[unpaid/sample/affiliate/ad] Right on time for the warmer weather appearing comes the e.l.f. Invisi-Stick SPF 50 and you know what this has done? Got me SPF-ing my hands! I’m quite neglectful with SPF (I don’t, don’t message – I just forget) although I encourage others to be rigorous and I’m also not afraid of pigment on my face – or the lines. I don’t mind and I’d honestly rather have a face with characteristics than a blank one. However, in the way that you don’t stare at your own face all day long, if you’re tied to a lap top like I am most days, you cannot help but look at your hands. They’re in my field of vision all day, that’s for sure. I can see I have sun damage there and on balance, would prefer if those brown marks stayed exactly as they are, rather than deepen down.
I’ve used e.l.f. Invisi-Stick SPF 50 on my face and while I like it well enough, it’s got a heavier feel than I’m used to on my face. I think for my face, I prefer the lightness of Korean SPFs such as Beauty of Joseon or Thank You Farmer – or even the Malin + Goetz SPF (HERE) which is one of my favourites because it has such a beautifully light texture that doesn’t make my face look oily. However, this hands free application method is brilliant for actual hands. A quick swipe across the top of each one is all you need to get protection. I’m also citing this stick as pretty damn near perfect for the chest area, which on me, seems to be something of a sun magnet.
The solid nature of the stick means it can go in your handbag, gym bag, college bag or pockets quite easily which makes topping up extra prone areas if you feel you need it. In fact, you can use it anywhere you get caught short with unexpected sunshine – it’s perfectly okay for the face, knees, nose, toes – anywhere at all is fine and if you have oily or dry skin, you’re fine, too. On Instagram, where I posted about this late last week, someone asked me if it was okay to put on over make up. It isn’t because I think, if we’re talking full face, it could break down the pigments but it’s odd to consider wanting to put SPF over make up. The best way to apply an SPF is before your make up. There’s been a surge in popularity for SPF Sprays that you can use as a top up over make up – for that, try Garnier Ambre Solaire Over Makeup UV Protection Mist SPF50 – £13 HERE – which is made for exactly that purpose.
Although the one you see in the pictures was sent to me by e.l.f., I’m buying another for my handbag/dog walking bag and keeping this one next to my make up to apply on my hands and chest when the rest of my face is on rather than messily wipe residue from my face SPF onto the backs of my hands and hoping for the best. The e.l.f. Invisi-Stick SPF 50 is £14 HERE.