I think including myself, many of us love multi-tasking products when it comes to beauty. And, reliable sunscreen with cosmetic elegance would be such an ideal notion, wouldn't it? We all know that wearing sunscreen is not optional but at the same time, finding something that provides real protection yet doesn't interfere with makeup is not an easy task. Luckily, we now seem to have more options compared to years ago. Here are some that I have tried recently.
I had high hopes for this one but it is actually my least favorite from the three. Not a bad product, but I just don't see this sunscreen pairing well with my normal makeup routines. If worn by itself and set with colorless powder, the pale yellow tint is quite effective for canceling out the ruddiness around my cheeks and my complexion looks brighter and even. However, it doesn't sit very nicely if I wear liquid foundation and loose powder over it. This was surprising because you'd think that it should provide more coverage or at least make the makeup last longer, right? For some reason, it makes most foundations I own look a bit cakey and at the end of the day, I see more pigments settled in fine lines. It's just not pretty worn under foundation. I ended up limiting Missha Blanc Tone-Up Sun Protector to low key days when I usually skip the foundation step.
Heimish Artless Glow Base SPF50+/PA+++, 40ml ($24.20 at stylekorean.com, $17.80 on ebay)
Heimish Artless Glow Base would be most suitable for dry/dehydrated skin types. True to the name, it imparts a very subtle glow that makes my complexion look hydrated and youthful. If you are looking for more visible glow and shimmer (that you'd get from Becca Backlight Priming Filter), this isn't it. I much appreciated Heimish Artless Glow Base during the cold months as it helped with foundation applications and gave me the healthy glow. With the temperatures rising though, now I find it a little too moisturizing for my skin so I've reassigned it to my neck.
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF50+ PA++++, 80ml ($12.66 on eBay)
This is my current go-to sunscreen and the favorite of the bunch, by far. The sunscreen agents are quite solid and the brightening effect from the pale violet tint is remarkable. It feels cool and very hydrating on contact but sets quickly to provide a great base for the next step. It does not feel greasy at all. My makeup seems to last longer with Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence as well. I will certainly repurchase and would highly recommend it to anyone (who's not allergic to the blocking agents, btw). It is so affordable, too!
In summer, I will probably have to go back to Allie Extra UV Perfect SPF 50+/PA++++, which is another sunscreen staple of mine but wearing waterproof sunscreen daily comes with different skincare concerns like clogged pores and dehydration. It's comforting to know that now I have another option such as Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence, though. Also, Chanel Le Blanc Light Creator Brightening Makeup Base is on my wish list. I got very generous samples from a local Chanel counter and both shades, Mimosa & Rose work so well either alone or under foundation plus the SPF is decent. The price is steep but I think it might be worthwhile.
Thanks for reading! Have you tried any tinted sunscreen? Do you feel that tinted sunscreens are multi-tasking as they're supposed to?
I have always been reacting to chemical filter (latest offender was apieu natural pure block...ahem what a misleading name) but when I tried the newest biore athletism essence I was able to use it two days with tinest bit of redness...Now I will rotate that with other physical ones since biore feels really nice on the face. I saw so many limited edition packaging for skin aqua (mostly disney) while I was in Japan, now I wish I had picked one up.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you've found something promising. Hope it works out for you! Like you, I prefer Japanese sunscreens by miles. I wish I could try one of those hardcore sunscreen layering and combat my freckles more effectively, but I think it's a kind of luxury only allowed for very dry skin folks. ;p
DeleteThe finish of the Heimish Artless Glow Base sounds lovely. I'm all about looking as fresh and youthful as possible LOL ;p I have been swearing by the Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30 which I told you about and Coola Full Spectrum 360° Sun Silk Drops since last summer. I wear the latter even on days when I'm indoors because I have real concerns about blue light damage and I also love that it feels like nothing.
ReplyDeleteSince you don't wear foundation, I think you'd enjoy something like the Heimish Artless Glow Base. The tint is not too obvious but very naturally glowy with some blurring effects, too. It is absolutely important point you brought up - now we better wear sunscreen like, all the time. I will look into those two you've mentioned for sure! :)
DeleteThe only tinted sunscreen I have ever used was an Avene one about 13 years ago. It was horribly oily and made my face look like it was wearing a greasy thick white-cast-though-pink mask over my yellow undertone body. The experience made me never buy another tinted sunscreen ever again since then. Only colorless ones, thank you. (and I have a personal HG too). But 13 years have passed since then, I guess sunscreen technology has improved, and your post makes me want to give tinted sunscreens another go :) xx
ReplyDeleteI remember trying one of those tinted Avene sunscreens for myself. I love Avene skincare in general but it wasn't good at all!! The color was too pink on me as well. The ones I mentioned here are tinted much more delicately (then, I've read that some find the Skin Aqua too "white", so I guess it really boils down to personal coloring and preference). I wonder what is your HG! ;D
DeleteYes I love Avene skincare in general too but their sunscreens are way too greasy for me. MY HG is a Spanish brand called ISDIN Fusion Water. Is like putting on nothing on your face (as if water), no stickiness, no greasiness, no thickness, no smell. Just SPF50 protection. It's absolutely wonderful!
DeleteThanks for the answer! I am going to see if I can purchase your fave sunscreen off eBay! <3
DeleteCool! Let me know what you think if you do <3
DeleteI found out recently that I really like chemical sunscreens! They make my skin feel softer too.
ReplyDeleteI'll check out the Skin Aqua one after my current runs out!
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I like that I don't have to deal with whiteheads as much if I use all-chemical sunscreens, too! I am pretty sure Skin Aqua offers all chemical ones that apply clear on the face. Most of them were very mild on my skin. :)
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