ÁMEZING NEWS #31: Superstar SPFs
Summer Solstice, Summer Sadness & Tick Prevention w/ Tierney
~~~Happy summer solstice to you all~~~ I’m writing this feeling a bit broken and sad. Being hopeful feels really, really hard. Things feel grey. I’ve had to protect my peace and search for pockets of hope, which feels odd because I pride myself in being a positive and optimistic person. Immigrants are the fabric of our society here in L.A. (and this whole country). We’re living through an attack on our very existence, our way of living. We have to be kind to each other and stay vigilant, more vigilant than ever. I hope you are checking in on your friends, family and community. Please don’t contribute to normalizing the terror that is shaking our city right now–abducting community members, separating families, dehumanizing our people.
I am the product of immeasurable sacrifices. A daughter of immigrants. My father worked as a driver, delivery man, and janitor to send me to prep school. I didn’t see him. He never slept or rested. It was hard to witness sometimes, but it was all for me and my education. I would not have made it to college or graduated from beauty school if it wasn’t for him. The person I get to be is because of the person he is. For some of you, it may look like I live a fancy life full of products and trips, but I’ve built this career with my own two hands every step of the way, building on the foundation he sacrificed his own body for to create for me.
I love you dad, you are my forever angel.
I can’t tell you the best way to show up for your communities, but I will share some resources that might help you figure out what ways work best for you, your body, your wallet, etc. Protest, buy out street vendors, participate in a community watch training, document moments of violence and injustice when you witness them, offer free professional services if you’re in the legal field…collective action is all we have to keep each other safe.
Donate to the Immigrant Defense Fund
Hire day laborers through the Pasadena Community Job Center.
Donate to or volunteer with a free weekly farmer’s markets for food insecure populations.
Consume fair and accurate coverage of news in the Middle East.
Experience non-Eurocentric perspectives in eating disorders & community engagement.
Stay updated with collective movements with the Communal Press.
TOP SPFs FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
Sigh… As we all know, summer is here. Whether you’ll be spending time outside near or far from home, it’s vital you protect your skin. As your skin fairy godmother, it wouldn’t be right for me to gate keep my favorite SPFs, so here’s a narrowed down list of some of my absolute favorites (and a few I’m planning to try soon). The first set of these are formulations I’ve found while traveling, but even if you’re not headed these ways this summer, you’re able to find many online.
Vichy Capital Soleil Solar Protective Water (SPF 50)
Vichy formulas are some of my absolute favorites out of Europe. Yoga teacher, retreat leader, and dear friend Kyle Miller and I discovered the Capital Soleil formula three summers in Tuscany. It’s a unique water-oil spray, with a good spritzer (yes that matters). Plus it smells like the beach. This SPF made me feel like I had tanning oil all over my body, a favorite sensation from summers past, but I was being majorly protected and hydrated. The lightness of this formula makes it special. It really does feel like a fluid. This particular formula is available in the UK and throughout Europe. Not available for purchase in the USA, but can be found on European beauty and pharmacy websites if you browse around. Here’s one retailer (just make sure you’re viewing prices for the U.S.)
Vichy Capital Soleil U-V Age Daily Water Fluid (Tinted, SPF 50)
I picked this up in Greece knowing my deep love for the Vichy Sun Water. I excitedly snagged a little travel size to try it out. I have to admit, I don’t like the tint. It honestly makes me look chalky, so it’s not the best option for deeper skin tones. However, this does maintain that water-like consistency, so if the tint works for your skin tone, it does have its merits. The tinted version has a stronger scent too, so also avoid if you’re not into that. You can find it here.
Caudalie Vinosun Protect High Protection Cream SPF50
Look for yellow! I’ve discussed my love for Caudlalie a lot, but this formula is really something special. Of course, Caudalie is available here in the U.S., but the European formulas are cleaner. The bluntness of the “anti wrinkle cream” description on the tube caught my eye instantly. My skin just loves this formula. I didn’t have any kind of reaction or flareup, which is huge as a sensitive baby myself. It has a really nice finish that leaves the skin somewhere in between dewy and matte (ideal for me). It has an aroma, but it’s subtle enough that I don’t mind. It also comes in SPF 50, and I happily picked it up the day after I bought this one. I’ll be carrying both with me throughout the summer. Grab it here.
Aptiva BEE SUN SAFE Hydra Sensitive Soothing Face Cream SPF 50+
This formula from Greece was such a lovely discovery. I have reactive skin, so “gel” and “sensitive” are keywords that I look for while browsing. I wasn’t as familiar with Apivita when I grabbed this, but I quickly learned how adored this range is. The formula is light yet nourishing, suitable for those who run on the combination side like me. I’ve used this as my personal daily moisturizer, and it’s even made an appearance in my treatment room. Not going to Greece? This retailer carries.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Oil Control Gel-Cream SPF50
Okay, so it's no secret that La Roche Posay is one of the GOAT. If you’re able to stock up while in Europe, or able to get a vacationing friend to do so for you, you won’t regret it. Again, I was attracted to the words “oil control and gel cream.” This tint is far from universal, it’s even slightly too light on me, but this product is so good at managing oil and shine. My easily-oily face was pretty damn matte by the end of the day. It’s a great fit for oil, combo or even acne-prone folks if the cast isn’t too bad on you (or if you’re able to mix it into makeup products that help match your color better).
***If you’re a melanated person and find yourself with a chalky sunscreen you can’t return, I recommend using the product on your hands or other parts of your body where it might not be as noticeable or bothersome. Of course, this is disappointing and not some sort of consolation, but I hate wasting stuff, so I try to get creative. I’ll put these sunscreens on my hands or arm while driving around day-to-day, not during a pool party or something. You can also try mixing into deeper bronzing fluids or skin tints to achieve a more suitable tone.
These sunscreens are more local favorites. You can find links to buy them on my ShopMyShelf.
Dr. Loretta Universal Glow Daily Defense Mineral Sunscreen Fluid SPF30
I’ve been raving about the Dr. Loretta Universal Glow Mineral Sunscreen for the last year and a half. It has a perfect luminous sheer finish. This is a staple in my treatment room.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+/PA
I wish I could say that I currently have a fresh tube directly from Korea, but I’ve only had the pleasure of experiencing that once. A client gifted me one from her trip. Beauty of Joeson has taken reign in the SPF kingdom! With its perfect light feel, this is one of those formulas you actually look forward to reapplying.
Black Girl Sunscreen Make it Hybrid Mineral Combo Sunscreen, SPF 50
Love the tube size. SPF 50 with absolutely NO WHITE CAST. Let me repeat, NO WHITE CAST. This combines physical and mineral sunscreens.
LESSE EveryTone SPF 30
EveryTone SPF feels so intentional in its formulation. I have also rotated this in my treatment room. This has been traveling with me along with the awakening eye cream.
Iris & Romeo Weekend Skin SPF 50
This Vitamin C + SPF that comes in a few different shades. I have only used “Universal,” which gives a sheer dewy finish. This feels slightly more dense–a great fit for those who lean more towards the normal to dry skin types. I love this one myself, but since I’m not as dry, I reach for it more in the winter.
These are two sunscreens I will be trying soon!
TOWER 28 S.O.S Faceguard SPF 30
I’ve heard mixed reviews, but I love the brand. You can buy from the Tower28 website.
Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50 Facial Sunscreen Moisturizer and Primer
An Australian formula and TikTok sensation. Also a favorite amongst other estheticians and makeup artists. I’m excited to try it! You can purchase at Sephora.
TIERNEY’S TICK PREVENTION TIPS
Ok, maybe a lot of you are well-versed in ticks and tick prevention, but Andrea and I are from L.A. and didn’t grow up dealing with them. We only know as much as Bella Hadid’s mom Yolanda Foster Hadid taught us on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, which boils down to Lyme disease is no fucking joke (*cough, cough, Lisa Rinna). I just got back from a writing residency in Vermont, in a forested area known for having deer ticks that transmit Lyme, and while I can’t be totally sure I avoided them all together (I did roll around on the green grass a great deal, and wear open-toed shoes any time it wasn’t raining), here’s what I learned in order to safeguard myself a little bit.
Pack a lint roller. Use it on your bare body every night before showering, especially in crevices and hard to reach places like behind your knees and neck. The big draw here is getting to reach behind you, especially if traveling or staying alone, but the stickiness also helps draw any ticks off of you.
Pack tweezers. If you spot a stubborn tick in plain sight, you can use the tweezers to pry if off you. Tweezers can be especially helpful in your hairline, where ticks love to stow away, and where applying a sticky lint roller would be torturous.
Andrea’s gonna fire me for saying this, but make a date with DEET. Is it a harsh chemical with potential for skin irritation and neurological effects? Yep! Will it keep bugs, including ticks, away as proven by scientific studies? Yep! I opted for OFF! Deep Woods Tick Insect Repellent Bug Spray 25% DEET from CVS, but I only applied it at sundown, because I’m used to mosquitoes coming out at dusk. Ticks don’t seem to stick to this schedule, so I’ll probably spray earlier on when I’m back in Vermont come June 2026 (I ate ice cream with 28% butterfat and bird watched in between workshops).
Living that DEET free life? I figured. Load up on essential oils like lemon and eucalyptus. Remember how Andrea made amazing essential oil mosquito repellant for my wedding? It was totally effective, so I believe in this DIY route. I’m just less scared of mosquitoes than I am ticks (the devil you know….etc). Or buy this cedar-based spray available in a variety of sizes.
Responsible for kids or pets? Try these homeopathic stickers. They’re made with geranium, peppermint, thyme, and cedarwood essential oils for a natural option. Just stick one or two on (depending on the size of your little loved ones) and go about your day. Don’t mistake them as suitable for full grown adults though, the formulation isn’t right to guarantee protection. (But there is a tick prevention locket for your doggy!)
Do you live a life of luxury? Must every aspect of your summer body care routine live up to your high aesthetic and olfactory standards? Go off bitch. Reach for Kate McLeod’s Dusk Stone. It’s a natural insect repellant in the shape of a luxury soap. Made with citronella and lemongrass, the Dusk Stone prevents bites while soothing any you might already have. Made up of 100% plant-based ingredients, including luxurious cocoa butter, you soften the Stone in your hands before gliding it over your body everywhere you want coverage. Sweet almond oil and vitamin D nourish your skin barrier while the other ingredients offer you protection from insects. As a former pastry chef, McLeod’s formulations are always delicious, and her recyclable paper packaging looks like high end wallpaper. Flying a lot this summer? Never worry about packing aerosols and TSA regulations when using a solid lotion like this! Also available in a stick formula called The Bug Balm.
That’s it for us until July! Be well.