Josie Maran Protect Daily Sun Protection Argan Oil Infused SPF 40+

I couldn't wait to order this new sunscreen when it debuted on Sephora. I'm always looking for an all-physical block that is lightweight, high protection, and wears well under makeup.

After my disappointment with the John Masters SPF 30 Natural Mineral Sunscreen (it stayed thick and tacky on my skin though I do love several of his hair products) I had been grudgingly using Neutrogena Pure and Free Baby Sunblock Lotion SPF 60. There were many things I really liked about it--fragrance free, a blend of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide sun filters, lightweight, never broke me out, paraben free, allowed makeup to easily blend over top, water and sweat proof and reasonably priced--but the first ingredient was alumina and that never sat well with me.

The Josie Maran is 2 oz for $32. "Protect Daily Sun Protection is your skin's first defense against premature aging. This natural formula physically blocks UVA rays that can cause up to 80% of premature aging. It also blocks the harmful UVB rays that we encounter on sunny days or at the beach. Unlike traditional sun blocks, this natural formula is infused with Josie's signature ingredient, Argan Oil, which repairs and reverses damage caused by the sun, fights sign of aging, and improves skintone for a radiant, renewed complexion. This sun block is extra mild and fast absorbing and it can also double as a great makeup primer. Protect Daily Sun Protection is lightweight, Paba Free, and for all skin types."

This sunscreen is indeed light for an all physical block, which by their nature are thicker than chemical sunscreens. I find that this does sink in pretty well and does not leave the skin sticky, allowing blush to blend decently well over top. I've been using it for several weeks and have not broken out nor has it let my face get any color despite walking around out in the sun quite a bit. The scent from the product is all natural and comes from the apricot kernel oil in the product. I'm not a fan of scents in skincare, but this smells delicious, has not caused irritation and dissipates extremely quickly. I also like that this is packaged in a dark glass bottle with a pump to keep the formula fresh and the antioxidants potent. My only complaint is that the active ingredient percentages are not given. For those of you sensitive to silicones, this does contain them but the product definitely does not have that tell-tale silicone based feel that, say, the Nia 24 sunscreen does. If you're looking for a "natural," all physical sunscreen for sensitive skin I recommend this one!

Ingredients:
Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Hexadecene Copolymer, Decy Oeate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isopropyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Organic Argan Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Capryl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Camellia Sinesis Leaf Extract, Organic Aloe Barbadnesis (Aloe) Leaf Extract, Organic Chamomilla Recutina (Matricaria) Extract, Organic Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Oil, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Natural Fragrance (Apricot Oil).

One other option? The new LAVANILA The Healthy Sunscreen SPF 40 Face Cream. It has great reviews on Sephora and will be next on my list!

Ingredients:
Zinc Oxide 5.0%, Titanium Dioxide 7.5%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice* (Aloe, Water), Capric Caprylic Triglycerides (Coconut Oil), Butyrospermum Parkii* (Shea Butter), Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol (Coconut Oil), Jojoba Oil*, Ethyl Hexyl Palmitate (Palm Oil), Morinda Citrifolia (Noni Juice), Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract*, Panthenol (Provitamin B5), Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate (Vegetable Glycerin/Palm Oil), Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Allantoin (Vegetable), Sodium PCA (Amino Acid), Hyaluronic Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol & Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin (Plant-Based Preservatives), Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Extract*, Green Tea Extract. *Certified Organic

LAVANILA Vanilla Passion Fruit

I want to love LAVANILA, I really do. This fragrance line uses 100% natural ingredients including pure essential oils and active botanicals. In addition to fragrance, LAVANILA makes body wash, lotions, candles and lip balms in vanilla-based scents that sound positively divine: Vanilla, Vanilla Coconut, Vanilla Grapefruit, Vanilla Lavender, Vanilla Spice, Vanilla Blossom and now Vanilla Passion Fruit. The problem is that every product I've tried has disappointed me, and I want to like the line so badly that I've tried quite a few. The candles had no throw at all, the Vanilla Coconut shower gel smelled so off I actually returned it to Sephora, the Vanilla Grapefruit fragrance smelled like cat pea after a few minutes, the Vanilla Lavender deodorant..well, let's just say I would have been better off going without. I like the Lip Shines quite a bit and thought that the range had finally redeemed itself with Vanilla Passion Fruit. Two of my favorite scents in one!

"Experience this irresistible, long-wearing blend of passion fruit, guava, and peach nectar steeped in a warm base of sandalwood and Madagascar vanilla. Created by master natural perfumers, this love-attracting scent is uniquely infused with a romantic blend of powerful aphrodisiacs (blue lotus, clary sage, and juniper berry) prized for their seductive properties."

Doesn't that sound yummy and perfect? I found the product at Sephora today ($58) , spritzed it on a tester strip and was enthralled. It smelled SO good I just had to spray it on my wrist immediately! I left the store resolving to come back and buy it and went on my merry way. By the time I reached Loehmanns 3 blocks away I found myself asking "what IS that awful perfumel? It was like a cloyingly sweet Gucci Rush (my most hated fragrance ever. Lancome Tresor is a close second for what it's worth) on steroids! I thought it was the woman in the dressing spot next to mine until I realized, horrified, that it was ME. I was the one polluting Loehmanns smelling like cheap pink cotton candy coupled with the syrupy sweet Vanilla Fields of my teenage years.

Of course, this is the most enduring scent ever since it's been 4 hours and will absolutely not wash off or fade. I couldn't get my Bond No. 9 to last on my this way if I tried, but Vanilla Passion Fruit is not going anywhere! Of course your mileage may vary, but for me this is a migraine-inducing dud that refuses to dissipate. It's too bad because the first sniff is absolutely lovely. LAVANILA, I had such high hopes for you...

LAVANILA The Healthy Lip Shine

The LAVANILA line and I had a slow and disappointing start. I initially tried the fragrances and was underwhelmed. I next ordered the Vanilla Coconut Body Wash (how yummy does that sound?) and found that it smelled nothing like vanilla or coconut. The deodorant was my next stop with its lofty promises of providing odor protection with beta-glucan. Let's just say it didn't. Normally I'm a three-strikes-and-you're-out kind of girl, but I stumbled on the lip shines and I have to say I really love them!

LAVANILA The Healthy Lip Shine ($14) comes in 4 scents that mimic the line's existing fragrances. I have Vanilla Blossom (which smells delicately of sweet lemon) and Vanilla Lavender (a light fruity scent). Both are extremely lightweight and very moisturizing with more liquidy texture than traditional lip glosses. These are not the least bit sticky, and use apricot, jojoba and sunflower oils to nourish and provide shine. The glosses also tout antioxidants and shea butter while leaving out parabens and other potentially harmful ingredients.

The Healthy Lip Shines apply very sheerly with only a hint of color. Vanilla Blosson is an extremely sheer, basically clear, peachy shade with swirls of shimmer. Vanilla Lavender is a translucent pink with subtle violet microshimmer. Do not expect noticeable pigment. These are great over lip pencil, a drier lipstick formula or just to moisturize dry fall/winter lips. I like not having to worry about the ingredients I'm putting into my body when I inadvertently ingest my lip gloss! Despite my initial disappointment with the line, I have to say that The Healthy Lip Shines are an inexpensive and unexpected pleasant surprise!

Click on the picture above the enlarge.