Review: Add a Luminous Glow with Consonant The Perfect Sunscreen SPF 30

With Summer officially here and the sun shining, most days, I want to protect my skin. And while sunscreen should be worn during all seasons, of course there's more emphasis put during the warmer months. Finding the perfect sunscreen to wear on it's own or under makeup can be pretty challenging, and when I received Consonant's "The Perfect Sunscreen", I was beyond excited to see if it lives up to its big claim. All companies claim their products are the best, but Consonant actually named it the perfect sunscreen. Quite daring Consonant, quite daring.

Description: Hydrating SPF 30 protection for prolonged sun exposure. The Perfect Sunscreen is unlike other 100% natural sunscreens as it is a smooth, non-greasy formula that leaves no white residue. It delivers optimal SPF 30 protection using uniquely micronized (non-nano particle) Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide minerals to block the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays. The newly developed formula has light, hydrating benefits with aloe vera, grape seed and rice bran oil, and evens skin tone with a touch of natural mica tint.  Like all Consonant Skincare products, this product is fragrance free, containing no perfume or even essential oils which can play havoc with your skin, especially in the sun! The Perfect Sunscreen is ideal for days when you're going to be out in the sun for prolonged periods. It is water resistant, but we recommend re-applying after swimming or doing water sports.

I friggen love this stuff!! The bottle is so light, perfect for travelling with, and the pump makes it easy to dispense product and avoid spillage. My only issue with the pump is, which we all already know, you can never get every last drop of product out. The sunscreen itself is beautiful. It's moisturizing, easy to blend, non-whitening, not greasy, glow enhancing, and hasn't broken me out at all. It doesn't matter how much or little I apply, it always applies beautifully. There is no scent, not even that nauseating unscented scent. The lotion-like texture makes it ideal for all skin types because it works well over a moisturizer or as a moisturizer. Also, the tint is fantastic. I don't think it would matter what skin tone you have because it blends to give you a luminous glow. Who doesn't love a fresh, glowy face? I mean really though. Oddly enough, I see slight shimmer on my hands after applying it but never on my face. The tint, and texture, create the perfect base for makeup. I literally sometimes just apply this SPF, add a little concealer, set with my Alima Pure, and my base is done. If I want more coverage, I'll mix in my Alima Pure with the Consonant SPF and buff into the skin for a flawless complexion. It's also SPF 30, which is what I prefer to wear on my face daily. I cannot say enough good things about this sunscreen and it's now my favourite facial SPF. I didn't think anything would beat my love for Devita! Seems too good to be true, doesn't it? The bad news is that it's expensive. At $45 CAN for 50ml, it's not quite the affordable replacement for my $35/75ml Devita. Still, I love it. The fact that it doubles as a tinted moisturizer and can be made into a foundation seals the deal for me. It really is The Perfect Sunscreen and I will definitely be purchasing once I run out.

Retails for $45 CAN for 50ml. Can be purchased through Consonant and other retailers across Canada. Click here to find the one closest to you.

What is your perfect sunscreen?

Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 6%; Zinc Oxide 10%. Ingredients: Reverse Osmosis Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Isoamyl Laurate, Olea Europaea, Ginkgo Biloba, Calendulla Officinalis, Hippophae Rhamnoides, Curcuma Longa, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glucose, Lactoperoxidase and Glucose Oxidase, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Xanthan Gum, Mauritia Flexuosa Oil, Golden Bronze Mica Powder, Yellow Iron Oxide, Potassium Sorbate, Tapioca Starch, Red Iron Oxide, Black Iron Oxide.

*PR SAMPLE sent for review consideration.  I wasn't paid or compensated for writing a rave review, I actually did fall in love with it and highly recommend.

June 2013 Empties!

Woohoo, time for my favourite post to do and read.  I hate hoarding trash, so it feels incredible to toss these in the bin! As usual, I finished a bunch of things. Please note that these are products that I've been working on for a little while and not just products I started and finished in the month of June.

Samples

Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Exfoliating Scrub - My skin felt softer but nothing special. I won't be picking up the full size.

Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser - This stuff was nice, I've tried a few samples of it before and enjoyed them all. However, I don't think it's out of this world amazing and therefore I'm not going to purchase the full size.

Dr. Hauschka Hydrating Mask - While this brand doesn't tickle my fancy, this mask wasn't horrible. It didn't irritate my skin, left it hydrated, and surprisingly wasn't super scented. Still, won't be purchasing the full size.

Erbaviva SPF 30 - I applied this little packet all over my face, arms and chest before a bike ride. I was impressed by how nicely it went on, blended, and smelled (like lavender). I was not impressed when I started sweating and noticed it dripping off my skin. How does that even happen? It was gross, I had white droplets falling from my skin and it was starting to ball up. Won't be purchasing a full size.

Skin Care

Earthpaste in Peppermint - review here - I love this stuff and the flavour is perfect for me. It leaves my teeth and mouth feeling super fresh and clean. Will definitely repurchase.

Juicy Bamboo Cleansing Cloths - review here - These were really refreshing and great at removing most of my makeup. I also enjoyed these on days that I didn't wear makeup and just wanted to quickly cleanse. These were the only wipes that I've ever used that didn't irritate my skin. Still, I'm not a huge fan of cleansing cloths. If I were to repurchase, it would be the individually wrapped cloths for travelling.

Pangea Organics Fresh Rosemary with Sweet Orange Toner - no review - I may or may not do a full review of this product. I absolutely love their Italian Green Mandarin with Sweet Lime toner and prefer it to this one. It was hydrating and soothing, but I didn't find it as refreshing. I used it to set my makeup and in the morning before moisturizer. I love the spritz bottle on these, it's such a beautiful fine mist. I won't be purchasing this particular one again.

Mary Ginseng Facial Scrub Cream - review here -  Fantastic, fantastic scrub. I love the little crystals because it doesn't feel like your exfoliating but your skin is left so soft. In the colder months, my skin was definitely a little dry after using it. This tube lasted me almost a whole year! Well worth the month and I will repurchase at some point. I'd like to try something different now.

DeVita Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30 - review here - I have maybe one or two more uses left, but thought I'd throw it in this empties anyway. I love this facial sunscreen so much! The texture is one that can't be beat, so far anyway, and it's a great base for makeup. Sadly, some of the formulas/textures are different now and if I can't find one like what I have, then I won't be repurchasing.

Hair/Body Care

Oneka Balancing Citrus Shampoo - hauled it but never did a review, I swear I thought I did - I really enjoyed this Canadian made shampoo. The ingredients were fab, it lathered well, smelled like citrus and left my hair soft. My only issue, was that with continued use, my hair felt a little greasy. I wouldn't repurchase.

Kiss My Face Whenever Shampoo - review here - LOVE this stuff! It's great to deep clean your hair and scalp and lathers really well. I liked it because it actually removed oil treatments from my hair. I've gone through two bottles of it and will likely repurchase at some point.

Hugo & Deborah Naturals Vanilla Peppermint Soap (little blob in front of KMF shampoo) - review here - It's no secret that these are my favourite soaps ever, but the scent of this one is to die for. It was sweet and fresh and clean and invigorating. I adored it and will be picking up more next holiday season (since it's a holiday scent)!

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil - review here - My goodness, I'm so in love with this body oil. If I start expressing my love for it, I won't stop. I already repurchased.

Weleda Skin Food - review here - Everyone knows about how fantastic this cream is. It's super hydrating and I love keeping it in my bag for when any part of me need moisturizing. I'm currently keeping their Calendula Face Cream in my bag because I just find it more soothing. I'm sure I'll repurchase at some point.

Makeup

MarieNatie Lip Gloss in Nearly Wild - review here - This was a great lip gloss and even though I was disappointed with the colour payoff, at first, I ended up adoring the beautiful sheen that it gave my lips. This worked fantastic on it's own and most definitely worked fantastic over lipstick. Already purchased a different shade.

Zuzu Luxe Mascara in Onyx - review here - This was my second tube and I really enjoy this mascara. I love the brush and the formula (once it dries out a bit). It's super expensive in Canada, like $30, so I've tried to look for a more affordable option. So far the Physicians Formula Fake Out mascara is a reasonable priced alternative. I'm sure I'll repurchase at some point, just not right now.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder Mini - no review - I've had this mini sample for like two years now. I loved it for setting my under eye concealer and finishing my entire makeup look. I'm using something else now, so I won't be purchasing the full size.

Cheeky Cosmetics Eye Shadow Samples in Desert Rose, Pink Champagne & Silk: I'm so glad that I tried samples from this company because I've fallen in love with a few of them, and they're so pigmented. I didn't like loose shadow until Cheeky came into my life. Desert Rose was my favourite all over the lid colour and one that I'm definitely going to purchase the full size of. Silk is THE perfect highlight shade and I'm also going to purchase the full size at some point. Pink Champagne was my least favourite of the three because of the chunky glitter in it. I'd apply it on my brow bone and inner corner, and end up with sparkles all over my face.

The All Natural Face Shadow Sample in Creme Brulee - This sample came in a little bag, so I emptied it into the Silk container (which I actually finished up last month). Creme Brulee is a beautiful light creamy nude/brown colour with a nice sheen to it. Great description huh? I used it on days where I didn't want to look like I was wearing makeup because the shade sort of blends in with my skin tone. While it's beautiful, I wasn't blown away by it and won't be picking up the full size.

Randoms

Pukka Cleanse Tea - This is my second box of this tea and I think I've decided that I don't like it. It's not horrible and I still love Pukka's other teas, but I'm just not a fan of fennel. I will not be repurchasing.

Udo's Choice Super 8 Plus Probiotic - I go through these bottles way too fast, I finished it at the beginning of the month. I stopped taking probiotics for a couple of weeks and noticed a huge difference in the way my tummy felt. It was bloated and hurt, which I thought was odd because I eat fairly well. I'm back on them, a different brand, and feel much better again! I may repurchase these again but I'm going to experiment with other brands a little.

Things I'm Tossing

Nature's Gate Glow Lotion - I picked this up a couple of years ago, in the USA. I really haven't used it all that much because of the strong self tanner scent. When I did use it, I used it on my legs and it gave them a nice tanned glow. The lotion is white, which makes it super easy to cause streaking and there were times when I had patches of orange. I'm tossing it because it's probably expired and I never use it.

Dr. Alkaitis Day Creme- review here - I used this while I was in school, just to use up, but I don't enjoy it at all. I find it's a little heavy and the scent is not favourable. There's a tad bit left which I'm just going to toss.

Tarte Park Avenue Princess Bronzer Mini - I got this a few years ago, used it all of twice, and it's been sitting in my drawer ever since. It's a shimmery, very gold, bronzer that I didn't like the look of on my skin. It's old, it's being tossed.

Done! What did you finish up this month?