SPF - Best Face Filters You’ll Ever Use…

One thing we're NOT at Verymakeupmad, is preachy! When we meet clients we never judge their beauty routines and more often than not, during our consultations we can be heard saying "when it comes to beauty, there are no hard and fast rules!" But all of that goes out of the window when it comes to SPF!

You don't need us to tell you that wearing SPF is non-negotiable. We should all be wearing it 365 days a year, come rain or shine. We know this isn't always easy or attainable, but when it comes to anti-ageing and the quest for youthful looking skin, SPF should be your very best friend. UV rays (specifically UVA) are responsible for the telltale signs of ageing: decreased collagen and elasticity, the formation of lines and pigmentation. And don't get us started on UVB rays, which cause burning, and ultimately can lead to skin cancer.

Wearing SPF can often feel like a chore. But thick, clogging, greasy textures and chalky films are thankfully a thing of the past. We're here to intro you to some of the best SPFs on the market, that are sheer, lightweight and brimming with skincare ingredients to care for the skin as they protect. So here they are...the Verymakeupmad SPFs that we love to recommend, and that we use ourselves. Every day!

UNDER MAKEUP SPFs

We're often asked WHEN exactly to apply SPF. The answer is...as the final step in your skincare routine, over your moisturiser and underneath your make up. If your skin isn't particularly dry, and you go for a hydrating formula, you can give your moisturiser a miss.

*Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart SPF50 Hydrating Shield - this slightly tinted, sheer formula makes skin look fresh and dewy, and also protects against the ageing effects of pollution. A great bet for 'city dwellers'.

*Heliocare Fluid Cream SPF50 - M loves this tinted cream which is packed with antioxidants and which she wears alone, in the place of foundation. It makes skin glow and hydrates as it protects.

*Supergoop Glow Screen SPF30 - as SPFs go, this delicately shimmering beauty is guaranteed to make your skin look amazing. Think of it as a luminising makeup primer with an SPF. We're also hooked on the brand's brilliant Bright Eyed Eye Cream SPF40, which protects the delicate eye area, but also instantly illuminates and 'wakes up' tired eyes.

*UltraViolette Queen Screen SPF50 - it's hard to believe this sheer, serum-esque sunscreen has an SPF50. It's totally lightweight and literally melts into the skin and leaves it glowy - but not greasy - and ready for makeup.

*Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer SPF30 - we surprised ourselves by really enjoying using this sunscreen from Rihanna's Fenty brand. It's a lovely, soft pink, hydrating cream (no need for moisturiser, unless your skin is particularly dry like V's) that is light as a feather and seems to brighten the skin.

*REN Clean Screen Mattifying Face Sunscreen, SPF30 - if you suffer from oily skin and struggle with SPFs, we guarantee you'll love this formula which contains an oil-absorbing ingredient to keep you shine-free!

*ARK Skin Protector SPF30 - a 3-in-1 product, that we love to recommend. It's a moisturiser, primer and SPF30 all wrapped into one deliciously scented cream that's a pleasure to use!

OVER MAKEUP SPFs

If you feel that your beauty routines are already on the heavy side, and an additional SPF step is stressing you out (and you're imagining your makeup sliding all over your face), then an over makeup SPF could be for you. There are a whole host of clever sprays and powders on the market right now, designed to be spritzed on at the very end of your makeup routine and which can be reapplied throughout the day. Now that's clever sun protection!

We love:

*Garnier Ambre Solaire Over Makeup Super UV Protection Mist SPF50 - a budget buy, but a brilliant one. It's lightweight, invisible on the skin and thanks to the inclusion of Hyaluronic Acid, it refreshes and hydrates throughout the day.

*La Roche Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine Invisible SPF50 Mist - great for oily skins, this super light, water-resistant mist leaves skin matte and free from shine.

*Supergoop (Re)Setting SPF30 Powder - another fab product from this cult sun screen brand. This clever SPF powder/brush is perfect for 'on the go' protection and touch ups and the ideal choice if you suffer from oiliness and shine. Simply sweep over the face to protect from the sun, but also mattify and blur.

Love and protected skin...always!

Vikki & Mala xx