Sunscreen

Summer is here so let's start talking about sunscreen. It's a long post but there's a lot of information that needs to be said about sunscreen.

Sunlight, UV radiation, UVA, UVB

While sunlight is important for improving moods and the synthesis of vitamin D in the body, it also causes sunburn, skin cancer and photoaging due to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation. There are 2 types of UV radiation: UVB and UVA. UVB is represents 5% of the UV that reaches the surface of the earth, while UVA represents 95%. UVA is further broken down into categories of short-wavelength (UVA2) and long-wavelength (UVA1). UVB is responsible for sunburn, hyperpigmentation and skin cancer, while UVA causes photoaging, hyperpigmentation and also possible skin cancer. So it is important to have a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB.

Types of Sunscreen

There are 17 different UV filters that are approved by the FDA in the US, and there are a few more available in other countries. Sunscreens are classified as organic (chemical) and inorganic (physical). Organic sunscreens absorb UV radiation and convert it to heat while inorganic sunscreens reflect and scatter the UV light.

Adapted from UptoDate 2013

Sunscreen Labeling

SPF stands for sun protection factor which measures the protection against UVB but it does not adequately measure the protection of UVA. However, by Dec 2013 all sunscreen manufacturers are required to follow the FDA's new labeling requirements to correct some the current false advertisement about sunscreen. In the not so distant future, sunscreen can only be labeled "broad-spectrum" if it passes the FDA's test for protection against UVA and UVB. You will probably also see very few SPF above 50 since the FDA recommended capping SPF at 50. And all SPF that greater than 50 will be labeled as SPF =50+. The SPF capping is due to the fact that SPF greater than 50 provides very little increase in protection against UV versus SPF 50 (ie. SPF 15 absorbs 93% of UVB radiation, SPF 30 absorbs 97% and SPF 50 absorbs 98%). You will also no longer see the words "sweat-proof" or "water-proof" only "water resistant" and "very water-resistant", since no actual sunscreen is ever "water-proof". And for the sunscreen to be labeled as "water resistant" or "very water-resistant", SPF must be maintained after 40-80 min in the water respectively. So yay for no more false advertisement.

Proper Use

The amount needed to cover the average-sized adult is about 1 ounce (30mL) shot glass. It need to be applied 15-30min before sun exposure and then reapplied at least every 2 hours. All sunscreens must be reapplied after water exposure (swimming) even sunscreens that labeled "water resistant" or "very water-resistant".

Source:

Baron, E. "Selection of sunscreen and sun-protective measures". UptoDate. 17 April 2013.
"Common Myths About Sun Protection". Merck&Co. Inc. 2013 http://www.merck.com/research/common-myths-sun-protection.html

depotting urban decay bamboo palette

Also known as the eco-friendly "Sustainable Shadow Box".  I bought it at Ulta on sale for around $15.  This package contains the bamboo palette with 10 shadows, and a travel size eye-shadow primer.  It swivels opens.  The actual palette is pretty thin and contains 10 shadows, one small eyeshadow brush, and a small mirror.  As you see on the back of the palette, each shadow is 0.56g (0.02 US oz).

Even though it was pretty thin, I decided to depot it into my Z-palette.  I didn't like the swivel effect since it damaged the two eye shadows at the end (you can see a line going down the "Twice Baked" and the "Half Baked" shadows.

At first I was thinking about just ripping the purple paper, but that turned out to be too much of a hassle.  So I did what I did with the Stila palette, and just wedged the shadows out.

So 3 out of 10 damaged, with the worst being the "Twice Baked".  I managed to indent the "YDK" shadow.  As for the "Oil Slick", I didn't feel too bad considering I hardly ever use black eyeshadow.

It fits neatly next to my Stila depots.  And it looks like I can fit a lot more stuff in my Z-palette.

Sephora Sun Safety Kit

Side 1

Side 2

I've been looking for a new daily moisturizer with sunscreen.  I currently use the Olay Complete all day moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 15 for Sensitive Skin and this kit is perfect for trying something new.  I have tried a few of these products in the kit, namely the BareMinerals Mineral Veil, Miracle Skin Transformer, and the Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer.  I'll make a post later about sunscreen and sun safety.

The Sephora Sun Safety Kit: 

- Cosmetic Bag

- 0.03 oz BareMinerals® Original Mineral Veil Broad Spectrum SPF 25
- BareMinerals® Mini Flawless Application Brush (link to full size brush)
- 0.5 oz Boscia® Self-Defense Antioxidant Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30
- 0.3 oz Clarins UV Plus HP Sunscreen Multi-Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 40
- 0.25 oz Dr. Brandt® Signature Flexitone® BB Cream SPF 30
- 1 Towelette Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare™ Alpha Beta® Glow Pad™
- 0.5 oz Josie Maran Cosmetics Argan Daily Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 40
- 0.5 oz Lancôme Bienfait Multi-Vital SPF 30 Cream
- 0.5 oz L'Occitane Immortelle Brightening Hand Care SPF 20
- 0.16 oz Miracle Skin™ Transformer SPF 20

- 0.5 oz Ole Henriksen Protect the Truth SPF 50+
- 0.5 oz Origins A Perfect World™ SPF 25 Age-Defense Moisturizer with White Tea
- 0.5 oz Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Skincare Max Sheer Day Moisture Defense® Lotion SPF 30
- 0.169 oz Sephora Collection Age Defy Moisture Cream SPF 15 Sunscreen
- 0.64 oz Shiseido Ultimate Protection Cream+ Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
- 0.25 oz Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF 20 with Dermaxyl™ Complex
- 1.69 oz St. Tropez One Night Only Instant Glow Body Lotion
- 0.5 oz Tarte Brazilliance Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja Self Tanner
- 0.14 oz Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder with Real Cocoa 

Zoya GeiGei Mani

Product Used:

Zoya Nail Polish: GeiGei
  as part of the Zang Toi Spring Summer 2013 Collection
http://www.zoya.com/content/38/item/Zoya/Zoya-Nail-Polish-GeiGei-ZP651.html

Yummies: Rainier Cherries

Rainier cherries are so yummy but so expensive.  I don't know about you but I usually see them for about $6 per pound if I am even lucky to see them.  But when I went to Flushing (in Queens, NY) last week I saw them for $3 per pound so obviously I bought 2 lbs.  Unfortunately that amount only lasted about 4 days.  What can I say I eat a lot of fruits.