Clinique Super City Block SPF 40

So it's June, the sun is out, and I am now 21 & paranoid about my skin. I'm pretty sure I have a forehead wrinkle already. But one thing I've always been good with is remembering suncream (Did I ever mention I'm ginger? My skin burns if the lights are too bright.) At least I've progressed a bit from slathering myself, including my face, in thick white lotion.

Last summer, in one of Clinique's Bonus Time offers, I decided Super City Block would be my skincare. City Block comes in a SPF 25 or SPF 40 variant & I picked up the SPF 40 because I'd use 100 if I could find it. And I've been using it ever since.

City Block comes in a light green tube with a silver cap. The product itself is lightly tinted but it blends out on the skin, and it evens out the skintone a little bit too. It isn't shiny at all so it's fine to wear alone, but I usually wear it under make up & it doesn't interfere with it at all.

And for the technical bits: City Block protects against both UVA & UVB rays and it protects against environmental aggressors too (like city pollution, hence City Block). It's oil free & allergy tested. I have fairly sensitive skin, and it doesn't irritate it at all, but because I have dry skin, I have to apply moisturiser with the sunscreen.

During the summer, I'm out rowing a lot, & on Sundays I might be out from 8AM til 4PM, on the sea. If the sun is out, and it reflects off the water, I need a lot of protection so I use City Block, throw on a BB cream/ concealer and then I can keep applying it over makeup throughout the day. My one problem is that City Block doesn't protect against wind burn.... It looks like sunburn but you don't even get the sun first. Boo.

City Block costs €22 for 40ml which I'm happy to pay - I only use a small amount plus there's no point in splashing out on make up when your skin is damaged.

Which facial sun protection do you use?

Chloe x

Sunday Samples #3

Technically, this is still a Sunday sample, because it's before midnight. That's how desperate I am to tell you about one of my favourite samples EVER.

Around my birthday, Sam McCauley's in the town I work in had a relaunch, & so, when you spent a certain amount on Clinique, you get a free gift. One of the free things (I LOVE FREE THINGS) was Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief. Clinique call it a cream/gel that will plump skin with hydration. I have combination skin that's mostly dry, rather than oily, so I always appreciate some extra moisture. Was this good enough?

Well, I've kinda already said it's one of my favourite things, so in a nutshell: yes. It's insanely light on my skin, but my face feels soft & hydrated instantly. Honestly, I don't use it every morning, but if I haven't taken off my make up properly/ used a night cream, or have used a face wash after the gym, this goes straight on. My skin doesn't feel dry or tight until late at night when I've taken my make up back off, before re-moisturising so it definitely lasts! Also, it doesn't irritate my skin at all (While not overly sensitive, it will go bright red very easily.) so I can put it on & leave without make up, or put make up over it.

My sample is 15ml, & it looks like I've barely used any - you only need a small dot onto each area of your face, & you're good to go. A full sized pot contains 50ml, but because it's going to last so long, the €43.50 price tag doesn't seem quite so bad. (I actually really like the sample pot, because it's the perfect size for throwing into a make up bag that comes to the gym with me.) I won't say I'll be repurchasing the second it runs out, but I probably will buy it, & maybe transfer some of the full size container into the sample, because I just love having it in my bag.

This is not something I would have tried out myself, & that is exactly why I love samples & gifts with purchase - So many new things to play with!

What moisturiser are you using?
Chloe x

The Body Shop Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream

I usually refrain from posting about skin care a lot, because it is something that seriously is different for everyone. My cleanser might break you out, your moisturiser might make my skin go flaky. But for someone with the same kind of skin as me (combination but mainly dry) this could work wonders for you. It claims to be for all skin types, so it might even work for sensitive/oily people.

 Pretty standard pink plastic tub, won't look awful on your dresser!

I used to just throw on an extra bit of moisturiser at night, even though I knew my skin was dry. It was just less hassle. But my skin suffered so I thought I'd give it a bit of a helping hand. I'd heard fabulous things about The Body Shop's Vitamin E range, which included a night cream. So away I skipped to pick it up.

Can I say that it's thick but feels light on your skin? Am I contradicting myself? Well I'm saying it.

I'm not lying when I say I could feel the effects the next morning. My skin just felt smoother & more hydrated. Now sadly I'm not faced by the same amazement every morning, but that's just because the effects are lasting. If I do forget to bring it with me for a few days, etc, my skin doesn't regress to its shoddy state, but after starting to re-use it, I can tell that it was needed.

It's not extremely thick, but I do always use thick moisturisers. It feels quite light for a night cream, & non greasy for sure. I may have used it once or twice in the morning when I didn't need to do my make up straight away.. If you're in the market for a new night cream, & could do with some nourishment, it's definitely a contender. You get 50ml for about €16, which isn't the worst!

Do you use an extra night cream?

Chloe x

I'm also counting my exams down by my blog posts. When this publishes, I will have one exam done, & will probably still be awake studying for today's. No-body said college would be like this.