per dermatologists’ and estheticians’ suggestions for those of us who hate the smell, sticky residue, and white cast many SPF formulas leave behind. Until I discovered Shiseido’s, sunscreen was low on my beauty routine totem pole. As a Black woman, despite countless beauty professionals who debunk the myth, I internalized the idea that melanated people don’t need sunscreen. To add to the problem, the options on the market all seemed messy, inconvenient, and unsuitable for melanated skin.
It wasn’t until a childhood friend’s wedding in Mexico City that sparked the search to find a product that fits into my lifestyle. Preparing for a combination destination wedding and mini vacation , meant finding a mess-free andwould be accompanying me on my trip to Mexico City. Fortunately, the SPF stick didn’t disappoint and kept me sunburn during the entire trip, but that’s not the only reason this sunscreen is now my daily go-to.
While the product glides on smoothly for the most part, at times the fragrance-free stick tugged at the skin on my cheeks, which tends to happen with roll-on products. To avoid this, I applied the stick in smaller sections and held the application area taut and had no issues. When applied over my skincare and under makeup, the sunscreen leaves a soft sheen that makes the skin look and feel hydrated, perfect for someone with dry skin like me. On the other hand, some eviewers with oily skin reported experiecing too much dewiness. One reviewer shared, “Immediately post-application, my face looked and felt very oily/slippery. All my fine lines, pores, and more were heavily emphasized.