tinted moisturiser

17 July 2021

Sukin SPF30 Sheer Touch Face Sunscreen Untinted and Tinted Light/Medium
(Gifted/Unpaid)

I was stalking the launch of Sukin SPF30 Sheer Touch Face Sunscreen and was happy when it came back in stock. I've documented my struggles with both physical and chemical sunscreens over the years. My skin is fickle with eczema, urticaria and allergies so I've found sun creams are likely to contribute to breaking me out in a rash. As I age I've become more aware of how my face catches the sun and the pigmentation it causes in my skin tone.

Our natural, sheer touch tinted sunscreen has been designed with daily use in mind, and heroes natural Zinc Oxide as the active ingredient for UVA & UVB broad spectrum protection. Our reef friendly formula is oxybenzone and octinoxate free and is non-greasy, doesn’t leave a white cast and is sheer to touch. Contains an antioxidant rich blend of Rosehip Oil, Green Tea and Cucumber to nourish the skin.

For those not aware Sukin is an Australian brand, their products are suitable for vegans, cruelty free and formulated with natural plant extracts. Sukin SPF30 Sheer Touch Face Sunscreen is available Untinted and Tinted in Light/Medium and Medium/Dark. 

Sukin suncreen does live up to the "sheer touch" in it's name. I do find the texture and consistency easy to massage into skin and it feels lightweight. Perfect under makeup and when wearing the Untinted version I pop my Madara CC cream over the top without feeling overload with products. The Light to Medium tint looks very dark straight out the tube but because it is sheer in texture I'm not left too orange. However I think it's fair to say it is a fraction too dark for my skin tone in comparison to Light Madara CC cream and I'm self conscious that it's not the right colour. 

From my perspective the downside to the sheerness in the tinted version is it doesn't provide coverage to imperfections. I feel as if I only reach for the Tinted version when I feel confident in my skin. You could of course rectify this issue by using concealer and finishing powder over top. 

I have seen negative feedback for the fragrance of Sukin SPF30 Sheer Touch Face Sunscreen. I'll be honest I quite agree it is not the best and I find it hard to describe but over time I just tolerate it. For me it doesn't linger too long, after the initial five minutes I'll only noticed it again when I wash my face. I guess you could say I've ended up becoming nose blind to it. The unpleasant smell is a minor inconvenience for me because I'm happy that this sun cream lacks fragrance allergens. If all the complaints lead Sukin to reformulate I hope that they could do it without including these types of allergens.

I think it's fair to say I'm torn between Untinted and Tinted both have their merits. I will say that I have noticed on days when I go into the office I reach for the Untinted and layer products over the top. Either way I'm pretty happy with these sunscreens as they don't feel heavy or sticky on my skin. I also feel that the price point is reasonable. I like that the Sukin sunscreen offers a higher protection (SPF30) as my beloved Madara CC cream is only SPF15. Also I'll add that Madara contains beeswax and I had been looking for a vegan friendly allergen free alternative for a long time.

If you have the opportunity to try Sukin SPF30 Sheer Touch Face Sunscreen then I would recommend testing it out. The Tinted version might be a little hit or miss depending on your natural skin tone. In the future perhaps Sukin might consider changing things up and adding more variety to the colour options.

Sarah

14 August 2018

Skincare in a Heatwave (Dry & Sensitive)
This article sat in my draft folder for a few weeks and typically as I sit and edit it's pouring with rain. Brits love to complain about the weather but we have been sweltering through a heatwave that seemed never ending and completely out of our comfort zone. Over time I noticed myself subconsciously gravitating towards products that had a lighter feeling on my skin. My usual day creams felt heavy, giving me that sweaty top lip sensation on application and I couldn't bear it any longer. As someone with dry skin it's important to find a happy medium between hydration but feeling comfortable in my skin.

I love balm cleansers but they all melted in the heat of my bathroom. Of course you can store them in the fridge but I switched over to Odylique Creamy Coconut Cleanser and Harborist Balm-Gel Cleanser. These feel great on the skin but still cut through grime and makeup.

Facial mists are a dream in the heat. Use them anytime of the day and store them in the fridge to give a cooling spritz. My favourite is the Evolve Daily Defence Moisture Mist as it contains hyaluronic acid which helps give a moisturising boost. Facial oils are a staple in my routine but I've been cutting back on the amount I use so I might use two or three drops, rather than four or five, depending on the brand. My top tip is to apply whilst your skin is damp, the product goes further and gives a lighter sensation on the skin. Alternatively serums with a watery texture can feel refreshing. I've been reaching for the Ere Perez Quandong Green Booster Serum which at first I wasn't a fan of but it came into its own in the hot weather.

My favourite moisturisers are thick and creamy to combat dryness but I switched over to Green People Light Day Moisturiser. I find that as long as I look after my skin in other ways I can get away with a cream that is thinner in texture. I can always pop a serum underneath plus a sun cream can double as an extra layer of hydration. SPF is important and if you are spending a considerable amount of time in the sun you should be using a separate sun cream, don't rely on an SPF in your face cream. I enjoy using Green People Scent Free Facial Sun Cream.

If you find makeup slides off your face then now is the time to embrace your natural beauty or switch heavy foundations for BB creams and tinted moisturisers. I like Madara Hyaluronic Anti-Pollution CC Cream SPF15 or  Madara Moon Flower Rose Beige Tinting Fluid and Joik Moisturizing and illuminating BB cream. You can always add a touch of concealer, blush and a lip tint.

Are you reaching for different products in the heat? What are your current favourites?

Sarah x

21 March 2017

Green Beauty Empties Joik Skin & Tonic Balm Balm Ermana Rossi Evolve
(Disclaimer - some products are PR samples others I bought myself)

I’m not entirely sure why Empties are so interesting but they allow me the opportunity to show you I enjoyed every drop and give my final thoughts on products. Usually I would film for my YouTube channel but I haven’t found the time recently. I think people underestimate how consuming it can be. Anyway let’s chat about the product pictured above. I’ll link any reviews I previously wrote.

Joik BB Cream - I like using tinted creams under my powder foundation. The Joik BB cream is great and I have enjoyed using it up but I’m back using my previous favourite the Madara Moonflower Rose Beige tinting fluid. I was swayed by a discount, no other reason really to switching out as I like them both equally.

Rossi Uvema Cleansing Oil - I’m easily pleased with cleansing oils and enjoyed the marzipan scent of the Rossi Cleanser. Fragrance free products are a lifesaver for me so this wins me over easily. I did replace this with my all time favourite Handmade Naturals (it was on promotion at the time I ran out) but I would happily go back to the Rossi one at some point in future.

Skin & Tonic Makeup Remover - I enjoyed using this makeup remover as a daily cleanser. Again an unscented product so it worked really well for my delicate skin. I would happily buy another one in the future but as mentioned above I do go back and forth between brands I love. 

Ermana Mama Soothe Body Oil - I loved this oil, perfect for me as unscented and great to use across the body after getting out of the shower. During the winter oils are a go-to product to keep my very dry skin hydrated as much as possible. I like to layer with body creams.

Ermana Cleanse Balm - This is the trial size pot but still lasted me a couple of weeks. I’ve ended up with mixed feelings about this cleansing balm which I plan to share in my next Love Lula Monthly Review. I enjoyed the scent (grapefruit and no linalool) but it feels a little too heavy for me. I’m undecided whether I would move up to the full size.


Evolve Satin Leg Gloss - I bought this oil for my sister’s beach wedding last summer as I wanted a shimmery product for the occasion. Evolve products are always beautifully scented and this leg gloss was a pleasure to use but I would have preferred a little more sparkle (it gives a sheen to the skin). The bottle needs a good shake before using as the mica settles at the bottom.

Balm Balm Rose Floral Water - Rose isn’t my favourite scent but I didn’t mind this floral water from Balm Balm. I wouldn’t buy for myself but was happy to use the product up. I like to use floral water for toner and have previously used the chamomile version from Balm Balm. Great brand and product for anyone who likes to keep things organic and simple.

Sarah x

26 February 2017

Series: Swap YouTuber Favourites for Green Beauty Alternatives

For those not familiar with this series I pick out mainstream products mentioned in Favourite videos and suggest Green Beauty Swaps for them. 

NARS Tinted Moisturiser – I use tinted moisturisers on a daily basis and my current favourites are Madara Moon Flower Tinting Fluid and JOIK BB Cream. Other alternatives are Dr Hauschka Tinted Day Cream, Estelle & Thild All-in One Tinted Moisturiser and Green People Age Defy SPF 15 DD Tinted Moisturiser.

Bobbi Brown Bronzer - I struggled to track down ingredients online so I suspect the worst with this brand. Green Beauty Bronzers are quite easy to find and there are brands to suit every budget. Check out Ere Perez, Inika, Bellapierre, Lavera and W3LL People.

Dior Sugar Lip Scrub – I am astonished that anyone would spend £24 on a lip scrub, you really are just buying into a label. Lip Scrubs are easy to DIY from the contents of your kitchen cupboard. Simply use caster sugar with olive oil or coconut oil or honey. I guess the benefit of the Dior scrub is it's portable and not messy so you could swap for ILIA Balmy Nights

GlamGlow Supermud – you might be surprised to spot these on my swaps but there are some undesirable ingredients in the Glam Glow range (e.g. mineral oils & Methylisothiazolinone). My first thought as an alternative is the Madara Ultra Purifying Mud Mask but there are many others I'd recommend such as Odylique 3 in 1 Maca Mask, Botanicals Balancing Detox Mask, Evolve Raw Cacao & Coconut Radiant Glow Mask. 

The Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey – I’ve seen this range recommended for sensitive skin prone to eczema and it doesn’t sit well with me. To promote a range as almond and honey when those ingredients are very low down on the list feels like a rip off. This range contains possible eczema triggering ingredients like parfum and other undesirables. Also “almond milk” is interesting phrase for what is actually almond oil. I can't find you an exact swap but Weleda and Dr Hauschka have an almond range. Many Green Beauty lovers will just use almond oil and honey by themselves. 

Starbucks Iced Black Americano – when I saw a blogger recommend their favourite coffee it got me thinking, if you’re a regular customer have you considered switching to a reusable cup to cut down on landfill waste? According to the latest statistics, the UK throws away around three billion disposable cups a year. The problem is many disposable cups can only be recycled at a handful of specialist places (its polyethylene which waterproofs them that causes problems) so majority end up in landfill. If you'd like to help the planet then take a look at Ecoffee Cup for stylish designs. 

Many of the products mentioned above can be found at Naturisimo and Content Beauty. If you would like to read my last swap article then click here - No 5 - Green Beauty Alternatives featuring Nathalie Bond Organics, S5 Skincare, Balm Balm and Trilogy

Sarah x

8 December 2016

Review JOIK Moisturizing and illuminating BB cream (Light)
(Gifted PR sample)

I'm not overly familiar with the Estonian brand Joik but I decided to give them a try out of curiosity. Over the past year tinted creams have become part of my routine so I chose the BB cream as it felt like a good place to start. I'm pleased to say that the Joik BB cream is suitable for vegans and does not contain essential oil allergens.

BB creams were a big trend a few years back but if you managed to miss the fuss you might not know what a BB cream does. They are a multipurpose product which provide a base for makeup (like a primer), can even out complexion by brightening and cover minor imperfections and redness. Some BB creams may contain SPF and promise anti-ageing and soothing properties. My previous experience of similar products has been Madara Tinting Fluid (I wore on my wedding day) and Yes To Grapefruit CC cream (I have a love/hate relationship with). 

The Joik BB cream feels lighter on my skin in comparison to Madara and Yes To. It sinks in very quickly and doesn't feel like I'm wearing any product. It doesn't cling to dry patches but I do use a moisturiser beforehand; my skin is too dry with the colder weather. I also like that the Joik BB cream has no fragrance and remains neutral in scent which is a blessing after Yes To which smells like plastic grapefruits. The "light" colour is a perfect match for my complexion as often I can find tinted products too orange for my skin tone ("medium" colour is also available). It will even out my complexion by reducing redness but it's not going to completely hide a pimple, you'll need additional products for that.

I am really happy with this Joik Moisturizing and illuminating BB cream and would be happy to purchase again when this tube runs out. 

Have you tried any products from JOIK?

Sarah x

27 September 2016

Review Yes to Grapefruit CC Cream Light Tint

Liquid foundations haven’t been a part of my life since I discovered Everyday Minerals Semi Matte powder but for those that followed my wedding planning you’ll know I used a tinted moisturiser. My favourite is Madara Moonflower Tinting Fluid but more recently I wanted to see what else was out there. I should mention that finding something linalool free was my top priority and I was interested in products with SPF as I was looking to buy before my holiday. In the end I decided on Yes To Grapefruit CC Cream (light tint).

The Yes To range is affordable but I feel it can be a slight compromise with ingredients. I do however appreciate that some products are accessible in Boots. The CC cream states “colour corrects and hydrates” which I am feeling a little 50/50 about. Yes to the hydration but I’m not sure when it comes to colour correcting. This doesn’t cover every imperfection any more or less than Madara but it does provide a nice base for my Everyday Minerals. I feel the combination works nicely together. The tint is the right colour for me as I have a pale complexion and I don’t find it too dark or orange. 

When it comes to SPF the website I purchased from stated it was SPF 18 broad spectrum but when the CC cream arrived there was no mention to it on the packaging. I questioned the retailer about the claim and received the following reply –

"The Yes To Tinted Moisturiser is certified as an SPF18 under US regulations and guidelines, however as UK regulations are different it has not been certified here, hence the UK packaging does not show the SPF certification, whereas the US packaging does"

Now I wouldn’t suggest that this CC cream should be relied upon for sun protection but it’s nice to know you have little bit of something rather than nothing. I bought for my holiday in mind and I was using it for the evenings when going out for dinner so the sun is setting.

The one big criticism I have for the Yes To Grapefruit CC Cream is the scent. It smells like plastic with a hint of grapefruit and honestly I can’t get past that. It lingers up my nose for so long. I’ll use up this bottle but I wouldn’t repurchase again on this basis. If you are someone who likes minimal coverage for lazy days then I wouldn’t say don’t try it. If you are really picky about scents then I’d say be warned you’ll either love it or hate it like I do. 

Have you tried this Yes To Grapefruit CC Cream? What are your thoughts about this product?

Sarah x

Disclaimer - I purchased this product 

31 May 2016

ten 10 summer holiday essentials vacation
I am looking forward to my Summer holiday and whilst chatting about it with Amber of Amber's Beauty Talk, we decided to write a collab piece on our summer holiday essentials. Here are my ten picks for your suitcase this summer.

1. Suncream
We all know the importance of using SPF but in the past I have found some natural formulations too heavy or sticky and ended up with prickly heat rash. Saying that I have found over the years natural SPF formulations are improving and I often use Lavera

2. Lip Balm
Sometimes we forget to protect the smaller areas of our bodies like mouth, ears and bottom of our feet. The latter are worth protecting when dangling them over the edge of a boat on a sailing trip. For lips I’d suggest Hurraw Sun Lip Balm which is vegan and uses non nano zinc oxide for sun protection. 

3. Hair care
Sunshine, swimming pools and the beach can often have a negative effect on my hair so I like to protect my colour and limit the frizz. I find hair oil is a great way to add softness and moisture. I’m currently loving Evolve Nourishing Hair Elixir which is available in two sizes – 30 ml & 10ml – the smaller size is handy for travel and airport security. 

4. Skincare - Facial
Tinted moisturisers are great for summer days and warm evenings. There are plenty of natural and organic options with or without SPF. I like the Madara Moon Flower Tinted Fluid but if you want a product with SPF then I know the Green People Age Defy SPF15 DD Tinted Moisturiser is popular. 

5. Skincare – Body
If you have spent time in the sun your skin should receive some extra pampering and an aftersun product is essential. Your favourite body butter or lotion is a great place to start but if you have caught the sun and need soothing then the old faithful aloe vera is a must have. You might like to try Sukin Aloe Vera Gel.

6. Travel stress
Some of us find travelling stressful and at times like this I rely on aromatherapy products. I am never without my Bloom Remedies Serenity Slumber Pillow Mist which also comes in a pulse point roll on which is pocket/purse friendly. Check out the Bloom Remedies Wellness Therapy range which also includes Peaceful Mind, Clear Vitality and Deep Release.

7. Insect repellent 
Exotic locations might mean you have to protect yourself against pesky little biters. Try Odylique Mosimix a body oil with a lemony aroma or Intelligent Nutrients Bug Repellent Serum.

8. Nails
I don’t know about you but flip flops need some glamorous toes to shimmer and sparkle at the pool. Little Ondine is a firm favourite. I love the fact that you can change up your look quickly because these polishes simply peel off (also one less product to carry as you don’t need nail polish remover). Use my *code ASC10 to receive 10% discount on orders.

9. Wet Wipes
I always have a pack of wet wipes to hand. They are great for sticky fingers and freshening up at the beach. I discovered the Yes To range on my last trip when I grabbed a travel pack in the airport. Even though these are facial cleansing wipes I have used to clean my hands. Yes To’s ingredients were a better choice in a Boots store when compared to other brands available.

10. Hair removal
If you are someone who opts to shave rather than wax then Bathing Beauty And Personal Ladies Shave Oil contains calendula and hypericum to calm and soothe the skin when shaving. For the men there is the Up Close shave oil. 

Sarah x

9 December 2015

Review Madara Moonflower Rose Beige Tinting Fluid
I think I’ve had a million samples of Madara Moon Flower Rose Beige Tinting Fluid over the years as they get included with orders. Originally I was not a fan because I found the scent overwhelming but my attitude towards this has changed with time. I feel it may have been reformulated at some point as the scent doesn't seem as strong or linger for as long.

I bought Madara Moon Flower because I was looking for bridal makeup. I wanted to avoid the costly outlay of finding a perfect natural liquid foundation. Tinted moisturiser is great during the summer months for a minimal beach look but it works equally well layered with mineral powder foundation. Pairing this tinting fluid with my Everyday Minerals powder gives longevity and a perfected look which I am looking to achieve especially on my Wedding Day. I do feel as if the Madara tinting fluid provides an extra layer of moisture which helps combat dryness and the tint helps to even out skin tone. With powder applied on top coverage is flawless and the effects last for longer. I also specifically wanted a tinted product without SPF for photographs. Unfortunately, the tint colour choices are limited at two - Moon Flower and Sun Flower which doesn't make it inclusive for darker complexions. I have fair skin and the shade Moon Flower does appear to adjust to my skin tones and Sun Flower did not suit me.

I'm very happy with the Madara Moon Flower Rose Beige Tinting Fluid. I think it works with my dry skin and provides a look I wish to achieve. I have never enjoyed heavy foundations and spent many years wearing no makeup. As I get older I have redness and imperfections that I would like to cover but I don't want to apply concealers; I'm not looking to mask flaws but disguise them so they are a little less obvious.

Madara are Ecocert Organic, cruelty free, nut free, gluten free and the majority of their products are suitable for Vegans. Full ingredients are available on their website so you can verify suitability for you. Mardara are available to buy from several online retailers including Content BeautyNaturisimo and MyPure

Sarah x

16 May 2015

Naturisimo Limited Edition Kiss & Make-Up Discovery Box
Naturisimo launched a Limited Edition Kiss & Make-Up Discovery Box (£9.95). I decided to review and demo the contents on my YouTube channel so click here to watch. I've been informed that you pronounce Madara as “Mar-dar-a”

Instagram

Sugarpuffish. Theme by STS.