Musings of a Muse

• Purchased

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery BB was released earlier this February for Spring 2013 in Japan. This is Kao’s latest formula of their popular UV Aqua Rich Watery which I absolutely adore.

This protects with an SPF 50 PA+++ like the original but this new version is tinted to brighten skin up, ease dullness, and even out skin tone.

Take a look!

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• PR Sample

The Asian market has SPF and sun protection formulas perfected. Missha All Around Safe Block Essence Sun SPF45/PA+++ ($13.99) is proof positive that Asia makes a FAR better and superior sun protection base than anything you can get here in the US.

I typically prefer Japanese and Korean SPF myself due to their texture and ease of use. Anything I find here in the US is typically so greasy, heavy, and smells god awful.

Seriously, try out Missha All Around Safe Block Essence Sun and prepare to be delighted!

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• Purchased

Since SPF season is upon us I’ve been testing a few new ones out one of which is the Skinfood Platinum Grape Cell White Sun Essence SPF 50 PA+++.

This interested me because it not only protected with an impressive SPF 50 but also because it was created for duller skin types to not only brighten but also to address dark spots and to firm skin with grape cell extract.

Take a look!

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Shu Uemura Whitefficient UV Under Base Brightening Mousse was recently released in Japan. We haven’t seen this one here in the US but fans of Shu’s original UV Mousse will be quite familiar with this one.

The original Shu Uemura Whitefficient UV Under Base Mousse offered SPF 30 and came in a soft, mousse formula that absorbed easily. I don’t think they actually carry it anymore in the US but don’t quote me, it’s been a while since I explored Shu’s master line.

Shu Uemura Whitefficient UV Under Base Brightening Mousse simply adds the benefits of whitening to the mix. So if you’re looking to brighten, whiten, or ease dullness on your face it might be one you’d select over the original UV base.

Take a look!

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I’ve turned quite a few of you on to the joys of Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery SPF 50+. I love that stuff. Totally my HG (holy grail) SPF of choice.

I recently purchased the new Biore UV Aqua Rich Whitening Watery Cream SPF 50+ on a whim to try out.

Take a look!

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Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Plus SPF 50 was released in Japan this Spring and recently we got got the launch of Shiseido Urban Environment Oil–Free UV Protector SPF 42 PA+++ here in the US.

Interesting that the formulas appear quite similar but offer different levels of protection.

I got mine from Japan however, I swatched the version we have available here in the states and I’ll say both have great formulas that seem pretty much identical outside the fact we have an SPF 42 and Japan offers the SPF 50 option. The version here in the US is more of a milky liquid or what I refer to as a traditional SPF formula versus the creamier version of the Japanese release.

Let’s take a look!

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You probably already know I’m a big supporter and fan of Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Mousse so when Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA+++ released in Japan this Spring I quickly snatched it up as I knew without a doubt I’d love it.

What I didn’t know was HOW much I’d love it.

You NEED this.

’nuff said.

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You might be concerned with dark spots on your face but how about your hands? Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Correcting Hand Cream Broad Spectrum SPF15 is interested in your hands not your face.

With dark spot treatments trending in a major way for the last year or so you’ll see plenty of brands competing with each for the best treatments to correct this issue.

Of course, sooner or later we all realized it would branch out to something else right?

Clinique’s Even Better Dark Spot Correcting Hand Cream is the first formula of its kind to treat and protect the skin on your hands.

Take a look!

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You might have stopped at your local drugstore and been privy to the new L’Oreal Sublime Sun Collection. There are a variety of products available in the collection including a new Liquid Silk Sunshield.

I’m quite happy with my Asian brand SPF but I’m always curious to try out US ones to see if anything sticks out as great but sadly, they almost always fail.

Perhaps the new L’Oreal Sublime Sun Advanced Sunscreen SPF 50+ might just change my mind?

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Summer’s here, almost, kinda, sorta if you live in New York, it just doesn’t know what it wants to do at this point..cold, hot, humid, breezy…is it Summer, is it Spring? Time for me to start preaching the good word about proper SPF to you either way!

Vichy Capital Soleil SPF 60 Soft Sheer Sunscreen Lotion passed across my desk this week so I thought I’d share the word.

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Shiseido Anessa Face Sunscreen BB SPF 50+ PA+++ is a very welcome addition to the Anessa Sunscreen Collection in my opinion. Being such a big fan of Shiseido Anessa for Summer protection, I was very excited they decided to release a high level protection sunscreen with a tint.

This hybrid formula offers a whooping SPF 50 as well as coverage.

Let’s take a look!

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I didn’t realize it when I purchased it but Shiseido Sea Breeze UV Cut & Jelly SPF 25 actually has some sort of bug repellent built in? Don’t ask…! I’ve no idea what that’s all about but the good news would be it’s a rather nifty little SPF if you’re looking for something simple for Winter SPF protection.

Check it!

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So you want good sun protection in an easy to use formula that won’t leave you feeling greasy or oily?

Although I love me some Biore Aqua Rich Mousse my new HG (holy grail) SPF of choice is Allie SPF 50 PA+++.

You NEED it.

Jump!

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Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen SPF 50 a necessary evil in my SPF life. If I can, I will avoid milky-type SPF products as I simply don’t like that formula however I will admit some of them I do embrace because they offer superior protection.

That’s the case with Anessa.

Anessa is a popular range of SPF products and is sub-brand of Shiseido which is available in Japan and a few select Asian countries. It’s terribly crummy that the only Shiseido we really experience here in the US is what we found at our high end counter as Shiseido offers a very WIDE array of various products in Asian countries.

Let’s take a look at Anessa and see what it’s such a popular SPF product in Asia.

Jump!

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Kiehl’s Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50+ is a milky type SPF that’s oil-free and lightweight for protecting skin against both UVA and UVB rays. Those who have dabbled in Asian sun protection will understand the use of “milky type” as that’s a reference to the formula which resembles a runny liquid, ie, milk.

This is one of sunscreens in the mid-range due to it’s generous size and and nicer price tag of $34.

Let’s take a look!

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