Skincare

Skincare

My Favorite Summer Lip Balms

/ Mel / 2 Comments

This is the third installment of my favorite makeup items from my 5 Minute Makeup post. I understand that lip balm is not technically makeup, but it is what I wear on a daily basis and what I feel most comfortable in at work.

I live in an area that can be quite warm in the summer and quite cold in the winter. I find that in order to maintain some level of moisture in my skin without too much greasiness, I need to change out my products from season to season. Although I prefer MUCH heavier lip balms in the winter, I find that warmer weather calls for a lighter (yet still moisturizing) lip balm.

I have two lip balms that I rotate between in summer months. One has SPF for days outside and the other is my nightly/for a day in lip balm. They are the Chapstick original with SPF 15 and the Nivea Kiss of Moisture lip balm.

I have been a sort of lip balm junkie my whole life. There is nothing I abhor more (well, maybe a few things, but you get the gist) than a lip balm that just sits on the lips and refuses to absorb and actually soften the lips. Overly waxy lip balms, or balms that disappear within minutes of application are eschewed from my list as well.

These lip balms do the job and are an essential and reliable part of my day. Not only that, they happen to be two of the most economical lip products that I have ever tried!

What are your favorite lip balms? Which ones should I try?

Stay cozy!

My Favorite SPF Ever!

/ Mel / 1 Comment

Ok, I apologize for gushing about something so TOPICAL, but this stuff is really great.

kissmyface

Ever since I severely sunburned the skin on my face in my teens (blisters, scabs, general horror) I have worn sunscreen. Daily. Period.

Now, as I’ve entered and nearly left my third decade, I have found that my skin has become increasingly sensitive to various known and mystery chemicals. Years ago, I started searching in earnest for a sunscreen that my skin could tolerate without rashes, bumps, or any kind of dermatological trauma. In my hunt I found many natural brands (and a few drugstore brands) that rely on mineral sunscreens in combination with some chemical sunscreens. Certain chemical sunscreens seem to irritate my skin, cause increased oil production on my face, and break me out. No fun.

This one by Kiss My Face is my favorite, and I have used it for nearly a decade now. There is no sunscreen smell, no odor at all really, and it feels super comfortable on my skin. It is a happy amalgamate of non-greasy and yet moisturizing. It does not claim to be a primer, though it does work as one with many (though not all) foundations. It does not erase pores by any means, but the gigantic holes in my face (I exaggerate) do appear slightly softer when I wear this sunscreen.

My skin has a bit of an attitude and can be bone-dry in winter and frying pan-greasy in the summer; this is the single sunscreen that works for me in all seasons (though I concede it would probably be far too greasy for those with permanently oily skin types). It doesn’t appear to clog pores or cause acne, which I attribute to the generally skin-friendly ingredient list.

I am not a dermatologist or aesthetician, and I certainly can’t say whom this would absolutely work for, but this is one I really like (after experimenting with MANY). If you are looking to try a new SPF I very much recommend this one!

Stay cozy!