Sun Defense Minerals Honey Apple

I've tried many sunscreen brands but this is the first time I have tried a sunscreen in the form of a powder. 

Sun defense minerals combines the perfect blend of light coverage make-up and mineral sun protection. It's not labelled as a full fledged foundation but does a preeetttttyyy good job of evening out my skin tone and lightly covering up (roughly) 85% of my dozens of freckles and sunpots. It works well in blending out a few reddened areas and hyperpigmented blotches on my cheeks without making my skin feel heavy or appear cakey.

The Product:

The applicator has powder in a closed transparent chamber, with a soft bristle brush at the opposite end. 

To use, you push the brush cover down, and brush in circular strokes onto the skin.

For lighter application of powder, it's recommended to use large circular brush strokes and light pressure. The brush should be facing upwards while brushing on so less powder flows into the bristles.

For heavier application of powder, it's recommended to use smaller circular brush strokes and firmer pressure. Here the brush should be facing downward when brushing so powder will flow into the bristles and more will get onto the skin.

How I used it and currently still use:

In the AM, after splashing water on my face and patting dry, I apply a drop of facial oil to moisturize any dry patches of skin.

Then, I apply 1-2 pea sized amounts of natural oil based sunblock on the face.

Then I brush using medium sized circular strokes over the entire face with the brush facing upward.

The end result is wonderful because it gives me a semi-matte appearance. For a dewy appearance I add more facial oil or oil based sunblock. I like that in using this product, I no longer fuss over liquid foundations in the morning and feel like I can get out the door faster.

The Ingredients:

I do like that the sun defense uses physical blockers, Zinc Oxide and Titanium dioxide. An Eminence rep in an email stated, the micronized particles in sun defense minerals are not nanoparticles as they range from 2.5 to 10 microns (nanoparticles are less than 1 micron in diameter).

After using this product at least 4-5 times a week for 2 months, I found no irritations nor breakouts. I have read some people find they become irritated with bismuth but I did not experience any negative skin reactions when using this product.

The natural scents of the ingredients give a very light delicate sweet powder. 

Tips:

Pumping the brush. The insert says not to pump the brush, which I inadvertently did prior to using it, because of possible blockage with powder, but so far so good.

Brush needs cleaning. After 2 weeks of use, the brush did become less soft and required cleaning. The Eminence representative emailed me saying to clean the brush, I should use their natural brush cleaner sprayed onto a paper towel so no moisture gets into the powder chamber.

Inhalation of particles. Due to the powder nature of the product, you do notice some particles flying around in the air when brushing. To help prevent inhaling the particles, I would brush my face while walking around my apartment instead of standing still in one spot in the bathroom. After a minute of applying, I would check myself in the bathroom mirror.

Marketing label: These hypoallergenic, non pore clogging natural minerals provide water-resistant SPF 30 sun protection to women and men alike. They are excellent for post-treatment use, especially on red or blotchy skin. Darker shades can be used as a bronzer.

After 2 months use, I really like this product, however, I currently use it as a touch up over already applied sunblock on my face as extra protection as well as to help even out skin tone. It is easy to use but I found the brush can become a little rough after time. I really appreciate the dual use of the product and always have it in my everyday bag. My only qualm is that I have no objective way to measure how much sun protection I have applied on the skin so for that reason alone, I will still apply a physical sunblock underneath this product, as opposed to using this product as my only form of sun protection on the face.

Sun Defense Minerals comes in 6 different shades and is great for people who aren't looking for full foundation coverage, just some evening out of skin tone with some sun protection. 

RAVE FACTOR 3.5 RAVES LUV! Really good for quick morning prep and on the go touch up

This product review is based on my own use of this product at least 5 times a week (June-August 2015) and am still using. Please keep in mind everyone’s skin is unique and that you may have a different experience when using this product.