[Monthly Project] #18 Tried and Tested : Reapplying sunscreen, is it possible?

Monthly Project (April 2018)

#18 Tried and Tested : Reapplying sunscreen, is it possible?

I am intended to make this blog post a simple and sweet one, so I am going to jump right into the content asap.

Just before I proceed any further, this Monthly Project is inspired by Renée (@Gothamista) where she shared the "DIY Sunscreen Cushion For Easy Reapplication!" via her YouTube channel (like a year ago) (Check out her YouTube channel here) :D


What you can expect from this post:

• Easy 1-2-3 step to make your very own DIY sunscreen cushion for reapplication;
• Find out whether DIY sunscreen cushion is a HIT or MISS.

What you need for this DIY:

• Cushion case;
• Sunscreen;
• Moisturizing emulsion (optional);
• Fragrance (optional).

In the original DIY tutorial demonstrated by Renée, she uses two items only: It’s My's Cushion Case and Etude House's Sunprise Mild Watery Light SPF 50 PA+++.

So I did modify a bit here, by adding the moisturizing emulsion/gel - SON&PARK's Beauty Gel (to give an extra touch of moisture) and fragrance - Mamonde's Rose Water Toner (for it's rosy scent).

I will leave the price list at the end of this post. If you're intended to purchase, this is just for your reference.

Let's get started! :D

Step ① Remove the cushion from the container.

This step is quite self-explanatory. Pretty straightforward.

Hygiene per say, do recommended to use a tool (i.e. tweezers) rather than bare hands. Make sure the tool is clean.

Step ② Fill in the sunscreen into the container for about 1/3 (generously!!!).

I do agree with Renée's selection of sunscreen. Etude House's Sunprise Mild Watery Light SPF 50 PA+++ is definitely a great choice because of it's thin/light formula, 100% mineral-based sunscreen; besides, it leaves no white cast.

Nonetheless, I was quite reserved at this point as I didn't pour as much as 1/3 of the container at the first-attempt.

After then I realized I wasn't following closely to Renée's DIY tutorial. That's why. So I ended up adding more into it afterwards.

Peeps, do take note!!! Fill in at least 1/3 of the container.

Step ③ Add 1-2 full pumps of moisturizing emulsion/gel (optional).

In fact, this step was not included in the original DIY.

I added a few pumps of moisturizing emulsion with the intention of replenishing moisture to the skin during reapplying sunscreen.

Often my skin appears flaky throughout the day, especially during hot and humid days.

SON&PARK's Beauty Gel has the cooling and moisturizing potential at the same time, so that's why I incorporated this product into this DIY.

It's absolutely optional, depending on your preference.

Step ④ Add a few drops of fragrance (optional).

In spite I often commented that I hate artificial laboratory kind-of fragrance, I really adore the rosy sweet scent from Mamonde's Rose Water Toner. The relaxing rosy scent helps sooth tiredness.

Just a few drops will do, not too much until the formula becomes watery. 

Step ⑤ Give it a good mix.

Give it a flip.

Step ⑥ Put back the cushion into container.

***

Ta-da!!! Here you go. Your very own DIY Sunscreen Cushion (limited edition too)! :p

Let's give it a try and see if it delivers what it claims.

From the look at the cushion puff, I can already tell that it is super moisturizing! Can't wait to try on my skin!

As you can see (below) at the back of my hand, it leaves water marks on top of the skin where I just applied the DIY sunscreen cushion.

Definitely moisturizing, but I am just curious about its sun-protection power after the modification. :/

And there is one way to find out...

Fast forward the time to 3 months later...

And as I am sharing with you now, this is an experience talk from what I have observed throughout the testing period.

No doubt, the modified sunscreen cushion viscosity was watery and it feels like nothing of the original sunscreen texture while reapplying on the skin.

I do enjoy the cooling effect from it, but I'm not too sure am I getting the same sun-protection as I reapplying it.

Hence, I added more sunscreen into the container to balance out the watery viscosity earlier.

Now I carry this sunscreen cushion around in my bag and I can reapply sunscreen whenever needed, on top of my makeup.

I wouldn't say it is a total hit, but as much as I adore its brilliant idea and execution, it is quite an item. ;)

If you would like to read more posts like this, do leave a comment below and let's interact! :D

'Til the next time. Cheers!☺☺☺

Price List from Althea :

It’s My's Cushion Case RM23
Etude House's Sunprise Mild Watery Light SPF 50 PA+++ RM36
SON&PARK's Beauty Gel RM112
Mamonde's Rose Water Toner RM48

Watch More :

Sunscreen Cushion DIY by Gothamista

[Review] Son&Park - Beauty Water + Beauty Gel

Hello everyone! :)

It really took me a long time to write this review. Precisely, 5 months. :')

First off, a little background on the brand founder. Son&Park is the combination of the founders' surname - Son Dae Sik and Park Tae Yun. Not only the duo are Korea’s top makeup artists, but also they pioneered the invention of the BB Cream in almost a decade ago.

SON&PARK's Beauty Water (right) + Beauty Gel (left) | 손앤박 뷰티 워터 + 뷰티 젤 | 340 ml + 330 ml

Rewind back to the first time I bumped into Son&Park's brand section in Olive Young (Korean local drugstore), the minimalistic concept definitely caught my attention. During that time, people are all raving about the Beauty Water to which I was seriously wondering "what's so special about this Beauty Water?" o.o

But looking at the price, I pulled a step back with doubt.

It so happened that Althea started to have this Monthly Sharing promotion (i.e. JANSHARE, FEBSHARE, MARSHARE, etc.). The promotion allows customer to buy 1 and get 1 free from a selection of products.

That's when I bought Beauty Water + Beauty Gel at only RM112 (original price RM112 each). I was absolutely happy and excited about the deal!

Let's tackle one by one.

Starting off with Beauty Water. No doubt, the design of box and container is also in a very minimalistic style. The bottle is made out of sturdy opaque plastic (not made of glass) with a black turning cap.

According to the product description, Beauty Water:-

• is the smart cleansing liquid based on a natural plant therapy that exfoliates and moisturizes skin at once;
• can be used daily, morning and evening;
• is recommended as the first step for the perfect makeup;
• cleans any old dead skin cells to make skin feel sleek and soft;
• contains an array of skin-loving ingredients to boost skin's moisture immediately; also
• is an ideal way to refresh skin anytime you want, mid-day or when washing with a cleanser isn't an option.

It sounds like a toner with lots of credits.

"94% NATURAL ORIGIN with Paraben Free! Pure prescription by excluding 10 harmful ingredients to make your skin looks lively and energetic." - Son&Park

"CLEANSE and EXFOLIATE obtained ingredients from coconut, corn, potato, and wheat gently remove the dirt from the skin, while willow bark and papaya extracts perfect sweep away impurities and dead skin cells at gentle PH5 effectively and revealing brighter skin tone without irritation." - Son&Park

"SUBTLE HYDRATE TO PREP SKIN begins from rose water couple with lavender and orange fruit extracts gives a subtle hydration to prep skin for better absorption of the next skin care steps. It is good for all skin types." - Son&Park 

The thing is, they don't call it a toner, nor a cleanser. Instead they claimed it to be "more than that", which is a smart toning, cleansing and moisturizing liquid which they named after "Beauty Water".

94% of the content is made up of natural ingredients, such as coconut, maize, potato, orange, papaya and etc. (almost every plant you can think of, heh) in order to create a mild and natural(?) formula with less irritation to the skin. However, extract form means not really natural form anymore, right? (hmm a big question mark there)

The texture itself is almost like water, only that it feels a little bit slippery. That's because it contains nano oil particles which helps in cleansing and moisturizing.

Since it contains a bunch of flower and fruit extracts, it created its very own unique fragrance, to which I would describe as "garden citrus punch" (sounds good?) or whatever you want to call it.

To use, simply dampen cotton pad with the Beauty Water and swipe across the face and neck. Or you can put it into a spray bottle and use it as a mist? Personally I didn't try this method. Share with me if you've tried this before ;)

The question is, does it deliver?

I would say, yes (YAY). In fact, I've been using this Beauty Water for 5 months now, and I really enjoy using it as a prep before makeup and after cleansing. It leaves my skin clean and soft, a very refreshing sensation.

p/s: I've tried using this Beauty Water as a makeup remover. Surprisingly, it removes most of the face makeup (not so much on waterproof makeup) without leaving the skin feels oily nor sticky. Apart from using it as a toner, I do prefer more as a makeup remover nowadays. Updated on 10 Dec 2017. 

***

Moving on to Beauty Gel a.k.a. the neglected sibling of Beauty Water.

It says in the product description, Beauty Gel:-

• is clinically approved to improve pores as reducing the temperature of the skin;
• cools down the temperature of your skin and makes it flow as minimizing the pores;
• perfect option if you want to do basic skin care and makeup base at the same time; and
• every time when you pump it, the gleaming capsules pop out which would give you time for the makeup base benefits with the capsules emulsified with the Beauty Gel. (<- srsly don't get what it is trying to say ><).

I would like to sum it into 2 highlights:-

(1) Cooling effect;

(2) Tiny hydrolyzed collagen capsules that will break open upon application (as you can see in photo above, which are often mistaken as air bubble).

Very much similar to Beauty Water, the bottle is made out of sturdy, clear plastic with a white push-down dispenser. Turn the push-down dispenser to the left to release the safety lock (to prevent spill).

Actually one full pump dispenses enough portion for the entire face, but usually I take less than that. Similar texture to anti-bacterial hand sanitizer. It spreads out like normal gel, and it gets runny as soon as you work it into your skin for absorption.

It also has the "citrus punch" scent as Beauty Water since they are in fact siblings (similarity is expected, right? With all that flower and fruit extracts etc.).

In terms of moisturizing power, I would say it is less than average. Recommended for normal to oily skin. Let's say you're looking for a lightweight and fast absorbing moisturizer, you may consider this Beauty Gel over here.

In terms of pore minimizing, I don't observe any significant difference nor improvement thou. :/

TBH I haven't try to mix the Beauty Gel bb cream or foundation as it claims to provide a smoother, flake-free canvas. If you've tried it, would you leave a comment below and share with us your experience? :)

The "best" part (drumroll)? It is recommended as one of the summer season must have items because of its amazing cooling effect, thanks to alcohol! XD (believe it or not, ethanol is ranked as the 2nd highest in the ingredient list).

If you have sensitive skin, please take extra note as alcohol can be irritating for certain people. Just want to put it out there for you to know.


Check out a video on Beauty Gel usage below:

I strongly believe there is a reason behind all these raves and critiques.

The reason why people love Beauty Water so much is because of its practicality. On the other hand, Beauty Gel seems to be a little overrated because people don't feel any difference after using it. Simple as that. What do you think? :)

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Rating: Beauty Water - 3.5/5 ; Beauty Gel - 2.5/5

Recommend: Between these two, I would recommend Beauty Water.

Repurchase: If I have to choose, I would pick Beauty Water because of its multi-functionality. As there are much more affordable choices available in the market, they can be easily replaced by other products.

For your reference.

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Do lemme know your thoughts about this product review or share yours experience with me in the comment box below.

Cheers!^^