September 17, 2021
The ultimate tinted sunscreen and an energy-boosting collagen drink.
Where has this tinted sunscreen been all my life?
Daily sunscreen is non-negotiable, and I love a tinted formula that helps my skin look just a wee bit better without the need for makeup. After being wildly disappointed with Avéne’s new iteration of my all-time (discontinued) favorite, I took a step back and returned to a tried-and true favorite, SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50.
I knew the time to replenish would inevitably come, and I also knew my desire to “play the field” (i.e. try something new) would rear its head once again. As luck would have it, I started doing a little work for the professional-grade brand Epionce, and they were gracious enough to send me a box of goodies to familiarize myself with the formulas.
I have loved absolutely every product I’ve tried (and this regimen is up next once I finish my current one—since I really try to avoid wasting anything), but one has (perhaps permanently) solved my tinted sunscreen conundrum, and it’s the mineral-based Daily Shield Tinted SPF 50 Sunscreen.
Offering up more significant (yet still natural-looking) coverage and hydration than most other tinted sunscreens I’ve tried, I am legitimately obsessed. In fact, I busted it out this morning to celebrate my first exercise endeavor since surgery a month ago. (OK, I’m still only allowed to walk at this point but it was worthy of commemoration nonetheless.)
I’m happy to report the (very) water-resistant formula was not running down my face by the time I completed my three-mile loop, and I love that the broad-spectrum formula features antioxidant- and fatty acid-rich sunflower, so-good-for-your-skin argan oil, and free-radical fighting rosemary and apple extracts.
BTW, I’m really into Epionce because the dermatologist-developed products are medical-grade (you can only get them from doctor’s and skincare professionals), powered by proven-effective botanical ingredients, free of all the chemicals I try to avoid, and backed by real clinical studies. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to moisturize for the fourth time today so I can move my current routine to the “empties” that will be posted on Instagram and make room for my Epionce regimen.
Just the jumpstart I needed today
Believe me, I’m all about holiday days off, but I was really dragging this morning. Monday (Labor Day) didn’t really count as R&R since I was cooking all day before entertaining (and having the best time hosting/celebrating our first holiday dinner with actual guests since the Before Times). Yesterday was another holiday (i.e. no school) thanks to Rosh Hashana—and I pretty much took the day off. I forgot how tiring it is to do nothing, and my husband woke me up this morning at 8am by asking if I set the alarm. (I know his query was coming from a good place, but I wasn’t happy about it.)
After two of my usual iced coffees, I was still dragging ass and had three Zoom calls on my schedule—but then I remembered I had the VERB Energizing Drink Mix I accidentally ordered a few months ago. (I absolutely love their energy bars and when I got a text that mentioned “piña colada” I replied, “Yes, I’ll try it!” not realizing it was a drink powder.)
Possibly one of the fortuitous text-based shopping mistakes I’ve ever made, the taste is amazing and the boost is real (thanks to 65mg of non-twitchy caffeine derived from green tea). Perhaps the best part is the 5g of collagen (non-vegan, just so you know)—because I still haven’t found a palatable way to incorporate a collagen supplement into my wellness routine (until now). All this with no sugar and only 40 calories? Yup… And now I’m ready for those Zoom calls!
