The Vine: August 1, 2008
Sars,
This might be a good question for the readers.I’m looking for new foundation.I’m currently using Prescriptives and I like the lightweight coverage, but I don’t like how it feels after a few hours.I’ve seen ads for lots of different foundations that claim to feel light and silky all day long, but I was wondering if you (or the readers) had any suggestions based on actual experience. I do have somewhat oily skin, but there’s got to be something out there that will work.
Thanks,
Does not want to feel slimy at 2 PM
Dear 2,
I’ve had good luck with Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer 20; it’s actually my regular “make-up” although it’s packaged as a tinted moisturizer.I put it on over my regular facial sunscreen, and it’s not too oily (I have T-zone skin).
The bad news is that 1) “not too oily” is, at least in the summertime, about as good as you can expect, so get some blotting papers and try to spin it to yourself as a “glow”; and 2) what works for me is not necessarily going to work for you, so you often have to buy a few things and try them, or have the Sephora consultants let you come in a few times and see what works and what doesn’t.Wing and Alli both swear by a certain make-up that looks fantastic and natural on them but turned me into a consumptive drag queen; you just have to keep getting makeovers at Macy’s (or borrowing your sister-in-law’s shit; whatever works) until you find a good product.
The good news is that the readers love to talk make-up.Readers?
Hi Sars!
Here’s a question for your readers that has me stumped. I am the whitest girl who ever whited and I have ALREADY been burned TWICE in the last three weeks while wearing SPF 30 sunscreen. I am happy to slather on 45 or higher if I can find some that a) doesn’t smell like “the beach” and b) is not super-sticky once applied.
Ideally I’d like something that has no fragrance at all and is made to stay on, while not being so tacky as to have cat hair adhere to it once it’s on my body. I can be fine with a bit of fragrance, I just don’t want to smell like Coppertone 24/7. I use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF 55 on my face, and it has a perfect finish but it’s a bit pricey to be slathering all over me once or twice a day.
I’m happy buying online as well as at my local chain so anything goes as long as it works!Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Lobster is NOT the new black
Dear Lob,
I use a jumbo bottle of…some off-brand shteez from CVS that was on sale the last time I ran out of sunscreen.”No-Ad”?I think that’s the name of it.It has some coconut overtones to it, but after half a dozen molectomies to the tune of a hundred stitches total, I kind of don’t give a shit what it smells like. “Now in durian scent!”Fine.Whatever keeps the scalpel away from me.
But for a while, I used Coppertone Sport 50, which smelled a little beachy going on, but didn’t smell like anything afterwards.And the Neutrogena spray-on sunscreens don’t smell beachy and go on quite dry (but there is a chemical odor during the spraying, and I didn’t feel confident about the coverage, so I stopped using it).I can’t recall how high up in SPF that stuff goes; I think you can get the Coppertone Sport in an SPF even higher than 50, but I’ve found that, once you get into 65 or 70 range, the lotion doesn’t go on very easily because it’s too thick and spackly.
Readers, we need a high-SPF lotion priced for all-over use that doesn’t smell like a piña colada.
Tags: Ask The Readers cat hair Coppertone health and beauty Neutrogena
Lobster: I too am tranluscent! And I second the recommendation for the Neutrogena spray-ons, because I think your issue might be how often you re-apply. And the spray-ons are nice because they’re not so gross to have to do at the beach once sand is a factor. Re-apply every 90 minutes or so! Also buy a hat.
Make-up: Try the Bare Escentuals mineral powder make up. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to my oily as hell t-zone, dry every where else (lives in Alabama summer heat) skin. They have it at Sephora so you can test-drive.
Sunscreen: See above reference to Alabama summers, which do not mix with my pasty self and try Bullfrog. I use the spray because I can cover my back on my own and because it’s not sticky when it dries — and also because I’m allergic to artificial fragrance. The Bullfrog lotions and sprays are a lot less scented than most other brands and I haven’t burned this summer at all.
I use a skincream from MAC that has spf 15 on it, and then dust with a little loose powder and head out the door. For days when I’m out in the sun a lot, I use the nutrogena SPF 70 (spray for the body, cream for the face), and for this almost albino chick, it does the trick and it seems to go pretty well for me.
I *think* that if you use a non-water proof/resistant kind, it will feel less tacky and not be a cat-hair magnet.
Also BIG sunhats are a lifesaver! LaScala makes some great ones that aren’t too expensive.
About the foundation: I’ve had excellent results with Clinique’s Superbalanced foundation. It is, as the packaging claims, very lightweight and silky, stays on all day, and doesn’t cause any woe to my hy[er-sensitive combination skin.
If you want a heavy coverage, this isn’t the one for you, but for something that just nicely evens out the look of your skin. That, and a little Blot powder from MAC, and I’m good to go.
I use Almay smart shade and it’s awesome. I am terrible with regular foundation because no matter how hard I try to blend I always end up with that weird line on my jaw.
But the Almay stuff comes out of the tube grey and then blends flawlessly with your skin town to even things out. And it’s super lightweight. I use a little loose powder over it, becuase it’s not the greatest at covering blemishes or de-reddening my red cheeks, but it’s still great. And cheap!
RE: Foundation
I was never a big fan of foundation (or much makeup, really) until I had some unfortunate skin incidents a few years ago. After much experimentation, I finally found that what works for me is the L’Oreal Bare Naturale Mineral Foundation.
The only problem I have with it sometimes is that if I have a dry skin patch on my face it may accentuate it, but that does not seem to be a problem you are running into. Powder foundations, even snazzy mineral ones, aren’t for everyone, though. It is on the higher end of drug store foundations, but sometimes I find coupons for it and it might take the edge off of the cost of giving it a try. Also, it is the kind of brand where they have those plastic “match to your skin tone” selectors at the store, which I found helpful but some people seem to think are not accurate.
I have used Philosophy The Supernatural- I think it’s supposed to be a foundation primer, but I use it on it’s own and like it. More so in winter, not that its heavy, but I just like to keep it very light in summer. I got a trial (yay Sephora!) of Cosmedicine Honest Face Skin Tint & Treatment – has an SPF, is great for T-zone skin and is mattifying. I’m thinking about switching to the Cosmedicine. Both are in the $30 range, and last a couple months. I went the Neutragena route for years, but decided at 30 I needed something that might help with pores and fine lines.
I have some store-brand fake Coppertone for babies that doesn’t smell like the beach.
SLIMY at 2:
I switched from Prescriptives to Bare Escentuals. The mineral foundations are a little harder for people with dry skin to pull off, but it works well for me (I have average skin – not too oily, not too dry. I’m the Goldilock’s porridge of skin types over here.) I plan on repleneshing my BE with a drugstore brand, though, now that it is readily available.
My foundation lasts the longest when I use a face primer (like this one: http://tiny.cc/wjac1 ) and it also seems to keep my makeup from getting all slimy, whether it’s liquid or mineral foundation.
LOBSTER:
I am IN LOVE with Ocean Potion Face SPF 45: http://tiny.cc/OA2OQ
I burn if I even LOOK outside too long. This stuff doesn’t burn my eyes if I sweat, doesn’t smell, isn’t greasy, and stays on for a long time. I haven’t tried any of their other products so I can’t vouch for the effectiveness/scent/etc, but I have been known to slather this one all over my face/ears/neck, and also my very-sensitive-to-sun shoulders, and not burned. I bought mine at Academy Sports, so it might be available locally somewhere near you as well.
http://www.MakeupAlley.com is an amazing website. I never buy makeup without checking the product reviews for the product I’m looking at. Plus I have learned so many tips and tricks from the reviews. It’s just awesome.
In terms of drugstore brands, based on the reviews, I tried the Revlon Colorstay makeup with SoftFlex. I’m pretty happy with it so far. It’s cheap, it does feel light, and it seriously does stay on all day long.
Lobster- As a girl with mainly Scandanavian/German blood living in Florida, I feel ya’. 30 just doesn’t cut it down here like it did up north. I’ve been a fan of the Coppertone Sport series for years, especially now that they make an oil free version. It goes on easily, stands up to a day spent tromping around Disney, smells a *bit* sunscreeny but not too strong when dry, and won’t break the bank.
Slimy- I actually just changed foundations and am kind of in love with my new one. At some point in the last year or so, my oily but generally clear skin turned into a pimple fest and I’ve given up on liquid foundations. Mabeline has a new line called Mineral Power that includes a rockin’ powder foundation. I barely notice it, it lasts most of the day (may last longer when it isn’t summer) and doesn’t seem to be driving my skin crazy. It isn’t any more pricey than other foundations, plus it comes with an awesome application brush! The best part is that my skin looks natural after I put it on, just with a nice, less shiny finish.
UCK. Just had a rather large actinic keratosis biopsied yesterday; waiting for lab results. I hereby challenge anybody for the title of “Whitest Girl Who Ever Whited”, b/c my phosphorescent glare brings down low-flying aircraft. I’d ALSO love to hear about a non-oily sunscreen, because I’m considering carrying a frigging parasol around with me, and as I actually do live in GWTW country…no.
I’ve been using a mineral pressed powder on my 41-year-old oily skin, and it does pretty well. It’s Physician’s Formula “Mineral Wear” in fair, and it looks sort of mosaicky, and goes on with a sort of crescent-shaped flat brush. It’s ideal for wearing here in Hell’s Humid Little Buttcrack.
Burt’s Bees (about $8 in CVs and the like). No scent that I noticed (but, then again, I LOVE the smell of “beachy” lotions; I in fact wear a perfume called “Beach” by Bobbi Brown — LOVE!) and not too greasy.
The only thing, though: it has a yellowish tint that, while not noticeable on my skin, discolored the white parts of my bathing-suit top. Maybe this wouldn’t have happened if I’d put it on before getting dressed and done it neatly (this was a slapdash re-apply after I got out of the water).
Maybe worth a try — no animal testing, relatively cheap.
My husband is whiter than white, too. He uses Coppertone Sport 65 SPF. At the pool, he applies it once or twice while outside and he’s yet to get a burn since using it, even after being outside all day. Once it dries, you can’t smell it and it’s not very sticky (we have cats too–I understand your pain). The type that he uses protects against the “spectrum” of rays (UVA, UVB), and it seems to work really well. We used to use the spray, because it was easier, but he always seemed to miss a spot.
I love, love, love Ocean Potion sunscreens. They are definitely scented, though – I think it smells like Orange Julius. In fact, the scent is a major draw for me, since I love citrus scents and it doesn’t trigger “beach smell” for me (which is anything with a whiff of coconut). I am super duper white (like, when I buy makeup, I ALWAYS buy the lightest shade; when I have blood drawn, the nurses joke about how easy it will be since you can see everything right though my skin; etc). I’ve never gotten burnt with Ocean Potion (it goes up well into the high SPF zone). The true test for me was when I spent all day at a horse event in Colorado during a 100-degree day, forgot to bring the sunscreen with me to reapply, thought I was going to be a total lobster, and when I got home – I was fine (except the spot I missed, which WAS total lobster).
They also make a spray-on, which seems to work really well and give good coverage (my mom keeps it in her saddle bags for trail riding, since reapplying lotion sunscreen can get gross when you’re all sweaty and dirty from the trail dust). It has that chemical smell like they all do, but once that evaporates, it’s overall less scented than the lotion versions.
I was JUST talking about this with my co-workers, because I’m headed to Newport tomorrow and am worried that my pasty skin will turn pink.
They recommended Bullfrog. It’s a gel that doesn’t run and doesn’t smell like the beach. It’s especially good for active stuff, because it stays put. You can find it at Walmart and Target, and it’s no more expensive than other brands.
I have suggestions for both questions! This is a first!
1. Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals. I know, I know, it’s practically a cult, but the reason it’s a cult is because it really does cover up the icky spots and make you look awesome and polished, and it’s not oily AT ALL. I hate makeup, and even I’ll wear the Mineral Veil.
2. I know the Neutrogena Dry Touch is expensive, but I think it really is worthwhile to put it on every inch every day. I buy mine at…Costco? BJ’s? Sam’s Club? One of those. I stockpile it when I go home to see my mom (she has the membership). I can usually find the twin-packs for about $15. A tube usually lasts me about a week, a little less if I’m going to be out in the sun for an extended period of time (and thus have to reapply several times during the day). And, sure, spending $10 a week on sunscreen is kind of a downer, but I’d rather skip the Starbucks and buy the ‘screen, than have to have chunks of skin removed from my face. Or neck. Or shoulders. Or elbow. (It’s not fun.)
Regarding sunblock: I love Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch sunblock. It doesn’t have that beach-funk scent and I don’t have that gooey, slimy feeling after I put it on. It also comes in SPF 85, which is, to my thinking, the SPF equivalent of plywood.
I have Vitiligo, so some areas of my skin literally have no pigment. I wear sunscreen continually and it really is difficult (and expensive). Here is what I would recommend based on my experience…
Apply Sephora’s Super
Shield Skin Saver (SPF 30) at least 30 minutes before leaving the house– it has a pleasant smell (not al all like sunscreen and mixes well with perfume.). I have one for home and one for the office for reapplication throughout the day. It is oil-free and can be applied to the face as well without being too oily.
I use Neutrogena’s tinted facial moisturizer in the morning as well, but use the Skin Saver throughout the day.
That is all just for normal daily activity. If I am going to be outside for longer than 30 minutes, I use the Neutrogena SPF 70 or 85 (again applying at least 30 minutes before going outside and reapplying throughout the activity). I also stay in the shade as much as possible.
And, FYI, even with all that I was diagnosed with skin cancer earlier this year.
For sunblock, I recommend looking at the baby sunblocks. I hate stuff with fragrances, and in general the baby sunblock is fragrance free. The downside is that usually they rely more on physical sunblocks than chemical ones, so they can go on a little white and thick. However, as someone with super fair skin, I’ve had great luck with the banana boat baby sunblock (spf 55) this summer.
Makeup: I use Bare Minerals. It’s a bit pricey, but lasts a long time, and lasts fairly well throughout the day (though I’ll touch up the matte finish powder at lunch).
Sunscreen: I’m a big fan of Bullfrog spray on stuff–we currently use the Mosquito Coast stuff, which contains a DEET-free bug repellent, which is handy. It doesn’t smell much, and is quite light and non-sticky. It is also a bit pricier, but as a fair skinned redhead who has skin similar to Lobster’s, I’ve just resigned myself to buying expensive sunscreen, as in trying eleventy-million types of sunscreen, I’ve found that you get what you pay for, and if I want stuff that a) lasts b) is not smelly c) is not sticky d) doesn’t run into and burn my eyes and e) actually works, I have to pay for it.
I am also super-pale and burn at the drop of a parasol.
I’ve found that for days when I’m only in the sun intermittently (like on the way to and from work), Olay’s facial moisturizer with SPF 15 under powder (occasionally foundation, but mostly just with some loose powder) works jes fine.
If I’m going to be in the sun for a significant period of time, I use Bullfrog 45 SPF Super Sunblock, because nothing is getting through that puppy. I’ve never been burned while wearing it properly (i.e., reapply after swimming/profuse sweating/long periods of time).
I can’t speak to the efficacy of the spray-on, but the plain old lotion version disappears well, doesn’t leave you greasy, and has no coconutty/beachy smell that I recall.
The first person to invent a truly nongreasy, nonsmelly sunscreen that goes on easily and doesn’t cost a million dollars will be a bazillionaire.
My recommendation about foundation is to decide what you want it for and make sure that you tailor the product to what you need. Not everybody needs foundation, and as Sars says, there are lightweight tinted moisturizers that aren’t traditional foundations in the “THIS IS MAKEUP” sense, but that give you a perk-up of the tone of your skin and cover slight blotchiness very well. Unless you need a traditional foundation, you might just skip it.
I use two lines right now: BeneFit and Bare Minerals. If I’m wearing BeneFit, I use some combination of their tinted moisturizer (YouRebel Light) (oh my God, the original YouRebel was SO ORANGE), their pink complexion-booster (ThatGal), and their powder/foundation hybrid (Get Even). But not all at once, and it really depends on the day, and I try to just do what’s needed. Obviously, if I’m going outside (shamefully, there are days when I don’t, since I work at home), I use an SPF 15 moisturizer if it’s only for a short time and a real sunscreen if it’s for any significant time.
The Bare Minerals foundations are also good, but this is one where you have to remember that in addition to Sarah’s note that not everything works for every person, the same thing that pleases you on one day may not please you on another. Depending on the phases of the moon, how dry my skin is, what kind of shape I’m in, and other things, using mineral makeup sometimes makes me look awesomely natural, and sometimes makes me look like I’m ten years older than I am and have caked-on powder over my six-inch pores. You really do need to experiment.
@ jadeblue:
Best wishes for a quick recovery!
I’ll second the love for Maybelline Mineral Power. I have very blotchy skin, and I am amazed at the coverage. It hangs in there when I sweat, and I don’t have to get it all over my hands (and clothes) to get it on my face.
As for sunscreen, I’ve been using Avon’s Moisture Therapy Mineral Sunscreen Cream. It’s a little hard to rub in, but this is the first summer in a while I haven’t had a “farmer’s tan” and a “watch band tan.”
I’ll join the Bare Minerals lovefest here. I hate makeup, but I inherted Daddy’s splotchy skin, so it’s practically a requirement for me to appear in public. The nice thing about this stuff is that it doesn’t require a separate concealer — just dab a little more on with a brush in the spots where you need it, and it covers subtly and beautifully. You don’t have to use that much, either. And at $25 a pop, it’s nice when one container lasts me 3-4 months.
As for the sunscreen, I like the Blue Lizard Australian line, but I haven’t seen it come in an SPF higher than 30. Try the following link for suggestions — it’s a database of a hoarde of cosmetics, what they’re made of, toxicity data, and in the case of sunscreens, their relative effectiveness:
http://www.ewg.org
Lobster: my sister has the exact same issue, except she’s even discovered allergies to just about every sunscreen known to man. Either way, she and I have both used Bullfrog and Kiehl’s, until my dermatologist told me that I was creating zits for months to come.
Then I switched to the Neutrogena that you use for your face and use either Coppertone spray in 35-50 or Banana Boat spray, which all generally run about $10 per bottle. Also, it looks like Neutrogena does a spray-on version too. And I hear you on the hair–we have a year-old Lab who sheds like it’s her job.
I run, surf, and bike and have never had trouble with the sprays, and two bottles kept me and the fiance sunburn-free for a week in Hawaii.
Can you get Ombrelle sunscreen in the States? I use the regular stuff and I love it. Doesn’t smell, isn’t sticky, doesn’t have aloe in it for those that are allergic. I can’t say how it would stand up to a whole day spent in the sun, because I tend to stay in the shade even when I am wearing sunscreen, but it definitely works well for everyday use and while it’s pricier than Coppertone I can usually find it for cheaper than Neutrogena.
http://www.ombrelle.ca/
I’m whitey-white too AND I live in Hawaii, so sunscreen is my buddy. Neutrogena Dry-Touch in SPF 70 on my face every day, and until I had been here for a few months and could downgrade to SPF 30 (Ocean Potion Anti-Aging: smells like orange creamsicle!) I used Hawaiian Tropic SPF 60 Ozone Block. Unlike the other Hawaiian Tropic sunscreens, it has no smell. It feels like glue going on, but damn, it works. Comes in SPF 80 as well.
Another vote for Bare Escentuals-they also have a line of lotions and primers that I love and are lgihtweight (though I dont think they have SPF).
You really feel like you arent wearing anything. When I recommended the line to my sister, she told me later she thought she DIDNT feel her foundation and maybe I just wore too much. Then she tried BE and realized what lightweight really feels like!
I know I sound like an cult-infomercial but I love the stuff. Although it is pricy it lasts forveer and I am pretty sure the website offer gives you a 30 or 60 day guarantee.
Good luck!
My pale people! I am also the whitest white that ever was and pretty much burn if I even think of going into direct sunlight. I love the Copper Tone sprays because they dry fairly quickly and don’t smell too strong after a few minutes. I personally can’t use any Neutrogena products (my skin cannot stand it for some reason) but I’ve heard their spray on ones are good, too.
I am also in the Bare Escentuals cult–that stuff is great. My uneven, reddish skin tone is totally evened out and it doesn’t even feel like I’m wearing makeup. I resisted for years using a full coverage foundation because I have the t-zone oiliness and make up just felt so heavy and gross by the end of the day. I’ve never had that problem with the BE stuff.
I third the recommendation for Ocean Potion. It smells like an orange creamsicle! I buy this stuff specifically because the scent motivates me to actually wear sunscreen.
Everydayminerals.com is an excellent place to look for mineral make up – they’ll even send you a free sample kit with 3 foundations, a concealer, and a blush if you cover the cost of shipping (and they ship internationally, global Vine readers) so that you can play around with the make up without dropping a tonne of coin. The samples are pretty generous (about 1g of product) and the quality is fantastic. I highly recommend them.
I can’t bear the feel of foundation on my skin, and I come from a long line of Eskimos which is apparently why my face is a shade that just won’t play nicely with foundation colors.
So when I discovered primers I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. My favorite is DHC’s Velvet Skin Coat. It’s amazing … it smooths everything out without adding any color at all.
Slimy, if you have any kind of sensitivity (as most very fair people do) Bare Minerals (or any of the mineral-based products) is going to be trouble. Steer clear. Philosophy’s Supernatural is great, as is Smashbox’s photo finish primer. Works very well alone or under a more heavily-tinted foundation. I also use Philosophy’s Shelter tinted sunblock for the face. It’s a little greasy, but then I just skip the moisturizer in the summer.
Lob, Neutrogena Dry Touch seems to be what you’re looking for. Why change? Satisfaction with its performance and the benefit of consistent UV protection would make it worth the $$ for me. Maybe just use it on your face and try something cheaper on your body?
Sunscreen: I’m actually allergic to UVA light (super rare, super awful) and have had to re-learn a few facts about sunscreen when the condition spontaneously developed after 8 years of being an unbelievably tan lifeguard.
My dermatologist has recommended the following:
1. Put the sunscreen on 30 minutes before you go outside, to give the chemicals time to absorb into your skin. Then put another layer on again right before you go out.
2. You’re supposed to use at least 1 oz of sunscreen for your whole body. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but I never used to use an entire shot glass full, but according to the dermatologist, that’s how much it takes.
3. The spray-on sunscreens may seem easy, but there’s no way you can get enough on your skin for it to be really effective.
I’m a big fan of the Coppertone Oil-Free Sunsreen–it’s hypoallergenic and doesn’t really smell at all. The Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer with helioplex is what I should be wearing, but it’s a) sticky and gross-feeling and leaves white streaks all over whatever I’m wearing and b) prohibitively expensive.
Speaking of expensive, if you know you’re going to the beach for a week and really don’t want to burn, go get a Mystic Tan. The chemical DHA in the tanning solution provides a great amount of sun protection, and most tanning salons have a “custom airbrush” option so that you don’t get streaks or an uneven-looking tan.
Make-up: I’ve had great luck with Cover Girl’s Tru Blend in the pump bottle. It has light coverage and my skin isn’t all shiny by the end of the day. Plus, it’s inexpensive :)
Uch, KIEHL’S. Greasiest sunscreen in the WORLD. In fact, when I think back on it, I have never liked a single product of theirs — not the sunscreen, not the night creme, not the shampoo. Some people swear by Kiehl’s but I just do not get it.
On Foundation: Not to be contrary, but when I went the Bare Minerals route, I had extremely unhappy results. I looked ill; people actually commented. So Sars’s point about individual results is one to be heeded.
Since you already use Prescriptives (and presumably are happy with their pallette), I’ll recommend what I do. I use their concealer around my eyes, Flight Cream moisturizer on my face, and then powder over that-all with All Skins. I have good results all day, although in the summer, some blotting mid-afternoon is usually required. It doesn’t feel slimy, I just glow a bit more than I want.
Interestingly, I used to need significant foundation when I was younger, but a lot less now.
Depending on where you live, Coppertone has a gel sunblock that is awesome and completely not greasy and beach stinky.
I’m from MI and we don’t have it, but whenever I visit my friend in CA I buy three or four bottles.
Seconding Rhiannon’s love of Everyday Minerals. They have about eight million different shades of foundation, blush, and eye shadow. And you can get their foundation in three different levels of shine. I have oily skin in the summer, so I use semi-matte. In the winter, when all the humidity gets sucked out of the air and my skin, I use original glo, and it looks dewy and cute, but not shiny. I love it.
dear 2… clinique has a great tube foundation that doesn’t feel slimy AND doesn’t sweat off!
I’ve been using Coppertone Oil Free SPF 45 Sunblock for years years now, and it works wonderfully. It’s not billed as a facial lotion, but it is non-comodegenic, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free, so I use it all over and it doesn’t feel greasy. Not too pricey either, so you’re not out more than ten bucks if you hate it.
Re: Makeup – I love love LOVE the Mary Kay tinted moisturizer, I was worried I wouldn’t get good coverage from it, but it’s really effective, very light, plus I get my moisturizer AND it’s got SPF 20. I usually dab on a little powder-foundation on top (something cheap like Maybeline) just to get a matte finish, but it all comes out feeling very lightweight.
I’ll third the Everyday Minerals recommendation. That sample kit lasted me for months, and the full-size products are reasonably priced. I especially like the Mint concealer because it helps with my red-nosed Rudolph complex.
makeup – I will concur with the Mary Kay supporters. I kind of fell into their moisturizer and foundation by accident, but I have found nothing better since. It feels a tad heavy at first, but it absorbs really quickly and then doesn’t feel like anything, but still has better coverage than most drugstore brands I’ve tried.
I buy store-brand Coppertone knockoffs (50 or higher) for my overall body screen, but this summer I am trying a new technique that seems to work pretty well. I use a big gob of the sunscreen with a squirt of my regular body lotion and slather right after toweling off post-shower. I know I’m fully covered, and the bit of lotion keeps it all from feeling slippery. I believe the lotion helps it absorb, too, though I probably am totally making that part up. That’s my base for the day, then I reapply as necessary. I haven’t burned yet this summer.
Lobster here to say thanks for all the great recommendations!! I’m looking into at least 3 that I had never heard of. I’ll continue with the Neutrogena on my face as it works well and I haven’t had any problems with it.
I do hear you guys on the “might as well pay for it since hello! sun cancer sucks. I will try to be better and hopefully these suggestions will pay off. I can say that I tend to focus more on my kids skin than my own and proudly she has never had even a hint of burn or for that matter tan! :)
My love of TN readers is affirmed! If you guys haven’t heard of it, it probably doesn’t exist!
@ Kathryn – I’ve had that same problem with the white streaks on my face, but again, whiter than white so mostly I don’t notice.
@jadeblue – Sorry to hear that and I hope you heal up soon!
@Sars – me too on the Kiehls! I wanted to love it since everyone raves, but serious greasiness from everything I’ve tried facewise. blegh.
My people! The Night People who glow in the dark! We could spell out snark at baseball games at night! Believe me when I tell you that Larenim makeup (“Mineral” spelled backwards, since I screwed up my first post; I realized that “Mirenal” was wrong, wrong, wrong) has mineral makeup for us Pallid People. Stila also has pressed powder for us.
@Jaybird: I will meet your challenge – or at least go shopping with you. That “Professional Make-Up Cream” that I use? It’s put out every September/October by RiteAid on its “seasonal” racks, and I pay 88 cents a tube for it. Yes, it is invisible against my skin. I have an enormous collection of hats, and after the “crossing-the-street-flambe” the other week, I may very well start using my umbrella during the day, the way I see the older Asian ladies do. I’d rather use a parasol, in fact, but I think it would clash with forty-eleven bags I carry. “Dainty” and “pack mule” don’t mix that well.
The generic Target brand SPF 50 sport stuff is great. Not sticky, and doesn’t smell like anything in particular.