Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration - my new HG sunscreen!

A few weeks ago I was sent a VoxBox by Influenster to review.  The first product to catch my eye was the Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration sunscreen in SPF 30!  I had been in the market for a new body sunscreen, since my old favorite was discontinued.

Lets see what  Hawaiian Tropic has to say about Silk Hydration:

"With its ultra-luxurious hydrating silk ribbons, Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration™ lotion sunscreen nourishes and pampers skin while providing broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, and 12-hour moisturization when out in the sun." (from the Hawaiian Tropic Influenster  page)

 and

"Introducing our new sunscreen lotion, the only sunscreen with hydrating ribbons for continuous in-sun moisture. With its ultra-luxurious hydrating silk ribbons, Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration™ lotion sunscreen nourishes and pampers skin while providing broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection and 12-hour moisturization when out in the sun." (from the Hawaiian Tropic website)

The website also listed these as features and benefits of Silk Hydration:
• Lightweight, luxurious hydrating ribbons infused with silk protein pamper
  and protect skin when in the sun, providing 12-hour moisturization
• Safe and effective broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection
• Nourishing antioxidants
• Exotic botanicals
• Warm tropical fragrance
• Lightweight feel


Before I begin, its time for some history about me and sunscreens.   Since age 14 I've had to have 7 minor surgeries on my skin to remove areas that were pre-cancerous.  My skin doesn't produce enough of its natural protectant, melonin, and sunscreen is must 24/7. 

There is an ingredient common to a lot of sunscreens, Retinyl Palmitate, that can speed up the growth of these pre-cancerous legions.  This is my first criteria for a good sunscreen.  And yes!  Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration is Retinyl Palmitate free!

The second thing that impressed me about Silk Hydration is the look of it. The bottle is curvy, with a bottom opening that allows for both continuous flow when you squeeze and an easy way to stand up the bottle on a counter or table.  The swirls that you can see in the packaging are actually within the product itself.  It's demonstrating the face this sunscreen is both a moisturizer and a sunscreen.  I find this bottle very easy to squeeze.  The cap is also really secure, so I don't worry about throwing it in the car or in my bag. 

Along with my skin being sensitive to the sun, it's also very very dry and sensitive.  This sunscreen claims to moisturize your skin for 12 hrs and I definitely feel some semblance of that.  Because my skin is so dry, I don't think I could 12 hrs without dousing myself in a thick lotion again, but the fact it moisturizes at all impressed me.  Most sunscreens can actually be quite drying on the skin. Since it had a lotion in it, this sunscreen also soaked into the skin really easily.  It also didn't leave a freaky white cast, even when I applied the SPF 50 version. 

The smell is fantastic!  It smells to me like a tropical drink.  Lightly fruity with a hint of coconut.  I definitely doesn't smell like a sunscreen.

It's also decently priced, about about $10 average.  Suggested retail is $8.99 on the site, however, around me the prices are a little higher in the drugstores.  I was able to get 2 bottles of the SPF 50 for $10.49 each at Walmart. 

Overall, I think this sunscreen is the perfect package.  Even though it doesn't give as much moisture to the skin as the description would lead you to believe, I do prefer it to any other body sunscreen at the moment.  I would definitely recommend this to everyone this summer!


*I recieved this product for review from Hawaiian Tropic, through the Influenster website and VoxBox program.  This review is based upon my genuine thoughts and experience with this product*

EMPTIES (march2012) *repost*

This past month I've acquired quite a few empties from a recent Project 10 pan I had started March 15th.  I found the Project 10 really motivated me to finish up products that had been sitting around.  Which also helps you to decide if you really liked or disliked a product, and whether or not you'd repurchase.  So without further ado, here are the products I used up in March :)

Ro's Argan Body Conditioner from LUSH Cosmetics
This little guy was only 45g worth of product because I got it with my staff box a few months ago (I used to work for LUSH).  The full size retails for $29.99 at 240g.  I like the idea of a body conditioner (essentially identical in application and concept as hair conditioner) but the smell of this one really rubs me the wrong way. It's the same scent as the Rose Jam Bubbleroon which has seemed to be really polarizing.  I'm on the dislike end of the spectrum, unfortunately.  It does make your skin feel nice if you can stomach the sweet scent, though.  I won't be repurchasing.

Sympathy for the Skin Body Moisturizer by LUSH Cosmetics ($25.95 for 240g)
This one I started using as a moisturizer but quickly realized it works great a shave cream.  For someone with really dry and sensitive skin shaving can be incredibly irritating.  This formed a buffer from my razor while moisturizing.  Super plus that it's (mostly) natural.  It works well as a moisturizer but for me, it was a bit thin.  I'm on the fence about repurchasing. Probably going to dry some other moisturizers as shave creams first.

The Body Shop Strawberry Body Polish (on sale at Marshalls for $6.95, regular $18)
I picked this one up mainly for the scent and decent price.  I love The Body Shop products but I can't justify spending so much for essentially a scent.  This really disappointed me as a scrub.  The "strawberry seeds" were quite large and didn't feel like they did anything.  There was minimal, if any, change from my skin before and my skin after.  Granted, it is a "daily" scrub so it should be more gentle.  But, I also had to use ALOT to cover my whole body, which would get expensive for daily use.  Not worth even the sale price.  Definitely will not be repurchasing.

Snow Fairy Shower Gel (500ml) by LUSH Cosmetics
This is a favorite scent of mine from LUSH.  It's so sweet and feminine, and if you can see at the bottom, has a nice blue glitter throughout :) This particular shower gel is limited edition during Christmas time.  I got the 500ml bottle in 2010 during the half off sale.  The 500ml gels retail for $27.95, meaning I got it for about $13.  $27.95 can seem hefty but it's definitely worth it.  These all lather so well and you need just a tiny bit.  This lasted me about a year and a half of regular use! I love this scent so much and will more than likely repurchase it when it comes back in stock.

The Olive Branch Shower Gel by LUSH Cosmetics ($17.95 for 250 ml)
LOVE THIS.  This was my first bottle that I received from training.  It is incredibly thin but works well with any sort of poof or cloth because it really gets in there.  The actual gel comes separated into orange (the gel) and yellowish (the olive oil).  Shake it and they mix up to make a super moisturizing wash :) it also smells incredible, like fresh mandarin oranges. This is wickedly popular with both men and women.  I have already repurchased (and a 500ml at that lol).  Definitely 100% recommend this to anyone.

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Fresh ($7.99 for 6.73 fl oz from Dermstore.com)
This is my holy grail dry shampoo.  Simply amazing.  Smells spectacular too.  Usually at Ulta and anywhere local they sell the smaller size for $7.99.  If you're ok with paying shipping I definitely recommend buying it from Dermstore.com because you get 33% more for the same price. Comes in loads of scents but Fresh is definitely my favorite.  I already have 2 backups :)

Coppertone Oil Free Fragrance Free SPF 50
This is my favorite body sunscreen.  I'm highly sensitive to the sun (have had to have over 5 spots removed despite my indoor lifestyle -_-)  and I've tried a million products.  This works best for a daily application.  It's non-scented and blends in really quickly and with a dry finish.  I don't have to wait eons before dressing.  It lasted me quite a while (half a summer and into the winter/spring). BUT the bad news is that it's incredibly hard to find in stores any more :( I don't know if it's been discontinued at this factor (SPF 15 and 30 are still available from this line) but I can only find it online and at higher prices than usual.  The link above is to it on Amazon, although I got it last year at Target for about $8. I found a backup at Target not too long ago and will continue to search.  I can't imagine my summer without this...</3

Sonia Kashuk Brush and Sponge Cleaner (Target $6.69)
I found this in a set with the SK makeup sponge for about $3 a while back at Target and thought, why not?  Welllll this cleaner was actually a pain to use and completely understandable to be in clearance.  It is super "conditioning" which ended up translating to "makes-your-brushes-feel-greasy".  It didn't really pull anything out of my hard to clean Sigma Synthetics and lets not even go into the awkward spray top.  Even though that's easier for spot cleaning, I already have a spot cleaner that works better.  Absolutely will not repurchase and don't recommend it to anyone with a serious brush collection.  It works ok with eye brushes if you don't mind the bristles being weighed down a bit.  I will stick with my staple MAC cleaner and I suggest that to anyone else as well.

Yes to Blueberries Cleansing Facial Wipes ($7.99 for 40 at Target. Normally has 30)
I tried these out because I LOVE Yes to Cucumbers wipes and there was an extra 10 for free for the same price.  Occasionally they do a deal with these, either the "33% more" or including a free lip balm with it.  Right now the have a lip balm strapped to it.  The price for these is about mid range.  It's intended for aging skin, but having problems with sun spots I figured I'd give it a shot....It was incredibly difficult to will myself to use these up.  They made my skin feel so gross and weighed down, not to mention they cleaned NOWHERE near as good as their sister, the Yes to Cucumber Wipes.  They also smelled a little funky (blueberry meets cotton).  I will not be repurchasing these, no matter the little gimmicks they try.  Highly recommend the Cucumber wipes though.

Shiseido Tsubaki Head Spa Deep Cleansing Shampoo
I got this at my local Super H mart for about $13.  The site above sells it for $12.60, plus shipping.  It's a super deep cleansing shampoo with amino acids from camellia flowers that nourishes while it cleans.  This is a great deep cleanser for damaged hair as it doesn't leave it too dry or mangled.  I use so many pieces from the Shiseido Tsubaki line and definitely recommend checking it out. The whole line smells fantastic and works great for dry or dull hair.  I may or may not be repurchasing, considering I don't have much of a need for a deep cleanser.

Shiseido Tsubaki Damage Care Mask
I also bought this from Super H mart.  It was around $20.  I got maybe 5 uses out of it.  I already used and loved the thinner Damage Care Treatment (which I've bought 3 times) and wanted to try this.  It was really moisturizing and detangling, but for a significant price more and for less uses, I'd rather go with the Treatment.  Actually, I could tell very little between the two when I used them.  I'll only repurchase this if I find it for cheaper.

Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub by LUSH Cosmetics ($19.95 for 4.2 oz, $34.95 for 8.8 oz)
This is probably our most consistent best seller and for a good reason.  I could go all LUSH sales person on you, but essentially, this sea salt and avocado butter scrub deeply cleanses while moisturizing and smelling fantastic (like a margarita for your face, we say).  I got the small size because I only uses it for my face and armpits before I epilate.  It's good for just about any face type and, used twice a week, really improves your skins glow and dries up any blemishes/enlarged pores.  DEFINITELY will repurchase when I go back to working for LUSH in the fall/winter.  I'm honestly kind of suffering without it lol.

AHAVA Mineral Hand Cream
I bought this for $10 from Birchbox with a coupon code and free shipping, but it usually sells for $21.  This soaks in the quickest and with the best finish of any hand lotion I've ever used.  It dries almost...satin?  It also lasted a really long time and I have received many sample sizes from Birchbox for my purse.  HOWEVER there are two reasons why I don't recommend it.  One, it smells kinda funky.  Very grandma-esque with it's soft floral and powdery tones.  It also is quite expensive.  Unless, like me, you can get it at a discount, I wouldn't recommend.  I have a back-up from Birchbox (also $10) but don't plan to repurchase after that because I'm sick of the scent.
 

Neutrogena Visibly Even Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
You can get this for around $10 with free shipping from Amazon.  I tried it because it claims to repair sun damage while protecting the skin.  I didn't notice any changes in my skin but you probably have to use several bottles of this, and extremely consistently.  I just used it as a sunscreen on minimally bright days.  It was ok.  The finish was fine and it absorbed quickly but smelled obnoxiously like mushrooms.  Which I loathe.  I won't be repurchasing.

Korres Milk Protein Facial Cleansing Wipes (Sephora.com $12.00)
I bought these before my Project 10 Pan because I use wipes every night and was almost out.  These were recommended by Elle Fowler for sensitive skin.  They do remove makeup well but I won't repurchase for several reasons.  1) the smell heinous like milky yogurt..kinda sour too. 2) the clothes rip and wear out really quickly and I mean, my face isn't rough or anything. 3) they are expensive compared to other wipes that work just as well and they actually contain less then a lot of drugstore wipes. And 4) the package wouldn't stay sealed. I also didn't find that they left my skin feeling fresh.  Rather, there was a weird film on top.  Don't recommend unless you have frivolous money to spend and don't care about it competing with other wipes out there.

Anastasia Beverly Hill Clear Brow Gel (Sephora, $21)
Seems really expensive, but this gel lasted me 3 years with daily use.  Some people don't like their brows to feel crispy and prefer wax, but my hairs are quite wiley and require more control.  The applicator is really easy to use and it's flexibility allows you to scrape the sides when it's used up.  Love this stuff.  100% will repurchase after I used up the deluxe sample size I got as a 100 pt perk. I found a dupe for this from e.l.f cosmetics for $1 but it definitely doesn't compare.
And with that we come to the end!! I had an unusually large amount from the Project 10 Pan but hope to continue to use up products like a fiend in the coming months.  What have you used up recently?