Sun smart

I confess: I don’t wear sunscreen every day.

My makeup may or may not contain SPF (I’m always trying new products so nothing is ever used consistently) but on the average day, nope, no sunscreen. To clarify, I apply the stuff if I am going out for run or know I’ll be sitting on a patio or have plans for any other activity that’ll have me outside for any length of time, but for the most part I’m an indoors kinda girl (my views on camping are in line with Beauty Geek Janine’s). Still, I should have better sun smarts.

Here’s the thing: (1) I am lazy. And adding the extra step of applying sunscreen to my routine will mean that I’ll be rushing out the door even later than usual. And (2) most of the facial sunscreens I’ve tried have an unappealing greasy feel.

So I was particularly pleased that Neutrogena‘s new Ultra-Sheer Water-Light Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 45 ($12.99) lives up to its name and claims–it is very lovely worn under makeup and it is uber light. And while the sunscreen still has a slight sunscreen scent, the fragrance reminds me of  the beach, and puts me in a summer state of mind.

Note: It comes in SPF 60, too, so fair-skinned ladies and gents can get the protection they need.

Please: do as I say, not as I do (well, come to think of it, now I do wear sunscreen every day, thanks to Neutrogena — so, yes, please do do as I do!).

(yes, I said do do).

9 Comments May 24, 2010

Chic cheeks

An absolutely gorge, super natural flush. That’s what I noticed about Janine of Beauty Geeks when I was chatting with her a few weeks ago, so much so that I had to know which blush she was wearing.

It was Mary Kay Cheek Glaze in Pomegranate ($20), one of her faves (find out why here). And a few weeks later, I got to try it out myself, too, with Janine’s expert hand applying it to boot (she was doing the makeup at a recent media event). And I, too, just like that, had a lovely, slightly dewy healthy flush to my cheeks. Kind of like how I’d like to look after a run (which is how some people look — I, unfortunately, fall into the sweaty, hot mess category).

Best of all, Janine sent me home from the event with a sample of it.

Which I’m coveting, as the product’s limited edition. Which has me tempted to order up a whole pile of them–you’ll soon see me featured on an episode of Hoarders, surrounded by mountains of MK Cheek Glaze.

And since I’m treasuring every vitamin E- and fruit-extract-infused gram of it, I checked in with Janine on how to make it last (I was finding that some days, much of it would seem to have disappeared off my face). Her secret? “Apply with a light touch — tap-blend if you’re using fingers or go lightly if using a blush brush — it goes over powder without any problem at all, and in fact puts back the glow a mattifying powder can take away.”

7 Comments May 21, 2010

Fresh nails

You can have your mani or pedi match your every look, whimsy or mood with the new Joe Fresh Style nail polish collection launching in stores today: Each bottle costs $4, or buy three for $10. At those prices, we’re almost tempted to sweep up the whole collection of 18 core shades along with the nine bottles from the Spring 2010 collection. Who knew a girl could get so giddy during a grocery shopping trip?

Available in the beauty aisle of certain Loblaws locations and select Joe Fresh Studio stores. Check joe.ca for locations.

2 Comments April 12, 2010