Sun Kissed in Summer

My hands were full with the goodies received. An afternoon so well spent with fellow bloggers, that I was willing to forgive the sultry Mumbai heat. Oh yes, Mumbai can be a mean monster with the advent of summer and otherwise. The humid climate makes you drip like an air conditioner but does little in the department of cooling. Add the pollution and it becomes a murkier tale. So a Neutrogena Indimeet seemed like a perfect opportunity to know how to beat the heat. Right? Wrong!

Well, for starters, let me put up a statutory warning. I love my Indian skin but I just wasn’t the CMP variety. Don’t get any ideas. CMP stands for Clean, Moisturize and Protect. I really am more of a lazy bum who strolls in the sun, sans protection. Yes, I heard the gasp of horror. What’s more? I don’t own sunscreens or moisturizers. Why? Because the few times I tried to use a sun screen it gave me an itchy feeling and turned my skin red. Moisturizers on the other hand, end up making the face feel sticky, considering I have sensitive, combination skin. I prefer just washing and wiping my face with a wet tissue. What? Water is supposed to be hydrating, no? Besides this regime had kinda worked for me (or so I thought) till now. So why change?

Now at the Neutrogena meet, we had various interactive methods to explain why we needed an effective sunblock system. The most convincing (and scary) was the UV Ray Test by the certified dermatologist. However, I wasn’t going to fall for the patented ‘Helioplex Technology’ claims made by the product. You see, I am an ex-Advertising Con-Artist. I know the drill of effective marketing and branding, sales and yada, yada, yada. I was going to make this difficult for them. If I had to test the efficiency of the product, I was going to do it my way. I was headed to Singapore for my annual vacation. At just 137 kms north of the equator, it couldn’t get hotter than that. Now, it was me and the Equatorial Sun against them.

Singapore lived true to its reputation. Sudden rain showers but hot at most times. Day 1, I was headed to the Gardens by the Bay at 3 pm. I opened my Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 50+ gift box and headed for the Complete UV moisturizer. The creamy white liquid looked like it would never blend. It somehow managed to seep into my skin. It felt supple not sticky. Beginners luck, I muttered to myself. I then took a large dollop of the Dry Touch Sunblock. When I applied it, I looked like those firang cricketers who could break into a zulu dance at the sight of the sun. White as a ghost but incidentally my skin wasn’t burning or tingling. I resisted the urge to wipe it all off. After about 5 minutes, I wasn’t that English to look at. I dabbed my face with a tissue. The spray on Body Mist Sunblock was ideal. I loved it from the word go. Also, I think when convenience comes bottled like this, it is always welcome. I could almost, instantaneously,  see the film of protection on my arms and legs. I was ready to head out, much to the amusement of my husband, who knows that my laziness in skin care is legendary. I decided to ignore with a big ‘EYE’.

Making Hay in Gardens by the Bay

Green with Envy?

Po approved of my sunny side

We showed Marilyn to strut the right way

Neutrogena SunBlock working hard.

This post has been written for the Neutrogena Summer Fun in the Sun Contest by Indiblogger.