Introducing Invisible Zinc & Avène Haute Protection Compact. Sunscreen & Make Up in One!

We've been blessed with some pretty beautiful weather in Dublin over the past fortnight and hopefully as we rocket into June we won't have seen the last of it. Because of this, we've seen a great focus on sun protection of late so I was intrigued at an Avène event recently to learn of their make up compact with Factor 50 incorporated and even more so when I saw Cloud10beauty.com announce their launch of Invisible Zinc, a high coverage and high SPF cream to powder stick. So intrigued that I thought you might fancy a goo too...

Both of these products have the potential to revolutionise your Summer time make up and your incorporation of facial SPFs into your daily routine so let's take a looksee, shall we?

Avène Tinted Compact - €19.90 (available in Beige & Honey)

Water resistant and chemical free, Avène Factor 50 compact is suitable for even the most sensitive of skin types. Although it apples as a cream, it offers a soft and flattering matte finish. Using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, this sunscreen protects your visage from free radicals and the suns harmful UVA/UVB rays.

Coming in just two shades, Beige & Honey, it is advised that you choose the colour closest to your skin tone, build up the coverage required and blend in for a flawless finish. Recommended to be touched up every 2 hours, this compact offers a handy alternative to sporting your bottle of sunscreen in your mála and provides a healthy complexion instead of a pasty kisser. Who doesn't want that?

Invisible Zinc UV Silk Shield Foundation - €42 (Light, Medium, Tan)

Established in 2003, Australian label, Invisible Zinc is high end but affordable and aims to change the way you wear sun screen. Using just one active ingredient, zinc oxide, and reducing it to a size that's invisible to the naked eye, Invisible Zinc provides a chemical free, physical barrier to the sun and other pollutants. A firm favourite of Elle McPherson and Georgia May Jagger apparently, I was delighted to be sent a tube to test out.

First up, the packaging reminds me of my beloved Pan Stick (Stop judging me, we go way back) and while it applies bright and pasty, it blends in beautifully. The highlighting pigments evened out my skin tone and, once blended in, gave me a bright, natural matte finish. I've found myself reaching for this stick more and more in the mornings as the final result suits my skin tone perfectly. (That & I like to pretend it's Pan Stick) 

Although it's recommended that you reapply Invisible Zinc throughout the day, I'm similar to most in the false belief that clouds mean no sun. I've honestly just been touching up as and when I'm out on site or being baked in the car and that needs to change. I do feel all the more virtuous for using SPF now consistently though. My potential Crow's Feet have been given their jog on orders.

Courtesy of Reddit.com

This incredible picture of the effect of the sun on this man's face after 29 years driving a truck caught my attention on Reddit last week and certainly gave me pause for thought. Do you use SPF in any form everyday?