters and gentian extract which helps irritation. These help not just hands but nails and cuticles as well.

Also new to the line is Deep Comfort Body Wash which is rather nice too. Again, no scent, but a mousse like consistency that is so soft and leaves skin feeling hydrated. I still needed lotion but the feel of this is wonderful. No dryness at all. Perfect for the really cold days.

Both will be available in November at all Clinique counters and online at CLINIQUE

Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream $ 17.50
Deep Comfort Body Wash $ 20.00

Clinique Superbalanced Powder Makeup SPF 15

Clinique Superbalanced Powder Makeup SPF 15 is a good powder makeup for those who have fear of powder.

This powder is actually creamy in texture. After testing on my hand, my hand felt soft. It has hydrators in it, so thats where the softness comes from. It blends well, has medium coverage and will work on most skins except the super oily or super dry. I liked it a lot, but fear it's too creamy for me. I fall into that super oily group.

The neat part is the container that shaves off just the amount you want from a solid piece underneath. It's fun and a good idea. Makes it easy to carry if needed( although it is a large container) and no waste .

I believe Macys is having their Clinique bonus time now, so if you're thinking about buying, why not get some extras too?

Retail is $34.50

Clinique Lip Gloss Keychain for BCA Month

It's October already. That means many things, and one is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I plan to highlight just a few items for BCA and especially ones that give a larger donation and hopefully a listed monetary amount. There is uncertainty with some on featuring these items. My feeling is that if you feel more comfortable donating directly and if you want to do it all year, thats fantastic. But you may want to do good while stocking up on some favorite items as well. Thats fine , too.

I lost a beloved grandmother to this disease and anything that can help awareness/a cure is good.

One of the best BCA items is this cute Clinique lipgloss keychain. Called BCA Great Lips, Great Cause,it features 3 Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 lipglosses in Air Kiss, Hissy Fit and Whisper. It retails for $ 18.50 and $ 10.00 of your purchase( during October) goes to the BCRF( Breast Cancer Research Foundation).Thats a good size donation and who wouldn't love this?

Available only at Sephora and Sephora.com

Clinique Bamboo Pink Collection

I'm chatting these up a bit late, I know. They've been on counter since June, but I wanted to post just in case you haven't checked out the Bamboo Pink line by Clinique.

I love Bamboo as a motif so when I saw this brush I had to have it. The handle is a heavy lucite like material and the brush does a nice job. Even though it's sized more for powder, I use it for blush with ease . It's soft and hasn't shed at all. Plus it looks good. Always a bonus.

The whole collection was inspired by Bamboo Pink lipstick, a bestseller, and now available in the Butter Shine formula. Butter Shines are super soft and shiny. They may not last as long as a regular lipstick but they condition the lips, feel good on and look great . ( My sugggestion- buy now for winter. This may be a summer release, but when it's really cold, this shade will be perfect and the Butter Shines are lipstick with lots of lipbalm built in)

These are both on counters now and are LE. An eye quad and Allover Bloom Color compact complete the look.

Powder brush $ 30.00

Bamboo Pink Butter Shine $ 14.00

The Sunscreen Roundup

I have no idea why, but I find trying and looking for the best sunscreens , fun. Maybe it's because there's so many great ones out there incl. more high end ones that appeal to the luxist in me. For whatever reason, it means I use sunscreen more, so thats a good thing.

Now I have only touched the surface here. There's a lot of sunscreens out there, I am finding new ones I want to try every day. Hopefully this primer will help you either find one you love, or get you started on a search of your own.

Things to remember:
-According to a news report last week all sunscreens need re-appying after 40-60 mins., no matter what the bottle says. The government has been planning to regulate sunblock claims for years, but as they will, haven't gotten around to it. None are so waterproof as to last hours.

-Any SPF higher than 30 is not really needed. Ones with higher numbers only provide little more protection. However, it can't hurt either. Just know that if your favorite is 15 or 30, you're good.

-Lastly Mexoryl is the best protectant out there. Only one type is approved for use here sadly, but companies are making various antioxidant cocktails and mineral blocks to up the ante in protection and make up for lack of Mexoryl. Think Helioplex from Neutrogena among others.

___________________________________________

- Ambre Solaire by Garnier- The best with BOTH Mexoryls. But only available outside the US. I grabbed this in Paris 2 yrs. ago and wish I had bought more. If you or anyone you know is going to Europe, get 1 or 10. ( In US there are several with one Mexoryl -SX. Lancome, La Roche Posay and Skinceuticals (highlighted further down).

-Cosmedicine Medi Matte Tint SPF- One of my favorite products now comes in a tinted version with SPF 20. Fabulous. This mattifier really works, and it's rare to see a mattifier( or tinted cream) for us oily gals with SPF. $ 42.50 ( Murad has a great looking non- tinted version as well, but haven't tried it yet)

Skinceuticals Active UV Defense SPF 15- One of the Mexoryl SX sunblocks. This is light but strong. Has a very light scent, but it's a nice enough one. One of my new favs. $ 29.00

being TRUE Essential SPF 30 gel- a gel/cream thats great for oily skins. Light , sinks right in . Ingredients incl. phytomelanin ,white and green tea . Can be used on face/body and under makeup. Oil free and oil absorbing. $ 35.00

Shiseido Sun Protection Lip Treatment SPF 36- yes it's expensive for a lip product, but you're worth it. It comes from a great suncare line and looks very chic. Some complain of a white tint. If that happens, just blend. $ 20.00

Clinique SPF 25 Body Spray- I am loving the new Clinique suncare. Reviewed in detail Here this spray is easy , has their new Solar Smart technology and a high SPF. $ 20.00

Peter Thomas Roth Mineral Powder Suncare- There is a new oily/problem skin version with 4% Salicyclic Acid & Willow Bark ( This sounds awesome. Must Try) and an Unwrinkle version with their Syn-Ake wrinkle relaxing ingredient, a neuropeptide and Matrixl 3000.
The Unwrinkle one I have tried and it's a smooth powder that evens skin . Feels very light. Their Unwrinkle powder compact is great , now you can have a lighter sunblock version. These are perfect for mid- day touch ups or those who want no SPF cream on their face. $ 30-35.00

Hawaiian Tropic Aloha Kiss SPF 20 Lip Gloss- an older Hawaiian Tropic lip balm was all I used a few summers back poolside. Smelled so good. Now we have this yummy berry lipgloss version. I have Cat Marnell at Lucky mag and her column to thank for finding this. $ 5.99 approx.

Mission Skincare Fast Drying Spray- Yesterday I mentioned how Mission is now at CVS. One new item is the Quick Drying Mist in a pump spray. Especially good for the athelete, outdoorsy or men. $ 6.99

Neutogena Pure & Free Baby SPF 60- New formula made extra gentle for babies and acc. to Neutogena , made with PureScreen technology, a more natural mineral physical block. Has " a separate layer that sits on top of the skin. This layer reflects and refracts the dangerous UVA/UVB rays of the sun before they have a chance to touch your baby"
Plus if it's gentle enough for babies, then it's great for those with sensitive skin .

Sephora's Sun Safety Kit- remember I said discovering new sunscreens can be fun ? Well this kit gives you a chance to try a gazillion of them . There's some great stuff in here like Clarins, DDF, andSmashbox plus a bag. $ 22.50