Beauty's Highly Reviewed Sun Protection May Not Be What You Expected

@bufferingbetty

You tyrna look forever young or nah?

Real talk: Are you trying to postpone wrinkles as long as you can? If you’re not engaging with SPF, you’re not doing anything to prevent signs of aging. Play games and you’ll crinkle up sooner than you think. Wrinkles make you look dignified. But when they appear at an age that some would say is too young, well, dignified becomes “Ay, bendito,” in a blink. Here is some sun protecting skin care products that have been reviewed a wild amount of time from some of your favorite retailers. Hoping this will help you get to picking the right one for yourself.

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Target

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Blue Lizard Sensitive Sunscreen Lotion

Reviews: 150!
Average rating: 5/5 Stars

Need to know: SPF 30, $22.99
Available at Target
Shop here →

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Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen

Reviews: 218!
Average rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Need to know: SPF 50, $12.39
Available at Target
Shop here →

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Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion

Reviews: 383!
Average rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Need to know: SPF 30, $14.69
Available at Target
Shop here →

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Ulta

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Mario Badescu Oil Free Moisturizer

Reviews: 135!
Average rating: 4/5 Stars

Need to know: SPF 30, $28
Available at Ulta
Shop here →

Olay Complete All Day UV Moisturizer

Reviews: 819!
Average rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Need to know: SPF 15, $3.99
Available at Ulta
Shop here →

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Sun Bum Sunscreen Lip Balm

Reviews: 1267!
Average rating: 3.8/5 Stars

Need to know: SPF 30, $3.99
Available at Ulta
Shop here →

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Sephora

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Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen

Reviews: 338!
Average rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Need to know: SPF 35, $65
Available at Sephora
Shop here →

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Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen

Reviews: 397!
Average rating: 4.3/5 Stars

Need to know: SPF 50, $19, My favorite, great for dry skin!
Available at Sephora
Shop here →

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Coola Full Spectrum 360° Sun Silk Drops

Reviews: 613!
Average rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Need to know: SPF 30, $46
Available at Sephora
Shop here →

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Josie Maran Argan Daily Mositurizer

Reviews: 1,000!
Average rating: 3.9/5 Stars

Need to know: SPF 47, $34
Available at Sephora
Shop here →

Time to Head To The Beach!

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Fenty Beauty Launches Bronzer Collection Worth A Gold Medal While Encountering It's First Big Scandal

@bufferingbetty

Rihanna gave us Summer when we only thought to ask for Spring!

Question: Is your scalp cold? Because Fenty Beauty just snatched our wigs. On April 5th, the young beauty beast will release some hot products that will push your makeup looks right into Summer. Spring who?

If only we could all have Rih-rih Level Confidence for a Day

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Trohpy Wife is now a Body Lava!

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You may not have legs for days like Ms. Fenty Beauty herself, especially us vertically challenged dames, but you can make your legs gleam like hers.

Need to know: $59, already available
Avaiable at Sephora + fentybeauty,com
Shop here →

Sun Stalk’r

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You already know Fenty would leave no shade behind.

Need to know: $30, 8 shades
Avaiable at Sephora + fentybeauty.com
Shop here →

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Whether you’ve been blessed with the utmost melanin or you are totally pale, there is a shade of bronzer that’s your match.

Don’t want to commit to a full size? THERE IS A MINI!!! and you know how I feel about minis!

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A Lil Bronze Duo!? Please and thank you!

Need to know: $24, 2 shades, includes a mini Match Stix in Sinnamon
Available at Sephora + fentyybeauty.com
Shop here →

Cant Forget the Glow

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NEW Killawatt Highlight Duo in Afternoon Snack // Mo’ Hunny

Need to know: $34
Available at Sephora + Fentybeauty.com
Shop here →

Rihanna unveiling her collection like:

Penny4uthots

Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlighter

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I’m so grateful that Fenty Beauty encased their brand with playfulness. They didn’t play it safe and name this highlighter somethinglike “Lucky Penny.” Cute but boring. Penny4UThots, though…. I’m HERE for it!

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Need to Know: $36
Available at sephora + fentybeauty.com
Shop here →

With all this glow, you might have let the gleaming light distract you from a hiccup that happened with this upcoming launch. Before it even took off, Fenty Beauty had to pull a Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlighter for it’s offensive name. @Trendmood1 reported Fenty removed a shade called Geisha Chic. Many followers considered it an act of cultural appropriation because it dawned the name of a part of Japanese culture while Rihanna is not Japanese. Fenty Beauty is known for it’s inclusivity so absorbing culture was offensive. What do you think about this? Let us know in the comments below!

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You watched your faves on IG attending the Fenty launch party and fought the FOMO feels, too, right?

The Queen thanking her Subjects!

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Jackie Aina showing us how to make the cheekbones glisten.

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NikkieTutirals was all of us!

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Awell of us

Summer has arrived!

Toners For Dry Skin: you might need more than one!

@bufferingbetty

We're just a little high maintenance in this dehydrated corner.

Related: Toner Review

It's funny how just a year ago I wasn't even sure of what a toner does. More accurately, I was skeptical of toners even serving any skincare benefits and not just a scam to get beauty junkies to buy more of the industry's promises of perfection in a jar. Fast forward to Summer 2018 and your favorite squishy beauty blogger has got a few toners sitting in her cabinet. 

About my skin: 
I have normal skin that leans dry If i'm not careful. The seasons play a starring role in how my skin behaves. In the winter, my skin needs a wild amount of attention. The heat in the summer makes my skin a little oily but the extra SPF I apply to my skin can dry out certain areas like my forehead and cheeks. In the fall, my skin just -ugh, perfection!!! And in the spring, we cool. 

Having a few toners is more than me just being high maintenance. No, really! My skincare has always been responsive. I look at my skin and focus on how it feels. It tells me what it needs. 

At our last Meet Pepper B present's Beauty Hour event, we had skincare expert, Niambi, teach us about natural skincare. She is the creator of Pholk Beauty formally known as Bloomsbury Square. Niambi said, "my skincare is a conversation." It was one of the night's major takeaways.  Instead of doing the just same old routine, pay attention to what your skin is asking from you. 

Soothing and Hydrating Toner:

The Esteli Coco Rosa Hydrate Toner Mist has brought some balance to my life. Toners I had been using were too potent to use daily. I like to use this toner on days when I have exfoliated my skin because it feels gentle and hydrating. I spray it on a cotton round apply it to my face to ensure that I'm getting all of the goodness all over my skin. I don't like the smell. It's slightly rosy but has a spicy note to it. I've said in the past how I don't have a great sense of smell. If you blindfolded me and put a plate of strawberries in my face, I probably guess that the scent is coconut. It's just not in my skill set. That said, there is something that is zesty and just off about the scent. But I like how my skin feels when I use this toner, so I look past it. I also use this to remove excess oils from my skin before I use an epillator for my uninvited, unnecessary, ladystache. This product also claims to be makeup setting spray or a skin refresher but I don't agree. Lastly, a tip I picked up at #BeautyHour with Niambi was using a toner before a mask to prep the skin. This toner has come handy for that too!!

And not that it really matters, but I just love the color of the bottle. Deep, jewel tone-ish shades of green bring me so much zen. 

Retexturizing Toner:

United State Balancing Tonic by Origins has been a part of my life for almost a year and I'm ready to put a ring on it. There were spectacular changes to my skin with this product. On the corners of my jaw, below my ears, I have been getting rough textured skin. It was a build up of dead skin. I didn't want to use a physical exfoliator too often because that tends to break out my skin. This balancing tonic was able to remove the dead skin without damaging my skin. I just have to use it sparingly on my nose because it's more sensitive. I cannot use this toner after sun exposure or using a physical exfoliator because my skin just doesn't like it. This is more of a winter product while the Esteli toner I can use year round. 

Honorable Mention - The Gram or YT Made Me Buy

Social media doesn't always influence my purchases. I stalk the "new" or "just in" sections of Sephora, Ulta, and Beautylish so much that I am already a quarter of the way through a product when I see my fave vloggers hauling it. Which always prompts me to think "Yuh been sleeping, gurl!" It doesn't happen often, but when it does the product is usually -eh. Hype is just hype. I grabbed the mini version of the Mario Badescu  Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater while standing in the checkout line at Ulta. It's a trap because it was only $5 so I didn't give it too much thought. Plus, I had been wanting to get a toner with rosewater. It gives excellent hydration that doesn't last. I've been using it this summer as a quick hydrater after being in the sun or to freshen up my face after the gym so I don't have to over use my moisturizer. She's not cheap. If you want a product like that, this can fill that need but don't expect sparks to fly when you use it. 

What toners are you using?

Basic Skincare Guide: Men Summer 2018

@bufferingbetty

Clean up + Glow up

A friend asked for skin care advice focusing on the basics with extra attention paid to protection from sun exposure + and clearing blackheads.

The actual message I sent him on facebook with an apology because I don't think he knew what he was getting himself into when he asked for 'basic' skin care advice.

You: male, normal skin, late 20s, morning shower person, more likely to shop at the drugstore or stores like Target + Walmart
Job: outside most of the day
Concerns: clearing blackheads, sun protection
Skin care Knowledge:slim to none

Will not spend more than 2 minutes on skin care

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Since his skin gets a lot of sun exposure, skin care is important for making sure he is comfortable with how his skin looks and feels. 

Key Skin Care Steps:

Exfoliate
Cleanse
Hydrate
Protect
Lip balm 

Brands to check out:

These brands are gentle and great for sensitive skin. Usually no harsh perfumes
-Aveeno (the positively radiant line is my favorite)
-Simple

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Exfoliate:

It gets off all the dead skin and helps clear out blocked pores that have whiteheads and blackheads. Try to do it for 5-10 seconds on each part of your face: each cheek, forehead, nose + chin. Exfoliators with a sand like grit work best. Larger particles just sort of scratch your skin and will cause irritation after sun exposure. This should be done twice a week but never more than 3x a in a week. Over exfoliating your skin will cause breakouts.

Aveeno® Positively Radiant® Skin Brightening Daily Scrub
**don’t use it daily. Ignore the rules. 2x a wk! Or every 3-4 days. 

Cleanse:  

If there is one thing you do know, it's how to wash your face. If you feel like you have oily skin, use a gel cleanser. Dry skin, use a cream cleanser. If you're skin feels sort of tight + itchy after you’ve washed it, you have dry skin. Because you spend a lot of time in the sun, look for something gentle. Usually cleansing once a day is fine unless you are super sweaty or fell in the dirt. 

Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash

Hydrate:

Even if you have a hydrating cleanser, still apply even a light moisturizer. It is your new BFF. We are not teenagers anymore. When you're rounding 30, it's time to start the 'preservation process.' If you've met people who are about your age but you could've sworn they had at least a decade on you, it's because they did not hydrate. Sure, there are hereditary factors to how we age, but we all have hereditary factors. Some of us just manage them a little better. 

Aveeno® Smart Essentials™ Daily Nourishing Moisturizer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30

* Tip with sunblock: SPF, while incredibly necessary, it can be drying for your skin over time. If you are using a sunblock and notice your skin is looking flaky, mix your sunblock with your moisturizer, about half and half, so you get the best of both worlds. 

Protect:

Do. Not. Neglect. This. Step. You will age like milk in the sun. Even if you don’t see a burn, you are burning your skin. Don’t forget your ears, neck, and hands. . 

Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Lotion - SPF 50
I use baby stuff all the time, doesn't matter that you're grown

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunscreen Broad Spectrum 70
Mix with moisturizer

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum
(Mix with moisturizer)

Lip Balm:

Again, we ain't 22 no more. Your lips will age just as fast as the skin under our eyes. Use anything without petroleum. While it feels good and does work, it also stops your skin’s natural moisture production. Only use it to heal the skin, not for daily use. 

Kiss My Face Sport Lip Balm SPF 30

Avoid:

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2-in-1 products: I say this because tons of products marketed toward males have this ‘nifty’ little feature that is good for no one. If you wanted to get a cleanse + exfoliate type of product to just use daily, you would just be doing more harm than good for your skin. Since you get sun everyday + facial hair grooming (however often you do it), treat your skin as if it were sensitive even if you don't see any redness or inflammation. Separate products are better so you can balance how often you are doing each step. 

Pore strips + peeling masks: products like the Biore strips or peeling masks that remove blackheads are good in a situation if you are going to an event and want to style on the crowd with a fresh face. But overuse (daily or even weekly) will just make the pores on your face larger over time. Which will just make blackheads and whiteheads more visible. 

Foaming anything: products that foam have a lot of alcohol so it just dries out the skin overtime. I don't even understand why they're made. 

It's OK to

Ignore some directions: I’m thinking about exfoliators again because people tend to over do it. Even if a product says it is ok for daily use, it is not. It’s too much! Very harsh on your skin especially after the sun. 

More Skin Care on Meetpepper.com

You feeling fancy + want to add a night time routine? 

Cleanse - if you cleanse at night, you don't have to cleanse in the morning unless you’re like feeling kinda sweaty. 

Hydrate - same as day time

Eye cream- Again, we ain't 22 no more. You can also mix this with your SPF and wear it during the day. 

Burt's Bees® Eye Cream for Sensitive Skin

Extra Extra fancy + want to take a product with you during the day in case you feel sweaty + gross?

Cleansing wipes: 
Any micellar water cleansing wipes are great because you don't have to wash it off. Feels great to remove any sweat and dirt. Most of them are makeup removing wipes. But many people just use them after a work out. 

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Makeup Remover Wipes

Hydrate
Put some of your moisturizer in a little travel tube or jar. 

Protect

Reapply as needed!

Neutrogena® Ultra Sheer Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Body Mist

Final Touches

Hydrate + Soothe

Exactly what your skin needs after sun exposure. You can use hydrating sheet masks multiple times a week. It gives your skin instant results. They aren't lasting results but they do help and don't cause damage over prolonged use.

Tony Moly I'm Real Aloe Sheet Mask
Put this in the refridgorator for 15 minutes before use for the ultimate experice. 

Over night treatment

You got pimples that killing your vibe? These can help and are available at Ulta. If you overuse either of them, your skin will get dry and flaky. 

Mario Badescu Plastic Bottle Drying Lotion
Dont shake it. Take a q-tip and dip it in the sediment and put in on the pimple over night. Dries out the gross stuff so it heals faster

End of Day Treatment:

Not every day. An end of day treatment can be something that preps the skin for the week ahead.

Origins Travel Size Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask 
If you feel a pimple beneath the skin, this mask works to bring it out. It doesn't cause breakouts but it will bring the excess bacteria to the surface and form a pimple. It is good to use a few days before a special event to help make a pimple heal more quickly. It can be used over a specific pimple or all over the face. Use it about once a week on your nose and chin, or where ever you get blackheads and whiteheads, to clear your skin. Put a warm wet  towel over your skin for a few minutes to open up the pores then apply the mask. Once it is dry, use a warm wet towel again to remove it. 

Now GO + get shmexy

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Tell me all about your skin care routine
 

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