Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy, sunshine in my eyes can make me cry...

John Denver knows what he is talking about, and the hidden meaning to the lyrics of this song are "dammit woman, wear your sunscreen or you will look like an old and wrinkly hag" or something like that.

Now I know what you are thinking - "what the hell is Lisamarie going on about sunscreen, it's almost winter for dog's sake".  I understand but just because it's no longer warm outside and we are seeing less of the sun is no reason to forgo sun protection.  The sun can age you just as much through the car window on your drive to work as it can at the beach.  And I will maintain that nothing ages you faster then sun exposure!  The skin cancer part goes without saying of course.  The good part is that because the rest of you is probably covered up, all you need to worry about is your face.  So here are my picks for best, lightest coverage for your pretty mugs.  First up -    Lise Watier Sun Smart SPF 30 - pros: clever pump bottle means less mess and fuss, no objectionable smell and not at all greasy.  cons: only 30mls so if you are using daily (like you should) you can tear through a bottle pretty fast.  solution:  buy in multiples on 20X optimum points day at Shoppers Drug Mart.

I believe the Vichy Capital Soleil Micro Fluide also comes as a 30 SPF as well as the 50 SPF.  The formula is very thin, like heavy water and it looks really white when it goes on but absorbs quickly with no chalkiness left behind.  This is the one I'm using right now and I really like it.

From the high 70 SPF I was expecting Dermaglow High Protection to be really thick and greasy.  To my surprise it is super light and absorbs very fast.  I think I will be picking this up next summer but if you are a skier, I think this would be really excellent for the slopes - the sun reflecting off the snow calls for extra protection.

Honourable mention goes to Clarins UV Plus SPF 40.  The formula is very similar to Vichy's, I like it just as much, although I do find it has more of a "sunscreen" smell.  Of course being Clarins, it's a little pricier.

If you don't want the extra step of a sunscreen then make sure you are wearing a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 30.  Having combination skin, I don't bother with a moisturizer, I put on a serum and then sunscreen on top.  Which is the other important point, remember that your sunscreen goes on the top of your face cream, it should always be the closest thing to the sun before your makeup.

- Lisamarie -