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
hiru says
just wanna ask about sunblock…can sunblock put on the eyes?i mean on the lid
there is sunblock state at the back “keep out of eyes” but there other sunblock didn’t say that…so,i was wondering if i can put that sunblock on my eyelid? because i always put sunblock all my face except around my eyes n i look like a panda now T-T my face looks tired with dark spot around my eyes…
about sunscreen n sunblock,i heard sunscreen for face…so,sunblock is for body?can’t sunblock put on face too?i use sunblock on face,so far its ok…i hope
ParisB says
Just quickly, since I’m no expert, sunscreen and sunblock are the same thing. It used to be called sunblock before people got politically correct and said that nothing can block the sun rays so it became screen. So in essence sunblock = sunscreen. Different brands use it interchangeably depending on where they come from.
As for whether it can be used around the eye area, my advise is to follow the instructions. If it says keep out of eyes, keep out of the eye area. I prefer to keep sunblock away from the eyes because the formula is quite thick and I’ve had sunblock run into my eyes when I sweat and sting it. There are eye creams you can use that contain SPF if you are concerned. Else, if my foundation contains SPF, I apply that all over, including over my eye area. Just not the actual sunblock/sunscreen itself. Also, whenever you’re out, wear sunglasses with UV protection. It helps protect your eyes too.
hiru says
ic,that make more sense about sunscreen n sunblock,thanks for explanation 🙂
but got eye cream that have spf in market?
i don’t wear foundation because of time consuming but instead i wear bb cream…the bb cream have spf42 pa+++,do u think i can wear it on my eyes too?i didn’t try it yet…
i don’t wear sunglasses because it always look weird on my face :-\ maybe its not suit with my face frame but i still trying to find the good one..
btw,i already try use lightly tap method,its amazing!! the coverage looks more natural n easy to apply <33 the method feels like using stippling brush but different is use fingers instead,save more time.Thank u for sharing this awesome tips,i really like it 😀
i always use the dot method,the result sometimes it looks good n sometimes its not n it looks cakey D:
aien says
isnt that a bb cream has spf? can be sunscreen? so should we still use sunscreen?
ParisB says
Most BB Creams have SPF included so you can technically use it alone without a separate sunscreen. I prefer to be safe so I use a separate sunscreen at all times.
Jyoan says
I do this unconsciously with my products every now and then! And then of course, I realise I am patting my skin because I would do it for a long time. =P
I think this may be the natural, milder, and economical way of patting, instead of using a Beauty Blender.
I recently started Beauty Blending my BB Cream, and I swear it works, it makes the BB Cream go on so nicely, and my blusher too! I beauty blend my blusher on, and it’s seamless.
So yes! I do believe this finger-patting method works. I am going to try it asap.
indah says
do u use sunscreen first or bb cream first? am confuseee because i just bought the body shop bb cream and i didnt notice if there has spf or no 🙁
Paris B says
Generally speaking, a “proper” BB Cream will contain SPF. Technically, BB Cream acts as an all in one being moisturiser, sunscreen and foundation. Some people use it on its own. I don’t, because I always use a separate sunscreen first. So it will depend on which theory you subscribe to 🙂
noetica says
hi there! which do you recommend best – using the tips of fingers or make up brush like foundation / blusher brush to apply BB cream like the Body Shop’s? thanks!
Paris B says
If starved for time, I’d use my fingers but if I have the time, I use this technique which I find gives a more flawless finish.