Kumaara means "youth" in Sanskrit. Well, who doesn't like that? But it's not the name but the philosophy behind this line that is so appealing. Kumaara harnesses powerful ingredients from nature to get results, that is youth. All organic ingredients like goji, indian, gooseberry, bearberry and acai are known to be potent anti-oxidants that ward off the evil free radicals. The SPF 15 Antioxidant Protection cream is also a lightweight skin firming moisturizer so it is all you need for day. I have bushels of sunscreens, some with SPF 80+ but none of them are going to do a damn thing if I don't actually use it because the thought of slathering thick gunky cream on my face, even to save me from wrinkles is simply unpleasant. This cream is not only lightweight but goes on completely matte, with absolutely no feeling of residue or oiliness. Which means, and this is the most important part of sunscreen, I am happy and actually look forward to reapplying it throughout the day. It goes on under foundation with no build up and can even go over it (sure, it does mess up my contouring and blush but that's a small price to pay). The tube has a pump on it so is perfectly safe to keep in my bag all day long, which I do - I reapply in the car while waiting for a light. I am getting ready to do pixelated carbon dioxide laser resurfacing (will do a full story on that shortly) so it is of utmost importance that I use sunscreen religiously prior to the treatment. It says a lot that this is my sunscreen of choice for such a consequential occasion! Kumaara Antioxidant Protection, $59.95.
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Although skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, it's also the most preventable. My biggest concern is not only skin cancer, however, I fear melanoma and sun spots! The PCA Skin Perfecting Face & Body Hydrator SPF 30 is a new sunscreen with pigment control and is effective for both daily facial and body use (don't forget the chest girls, I had blisters and a new sprinkling of freckles the other day from sitting on a patio at lunch!).
Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, the PCA Skin Perfecting Face & Body Hydrator SPF 30 is a revolutionary broad-spectrum UVA/UVB moisturizer developed to hydrate the body, offer broad-spectrum UV protection and minimize skin discolorations.
The product's five key ingredients are designed to keep your skin both healthy and beautiful all year round including: Bearberry, Licorice Root Extract, Kojic Acid, Mulberry Root Extract and Lactic acid. PCA SKIN daily care products are available through physicians and licensed skin care professionals can also be found online at www.SkinStore.com. For a referral to a clinical practice that carries PCA SKIN products and professional treatments including PCA Peels (I heard these are amazing, plan to try myself soon!), call 1.877.PCA.SKIN (722.7546).
June is sun awareness month here at Beauty Snob, I'll be offering sun tips and products every day or so to keep the damage at bay. I'm loving the Elizabeth Arden 8 hour sun defense cream because it's super hydrating, too. Most of my SPF 50+ creams make me feel dry but this one has lipids like a real moisturizer so you don't need another face cream (actually, don't use your face cream because then you'll be a greaseball-- this is all you need before applying concealer/foundation). Another plus is that it does not make me break out or give me the annoying little white bumps on my face. $30 at Elizabetharden.com
I am a maniac with my giant box of sunscreens that I'm testing out. Most I purchased at cosmetic counters but if you have a great sun care product that you'd like us to test out-- email us here.
I just ordered this and had to share. Whether it works or not is yet to be seen but I'll do anything to lessen mine and my son's sun exposure. My hubby is more difficult to manage-- he fights me when I chase after him with sunscreen before he golfs only to complain when he burns and peels and asks me to fix him (I swear he is the 4 year old in the family sometimes!). The new SunMate promises to measure the Sun's Ultraviolet Intensity (don't be fooled by cloudy days, the sun's most damaging rays penetrate the clouds!) The SunMate will measure the intensity of the Sun's strength, so you know when to reapply sunscreen. It alerts you of possible over-exposure to ultravoilet rays from the Sun by an LED indicator and is super easy to use. Just press the white button on top and you're set to go. SunMate is $20 here.
I took a tennis lesson yesterday and thought I'd been careful with my SPF but Texas sun is brutal and by the end of the night my chest had blistered! I looked through my arsenal of 'after sun' care (sent to me courtesy of various PR firms) and a bright yellow bottle caught my eye. It was the Clinique Rescue Balm with Aloe for after sun care. I gave it to my hubby to use after golf last week and he loved it (and this is one picky Man Snob!). I put some on my chest before bed and woke up blister free this morning. Clinique's Rescue Balm is an ultra moisturizing balm with soothing aloe that calms sun exposed skin. It "repairs" the skin to help prevent today's sun exposure to tomorrow's damage. I'm heading out to the Clinique counter to stock up on this right now (you can only get 1 press sample unfortunately, I buy the bulk of my beauty products just like everyone else). I'm going to keep one for the hubby's golf bag, one for my tennis/golf bag and one for our son's pool bag. There is also a really cool sunblock stick that I use on both the hubby and son's faces. Guys are weird and hate putting lotion on their face, both my boys (the big one and little one) squirm and scream if it gets minutely close to their eyes but with the Sun Stick they sit there and let me apply and re-apply as often as necessary (I do it every hour or so for best protection). Check out Clinique's site here for a complete line of fragrance free and allergy tested Sun care and get a free summer tote with any 2 purchases!
Rescue Balm with aloe $20
Clinique Sun SPF 45 Targeted Protection Stick $17.50
Driving, the sun, uneven farmer's tan. I am about to pull the typical Asian-lady glove trick while driving. You know, the above the elbow prom dress glove. Or to look slightly less stupid, there is an arm compression sleeve athletes use, but then the hands are exposed. OK, so as you can tell, I've thought a lot about this and have been trying to find an easy, fuss free solution. I have a tube of Natura Bisse Hand Silk Cream with SFP 15 in the car but honestly, I can't be bothered to apply this every time I get in the car. And besides, I don't like having slippery hands when I drive (I have 2 kids in the car, so safety first!). If there were only something I can quickly brush on that won't leave greasy hands! Well, I have found the perfect thing. This Peter Thomas Roth mineral powder is transparent. Unlike other brush on powders, this is not a bronzer or a foundation. It also will not dry out, separate or get so hot and explode in your car. One quick stroke up and down your entire arm and hand - takes literally 5 seconds! A must have for the summer! $30 at Sephora.
If you're like me and want total blockage from the sun, then you will love the Vivesana Solar to Polar SPF40 sunscreen. But even better than just total protection, it is completely organic, nourishing and full of antioxidants. It has botanical ingredients like jojoba and apricot to moisturize, zinc oxide to protect, chamomile to comfort the skin from exposure and antioxidants like green tea and raspberry to repair cell damage. It makes like you never went in the sun, but of course you still got to enjoy all the outdoor activities that would damage your skin otherwise. This is thick stuff but it does absorb into the skin with some rubbing. But the benefit of that is, it will stay on for the long haul, even after swimming and sweating. This line is so thorough in its environmental efforts that its packaging is in an aluminum tube instead of unsustainable and non-biodegradable plastic. But I like it because it makes it easy to keep squeezing, it's like old school toothpaste (uh oh, did I just give away my age?), you shorten the tube as you go. At Vivesana for $29.
Vivesana Polar Baby SFP42 Sunscreen review at Tot Snob.
This is one of those few all in one products that really stands up to "all" that it is promising, including incredible convenience. This loose powder in a leak-proof brush dispenser is a lightweight mineral powder that has SPF 30 and is anti-aging. I love love love mineral make up, it looks flawless without caking down your face to give you that flawlessness. The Micronized Titanium Dioxide mineral physically shields against UVA/UVB rays so you can enjoy the sun without worry. One quick pass around the face in the morning and you can head out the door. Throw this in your bag for quick easy reapplication with no mess. Bare Escentuals is all green with no harmful additives. Can something be this amazing? Yes, it can =) Comes in 3 tones for light, medium and tan skin. At Sephora for $28. Enter the code NATURALBAG at checkout and get 8 free samples.
I have many girlfriends who are dedicated La Mer users. No matter how hard you try to persuade them to other brands just to try-- they refuse! I can understand the addiction though, as there a few items from La Mer that I won't give up myself (the serum for example, it heals burns and wrinkles at the same time- it's the PERFECT product!). Well all La Mer freaks can rejoice, they're launching a UV protective fluid with SPF 30! Perfect for the upcoming warm weather, the SPF 30 UV Protecting Fluid is a fantastic daily use product as it combines SPF protection with skin treatment benefits. Lightweight and fast absorbing, the fluid uses gemstones to enhance the formula's anti-oxidant activity, Hollow Photonic Spheres to create a flattering light effect and a new Smart Seaweed Ferment that helps protect skin against pH, temperature and humidity changes (and it keeps skin comfortable, hydrated and soothed). Plus, its flawless finish is great under makeup! Sounds like another winner. I just ordered mine and can't wait to get it (is there anything better than a box at your door with La Mer inside?) $65 -- La Mer at Saks Fifth Avenue
