MegaStyles™: The Week in Fashion (04.11.03)

Sunscreen sure is great, isn’t it? It stops sunburn. It blocks premature wrinkles. It prevents skin cancer. Someday it will probably save the dolphins from extinction. So why do parents, doctors, magazines, and tabloid news shows still have to scare us into using it? Two words: Plastic Face.

You know what I’m talking about. You’ve spent a beautiful spring day outside only to catch yourself in a storefront window with a face so shiny, you’re a Vaseline ad. Preventing cancer and premature wrinkles is only rewarding to a point. Fortunately, if you look long, hard, and steal enough samples, you can find the rare sunblock that leaves your skin looking normal. MegaStyles™ reports on which sunscreens make the grade and which should be substituted for cooking oil.

Buy This: 
Urban Decay – Urban Defense Guardian Angel Oil-Free Protective 
Moisture SPF 15. Hands down, the winner. A surprise, as Urban Decay
is famous for Technicolor eyeshadows with names like “Gash” and 
“Asphyxiate,” not skincare. Lightweight, matte finish. Oil-free. Contains 
super sun-fighter Parsol 1789. Left skin looking better after application. 
The only negative: SPF 15 is the highest level of protection. 
Available at: www.sephora.com, www.urbandecay.com 

DDF Matte Finish Photo-Age Protection SPF 30.
Although the name suggests this would be the answer to the 
sun-worshippers prayers, it actually left more of a sheen than the Urban
Decay lotion. But it was still pretty great. Oil-free, fragrance-free, Parsol 
1789. Heavier texture when applying but easily absorbed.
Available at: www.sephora.com, www.evabeauty.com

Sample: 
Stila Skin Visor SPF 30.
Although not advertised as oil-free, it does have a very light, non-greasy
feeling. Easily absorbed. Not a matte finish, leaves a little shine. Good 
for a workday moisturizer with SPF. Not great as a sunscreen alone.
Available at: www.sephora.com, www.gloss.com 

Peter Thomas Roth Ultra Lite Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 30.
Oil-free, fragrance-free, Parsol 1789. Very light, non-greasy texture. Leaves a sheen. Like Stila, better when used as a workday moisturizer with sunscreen.
Available at: www.sephora.com, www.evabeauty.com

Don’t Even Bother: 
Coppertone Shade Sunblock Oil-Free Gel SPF 30.
You get what you pay for. This has everything you could ask for on the 
label: oil-free, fragrance-free, Parsol 1789, light gel formula, waterproof. On your skin, it forms a tight glossy layer that burns when applied and is prone to flaking. More bad news: it’s the best of the drugstore offerings.

Neutrogena Transparent Sunblock Gel SPF 30.
Like the Coppertone, an impressive label: oil-free, fragrance-free, waterproof. It even has “dermatologist recommended suncare” written on the front. Don’t be fooled and save the $8.50.

The Moral of the Story:
A sunscreen will only leave a normal finish if it promises a matte formula. And even then, sample it first. Also, good sunscreens cost money (around $20-$30 dollars), so be prepared to splurge if you want to avoid Plastic Face. 

Little Gems: For a quick dose of wardrobe inspiration, try Elle Girl or Teen Vogue. 
The clothes are selected with a Conde Nast editor’s eye (i.e. not 
Britney's) with a teenager’s budget in mind. They kick Seventeen’s 
ass.

MegaStyle™ muses: A few years ago it was Spinning. Then yoga. Then Pilates. Now 
Cardio Strip Tease. 
Guesses on the next new fitness trend? Catfighting? Levitation? Email musings@megastyles.com.

“What do I think about the way most people dress? Most people are not something one thinks about.”
                                                   - Diana Vreeland, Vogue editor in chief (1962-1971)