Must Read: Slate.com

One of my favorite online news sources, Slate, published several articles concerning suntanning and sunscreen. The best article is the one about how SPF in products is gaged. Here are the links:

Is tanning addictive? By Amanda Schaffer
How do they measure SPF? By Juliet Lapidos
Which sunscreens work best? By Douglas Wolk
Tanning Your Hide By Emily Yoffe

Changed My Mind

In my previous post I reviewed the Lancome UV Expert 20 Sunscreen with Mexoryl TM SX. I found it to be a bit chalky on the skin after application, making it appear as though you are wearing an incorrect foundation shade. At first I let it soak in for 15 minutes before applying foundation but, no dice. It still gave me a 'poor-man's kabuki' mask so I've decided to return it in exchange for the Beinfait. Just an FYI.

Lancome Does It Again

The Paris-based cosmetics house is hands-down the manufacturers of the best mascaras out there. I ordered their new Courbe Virtuose mascara and used it for the first time today. It defines, lengthens and lends the lashes a beautiful curve; it also volumizes and performs well when applying multiple coats, though you really only need two. I am totally in love with this mascara. I also received a 10-day sample of their best seller, Definicils.


Another sample I received was of the Juicy Tubes Smoothie in Pink Horizon. These little samples last me several months and during that time I am constantly receiving free ones with purchases so I have never bought an actual size. I would imagine one would last me at least a year. The great thing about the Smoothie is that a little quite honestly goes a long way. One little squeeze to get a drop, then use the applicator to smooth it over. Most of the colors are fantastic by themselves and give awesome shine and unique color to lipstick.



I also ordered the UV Expert 20 Sunscreen with Mexoryl TM SX. It is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation and the American Academy of Dermatology. The cream is a bit thick and I noticed that upon application my skin looked a bit...chalky. I'm guessing due to the titanium dioxide that is notorious to affecting any shade of brown skin in that manner. You're instructed to apply 15 minutes before sun exposure and you need about that long for it to soak into the skin and not have that chalky look. It honestly worried me. So as it stands now, I probably won't order this again, but will go back to the Bienfait Multi-Vital SPF30.

Sun Shield

A story in next month's W magazine by Jenny Comita highlighted new advancements in sun protection. Courtesy of the article I learned that one of the active ingredients used in many sunscreens breaks down due to exposure to, get this, sunlight! Reminds of medications whose side effects list the very symptoms you are trying to eliminate.

Avobenzone is the chemical that breaks down, over time, due to exposure to sunlight which, I assume is the reason why repeated application is advised. Scientists in the industry have created a chemical that will help, in effect, enhance the sunblocking properties of Avobenzone while preventing its breakdown and prolonging protection: diethylhexl naphthalate (DEHN). In scientific terms DEHN is called a photostabilizer, a chemical that helps other chemicals. The winning combination of DEHN and Avobenzone is called Helioplex and is featured in the product above. SPF 70, awesome!

Ms. Comita also pointed out that companies previously used other physical blockers like titanium dioxide to serve as a backup when avobenzone breaks down. Titanium dioxide is the nemesis of everyone who has a hint of brown or yellow in their skin as it makes us look ashy. Titanium dioxide is still used in liquid and powder foundations and other cosmetics. However most companies have gotten hip to its effects on a good deal of the buying public and uses the chemical in very small amounts.