All the Vanity Blog :: Beauty, Fashion & Shopping

I recently went to the beautiful island of Boracay in the Philippines for a weekend beach trip with friends. Of course, whilst the weather was a bit gloomy on the first two days of our stay, slathering on sunblock was still a must-do.

The sun may hide and the clouds may conquer the vastness of  the sky, but the killer cancer-causing UV rays won’t!

So I got to stash in Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 50. This is my current fave since it is the ONLY sunblock my oily face can stand!

I must say, I wasn’t really much of a fan wearing sunblock everyday, until I met this. Sunblock tends to be too greasy on my face, causing more buildup. More buildup means more face trouble in the future–count the zits in! My second favorite is VMV Hypoallergenics Armada SPORT in SPF 70, since it belts a higher SPF. The problem is, most VMV Armadas, even at SPF 30 (the lowest SPF they have), feels greasy on my face. However, I don’t have any problem using it with the rest of my body.

Going back to Netrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, here’s my RAVE review.

Lightweight, Non-Greasy Feel

Truly, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock lives up to its name. Its lightweight formula gives a just-right matte finish. This is really perfect for those who have very oily skin and acne-sufferers like me. Though it’s not really meant for oil-control, it won’t surely cause your skin to grease a lot. You can wear it alone or under makeup, and I’m pretty confident it won’t cause any caking, streaking or buildup on your foundation.

Mild Scented, Breakout Free

I love its mild scent, unlike other sunblock that kinda smells gross–like chemical! Ah yes, just as I said earlier, it won’t cause you breakouts!  Well, as for me, it didn’t cause a single dot. So, it’s skin-friendly, and is suited for all skin types.

Also, I heard it comes in SPF 70 and even 100[!] should you want extra sun protection.

Best is: the price! It only cost me around Php 550 (around $ 11.34).

I always expect the raging heat for a beautiful tropical country where I currently stay. This country never fails to amuse me, as it belts quite a variety of precious waters and fine sands. And, to think that the summer heat is back again after a period of intermittent rain showers, it’s finally the right time to bring out those summery essentials, as I plan to escape to some beach paradise pretty soon! xx

So, what to bring then?

*(L-R) Goggles from Speedo, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 50+ Sunblock, Two-piece Bikinis from Speedo and H&M*

Quite frankly, I do not see a point lugging a mammoth-size bag and pack in bulk, not unless you are coming along in a huge group or staying for a time. Clearly, the weather gives us an ease when it comes to packing, since clothes to don are definitely smaller and thinner.

However, just mind the few basics:

1. Bring a sunblock. Your spf buddy in a bottle is this season’s mush-have BFF. You may love the sun, but I don’t think you’re gonna enjoy loving your stinging, sunburnt skin later on. Moreover, it helps your skin fight against premature aging. You’ll know what I mean by reading this post.
2. Keep in mind: Goggles and gadgetry. For sure, you’re gonna need this in order to make your beach escape more fun and hassle-free. Goggles, for instance, protect your eyes from getting reddish and irritated by the pool’s chlorine or by the beach’s high-sodium waters. I, for instance, also bring earplugs in addition to combat pressure sickness underwater. Gadgets, such as an underwater camera, watch or inflatable lifesavers help you capture those moments impeccably, whilst keeping you safe and secure.
3. Wear a Swimsuit! Of course, never go swimming sans wearing your swimming gear. Your swimwear surely has a lot to offer, aside from flaunting your curves or flashing your washboard abs. May it be a two-piece bikini, a one-piece boyleg swimsuit, trunks or boardshorts, these fashionable garments help you move along the water and swim better.
4. Pack Enough Clothes & Addons. I know you’re gonna wear your swimwear all day and night long, but of course, you still need some clothes on! Remember to pack enough clothes, depending on the duration of your trip. Keep two-piece clothing (aka tops and bottom) in pairs, so does your lingerie! You may have an option to pack some coverup, should you fret exposing your skin too much and need to take some cover.
5. Lastly, one pair of flipfops could do wonders. Of course, exploring the rest of the beachside is something you ought to do once there. A pair of flipflops can take you afar without actually hurting your footsies. Not to mention, wearing them always feel refreshing. Once in the beach, ditch your shoes and grab your nifty flipflops.

And oh, I just forgot to mention. If you’re not staying in the hotel, make sure to bring most of your toiletries. At the end of the day, you must always head for the real shower! Another, it does not hurt to bring an extra, waterproof case to stash your wet garments inside.

All in all, enjoy Summer by smiling for thing in the morning. It’ll surely give your day a blast!

Image from: Cutndry.com, Neutrogena.com and VMVHypoallergenics.com

Many of us are dreading over getting wrinkles and age spots as we *sigh* grow old. Worse comes when those lines and spots appear prematurely, which in turn, make us look older than the usual. Of course, who doesn’t want to look youthful as time passes by? Having a radiant and glowing skin like a baby’s despite the high number (old age) makes us feel younger, appreciated and more energetic!

And, by this humongous number of people who don’t want to look old comes the bevy of various anti-aging regimens in the market, which is quite confusing to many and leads us to thinking—which is the best anti-aging regimen available? Some will even shred their pockets to splurge on a luxurious anti-aging cream that promises to counteract the signs of aging or diminish those fine lines and age spots. Others who fervently seek for instant results resort to facelifts (surgical or non-surgical ones) like Aptos thread or botox injections.

Clearly, there’s nothing wrong with splurging for costly anti-aging creams/emulsions or going under the knife. But why spend a lot there is a much cheaper option that’s evenly effective as well?

To answer the hanging question, the best anti-aging regimen, for us and for several others, is Sunblock, plus healthy sleeping habits.

Start religiously using sunblock coupled by practicing healthy sleeping habits while you’re young and your skin is still actively producing collagen (the one that keeps skin young, healthy and supple). Making it a habit is the key to getting a younger-looking skin without costing you an arm or a leg. You’ll thank yourself for doing this as your everyday mantra. One of the main culprits of premature aging is the treacherous sunrays—which is responsible for photoaging and skin cancer. Poor sleeping habits also hyped up the aging process since it apparently contributes to stress. And, Stress = Old Looking Hag.

Having trouble getting the right one? Here are our top picks after the jump… (more…)