This post may be little delayed being that summer is more than halfway over with but better late than never, right? I hope by now you all know the importance of taking care of our skin, but even more so during those hot summer months.
In Florida we have two types of seasons: hot and hotter. I don’t remember putting on a ton a sunscreen growing up as a child; probably because of the idea that “Black folx don’t need sun protection because we are already dark” myth. Oh yes, it sounds funny but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to the beach with my girlfriends and they’ve packed everything in their beach bags EXCEPT sunscreen.
So let’s make this clear:
Everyone needs to wear sunscreen
The sun does NOT discriminate so it is important that we all take care of our skin year round but especially when the sun is blazing.
Since becoming a beauty editor, I have become a bit more cognizant in sun protection on my face as well as my body. Para mi cara, I use the following:
Olay Complete SPF 15
This has been my HG moisturizer for some months now. I doubt I will ever switch to anything else. It is wonderfully moisturizing for my relatively dry skin and isn’t so thick to where I feel like it is clogging my pores. When I break a sweat from working out, it doesn’t leave any residue. For less than $10, I can’t ask for anything more in a moisturizer. I tend to use this every day and even at night sometimes.
Clinique Superdefense Action Moisturizer SPF
Now if I know I’m going to be outside more on a particular day I pull out the Superdefense. This moisturizer is a bit thick in consistency but it doesn’t feel “heavy” which I can appreciate. I LOVE it! It has that ‘sun block-y’ smell that I know I most of us can’t stand but it was perfect for jammin’ at Bayside in Miami this past weekend. The price is steep. For $39.50 you only get 1.7 oz little jar but can I tell you a secret? I’ve been using my sample jar for about 4 weeks now. Ha!
I’ve also been playing around with Peter Thomas Roth’s Instant Mineral SPF 30 but I haven’t had the best results being that it gives me that ghostly look. The product says that it is translucent but I object being that it didn’t look too flattering my on brown brown skin. Which made me sad because the concept is ideal; especially with this “mineral make-up” obsession going on in the beauty world.
We’ve covered face, but let’s not forget the body, baby. I have three different levels of SPFs that I use throughout the summer.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula SPF 15 Body Lotion
I don’t know about yall, but my Momma has been using Palmer’s products for as long as I can remember. What I don’t remember is this particular body lotion. It smells divine! Like a cookie! Now granted, I’m not the type that likes to go around smelling like food. The smell is a bit overpowering for me but pleasant to say the least. I generally use when I’m getting ready for work in the morning and know I will be hittin’ the streets after work for a “every other day” jog. Tis cheap too and provides enough protection without that “smell”.
Peter Thomas Roth Continuous Sunscreen Mist SPF 30
I’m diggin’ this sunscreen each time I wear it. The fact that it is oil-free, water-resistant and has some Vitamin E up in it, well…I mean this is perfect for a quick “walking the outlet malls” hit. I know some people have complexes about aerosol cans and while I don’t use this as much as my other sunscreen products I find that it does the job for when I really don’t have time to lather lotion up and down my arms and legs.
Banana Boat UltraDefense Sunblock Lotion SPF 80
I died laughing when I first saw this product. SPF 80. “Isn’t that a bit extreme?” I thought to myself. But alas the tube of sun blockin’ lube (LOL, I’m a mess) ended up in my basket. I don’t even think about loungin’ by the pool or on a beach chair without this baby here. It provides the ultimate protection for my melanin enriched skin.
….and don’t forget those lippies. It’s a bit on the pricey side but I stand by my MAC Lip Conditioner SPF 15. It is the greatest!
So if you’ve read this far, I’m thinkin’ you deserve the chance to win a sweet treat. I have 3 Lip Butters from Palmers. These glosses come in Dark Chocolate & Cherry AND Dark Chocolate & Peppermint and they taste….I mean feel divine on the lips. First 4 folx to email me the correct answer to the following question WIN!
…..hint: it’s in Florida and it is a relatively large city. You only get one guess so good luck! Remember to email me, do not leave comments. Readers who have won within the past 6 months are ineligible. As well as personal friends and family members….yes Mom, hate to call you out again but that means you. I will announce the winners on Friday, July 18 during the FOTD Friday post.
….oh wait, I would love to know what you other brown folx are wearing. Am I the only one that once thought we didn’t have to wear sunscreen? Speak on it!
[photo credits: http://shona.files.wordpress.com, clinique.com, peterthomasroth.com, etbrowne.com, bananaboat.com]
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