Brooks Infiniti running skirt
SOLOW racerback cami
We took this picture over the weekend at St. Pete beach on one of our morning walks. We actually stayed on the beach, and the wedding was on the beach, but we didn’t get to spend any time at the beach! So we got up as early as we could both mornings to walk for an hour and enjoy the sunrise and sandpipers.
And before I start talking about sunscreen, I want to mention the shorts/skirt/skort I’m wearing. It’s AMAZING, because I really don’t like to wear shorts, so I always seek out these skorts for any outside exercise in the summer. These are great, because the layer underneath stays put and doesn’t ride up at all, and they give great coverage. Well worth the price, but I used my REI dividend when they were having a 20 or 25% off sale a while ago to get them, so they were a great price. If you’re like me, and you don’t like shorts, then I highly recommend these. They don’t have pockets though.
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On to the sunscreen. I’ve become quite religious about sunscreen lately, even a year or so ago, I wasn’t, but I’m prone to redness anyway, so I’d like to avoid getting any REDDER or wrinklier over time, and you know, not get skin cancer. And sun damage/too much sun is the single biggest thing that contributes to looking older I think.
In the mornings before I go to Pure Barre I have started putting sunscreen on my face because I get a lot coming through the car windows and sunroof, even if I don’t have them open. For this, I usually use the Josie Maran argan oil with SPF because it’s a bit moisturizing and quick & easy to use. I got a small bottle of it a while ago, which lasts forever, and is why I’m using it, but when it runs out I don’t think I’ll buy it again; I prefer the Shiseido sunscreens.
After I shower and wash my face, I do my Caudalie process with serum, etc., and apply my Shiseido sunscreen last, before any “makeup.” I bought the lotion a while ago and just finished it, so got some samples of the cream, which is supposed to be more hydrating, but I really prefer the lotion because it’s lighter and seems to blend in better. I use it all over my face, shoulders & neck every day and it goes a long way.
If I wear anything else that day, it’s either Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, RMS beauty un-cover up, or the Amore Pacific CC compact. I don’t love the tinted moisturizer because it’s really not that moisturizing (I have to mix in some oil), but I have some left over, so I use it. The RMS gives the best coverage, and is more hydrating over all.
I always use an eyecream, but never thought about using one with SPF in it until I got a sample of this Amore Pacific day/night cream. I loved the way both creams felt on, but I can’t spend so much right now on eye cream, so I’ll stick with my Bobbi Brown. Is it essential to use eyecream with SPF? Anyone have any input? I’m sure it can’t hurt.
Overall, I’d love to use a moisturizer with sunscreen in it regularly, just to simplify. I got a sample of this Amore Pacific future response cream recently too, and it is WONDERFUL. But…I’m not quite ready to spend $195 for a full-size. I still have some sample left, which I use very sparingly!! Generally though, I try to make sure that I use sunscreen and “color” that has some SPF in it, just in case I forget a step – and anyway, who knows how effective either one really is? Or how much is absorbed? I just try to do the best I can without going crazy, because I know how important it is.
I hardly ever remember to use sunscreen on my lips because the products I use regularly don’t have sunscreen in them, but I do have my birthday Fresh sugar lip balm that I use when I remember, and an Eos lip balm that I love.
But while I’m incredibly vigilant at wearing sunscreen on my face, shoulders and neck, I do forget my legs most of the time…they’re pink! I spent a lot of time in the kayak at my dad’s, and didn’t think about my legs getting so much sun. Then an hour or so on a float out in the lake takes it’s toll…
What’s your favorite sunscreen? Any tips to share?
I always try to use eye cream with SPF but they’re not easy to find (esp not with any anti-aging properties) The Clinique & Clarins options I’ve used in the past have both been discontinued. Right now I’m using Ole Henriksen Total Truth eye cream (SPF 15) I tried a sample of the Prevage anti-aging and ADORE it but not sure I want to spend that much money. I might try the SuperGoop eye cream next because it has a higher spf (37?).
Relevant to the housedress post—the EF caftan is on sale at their outlet for $48 today!
http://shop.efoutletstore.com/eosmp-butterfly-caftan
Great minds — I just posted about some SPF products yesterday! I’m currently loving Supergoop!’s City Serum, which I use as my daily moisturizer. I’m really lazy when it comes to my skincare routine, so it’s essential to me to combine sunscreen with moisturizer. Of course, I have a non-SPF moisturizer for evening application.
I’m also a big fan of Boscia’s line, and particularly some of their SPF moisturizers.
As for eye cream, I’m not currently using one with SPF but like you said, it can’t hurt. I’m also a religious wearer of polarized sunglasses, so I figure that helps.
P.S. You look fantastic, and so healthy!
Jessica @ Beautify My Life´s last blog post ..Five great SPF products to get you through the summer
You look fit and fabulous! I will indeed check out that skirt. I think the price of the skirt is fairly reasonable too.
I did buy a long sleeve top from Everlane .. can’t wait to get it.
Monica, http://www.pear-shaped-gal.com
MonicaP´s last blog post ..White jeans for the pear shaped gal
I’ve been fairly happy with EltaMD’s facial sunscreens (I use the moisturizing, my teenager uses the oil-free). It has zinc, but doesn’t leave any white cast at all. And it is reasonably priced. I’ve not been good about using sunscreen on my legs either, Grechen, until I bought a big jar with a pump dispenser! Now, if I could just find a hat that I will actually wear, I’m all set!
You look fantastic! I am envious of your morning walks on the beach. 🙂 We will be by the coast soon and I look forward to doing the same!
Thank you so much for the skirt/skort rec–have been looking for a good one, as I also hate shorts. I have one by Soyu that is ok, but it’s a bit thicker than I’d like for the summer. I’m definitely going to give the Brooks one a try!
As for sunscreen, living in the high desert I’m pretty religious about it too…on my face, anyway. I recently started using Suntegrity tinted moisturizer/sunscreen and absolutely love it. It has a natural, glowy finish, and doesn’t break me out. It’s a natural, mineral sunscreen, so I’m totally psyched I found it. I ordered generous sample sizes of it off of Amazon first, to test out a few shades. I’m ordering a full-sized one soon. Seriously awesome stuff.
I wear sunglasses all the time, so have not ever been concerned about an SPF eye cream. My eyes are super sensitive, so in the past when I have tried an eye cream with SPF, it hasn’t gone well…
You look so great, happy and relaxed! And your shiny, shaved legs remind me that I need to take care of mine! (yikes! Can you say “hibernation”?????)
Funny, I can’t think of an eye cream I’ve ever used with sunscreen. I’m sure I must have, but so much of my skincare has come from winnings! (It’s a sickness, I know.) I love my Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream when I can afford it. But no sunscreen in that, as you’ve said. I do wear good sunglasses all the time when I’m outdoors or driving.
I’ve always used Neutrogena Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin with SPF 50 on my face and neck, but I ran out so I purchased Skinceuticals for now. I also use a foundation with sunscreen, although studies have shown that the minuscule amount is ineffective. But, like Lala, I’m not so great about the bod. Since my husband has had melanoma, I intend to take it seriously this summer.
My stepmom had some spots removed from her leg and nose, so I’m pretty concerned too. I’ve never thought about sunglasses being good protection for your eyes though. Don’t know why. But what constitutes a “good” pair exactly??
By “good” I should have said “sunglasses that have both UVA and UVB protection in the lenses.” That not only protects the fragile skin around our eyes from wrinkles, but most important, from sun-related cancers and other eye problems.
My husband’s melanoma wasn’t much larger than a pencil eraser, but the Dr. had to cut a good sized chunk out of his arm to get rid of it all. Now, think about that being on your face. It’s pretty scary. And I have a friend who worked as a lifeguard in her teens who developed melanoma of the eye. VERY frightening.
Good LAWD!!! Wear sunscreen on your legs, because they are the riskiest spot for developing melanoma in women!
I never leave home without slathering on sunscreen. I’ve tried many brands, but usually stick with a tinted moisturizer and Peter Thomas Roth mineral sunscreen. It’s matte and lasts a long time. Unfortunately, my dad died from melanoma, so sunscreen has become a matter of life and death.
Val, I rarely shave during winter, because I need the extra “fur.” So come spring, I whip out my electric razor. I consider it a warm weather ritual.
I broke down and bought an epilator, which literally RIPS the hair from my legs. I let my daughter try it and after yelling, “Ouch!” she said, “You’re crazy, Mom!” Haha???? But it works and I don’t have to use it very often.
So sorry to hear that, RJS. That’s why I’m so vigilant about my husband and daughters wearing sunscreen. And myself, of course.
wait, did you not have an epilady back in the day? my mom bought one and we used it for about 5 seconds until i wanted to throw it out the window. i could NEVER subject myself to that, no matter how much i hate shaving. and i HATE shaving.
and yeah, i know it’s supposed to be less painful the more you use it, but i just can’t…
how exactly do you convince your husband it’s important to wear sunscreen? unless we’re at the pool (sometimes not even then) or the beach, he’s not interested, despite my demands. i can impose my will on ethan when he’s here, but leo’s another story altogether.
Keep nagging until he decides it’s worth using sunscreen if it means you’ll shut up? 😉 I’m half kidding. But in all seriousness, I bought moisturizer with SPF for my husband and just try to shove a bottle of sunscreen in his hand if he’s headed somewhere like a baseball game or golfing.
Jessica @ Beautify My Life´s last blog post ..Five great SPF products to get you through the summer
Haha! No. For some reason, I never bought into the Epilady craze. Yeah, that whole thing about “less painful” is a marketer’s lie. It should come with it’s own “Epidural.”
Me nagging him for the past 32 years of our marriage didn’t have any effect on him wearing sunscreen. And I used to BEG, but it didn’t do any good. It was the diagnosis of melanoma that finally caught his attention and having half of his bicep cut out. Plus, he now has to go to the dermatologist every six months for the rest of his life for body/mole checks and every time he goes, they cut off more. He’s learned the hard way…and I wait in fear for the other shoe to drop. Not a fun thing to worry about. ????
Water & sunscreen – took a couple years of nagging, buying different products until we found some that he approved of (he does lots of work outside so they need to be sweat resistant – not drip in his eyes or sting. Or be “stinky”. And then his dad had basal cell carcinoma removed from his nose, and he’s been extra diligent since then…..(And he LOVES to wear straw hats when he’s outdoors as extra protection). Keep trying to find a way to get through to him!! If health & safety doesn’t work as a motivator, what about vanity?
Thanks, Val. I appreciate your empathy.
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