Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit 2016

 

It’s that time of year again! The popular Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit hit the shelves-just in time before my summer trip to Hawaii.

I love everything about summer and that means enjoying the great outdoors and cool waters responsibly. I’m an avid believer and user in using a broad spectrum (UVA + UVB) sun protection of at least SPF 30 for my face and SPF 45 for my body.

So naturally as a lover of Sephora + SPF I always buy Sephora’s annual Sun Safety Kit. It’s a curated collection of everything SPF to protect from head to toe. This is a perfect introduction to try various products carried at Sephora, like tinted sunscreen, primer, self-tanner, BB cream and makeup setting sprays. It’s also a wonderful way to try different types of sunblock products–physical (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) and chemical-based (oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate) sunscreens. The sizes are perfect–airplane-friendly and compact enough to place in my purse.

I picked up the Sephora Sun Safety Kit 2016 at Sephora and it is packed with favorite oldies and new products I look forward to trying. This year it’s $32 (retail value $127) for 15 products. Best part? Sephora will donate $20 from the sale of the kit to the Skin Cancer Foundation. For more information about the charity, visit http://www.skincancer.org.

// Products in the Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit 2016 & Reviews

St. Tropez Tanning Essentials In Shower Gradual Tan  // I received this product in last year’s bundle and still haven’t tried it. It sounds convenient–apply in shower and rinse in just three minutes. It can be used daily to gradually build the color.

Murad Invisiblur™ Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++ // This primer creates a smooth canvas on my skin before I use my BB cream or foundation. Best yet, it’s SPF 30!

Fresh Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 // This is all I use on my lips. The Rose tint is the perfect hint of pink, provides moisture and sun protection. What I don’t like about this mini-size tube is with a hard hand or on a warm day it tends to get soft and either breaks or “melt” on my lips and smears alongside the edge of the tube.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Wetforce For Face // This is my go-to product when I’m going to be playing sports under the sun, lounging at the pool or snorkeling in the ocean. (Perfect for my upcoming Hawaii trip!) The waterproof formula keeps my face protected. Just remember to reapply every few hours.

Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50 // If you didn’t know, SPF needs to be re-applied every few hours. This innovative product is a mist that sets makeup, helps control shine and refreshes your defense against UVA rays with an uplifting scent of rosemary and mint. It’s perfect for a touch-up of SPF without having to mess up your makeup or rub white lotion onto your face.

Tarte Tarteguard 30 Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30 // A new product for me and I look forward to trying this!

COOLA Makeup Setting Spray SPF30 // An SPF 30 spray that provides a weightless matte-finish while keeping makeup looking fresh all day. As wonderful as this sounds, I didn’t like the sticky feeling it left on my face.

Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 // A cult favorite in the K-Beauty scene. I rediscovered this product recently as I used to think it left my skin looking pale and white. Perhaps I got a few shades lighter, but this is the perfect BB cream. It’s a multi-tasking product that provides advanced brightening and anti-aging properties. It’s perfect under makeup (I use it on its own), its natural-looking coverage minimizes the appearance of imperfections and evens the skintone. My skin is left looking smooth, perfect and natural. This is an everyday product I use in my day skincare regimen.

Kate Somerville Daily Deflector™ Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ // I’ve heard raving reviews about this product and looking forward to trying it.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Dark Spot Sun Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 // This product definitely protects my skin from the UVA/UVB rays, however I don’t know if it really lightened my dark spots on my face.

Algenist Sublime Defense Anti-Aging Blurring Moisturizer SPF 30 // I adore the products from this brand, but haven’t tried this item yet.

Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense Lotion SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion // This is a regular item in the Sephora Sun Safety Kit and I’ve tried it multiple times. It’s a good ultra-light, two-in-one antioxidant sunscreen and hydrator. I sometimes mix this product with my foundation if I want some sheer color.

Boscia B.B. Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 27 PA++ // This BB cream is moisturizing while providing sun protection, however the color doesn’t seem to match my skin tone.

Clarins UV PLUS Anti-Pollution Sunscreen Multi-Protection Tint SPF 50 // This broad-spectrum sunscreen is sheer, ultra-lightweight (more on the watery side) and offers high SPF 50 protection. I also like mixing this with my foundation for a sheer wash of color.

MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UVA-UVB Sunscreen // I look forward to trying this SPF 50 mineral sunscreen that can provide 80-minute water-resistant protection.

Growing trends of the natural and organic products industry // Natural Products Expo West 2016

The US-market of natural and organic products is a $153 billion industry and showing no signs of a slow down. Mainly driven by the consistent growth of consumers demanding natural, healthy and eco-conscious products, it’s no surprise that this mega industry has a plethora of new companies emerging every year.

Last month I had the delightful opportunity to attend the 36th annual Natural Products Expo West, the the world’s largest natural, organic and healthy products event. It was like Charlie in the Chocolate Factory. As a healthy lifestyle enthusiast, I grasped all the natural product consumer trends, channeled my inner Augustus Gloop meets Michelle Phan–indulging in food samples while swatching beauty products. It was a weekend filled with tastings, education and meeting wonderful brands. I was among 77,000 attendees perusing more than 3,000 exhibitors at the Anaheim Convention Center. I didn’t have my Fitbit on me, but I’m sure I logged some serious miles that weekend.

Photo courtesy of NewHope.com

Below is an overview of some consumer trends surrounding the healthy lifestyle products industry.

Back to Our Roots: Quinoa, chia, acai, Kombucha, raw, sprouted, coconut oil–superfood ingredients and preparation techniques that date back to the days of pre-industrialized foods. Brands are focusing on natural, whole and nutrient-dense ingredients. The skincare industry mirrors this trend with using pure ingredients like argan and coconut oil. I met a brand, Cocokind, an organic skincare line centered around using virgin coconut oil and superfoods. Consumers are conscientious with ingredients they eat and use on their body. They are staying away from genetically modified foods, artificial colors, preservatives, parabens and products tested on animals.

The Busy Individual: The always on-the-go individual lacks time, but craves smart and nutritious fuel in-between meals. Think hand-held snacks and drinks that are convenient, delicious and healthy. I like to kick-off my morning with drinking my greens with a Suja Juice cold-pressed juice. On a side note: I’m thinking of doing a juice cleanse to reset my body. Any advice or recommendations for which juice brand to try? A new product I’ve discovered are meat and veggie bars from Wild Zora and Wilde Snacks. It’s healthier than conventional jerkies because they are free from nitrites, nitrates, MSG, not too salty, contain vegetables, use grass-fed, free-range and hormone-free meats. I’m a big snacker and sometimes crave a meaty snack high in protein and low in sodium. Read my favorite snack discovery last year here.

The Socially Conscious Shopper: The today consumers have conscious living woven into the fabric of their lives and making informed decisions by keeping the environment and mission-backed products in mind. They choose purposeful brands with ethical practices and sustainable packaging over its conventional counterparts. I met a brand, This Bar Saves Lives, that donates a life-saving food packet with every snack bar purchased. It’s the “buy one, give one” philosophy, fair trade practices and donating proceeds to non-profits that allow consumers to make an impact with each purchase.

Over the next several weeks I’ll be sharing with you my tried and true favorite products from the expo.