Hello peeps :)

I'm going to do a little product review today.

Sidetracking a little, I actually dislike blog posts that do PAID product reviews. I know it's a LEGAL way of earning money and some people do make their living from writing blogs, but I often feel 'cheated' when I read through a lengthy post and realize near the end that it is actually an advert for some kind of product. I mean, when people are paid to review something, of course they are going to say good things about it. Duh. (I know, bug off if you don't like the paid post, whatever, so yeah, I DO bug off the post.)

On the other hand, unpaid product reviews do get my attention, and somehow I feel they are more productive in terms of advertising. I know, it's a paradox. Advertise without advertising (only if the reviews are good). Bloggers who do unpaid reviews actually get my respect (as if that's worth anything to them). But I think people do trust them more too. Say it as it is.

THIS IS AN UNPAID PRODUCT REVIEW.

So anyway, I just feel compelled to take about sun protection today. I'm 29 this year, happily so, but one thing that I noticed is that I get pigmentation on my face rather easily compared to when I was 28, even without prolonged sun exposure. I do use makeup once in a while but I like my face bare. I used to put nothing when I was younger but now I use a little gel-based moisturiser. I used to skip sunscreen, but I learnt my lesson, the pigmented way. So I'm sharing this with you, in hope that you will go the unpigmented way.

There are a few points that you need to know:
1. Prevention is necessary, and better than cure.
- Once you get pigmentation, it will be very hard to get rid of them.

2. Skin damage from the sun is scientific.
- I know. Trust me, I'm a doctor. Albeit a bimbotic one.

3. When you hit 29, you get pigmentation easily. See 1.
- 10 seconds of afternoon sun exposure, and the melanin becomes incontinent. Or start aggregating. Or something like that. Did I say something about bimbotic?

4. There is no shame in carrying an umbrella in the sun.
- What do the angmohs know? Melanoma is more common in angmohs, that should tell you something. Cancers are racist.
- I don't do this often enough, because it is inconvenient. Plus, I can't get over the fact that I used to mock people who carry umbrellas in the sun.

5. Please, please, please use sunscreen/sunblock, even if you hate any kind of facial products.

So anyway, that brings me to my product review. I have tried out many different types of sunblock, but they usually cause me some kind of discomfort.

I've tried Neutrogena Ultrasheer Dry-touch Sunblock - but it leaves a flaky residue on my face after a few uses. It is kinda hard to wash off, unless you use some kind of oil-based cleanser (which is, in my opinion, too much trouble).

I got this Bobbi Brown UV Protective Face Base as a sample gift - it makes my face even, but it smells heavily of sunblock. I dislike the sunblocky smell. As it makes my eyes itch too, maybe because I like to rub my eyes. Can be a little drying as well if you have dry skin.

(Ps: the surface is my table, not my skin. In case you are wondering)

I have also tried Lancome's sunblock before, but I think it made my face white or something, because I stopped after a few tries.

I have found the sunblock that suits my skin type very well, and it's this one :

I went for a facial at Aster Spring (recommended by the bimbotic website Flowerpod) in Gurney Plaza when I was back in Penang - lovely experience, shall talk about that more, and they have this promotion where they give you a free facial worth RM198 if you purchase any products RM200 and above.

This sunblock is great - it doesn't smell too much (it does a little initially), a little goes a long way (I usually squeeze out slightly less than a pea size), and it's not greasy or drying. It actually feels more like a light moisturiser which disappears a few seconds after application. The SPF30 is sufficient without suffocating.

I love it! The only downside is the price tag. It's RM258, but since it's 50ml and I use very little, I think it will probably last me 4-6 months.