Product Review: Clinique SPF40 Super City Block

Dear Beauty Buddies

I have not been reviewing products for quite some time already. Sorry for the MIA. Here is to share with you my thoughts on Clinique SPF40 Super City Block after almost finishing the 15ml sample.

Product Description:
A lightweight daily moisturizer that provides a high level of protection against sun and environmental damage. This product is oil-free and non-acnegenic.

What it is formulated to do:
This daily screen provides remarkable protection against both sun and environmental damage. Its sheer, weightless formula includes broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sun-blocking ingredients and antioxidants. Perfect for all skin types, even the most sensitive, this product can be worn alone or as an invisible makeup primer.

My Review:

I have a 15ml sample from GWP. I used this Clinique SPF40 Super City Block quite regularly and am quite happy with the texture. It has a slight tint that blends well with my skin color. It is not oily upon application. After 2 hours my skin starts to shine but it was not super oily. In terms of oil control, I would say it is not the best sunblock that I have tried but you must know that I have very oily skin. Therefore, for normal to combination skin person, you would love it. As hardly use liquid foundation, this tinted sunblock is quite handy for me when I want to have some light coverage.

Overall, I like this product because a 15ml sample tube lasts me quite a while as I only need a small bean size (Red bean /Adzuki bean) to cover the face and neck area.

Product Rating: 4/5

Have you tried this sunblock before? Do you like it? Pls share what is your favourite sunblock.

Thanks for reading and have a lovely day.

Lavender♥

Product Review: Biore UV Aqua Rich SPF 50 PA+++

Biore UV Aqua Rich SPF 50PA+++ was launched last year (I think).

As a person with very oily skin, it is really difficult to find the ideal sunblock that won't clog pores and provide the adequate sun protection. Before going into the review, I would like to share some useful information with you. 

What is UVA, UVB, SPF and the "+" symbol?

(information obtained from (http://jaxmed.com/articles/wellness/spf.htm)

UVA (ultraviolet-A): long- wave solar rays of 320-400 nanometers (billionths of a meter). 

- UVA penetrates the skin more deeply

- will cause loss of collagen, firmness, wrinkle and other types of "photoaging." 

UVB (ultraviolet-B): short-wave solar rays of 290-320 nanometers. 

- More potent than UVA in producing sunburn. 

- will cause Dark spot 

How I remember UVA & UVB?

A = Aging 

B = Burn (cause dark spot)

What is the Difference between Sunblocks and sunscreens?

Sunscreens chemically absorb UV rays, sunblocks physically deflect them. 

Sunscreen can block UVB effectively, but have less UVA protection. However, new ingredients such as octylcrylene and benzophenones have improved sunscreen's defenses against shorter UVA rays, and the revolutionary chemical avobenzone (Parsol 1789) works against all UVA wavelengths.

Sunblocks with titanium dioxide can protect against both UVA and UVB.

SPF (sun protection factor): 

SPF 1 means that UVB can be blocked for about 20 mins.

SPF 25 blocks UVB for approximately 8.5 hours (25 x 20 mins = 500 mins)

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends SPF's of at least 15, which block 93 percent of UVB. While SPF's higher than 30 block only 4 percent more UVB.

PA

The number of plus symbols indicates the effectiveness of UVA blocking

PA+ has the effect on blocking UVA

PA++ has a substantial UVA blocking effect
PA+++ has a powerful UVA blocking effect

Mousse texture

My Review:

Like

1. This sunblock has a mousse texture and it is not oily.

2. It is inexpensive

Dislike

1. It has a temporary white cast on the skin but it will dissappear within seconds

2. It contains dimethicone (a type of silicon) used in most cosmetics even the expensive brands use dimethicone to make the product texture smooth. Some people is allegic to dimethicone but I have no problem with it

Oil Control Properties

In terms of oil control for oily skin individual like myself, this Biore UV Aqua Rich is not very good in oil control. It is definitely not is not as good as compared to Biore UV Perfect Face Milk SPF 50+++. However, you you have normal/dry skin, you will be fine.

After trying so many types of sunblock, I still think Biore UV Perfect Face Milk SPF 50+++ has the BEST oil control properties. You can read my review here.

If you are interested, you can read my other sunblock reviews here.

Product Rating: 4/5

Available at major pharmacies in Malaysia

Price: about RM30 for 33g (as at 2011)

Have you tried this product before?

Note:

I bought this product after reading the review by Jess. 

Lavender♥

Product Review: Biotherm White D-Tox Corrective Makeup Base with SPF25 PA++

Hi Friends

Today I will be sharing a review on the Biotherm White D-Tox Corrective Makeup Base with SPF25 PA++. This is not a new product. In fact, I think they have changed the packaging. I got 3 bottles all together during the December 2010 Loreal warehouse sale. I bought 3 different types i.e. Instant Lightening (Pink), Instant Anti Redness (Green) and White (for normal skin I think). I have been using this product for 3-4 months now and its time to share with you my thoughts.

My thoughts

I think this is a great makeup base for normal to dry skin. As I have oily skin, it makes my face a bit shiny after 2 to 3 hrs.

The product has a creamy texture which I fret but it still worked for me with the help of blotting paper.

I like this product despite its creamy texture because it gives a healthy glow to my skin. After applying my skincare I go straight to apply this makeup base followed by loose powder/pressed powder. I hardly use liquid foundation or 2 way cake as I don't like the heavy look. Even though my skin has many imperfections due to severe acne, I still choose not to cover them up. I am able to accept and love how I look and really thank God for the ability to do so.

I only took the picture of the Pink one. Overall, it has some shimmer and if I apply on its own without mixing the Green one, I will look greasy even before the product oils up. So, I will mix the Pink and the Green to balance up the shimmer. This way, it gives my face a healthy glow.

A word of caution: It contains Dimethicone (a type of silicon commonly used to give products especially makeup base/cream a smooth texture). If you are allergic to this ingredients, you may want to avoid this product.

I did a product oil content test. I applied a small amount of the product on the blotting paper. After 7 hours, Can you see the oil shadow? 

My mom however loves this product and gives it a thumbs up. This is because she has normal skin. So, I would recommend this product to those with normal to dry skin.

So far the best sunblock/makeup base that I have tried is Biore. It has super good oil control properties but it contains dimethicone also. You can read my review here. I came across Biore when a reader put a comment in my blog. You know who you are. I thank you for this great recommendation as Biore is RM20 plus and it is a great product for oily skin people. It is a sunblock with SPF50 PA+++.

Anyone has any good experience about any Makeup base or sunblock? Do share. Who knows.... I may find another Jewel product!

Have a lovely day!

Lavender♥

Product Review: Biore UV Perfect Face Milk SPF 50 PA+++ is my Holy Grail Sunblock

If you read my blog frequent enough, you would know that I have very oily skin and am very afraid to put any stuff that are oil based or have shinny texture.

I am on a continuous search for sunblocks that are good for oily skin and friendly to the pockets.

And I am pleased to announce to you that I have found one and I am using the 2nd bottle now. Sorry for not sharing earlier. As the saying goes, save the best for last.

If you are curious on what are my other sunblock which I have reviewed earlier, you could read it just for your knowledge.

This Biore sunblock with SPF50 PA+++ has been my daily sunblock for the past few months and I would urge you to try it out. A beauty blogger shared this with me when I wrote a review on another sunblock. Thank you my dear.

Let's see the product.

Why I love this product?

1. It has a runny texture

2. It leaves a matte finish on my face

3. My face stays matte for more than 4 hrs without blotting even on a hot sunny day

4. It doubles as a primer, so you can save on face primer
5. The active Ingredient is Zinc Oxide - this is a true blue sunblock (not a sunscreen)

Although this product has some alcohol smell when you apply, the smell goes away in a few seconds. 

NOTE: I am not able to comment on whether this product is suitable for dry skin. 

My rating for this Product is 5/5.

The price is RM24.90 for 30ml. Very affordable indeed. 

I bought mine from Caring Pharmacy but I have seen this product in some hypermarkets as well.

I always have the misconception that cheaper products are not as good as expensive ones. 

Well, Biore Sunblock has proved me wrong and I am glad.

Has anyone tried this? Please share your views.

Update - 1st May 2013
I am still using this sunblock. It's my 5th or 6th bottles , I lost count. that's how good the product is. I seldom repeat my purchase.
 

Have a lovely day!

Lavender♥

Product Review: Kiehl's Nymphaea Alba UV Shield SPF 35

I have been using this sunblock for several months and it's about time that I write a review. I bought this product last December 09 during Kiehl's Christmas party at Pavillion, I think.

Note: I have finished using my Lancome UV Expert Neuroshield sunblock some time ago.

Ingredients

When applied to the face, it does leave a slight white cast but it does not bother me so much.
Active Ingredient = Titanium Dioxide (that means it is a true blue sunblock, not a sunscreen)

What I like about this product:

- The texture is very light as shown in the picture above. It's very runny.

- It does control oil to a certain extent. My face becomes oily after 3 hrs or so.

What I dislike about this product:

-It does not contain makeup base, so I have to apply a makeup base after applying this sun block.

-The price isn't very pocket friendly. I must admit that Lancome UV Expert Neuroshield sunblock is even more expensive.

 

Rating for Product Texture:4/5

Rating for Product Packaging: 4/5

Price: RM100 for 30 ml

Will I repurchase: not sure, because I found another product that is cheaper and have better oil controlling properties (will review in another post)

What brand of sunblock are you using now?
Do you think that only expensive sunblock works?
Thanks for sharing.

♥Lavender♥

Lancome UV Expert Neuroshield

This is my current sunblock that I am using. Lancome UV Expert Neuroshield has UVA and UVB SPF 30.

It is a tinted sunblock. I quite like the texture. It provides a sheer base. I use this without using liquid foundation. This is my substitute for liquid foundation. However, the coverage is not very thorough but I am fine with it.

 

My rating: 3.5/5
Price: 30ml for RM145

What is your favorite sunblock?