If you’re anything like me, you’re probably spending a lot of time in the sun right now.
Living in Canada, we only get a few months out of the year to really enjoy hot weather (although I feel like this year it started to warm up in March). Although you should be wearing sunscreen on your face year round, it’s more important (well, it’s always important) to wear sunscreen on your face.
I apply my sunscreen as the last step in my daytime skincare routine, but if you don’t have a dedicated sunscreen in your collection, there are tons of moisturizers out there that also contain SPF. I have used some of these myself, but as a creature of habit, I will still apply a dedicated SPF for some extra sun protection.
Looking for a facial sunscreen but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry girl, I got you.
Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50
When it comes to medical-grade sunscreens, Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 (C$49) ranks high on my list.
I have been using this sunscreen for years now and it’s an ultra-sheer and transparent sunscreen that provides SPF 50 and is formulated with a plankton extract to help boost skin’s natural defences to UV and heat-induced stress.
It contain 100 per cent physical filters Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide and spreads evenly on the face. It’s also on the thinner side, making it lightweight, with a little going. along way. All skin types can use this, including sensitive.
Tula Protect + Glow – Daily Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen
So the Skinceuticals sunscreen was my go-to until Tula released a formula of their own.
The Tula Protect + Glow – Daily Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen (US$36) is a broad spectrum sunscreen that gives you SPF 30 protection, while also giving you blue light protection and coverage against damaging pollution.
The formula is non-comedogenic and won’t clog pores or leave a white cast on skin. Like all of Tula’s ingredients, the sunscreen is powered by probiotics, as well as pineapple and papaya, which will help promote even skin tone. It also includes wild butterfly ginger root, which helps to protect it against blue light.
I apply this to my face as my last step in the morning. The sunscreen is yellow and blends out really nicely on the skin (it doesn’t make your skin yellow either… in fact it’s quite refreshing to apply). It doesn’t have that chemically sunscreen scent either and leaves you with a really pretty glow.
Unfortunately Tula isn’t available in Canada at the moment but if you are in the states or have a forwarding mailbox, I highly recommend picking this up. Don’t forget, score 15 per cent off your Tula order with code SHAYNA.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Sunscreen
If you are looking for something on the affordable side that is also easy to find, then take a look at Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Face Sunscreen (C$17.99).
This sunscreen is formulated with their Helioplex technology and provides broad-spectrum, photostable production against UVA and UVB rays. It is available in both SPF 45 and SPF 60, the latter of which I have in my collection.
This one I do find to be on the thicker side, but it does blend out nicely and is fast absorbing. It also gives you 80 minutes of water and sweat resistance.
Between all the sunscreens, I would go with the other two over this one, but Neutrogena is such an affordable brand and you can find it anywhere, so it’s super easy to pick up if you need something stat.
Lancome UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50
If you are looking for a sunscreen that double as a primer and moisturizer, then take a look at Lancome’s UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer & Moisturizer SPF 50 (C$42). Containing SPF 50, this sunscreen is good enough to use on its own and under makeup for more hydrated and smoother-looking skin.
The formula contains vitamin E, moringa extract, and Edelweiss extract, which are potent antioxidants that helps to improve skin’s appearance. When I use this one, I do tend to use a moisturizer still, but I like to layer under makeup for some extra protection as I love the fact that it’s also a primer. The formula is also lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin. All skin types can use this one and you’ll notice more hydrated and glowing skin with regular use.
Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Okay, so you apply your sunscreen, then your makeup, but need some extra sun protection a few hours into sitting in the sun? That’s where these mineral sunscreen brushes come in handy.
I’ve tried a few formulas of these but the one I’ve been using this summer is by Peter Thomas Roth. The Instant Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 45 (C$36.84) is a mineral powder sunscreen that gives you SPF 45 protection all in the form of a finishing powder. This ones in a brush packaging where you gently shake the container to dispense the powder into the brush.
The formula has Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide for UVA and UVB protection. It also doesn’t leave any white cast and since the packaging is all-in-one, it’s great for taking with you anywhere you go.
These brushes are great since it’s good for touch ups throughout the day, or if you suffer from oily or greasy skin, then it will help to tame down any shine, as well as provide sun protection all day long.
Of course, there are a million other sunscreens out there to try as well, but these are just some of the ones I have on rotation at the moment that I have been using and loving. As I mentioned, you can also pick up moisturizers or BB and CC creams with SPF in them to get your SPF fix, but there really isn’t anything like a tried and true sunscreen to really give you the sun protection you need.
What’s your favourite sunscreen?
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So little life update. Although I am a born-and-bred Winnipegger, since the beginning of May I have been in Montreal. For the past year I have been going back and forth since my boyfriend now lives here in the city.
Prior to my boyfriend moving here last July, I have visited Montreal many times in the past but I haven’t ventured outside the city limits. Last December we took a road trip to Tremblant for a night and absolutely loved it. I feel like when it comes to Quebec in general, obviously Montreal and Quebec City are the two major places to visit, but they really need to promote the smaller regions more as this province really gives me B.C. vibes. There are mountains, lakes, you name it. It’s really gorgeous and makes for a stunning car ride.
After going to Tremblant for one night last winter, I knew I wanted to go back in the summer time and experience what the area was like when the snow melted. The great thing about Tremblant is that although it is known for being a ski town, it’s a great all-year-round destination since it features amazing cottage country in the spring and fall.
Since we live in downtown Montreal, getting out of the city is a bit of a hassle since we need to rent a car, but thankfully Kia Canada lent us the 2021 Kia Sorento to make the drive super easy and convenient.
We got the car on Wednesday, June 9 and was happy to have it for a few days in Montreal to explore some places that we would traditionally need a car for. Wednesday night we hit up Costco, since all the space of the SUV made it super simple to store all the groceries and various other bulk items we wanted to get (it would be such a hassle to Costco shop without a vehicle). Then on Thursday, we ended up heading to Verdun, which is a cute neighbourhood that gives me major small town vibes. In the summer they actually close down Wellington Avenue, which is their main street, and there’s tons of patios that you can visit.
We’ve actually biked to Verdun in the past, but since there is a park and beach there, I wanted to take Ziggy with us, so we threw him in the car and made our way over (Ziggy loves car rides).
From the Friday to Sunday, we headed out to an Air BNB on Lac Superieur, which is a region just east of Tremblant (it’s about a 20-minute drive to the resort town/slopes). Once you get out of the Montreal/Laval area and into the country it starts to get so beautiful and you drive through the mountains, which are honestly so lush this time of the year.
The 2021 Kia Sorento is an SUV that was completely redesigned for this year. It features seven seats with the back row being able to fold down for more room (we did this to bring all our stuff and food, and Ziggy too obviously).
On the Friday night after we settled in at the chalet we actually decided to head to Tremblant town for dinner. It was quite a windy road, but thankfully the Kia Sorento features all-wheel drive and traction control, so it was a super safe and efficient ride. It also features blind spot collision avoidance assist, so if there was a car in our blindspot, it would notify us or even intervene so no accidents happen.
Another cool feature of the Kia Sorento we experienced on the way back. Since it was a Sunday afternoon we did hit some traffic. If were waiting and just taking in the surroundings, the car would make a noise when traffic ahead of us started moving, so we would then continue the drive. This was a feature I have never seen before and thought it was really helpful (especially if you get distracted while waiting in traffic or a red light).
Truthfully, it was such a nice weekend away and I was so sad to come back to the city. If you are able to, I highly recommend heading to the Laurentians since it’s such a beautiful region in Quebec (and so close to Montreal). From our door to the chalet door, it was only around 111 kilometres, so it’s a nice and easy trip.
As for the Kia Sorento, this was my first time driving a Kia and it won’t be my last. It was such a smooth ride and I loved all the room in the Sorento (Ziggy was a fan too). The 2021 Kia Sorento is the perfect car for adventures as it’s large enough to bring all the things you need for a weekend away, but not too big for city driving.
Check out the Kia Sorento on their website to learn more about the different models offered.
Have you been to the Tremblant region in Quebec?
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With the weather getting warmer, it’s time to start showing more skin.
Okay, so when it comes to body hair, mine grows pretty fast. I have to trim my eyebrows at least once a week, I have to pluck or shave my upper lip and chin weekly, and shave my legs and armpits once a week as well.
Although I usually reach for my razor for most hair removal, but since hair tends to grow faster in the warmer months I like to use wax to remove it all.
I used to use wax strips way back when for my upper lip, but it’s been a few years since I’ve used them last. About a month back I received a toolkit of hair removal products from Joy/Glee, which you can find here at Walmart Canada. They have a whole slew of items targeted for hair removal, including razors, shave gel, hair removal creams and wax.
I’ve tried a few of their wax strips, including the bikini ones and the facial one and really loved them. The hair removal items I have used in the past were similar but you had to heat them up by rubbing them between your palms. These you just pull apart and they are good to go.
The Glee wax strips (C$11.97) come in three different kinds. There are some for your face, your body, and your bikini area. These strips remove hair and last for up to 28 days. Best part is you don’t have to rub them at all; the wax is sticky and does a really good job of removing hair. Each pack also comes with the oil pads to remove any residual wax.
Glee also offers up hair removal creams (C$11.97) as well, which are designed to be a more painless way of removing hair. I tried out the facial one and to be honest, it didn’t nothing for me and then it made me break out. I’ve tried similar products in the past and they didn’t work for me either, so I’m not sure that kind of hair this is designed for.
As for Joy, that is the brand for the razors (C$11.97). They have four different colours (pink, teal, purple, yellow) to choose from and you can buy the refillable blades as well. These razors have five blades on them and have a protective lubrastrip and a non-slip grip. Pair them with one of the Glee shave gels for the best shaving experience.
There are so many hair removal products on the market now but I really like this brand as first off, it has really cool and hip branding, and second of all, it’s pretty affordable. Like I said, I didn’t like the creams but loved the wax and would definitely purchase it when I run out (it’s been a lifesaver this summer, especially with COVID and a lot of places still closed).
What hair removal products do you use?
Please note, this product was sent by PR. All opinions are my own.
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