Last weekend I attended a skincare workshop organized by Estee Lauder where I learnt something new from the Estee Lauder trainer, Geraldine. I rarely attend such workshops but I love discovering and learning new things. And naturally, here I am to share them with you! 😀
Today, we are going to learn a new way to apply sunscreen, which can also be used for applying BB cream! 😀
The technique is very simple but it does mean you have to change certain views about sunscreen, which I’ll tell you about below.
Here’s how I was taught to apply the sunscreen or sunblock:
- Pump or squeeze out a dollop of sunscreen/sunblock on the tips of your fingers.
- Spread them out with the other hand, also using the tips or pads of your fingers.
- Lightly tap the sunscreen/sunblock all over your face, covering as much skin as you can. Imagine that you are playing the piano all over your skin
- Lightly spread to ensure even coverage
Done this way, you avoid having uneven patches of sunscreen application to your skin, in particular if your sunblock tends to leave a whitish cast and I find it less oily too because you don’t use as much as you normally might.
However, I found that this technique works best if your sunscreen has a lotion-gel texture. If it is too watery (Sunplay, Biore etc) it’ll drip. If its too thick (La Roche Posay) it’ll not apply as well because you need to spread those.
Also, if you plan to be out in the sun for long hours, I don’t personally think this technique is best because you do end up with a very light layer of sunscreen on your face. I’d stick to applying the sunscreen section by section on the face in the latter circumstance. But if you are home or office bound for most of the sunlit hours of the day, then I think this technique will help reduce the feeling of heaviness and oiliness of sunblock on the skin.
I found this technique worked well with the remnants of my Kiehl’s UV Defense but less so with the Biotherm UV Supra D-Tox. It works especially well with the Marie Veronique Moisturizing Face Screen (pictured above), which has a runny texture. The review on this one will follow and those who find normal sunblock too oily might like this one 🙂
You could use this same technique to apply your BB cream as well! I tried it and it gives a more natural look because you actually use less product and in the case of BB cream, its probably a good thing!
Would you try this new technique of applying sunscreen or BB Cream? Or do you already use this method? 🙂 If you do try it, please please come back and let me know what you think 😀
Paris B
Cynthia says
February 15, 2011 at 8:53 amThis is an awesome tip.. Basically I’ve used this for my bb cream. It works better and I don’t feel thick or patchy anymore..
ParisB says
February 15, 2011 at 9:32 pmYay! Glad to know it works for you too. Ever since I learnt this I’ve found that my light foundation or bb cream go on smoother too
sesame says
February 15, 2011 at 9:02 amYep, tapping and patting is great for using MVO Face Screen cos it doesn’t spread that well compared to the chemical based sunscreen. Look forward to reading your views on this one. It’s my fave…still!
ParisB says
February 15, 2011 at 9:34 pmYes! I did find that it didn’t spread very well so I’m very happy to learn this tip 🙂 this is quite a nice light sunscreen
xin says
February 15, 2011 at 9:06 amNever heard of this piano method before but I can try. I have been using tapping method n it works wonder for sunscreen esp before I apply foundation after that
ParisB says
February 15, 2011 at 9:35 pmAlamak! Looks like I’m the last to learn this haha! I usually do the normal application for sunscreen – part by part which is thicker
Nadia says
February 15, 2011 at 9:46 amAhh…awesome tip! Never tried before but will do now.
ParisB says
February 15, 2011 at 9:35 pmDo let me know how it works for you 🙂
Jenn says
February 15, 2011 at 10:06 amOhhh, thats how the SA from The Face Shop taught me how to apply BB cream too! Didn’t know that it can be applied to sunblock application too! Must try it later! 😀
ParisB says
February 15, 2011 at 9:36 pmIf I’d learnt this when I first tried BB cream I might not have been so averse 😛 Do let me know how it works for you for sunscreen
Grace Sue says
February 15, 2011 at 11:27 ammy korean guy friend taught me that and i personally feel you save more product and at the same way being gentle on thy skin 😀 all this while i’ve been rough applying products on my skin. but now lightly pad on your skin (as if playing piano) technic
works all the time.
ParisB says
February 15, 2011 at 9:38 pmYes! You do save on product which is great 😀 I’m only using this for light sunscreen or foundation/bb cream for now. For regular skincare I’m sticking to the usual skincare application of sweeping it over my face 🙂
shusheshe says
February 15, 2011 at 11:30 amA great tip! I’ll be sure to try it!
ParisB says
February 15, 2011 at 9:38 pmGreat! Do let us know how it works for you 🙂
meipinggg says
February 15, 2011 at 12:41 pmWow. Weird cause I already use this technique for my BB Cream before even reading this. :X But since mine is a little thick, I’ll spread it first, tap, then spread a bit again. 😛
ParisB says
February 15, 2011 at 9:39 pmAww that’s not weird, it means its just new to me 🙂
Hanny says
February 15, 2011 at 2:12 pmI use a stippling brush to apply my BB cream nowadays, because I found that applying this with me fingers is not as even as I would like. ^.^
ParisB says
February 15, 2011 at 9:41 pmGlad that works for you 🙂 I find using a brush too much hassle for foundation when I’m in a rush in the morning. That said, I learnt a foundation trick too recently that includes use of a brush so maybe I’ll have to be a bit more hardworking 😛
plue says
February 15, 2011 at 5:34 pmi think this would work with our skincare too? especially creams and what nots.
i think i’ll go try this on my new night moisturizer… since those are the heavier ones 😀
ParisB says
February 15, 2011 at 9:42 pmIt should 🙂 I prefer using the sweeping method for applying creams because I find the warmth and pressure from the hands help stimulate the skin 🙂
synical says
February 15, 2011 at 6:16 pmI never knew about it; it’ll take me a long while to get a hang of it even if I did embrace it… Good to know, though.
ParisB says
February 15, 2011 at 9:43 pmHaha it doesn’t take long 😉 give it a go and see 😉
Sue Lynn says
February 15, 2011 at 6:55 pmOui Oui!
I do this with my (runnier) BB creams too (and yes, I finally found THE ONE which matches me).
In fact, I do the same with some liquid foundations for a lighter coverage.
Works great IF they’re not the kind which sets super fast ^_^
ParisB says
February 15, 2011 at 9:45 pmYeah! I’m doing it with my liquid foundations now. It does give a much lighter coverage for days when I want something more natural. And definitely for the more liquid 🙂 so which is the magical one for bb cream then?
Sue Lynn says
February 16, 2011 at 8:55 amIt eeezzz…the…Ishizawa Nanoce Moist BB Cream.
There are 2 shades to choose from, and naturally, I’m the darker…
No surprise there!
And it’s YELLOW enough for my Simpson-skin! ^_^
*”supposedly” the No. 1 Selling BB in Japan*
ParisB says
February 16, 2011 at 10:03 amHaven’t come across that one, but glad you found a BB cream to work for you 😀 Its such a pain isn’t it? Something so simple yet so hard to get a match for
Sue Lynn says
June 8, 2011 at 9:08 amNanoce has been usurped by Hada Labo ^_^ *evil cackle*
Now, if only it doesn’t break me out… *fingers, toes, eyes crossed*
Mari says
February 15, 2011 at 8:34 pmI slather at least 2 layers of sunscreen – even if I’m working indoors. One can never be too sure.^^ I spread it with my finger pads, but I don’t do the piano thing – even though it would be useful for activating the blood circulation. I usually haven’t got much time in the morning, so no piano for me! Only running across the house to get all my stuff and go! 😀
ParisB says
February 15, 2011 at 9:47 pmGoodness you really are careful with your sunscreen 🙂 I wouldn’t use this method if I’m going to be out and about. The tropical sun is horrible! But this technique really takes just a minute – give it a go one day and see 😉
Lisa says
February 15, 2011 at 10:17 pmPatting on the foundation and loose powder gives the best natural effect for my skin. If needing more coverage, just tap more on.
ParisB says
February 16, 2011 at 9:54 amGreat to know that! Less is definitely more right? 😉
chin says
February 15, 2011 at 10:29 pmHi – can you share with use what products you use or which are your favourites? I mean you have had the opportunity to try so many so who better to do a list like:
Best Cleanser, Best sunscreen, best serum, best shampoo, best body lotion, best eye cream, best hair dye etc. etc.
ParisB says
February 16, 2011 at 10:01 amHi Chin, thanks for the suggestion 😀 My likes and dislikes change from day to day or every time I discover a new product so its really hard for me to just say that one item is the “best”. That said, I do have a “Best of” list that I run at the end of the year, which is probably the best time to tell everyone what I’ve liked since it changes all the time 🙂 You can read some of it by following these links: Best of 2009, Best of 2010
Monstro says
February 15, 2011 at 10:30 pmBeing the lazy ass that I am, this sounds like it would take a long time…but I’m going to try it for sure to see the difference. I usually just spread it as fast as possible all over my face, especially now when I see my kid running towards me to grab my bottles of cream! LOL
ParisB says
February 16, 2011 at 10:02 amOn the contrary, it takes 1 minute. I timed it hehe… 😉 The patting motion is just to get the cream on the face after that, smoothing it around take probably all of 10 seconds! 😉 Baby doesn’t stand a chance 😉
eiling says
February 16, 2011 at 10:32 amwow i can learn a thing or two from your blog! Great blog and nice to meet you at the Estee Lauder workshop!
ParisB says
February 16, 2011 at 10:52 amHi Eiling! Lovely meeting you too – now to implement all they taught us and not fall asleep while at it 😉
Joyce Loh says
February 16, 2011 at 10:56 amI’ve been doing this on foundation. If you need coverage but don’t wanna look to cake up.. Haven’t tried on bb creams or sunscreen. Will give it a try ^^
ParisB says
February 16, 2011 at 2:04 pmYou’re absolutely right about this method working very well for liquid foundation 😀 I’m learning it gives an impressively sheer yet even finish
AnT says
February 16, 2011 at 11:40 amHuh? Piano method? Never heard of it too but I have been using tapping method as well for both sunscreen and BB cream 😀
Last time I used to apply the BB cream before the sunscreen and I felt that my makeup can’t last that long. Now I apply the sunscreen first then BB cream and final step is the foundation, wooh laa!, my makeup last longer 😛
By the way, I find that the tapping method can also minimise pores, don’t you think so? 😉
ParisB says
February 16, 2011 at 2:05 pmThis time instead of just tapping, “play the piano” all over your face. Might be faster 😉 And you use BB Cream AND foundation? No wonder it lasts longer! :O I usually just use either 😀 But always over sunscreen. Didn’t notice the pore minimization though…
AnT says
February 17, 2011 at 11:41 amLOL Because the BB cream I am using can’t cover much of my blemished face 😛 you~
yuki says
February 16, 2011 at 3:45 pmI’ve been doing that instead of the dot dot dot technique… Altogether, u got like 5 or 6 dots on your face and that’s way too much BB cream on my face… My friend said I look sooo pale… yes, less is more 🙂 I find warming the BB cream on my finger makes the application easier~~