Can anyone of you nice S&B people recommend a facial sunblock of spf 50 please?

[NigellasGuest]

I need full protection - have just finished a bottle of Ultrasun which is good, but wondering what else is out there.
Need something that doesn't leave a white sheen and is light enough to use under foundation. And over a moisturiser.

(Sounds odd but I have a feeling the ultrasun has been affecting the colour of my foundation - could that be possible)?

I've long used the MAC SPF50 primer (brilliant for oily skin and makeup really stays put). HOWEVER it is incredibly badly packaged and it has a tendency to separate slightly in the tube. The tube is stiff, hard to squeeze, and it's impossible to get all primer out (infurating at that price point and there are no dupes that I know of). So, get a couple of little screw-top tubs from Boots, and decant the contents of the tube into the little tubs, so you can give it a good stir from time to time with the end of a lipbrush or whatever. You'll find after violent squeezing of the tube, at least 30% of the product remains inside (grrrr). Cut the end off the tube with hefty scissors and use a slim knife or a metal nailfile to scrape the tube out. At least that way you get to use all the product and the fact you can stir it from time to time means it's not affected by the tendency to separate.

oh wow Claudia- thanks for that tip! I had read the reviews of this product and they all mentioned the packaging issues so I was prepared, but I hadn't thought of decanting it. I've got a few screwtop pots anyway. I will sterilise them first I think.

Also, I meant it doesn't make my face feel weird. Not naked. In my defense I have a new phone with a somewhat over enthusiastic predictive text function..

Am very tempted to get the Prep & Prime as I suffer with terrible oily skin since coming off Yasmin. Anyway, can anyone please reccommend a good cheap place to buy it, preferably on line? I've checked Amazon & Feelunique but they're not selling it

ILoveApples I will kick myself if anyone comes up with a recommendation, having just spent full price on the MAC website
Wondering if it will arrive today.
I will pop back with feedback on what it's actually like.....
Bear in mind everyone has different skin - and mine is dry on the main part of face, with oily t-zone and some redness also on the t-zone.

Yes please do give us some feedback. I'm consantly on the prowl for the perfect sunscreen. I have skin that's rather like yours, combination with a very oily t-zone in summer and my redness is there too.
I'm currently trialling Vichy Capital Soleil Mattifying Face Fluid Dry Touch, and quite like it but it's only SPF30.

Sunsense Daily Face....brilliant protection 50+ and doesn't affect my eyes in the way others sometimes do. As recommended by many dermatologists.
About £12.50 on amazon

Sunsense: SPF 50+, ideal for oily and combination skin, oil-free base, free of PABA and lanolin, fragrance free, sheer tint for invisible matt finish, pharmaceutical standard of manufacture.

I use over my moisturiser and under a bit of foundation.

That Sunsense one sounds like one of my other favourites which is by skinceuticals but is hard to get hold of in the UK.
Can you describe the shade of the tint? Is it very orangey? I may have to try this one!

Clarins do a 40spf face cream. It's very light and non greasy

Hello again all -
I recommend having a look at this blog, and the comments beneath. very very useful and informative..

www.londonmakeupgirl.com/search?q=sunscreen

Do you have to reaply the Mac Prep + prime during the day? I burn easily and get a bit paranoid about my face burning but find that most facial suncreams cause spots.

Thanks NigellasGuest that's very helpful. I hope your P + P arrives very soon so you can give us some feedback on it.

The prep and prime is brilliant. I went on a hot city break recently, wore it all day without reapplying and didn't catch the sun at all. By the end of the day all my makeup was still intact despite copious sweating (I also have very oily skin). It is miraculous! God knows what they put in it

Oh and it is about £5 cheaper in the airport, it was at heathrow anyway. Otherwise I think you have to pay full price.

Have used Clinique City Block for years and years and years...all day every day. SPF 25 is more zinc oxide based so it's a bit thicker, SPF 40 is more chemical based.
Recently bought Sunsense 50 as wanted something higher- it's nice, and DH uses it for sports outside and no, does not look as if he's wearing make up even though it's the tinted one!

I find Sunsense flakes a little when I use it liberally on my neck and cleavage area,and you do need to wash it off with soap etc or it will come off on towels, like make up.

Prep and prime arrived this morning!
I put it on an hour or so ago, over a moisturised face. Have not applied foundation over the top yet as was having a rest from makeup today. So far so good.
The test will be if it affects the colour of my foundation, which I have found other sunscreens do.