Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Mount Baker Washington



Nooksack Falls / Nook falls


Nooksack falls or Nook falls is a spectacular waterfall in the Whatcom County of Washington. If you are planning a visit to Mount Baker, then this fall can be visited on the way, just about 10-15 minutes before Mt. Baker, on left side. It will hardly take 5 minute following the Nook falls exit.

Since the area is quite slippery and rocks often fall off, it is advised to avoid the trail down. There is a viewing spot that gives majestic view of water dropping off 88 feet into rocky river canyon, creating mist all around.

Enjoy the view!
Nooksack falls

Nooksack falls

Nooksack falls

Biorè UV Aqua rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++ Review


I was searching online for the perfect sunscreen and came across various sites and reviews on amazon raving about this particular sunscreen, which is a Japanese product named Biore. The reviews were so promising that even though it is not sold in Canada, I tried hard to find it at various Chinese store and as luck would have it, I finally found it!
This is my first review of a Biore product.

Biorè UV Aqua rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++

Biorè UV Aqua rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++


Quantity: 50 g

What product claims: πŸ˜•Don't know! Everything about the product and its ingredient list is in Japanese.

Price: CAD $25 price varies depending upon the seller on amazon and store

My views you can use:

Mildly scented and texture is really good, runny and lightweight. I instantly fell in love with it and thought I found my perfect umbrella for summer. However, it was too early celebration. I used it for around a month and observed that my skin, which is usually hydrated and normal type in summer is turning dry and scaly. I knew BiorΓ¨ Aqua rich has high alcohol content but decided to give it a try reading numerous positive reviews from dry skin people. Although this provides good sun protection, it doesn't work well for my overall skin health as it strips off its natural moisture, making it dehydrated and dull.


Will definitely not purchase this ever again. I might try other sunscreen from Biore with less alcohol content. (if at all there is any!)

Overall score: πŸ’—πŸ’—/πŸ’šπŸ’šπŸ’šπŸ’šπŸ’š
Although it is good in texture and an efficient sunscreen I gave it a low score because ultimately it harms skin which is worse than having sun burn.

Hope this post was useful!


~Ren

Lotus Herbals Safe Sun Sunscreen Gel SPF 20 Review

My skin sometimes suffer from photo sensitivity known as PLE (Polymorphous Light Eruption). This causes small blisters like thing, which is rarely itchy, to appear on skin exposed to sun. I first experienced this when I was around 12 years old, then when in college. The most annoying part of PLE is the white patches which appears when the skin is exposed to strong UV rays at noon (10am - 2pm). 

The patches and PLEs fades eventually within few weeks but I guess it is better to avoid having them in first place by taking precautions. For that reason, I am always on a hunt for a perfect sunscreen which is non greasyπŸ˜‘ and does not cause whitish cast on body. Unfortunately, most sunscreen which offer good full spectrum sun protection does makes you look greasy and ghosty. A full spectrum sunscreen provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays. UVA causes age spots and wrinkles while UVB burns the skin which makes it look tan. Now, who wants to look uneven tanned wherein exposed face, legs and arms of different colour than that of neck and abdomen. It looks as if different human race was assembled to make one race. My skin tans quickly if there is no sun protection. Sometimes I do go out without sunscreen to get natural dose of Vitamin D but often I need this greasy umbrella to fight PLEs and tan. 


So, here I am reviewing my encounter with Lotus gel based sunscreen. I hope you will find it useful.
Lotus Herbals Safe Sun Sunscreen Gel SPF 20

Lotus Herbals Safe Sun Sunscreen Gel SPF 20

Quantity: 100 g

Price: Rs 245
           CAD $15-30 on amazon.ca

Product claims:

A revolutionary gel, the only one in sun care range, containing Babchi seed extract, provides full spectrum sun protection. Also contains  'Phenyl Benzimidazole Sulfonic acid', the only water soluble sunscreen agent to provide synergistic protection against full spectrum UV rays, therefore lightens the complexion and retards ageing process.

My views you can use:

Sun protection: This non drying broad spectrum sunscreen effectively provides sun protection and minimises sun burn. However, because it is water soluble you need to reapply it as and when it is washed or say every 2-3 hours. 
If your skin gets tanned in 10 minutes, the SPF 20 will provide 20 times more protection that is you will tan after 200 minutes(~3hours). So, you need to reapply every three hours. So, how a particular SPF works on an individual varies with how faster his/her skin tans. Another disadvantage of this sunscreen is that it is absolutely no-no for rainy days or when it could rain, just give this gel a miss. Once I applied it all over my body and stepped out in rain, and I was all sleek and slimy. For humid weather, it performs fairly well as unlike other sunscreen this doesn't make you sweat profusely. But you need to reapply often due to sweating.
Texture : Gel based so absolutely non greasy and suitable for oily skin. I have dry to normal skin and, I love this formula. The best I have come across among sunscreens in terms of non greasy weightless texture. This gives matte finish with little glow.
Smell : As long as it is works well, serves the purpose and is not highly scented to annoy people in vicinity I don't mind how it smells! However, for some of you who do mind, it doesn't smell great. 
Value for money : Yeah!


Overall score: πŸ’—πŸ’—πŸ’—πŸ’•/πŸ’šπŸ’šπŸ’šπŸ’šπŸ’š

Seeing is believing, notice the picture I have posted! I have used it religiously in summer that once it got over and pump couldn't take out the little amount left at bottom. So, I opened and tried different tricks to get the gel out in desperation πŸ˜‚, even the cap is missing. The empty bottle is the sign of good product😏. I have reduced few points because there is scope for improvement. Also, lotus herbals sun safe is not completely herbal, it has alcohol and chemicals.

Hope this post was useful!


~Ren