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.

How to be yelp elite + stay elite // tips

the (crazy) eyes of a Yelp Elite

son of a gun fine establishment

wallet-friendly + delicious // sushi gen

coming back for you cauldron ice cream

 

My Motto: Camera Eats First. I consistently stuff food photos in my honest Yelp reviews and on the growl for eclectic events and delectable dishes. I Yelp to give back, to try the hippest or hole-in-the wall establishment and to meet vibrant people.

When I started Yelping back in the end of 2010 it was to give back to the Yelp community since I always referenced the app for new discoveries. It wasn’t until my good friends became Yelp Elite and told me about this secret society (but totally accessible for influencers willing to put in the effort!). I continued to be diligent with my reviews and received my first Elite badge within three months.

Now going six years strong as an Elite (and Elite Gold), being Yelp Elite goes beyond fancy invitations to exclusive free events at restaurants and complimentary tickets to the hottest shows in town—it’s the sense of community and deeper love for the city I live in. I’ve met one of my good friends at an Elite event, discovered favorite dining establishments and opportunities to explore beautiful Los Angeles.

This is how I became Yelp Elite within three months and stayed Elite for six years.

Create a Yelp profile with accurate information. To qualify to become a Yelp Elite, you must post a clear face photo of yourself and use your real first and last name (it’ll display as your first name and last name initial). You’ll be asked fun questions about yourself, so be real and genuine.

Download the Yelp app to your smart phone. This is for convenience so you can browse easily, check-in at places, write tips and directly upload photos from your phone to the business. Convenience helps me interact and I even write reviews directly in the Yelp app! Check-in at places also has its perks. Some establishments offer discounts and free items when you check-in. Also you can become the Duke or Duchess when you’re the top person checked in at that place.

Write honest and candid reviews you’d want to read.

– What do you look for when reading other people’s reviews? This will help structure and focus your review to be useful for others.

– Be descriptive, but not lengthy. Choose your words wisely. I’m sometimes guilty of writing lengthy reviews (such a hassle to scroll down forever to read on the phone), but lately I’ve been more mindful to include the most important information in the first couple paragraphs and then go into detail. Readers can decide to read further if they want more information.

– Build credibility with your readers. If you make a bold statement, be prepared to back it up. Take writing reviews seriously. Sometimes a 1 star review and description of “parking was hard to find” doesn’t validate the rating. If you give a low rating, provide a valid reason.

– Take photos of your food and ambience of the business. I love taking photos. Camera eats first! Photos help people make better decisions that align with their expectations. I’m a visual person and prefer to know what I’m getting, especially if it’s something I haven’t tried or someplace I haven’t been before. (Eg. Taking photos of the buffet selection or inside of a gym and its equipment)

Avoid using a Yelp review to hide behind your complaining words. If you aren’t satisfied with service or food, take the time to talk to your server or the manager, in person. This is always the best way to resolve issues. It helps improve the business, and in turn, provide a better experience for others.

Quantity vs Quality. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t think it’s about how many reviews or how many friends you have on Yelp that makes you Elite. I became Yelp Elite with around 60 reviews, but I spent time and effort on each of them. I was descriptive and honest with my reviews, posted photos of what I ate, got creative with some of them (wrote a haiku about a favorite ramen shop) and added bonus tips like best places to park, whether the gym had towel service, etc.

Be active within the Yelp Community. Show some love to others! Whenever I enjoy reading a helpful or funny review, I always click the “Useful, Funny or Cool” buttons below the review and send a Compliment to the reviewer.

Keep in mind every year status is up for review, so no slacking! If you found this helpful, please comment below and add me as a friend on Yelp, referencing this post!

My Yelp page // http://msjennifer.yelp.com

 

Winter night skincare regimen // organic beauty

With the winter season of cold winds and dry weather, my skin has been more patchy and sensitive than normal. I revamped my skincare regimen to include natural and nutrient-densed products and it has made a world of difference. Who knew my skin can be properly moistured, supple and radiant? Basically, back to basics.

Continuing with my organic skincare series, this is my current winter nighttime skincare regimen and the order of products that I typically use.

Josie Maran // Argan Cleansing Oil

An important nighttime step is properly cleansed skin. There is nothing worse than being lazy and sleeping with unwashed skin. I use this gentle, natural cleanser with nourishing argan oil to melt away makeup and deeply hydrate skin. How to use: I use 3-4 pumps on dry hands and massage it onto my dry face in circular motions for about 1 minute. I then wet the face and gently massage it into a rich milk. The oil and water slowly emulsifies, cleansing and moisturizing the skin. Rinse throughly with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel.

Clarisonic

My favorite skincare tool in my bathroom and my ultimate secret for smooth, blemish-free skin. My husband perfectly describes it as an electronic toothbrush for the face. It uses sonic frequency technology to properly cleanse skin, with a massage-like feeling of the soft, gentle brush back and forth at more than 300 times per second, thoroughly clearing pores and skin’s surface. This award-winning tool removes makeup 6x better than traditional methods, clears pores and reduces the appearance of pore size, cleanses so thoroughly that skin care products absorb better and creates noticeably healthier looking skin. How to use: I use this 3x a week after a warm shower. Wet my face. I use my Acure Organics Facial Cleansing Creme directly on the brush and gently move it around my face. The brush will automatically shut off after 1 minute.

Acure Organics // Facial Cleansing Creme

This extra-gentle, creamy facial cleanser features the moisturizing benefits of Fair Trade Certied organic olive oil, Moroccan argan oil and cocoa butter, the antioxidant power of blackberry and rosehips and the mild cleansing of mint. It quickly removes makeup, dirt and impurities without stripping the skin’s natural moisture. Great for even the most sensitive skin.

Origins // Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

My face goes through a lot throughout the day. This luxurious nighttime mask restore’s my skin’s moisture after a long day of the frigid and dry temperatures in the office and a good sweat at the gym. It’s rich with avocado and apricot kernel oil to quench dry skin and uses Japanese seaweed to repair skin’s barrier to prevent future dehydration and premature aging. How to use: 2x a week. Gently massage onto skin at bedtime and tissue off excess. When I wake up my skin is so supple and soft after this mask. Important note: If I use this overnight mask, I don’t use the below products. This would be the last product I use in my nighttime regimen.

Serum (A) Andalou Naturals // Fruit Stem Cell Revitalize Serum with Resveratrol Q10

I swear by serums. Think of it as vitamins for your face. It’s concentrated and nutrient dense to deliver straight to target areas. I’ve been on a quest to find a natural, non-chemical, serum that actually works. So far I’ve been liking this product designed with regenerating fruit stem cell science for visible age defying results. It repairs cellular damage and has gotten rid of some discoloration around my face. I’ve also noticed a brighter, even skin tone and smooth texture with fewer fine lines and wrinkles. How to use: I switch off from this and the Josie Maran Pure Argan Milk serum. When I do use the Andalou Naturals serum, I place a few pumps on my palm and smooth on my face and neck.

Serum (B) Josie Maran // Pure Argan Milk Intensive Hydrating Treatment

This revolutionary treatment serum is a new product I recently introduced into my winter skincare and I’ve been loving it. I got a deluxe sample to try and may buy the full-size. It’s lightweight, yet intensely hydrating, penetrating deeply and absorbs quickly to fortify and repair skin for instant, long-lasting hydration that provides a fresh, radiant glow. Since I’ve been using this, I’ve noticed less dry patches and wrinkles. It’s as if my skin has been naturally plumped by the moisture. This is safe for sensitive and problem skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or dermatitis reported the product helped ease their skin condition. How to use: Massage three to five drops onto clean face, day and night after cleansing. I usually follow this up with Josie Maran Argan Oil.

Josie Maran // 100% Pure Argan Oil

Moroccan argan oil, extracted from the nut of the argan tree, is loaded with Vitamin E and essential fatty acids. This is a holy grail product that has multiple uses in my regimen. It can heal, condition and repair skin, hair, feet and nails. Tip: After drying my cleansed face, I place a few drops on my palm and press onto my skin. I also massage a couple drips into my nail cuticles. For an intensive moisturizing treatment, I place a few drops in my face moisturizer.

Origins // High Potency Night-A-Mins Mineral Enriched Renewal Cream

Put dullness to rest. This night cream is fortified with a system of time-released resurfacers, minerals, moisture-rich replenishers, and vitamins C, E, and H to refresh and support naturally radiant morning skin. Relaxing aromas lull you to sleep and dry, dead layers slough away leaving skin looking bright and feeling refreshed.

 

 

winter day skincare regimen // organic beauty

With the winter season of cold winds and dry weather, my skin has been more patchy and sensitive than normal. I revamped my skincare regimen to include natural and nutrient-densed products and it has made a world of difference. Who knew my skin can be properly moistured, supple and radiant? Basically, back to basics.

With the rise of natural products it can be difficult to navigate what brands and products work best. My favorite brands of the moment are: Acure Organics, Josie Maran and Honest. I’m passionate on using natural and organic products that are free from animal testing, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, harmful preservatives and artificial colors. Most of the products I use are certified organic ingredients that meet my high standards of efficacy and purity.

This is my current winter daytime skincare regimen and the order of products that I typically use.

Acure Organics // Facial Cleansing Creme

This extra-gentle, creamy facial cleanser features the moisturizing benefits of Fair Trade Certied organic olive oil, Moroccan argan oil and cocoa butter, the antioxidant power of blackberry and rosehips and the mild cleansing of mint. It quickly removes makeup, dirt and impurities without stripping the skin’s natural moisture. Great for even the most sensitive skin. Tip: During winter I cleanse in the evening before bed. In the morning I just splash my face with water because my face doesn’t get that greasy at night and I don’t want to strip essential moisture in the morning. In the evening, I use this product after a warm shower because my pores are open and I can get a deep cleaning. I still use a separate makeup remover for the eyes. 

Acure Organics // Argan Stem Cell + Chlorella Growth Factor Brightening Facial Scrub

This is my secret weapon for smooth and glowing skin. The natural exfoliation of organic sea kelp gently exfoliates while French green clay and organic lemon peel remove impurities from my pores. Organic chlorella growth factor and argan stem cells help stimulate new cell growth while providing a deep cleansing, brightening experience. I think of the deep green color as a green smoothie for my face! Tip: After a warm shower when my pores are open, I squeeze a nickel-size amount in my hand, emulsify the product in my palm and lightly massage onto my skin with my fingertips. Use 2x a week.

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil

Moroccan argan oil, extracted from the nut of the argan tree, is loaded with Vitamin E and essential fatty acids. This is a holy grail product that has multiple uses in my regimen. It can heal, condition and repair skin, hair, feet and nails. Tip: After drying my cleansed face, I place a few drops on my palm and press onto my skin. I also massage a couple drips into my nail cuticles.

Acure Organics // Day Cream

Deep moisture + fights the signs of aging. I normally have combination skin, but during the winter the cheek area gets dry and patchy. That is why I switch to a day cream during this dry season. I’m picky when it comes to cream, but this day cream is easily absorbed into my skin with no greasy residue. Great powerhouse combo: the gotu kola stem cells firm and help my skin fight environmental damage and free radicals + 1% chlorella growth factor supports collagen and elastic fibers. Bonus: 10 cents for every Day Cream and Night Cream sold supports United For HER’s efforts.

Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47 with Sunboost ATB

I’m a sunscreen fiend and truly believe preventative care is a key to anti-aging and preventing wrinkles. I’m selective when it comes to SPF, especially natural-based products since some can be greasy. I look for lightweight, non-greasy and chemical-free sunscreen that moisturizes and protects the skin. This is it! The pure argan oil, jojoba oil, green tea, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and SunBoost ATB is packed with antioxidants and hydrators to protect my skin from the sun and nourish my skin at the same time. Tip: I warm a nickel-size amount between my fingertips and smooth over my face, gently pressing and working the formula into my skin until it totally disappears. This fast-absorbing sunscreen sinks into the skin while creating a smoother finish. If wearing foundation, this should be worn first as a multi-tasking primer.

Honest Organic Body Oil

This is a soothing blend of certified organic jojoba, tamanu, olive, avocado and sunflower oils that leaves my skin silky and nourished. I love that this non-toxic product is hypoallergnic, vegan, botanically-derived and pH balance. Tip: In the morning I like to provide extra moisture for my elbows, knees and arms. In the evening, I use this immediately after my shower, but is also great for baby massage and mom’s belly. Sometimes I also mix a few drops with my current body lotion for intense moisture.