Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

I just got back from a beach trip that happened over the weekend. I had the chance to spend a couple of days with beauty blogger and friend, Sophie Uy of Beautynomics, Kikay Kits and Beauty Gizmo — together with teh boyfriend and Sophie’s friend, Sheila — in Palm Beach located in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas (Philippines).

When it comes to beauty talks, Sophie is one of the best people to talk to. She basically helped bring out the beauty geek in me. I still cannot match her passion for it, though, which probably explains the infectious charm she has.

Anyway, I can’t help but show you guys what I packed in my beach bag. These babies have been staple items from the moment I met them. I bring them with me whenever I hit the beach.

Nivea Sun Cooling After Sun Spray
bench/ Organics Green Tea Invigorating Facial Cleanser
GV Cosmetics Great Love Wet Wipes
Nivea Sun Moisturising Sun Spray SPF 30
Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning SPF 4
Havaianas Beach Towel

The Moisturising Sun Spray SPF 30 is mainly for teh boyfriend who burns easily. The beach towel is important cuz it helps me mark that small area of sand where I’ll do my tanning rituals while chatting with the girlfriends. PLUS it’s big enough to accommodate teh boyfriend when I put some sunblock on his back and should he wish to join me after his swim.

What about you, my dear beauties? What’s in YOUR beach bag?

Post from: eBeautyDaily

NIVEA Sun
Cooling After Sun Spray

Cooling and easily absorbed

Cooling and refreshing, this easily absorbed light formulation with Aloe Vera helps to restore your skin moisture loss. Enriched with Provitamin B5 NIVEA SUN After Sun Spray soothes the skin. Vitamin E protects against premature skin ageing.

Since we’re on the topic of beach trips and all, of course, I’ll be making use of this time to get some tanning done. I’ll make sure to pack the oil spray for that and the moisturising sun spray for periods wherein it’s too hot but I’m still outside. Heh. However, I came across this Nivea Sun product that peaked my curiosity, the Cooling After Sun Spray with aloe vera. So, yea, I’ll throwing it in my overnight bag.

AND since I am going to use it this weekend, I thought it best to talk about my initial thoughts on the product. I’m actually trying to imagine what it can actually do, based on its description.

We all know that the skin can get a really hot after prolonged exposure to the sun. It can be that you’re playing beach volleyball, making sandcastles or like what I normally do when I’m on the beach, just lie around and get my tan. Hehe. It doesn’t help that I live in a tropical country where the climate/weather is usually warm and humid. Gah. That’s one part of the whole beach thing that I’m not really looking forward to.

I reckon it’ll be a real treat to use a “cooling after sun” spray. A bit on the luxury/vanity side of skincare I think cuz when it comes to cooling down, wouldn’t it be more practical, and not to mention FREE, to use water? Granted that this has ingredients — like it has provitamin b5 and vitamin E — that will help condition and protect your skin, we’ll soon see just how effective it’ll be. I guess this works if you’re getting out of the sun but are not going back to the room just yet. What do you guys think?

The scent of the spray is sooo Nivea. Most of their lotions/creams smell like it. It’s not bad but it does gives one license to classify it like how you’d recognize if one is using coppertone lotions. Know what I mean?

As for the packaging, I like the easy-grip bottle and the dispenser. It makes the whole process of product application in cooling down your skin easier and more efficient. It’s the same looking bottle/dispenser as the moisturising sun spray only it’s sporting a light shade of blue.

Important Usage Instructions:
Spray onto the skin after sun exposure and smooth in evenly. Avoid contact with the eyes. Shake well before use!

I’m excited to give this product a go. I hope it won’t disappoint. Watch out for the full review.

Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

Post from: eBeautyDaily

NIVEA SUN Oil Spray offers protection for deeply tanned skin acclimatised to the sun. It’s caring formula with jojoba oil helps to support the skin’s natural moisture level, leaving it feeling smooth and supple.

* UVA/UVB filter system
* water resistant formula
* vitamin E

Dermatologically approved.

Ever since I embraced my *golden* colour (hehe), I’ve always loved to keep it sun-kissed and bronzed. However, work will pile up and keeping myself indoors most of the time will take its toll. My skin tone will lose its vibrancy. I know there are products that will fake my tan but the idea just doesn’t sit well with me. If I don’t have the time to lie down and get it, I wouldn’t bother faking it. Not that my skin is all that fair anyway, though it will turn into this dull-ish tone. Ah, well. I still find the idea a bit silly.

So far, twas my time in Australia that allowed me to get the best tan ever. This is probably due to us frequenting the beach — me sun bathing most of the time, the water’s too darn cold anyway — AND we even went to Boracay when we went back home to spend the holidays. Note, this was between September – May, skipped the summer month of December. Not exactly too summer-y, don’t you agree? Hehe.

Anyway, I’ve worked on getting the same beautiful colour particularly during the summer season (here in my country, of course). And since it’s closing in esp with all the beach plans and summer trips, I’m reminded of this great tanning companion the Nivea Sun Oil Spray. It has been a personal favourite.

Now that I can almost taste all that summer can bring, I’m so looking forward to tanning and what not. Yay for summer!

Fine print: Does not provide protection to already burnt skin. Avoid intensive midday sun (between 11am -3pm). Avoid contact with the eyes.

I recommend that you use a sunscreen if it’s getting too close to midday and you’re still out under the sun.

Available in Nivea.co.uk and I bought mine about a year ago in Treats, Petron Gas Station, SLEX. Hehe.

Image: nivea.co.uk

Post from: eBeautyDaily

NIVEA SUN Moisturising Sun Sprays combine NIVEA SUN’s advanced protection expertise with all the care of NIVEA for soft, protected skin.

* immediate protection from UV rays
* enhanced UVA/UVB filter system
* deep and long lasting moisturisation
* water resistant
* vitamin E to help combat free radicals & premature skin ageing

Dermatologically approved.

On the day I went and photographed few of the temples found in the Angkor region in Cambodia, I’m thankful that I had put on sun block esp when it got to mid-day. Even when I was under the shade, I can still feel the heat scorching my skin. The weather felt so dry and hot PLUS there were areas wherein twas dusty. Sun wasn’t all too friendly then. Heh.

I had packed with me the Nivea Sun Moisturising Sun Spray. Apart from the easy grip bottle, application is really easy. I’ve always loved sprays. Hehe. Sure, it was a bit bulky in my bag but I sacrificed size over usability and efficiency, not to mention, it being effective, too.

One thing I’d learned about applying sunscreen or sun block is that you do need to apply generous amounts on certain areas of the skin that are prone to sun burn since it’s more exposed or you have history of skin getting burnt easily. AND you do need to re-apply it frequently but will depend on the length of time that your skin will be exposed.

Fine print: Shake well before use. Avoid contact with eyes.

Dear beauties, I do advise that you protect your skin at all times. When it comes to sun exposure, we can never be too careful.

Available at Nivea.co.uk and I bought mine from First Aid, Greenbelt 3, Makati City.

Image: nivea.co.uk

Post from: eBeautyDaily