Why I Don't Use These Sunscreens Anymore

Let's start off with why I wouldn't like a sunscreen. What I look for are (or don't look for) are the following:

• Fragrance - I'll usually overlook this if I don't feel nauseous from smelling the fragrance.
• White cast - If there is a difference between how ghostly I look before and after sunscreen application, then I'm abandoning the sunscreen.
• Greasiness - Not only does it have to not feel greasy, it can't look greasy on my skin either. I do not mind satin or dewy finishes.
• Cosmetic elegance - Besides the cosmetic issues with white cast or greasiness, the formula has to stay put and blend nicely. It shouldn't pill or flake. It should apply nicely under makeup and upon reapplication over makeup.
• Texture - A thick cream formula that is hard to spread will be annoying to apply.
• How it feels on the skin during application - Not only is texture of the formula important, but I also consider how the formula behaves during the application process.
• How it feels on the skin after application and drying down - Besides greasiness, I do not want it to feel powdery/gritty, silicone-y, or much of anything at all.
• Water resistant - It has to be water, and therefore, sweat resistant. People sweat, so you can't have the sunscreen soluble in water that readily.
• UV blocking - US formulations will be pretty bland. There's no posted specific-to-UVA protection system on the sunscreen, unlike SPF ratings, so "broad spectrum" is the best you'll get as of right now. UVA protection is listed by their PPD or PA ratings on non-US sunscreens.
• Stinging - I have issues with lots of sunscreens just stinging my eyes when I apply it on my face. And stinging on the skin is a no no, too.

Now that I've listed what I scrutinize in a sunscreen, below are 10 sunscreens I stopped using. It's in no specific order, and there's plenty of others who may enjoy the same sunscreen I criticized, but I'm always on the hunt for something better suited for my preferences.

THEOBROMa Premium Cacao Pack Review

So, I wrote on the Memebox website why I would be interested in this product to enter to get a full size of it, and I actually won it! It surprised me by just arriving at my home unannounced and I had a hard time trying to find more info on it.

What is it?

Memebox is a South Korean based cosmetics company that sells mystery boxes. At one point, Memebox put out certain items in their shop to sell (Or was it more like a pre-sale? I can't recall.) and allowed Memebox users to do a preliminary impression of the product by writing why they would like to receive the product. By doing so, users had a chance to win that actual product!

The THEOBROMa Premium Cacao Pack contains chocolatey goodness and claims to "purify your skin, even your pore" with no perfumes or colors.

Just Another Lunch No. 6

This is a typical lunch I make when I am at home.

Club Clio Haul

Purchased

This particular haul was associated with a book signing for Kerry and Coco's Korean Beauty Secrets, along with half off the entire store! I'm a terrible person so I didn't get a book. But, I was able to meet Kerry of Skin and Tonics, Tracy of Fanserviced B, Stephen Alain (KindofStephen), and Michael Seong from Memebox.

e.l.f. Site Haul No. 3

Purchased Affiliate / Referral Link


I have another e.l.f. haul installment! They recently had another half off sale on Nov. 11th, so of course I would take advantage of the discount!

Saturday Post from Peaches No. 2 Daiso Edition

Gift


Peaches and I did another exchange~! A Daiso opened up in commuting distance from her, and she graciously picked a ton of goodies out for me! The parcel, once again, has washi tape around the perimeter of the box, this time with a Parisian theme.



As I'm opening the package...


There continues to be layers of goodies...


And another layer...


And voilà! We are pretty much at the bottom of the box. I was gifted letter sets, lucky envelopes, bento picks, nail decor, washi tape, cute erasers, felt plush making set and some snacks.





And without further ado, I will introduce the goodies~!

ShopMissA Haul

Purchased


I did a ShopMissA haul because they had inexpensive items on their website. There are plenty of Youtubers documenting the haul, albeit given press samples or were sponsored, but it still perked my interest in them.

Nov. 2015 Loot Crate [Combat] Unboxing

Purchased Affiliate / Referral Link

I was able to sign up for the November box free of charge due to a deal sent via a subscriber to LootCrate.

What is it?

Loot Crate is a geekery monthly subscription box full of trinkets that range from tees to mugs, and figurines to stickers. Each month has a theme, and this month's is Combat.

Just Another Lunch No. 5

A sandwich for lunch!

Just Another Lunch No. 4

Another pasta meal!

Memebox My Cute Wishlist 4 Unboxing

Purchased Affiliate / Referral Link

Well, this was a late unboxing... So late, that Memebox's global site is now USA only.

I've been wanting one of the My Cute Wishlist Memeboxes, particularly the first one, but they never restock it! They restocked the fourth one and I like all the contents enough that I bought it.

What is it?

Memebox is a South Korean based company that makes mystery cosmetic boxes you can purchase until they run out of stock of that particular box.

I bought the My Cute Wishlist 4 because of all the cute skincare items! Although the Apple Mojito Memebox I bought also has the TONYMOLY Red Appletox Honey Cream, I do not mind getting another one.

"For endless days and nights, we scoured through the entire country searching for the cutest, most lovable beauty products in the world! We went through a deluge of beauty product wonders and carefully selected only the best to bring you a box packed with whimsical – and effective- beauty products that will once again make the My Cute Wishlist series a Memebox fan favorite!

Loaded with some seriously adorable and hard-to-find beauty loot—straight from the hotbed of cute beauty products - this My Cute Wishlist #4 will make you ridiculously giddy with excitement!

Who else does cute like we do?"

Cost

This particular box is priced at $23 USD, and the lowest shipping cost of standard shipping is $6.99 USD. I only paid $38.98 USD along with the Apple Mojito because I have a bunch of Memebox store credit.

Shipping

The box shipped on Jan. 21st. It arrived on Feb. 9th.

Packaging

Like all other Memeboxes, this one features the Memebox trade dress of the pink bubble mailer and the pink box. There was also tissue paper to prevent rattling.

Contents

TONYMOLY Red Appletox Honey Cream
Full Size Value: $9 USD for 80mL
Product Size Value: $9 USD for 80mL
This is the deliciously smelling TONYMOLY Appletox apple! It doesn't have a typical "cream" consistency, more like a slimy gel texture that feels so silky.



Etude House Sweet Recipe Candy Stick
Full Size Value: $4.50 USD for 2g
Product Size Value: $4.50 USD for 2g
I don't ever mind more lip balms, specially in packaging like this!



Yadah Vita-Whitening Gel
Full Size Value: $12 USD for 5mL
Product Size Value: $12 USD for 5mL
I don't know what to make of this one. It is just an itty bitty bit of moisturizer for such a high price.

Yadah Puregreen Moisturizing Cream
Full Size Value: $12 USD for 5mL
Product Size Value: $12 USD for 5mL
Same thoughts as the gel.

ddung Liquid Eyeliner
Full Size Value: $12 USD for 5mL
Product Size Value: $12 USD for 5mL
This is cute! I like using liquid eyeliners so this one is useful, unless the formula sucks.



Holika Holika Pig Nose Clear Blackhead Steam Starter
Full Size Value: $6 USD for 30mL
Product Size Value: $6 USD for 30mL
Steam starter? So is there an exothermic reaction when rubbed onto your skin? Why would I need that? I'll test it out but I'd rather just do an oil massage.



Pure Smile Choosy Lip Pack in Milk
Full Size Value: $2 USD for 3mL
Product Size Value: $2 USD for 3mL
Not only can you use this for your lips, but for your nipples, too... I've never tried lip masks, and I'm not too keen on trying them, as they look like a pain to use and have adhere to your lips while waiting.



Pure Smile Snail Hand Cream in Milk
Full Size Value: $5 USD for 60g
Product Size Value: $5 USD for 60g
Definitely will get use out of this one! Give me all the snails!



TONYMOLY Egg Pore Nose Pack
Full Size Value: $7 for 7 sheets
Product Size Value: $7 for 7 sheets
I've never used a nose pore strip before, and it's not like they do much to what many claim are blackheads, but are sebaceous filaments that will return as long as your nose continues to produce sebum. Mine returns the next day when I had the bad habit of squeezing my sebaceous filaments out. On top of that, my nose got so dry and flaky, and the skin peels off. All the more reason to stop picking on what is naturally occurring. But! I am very curious to try at least one strip for experimentation.

Conclusion

Total Box Value: $69.50 USD

I'd still prefer the first ever My Cute Wishlist Memebox with all the a;t fox cupcake moisturizers, the Snow White in a tracksuit eyeliner set, paw print pads, a Muddy Girl pack, the Kocostar hair treatment with the hair ribbon, an Etude House candy cane lip balm, and the Etude House Missing U hand cream. That was much cuter than this box I bought, but I never saw it get restocked in two Memebox restocks. This box is still cute, though, and I do not regret my purchase of it.

Paula's Choice Haul

Purchased Affiliate / Referral Link


My first Paula's Choice haul! I wanted to try out their vitamin C serum so I decided to take advantage of a $10 USD off referral for first time customers purchasing over $15 USD and their free shipping promo for under $50 USD.

Just Another Lunch No. 3

This is a lunch that I make when I run out of leftovers to pack. It is a simple, no frills meal that I make in the morning to pack for lunch.

Etude House Play Therapy Moist Up Review

Purchased Affiliate / Referral Link


I purchased this sleeping pack from my first Etude House Official Site Haul because I had never used a sleeping pack before. I've been using it every night for over a month after patch testing it, but I do not feel that this product fits into my routine.

Just Another Lunch No. 2

Another lunch update!

e.l.f. Essential Soothing Lip Balm Review

Purchased Affiliate / Referral Link


I bought all the variants of the Essential Soothing Lip Balm from my second e.l.f. site haul for 50¢ each during one of their half off sales. They were inexpensive, so why not try them out?

Just Another Lunch

Monday is always a good day to bring a wonderfully packed cold lunch filled to the brim.

Memebox Apple Mojito Unboxing

Purchased Affiliate / Referral Link

Yay! I finally got the Apple Mojito Memebox~! I was able to snag this up during the Big Box Party 2015 restock craze.

TONYMOLY Apple Hand Cream Review

Purchased Affiliate / Referral Link


This is the very thing that got me into the world of Asian skincare!

Saturday Post from Peaches

Gift


Words cannot contain my excitement and gratefulness. My dear friend Peaches and I exchanged parcels with each other. I am admiring the decorative trim of washi tape on the box!