Last spring and summer while in Southeast Asia, I became intrigued by cushion compacts. Cushion compacts, like the BB cream, are the beauty brainchild of Korea...I really would like to go on a beauty passage through Korea. They seemed to be everywhere and I made mental note to myself to grab a couple before heading back to the states.  Well sun, sand and sea took priority over everything else and on my last day there I was preoccupied with trying to figure out how to fit the gazillionth sarong into my suitcase and forgot all about getting my hands on a cushion compact.  I had yet another opportunity on the plane to purchase one duty free, but the color swatch wasn't much help so decided to pass. Well since then I have been obsessed with finding them, I've noticed them slowly making an appearance here in the US in the last few months.  I was FINALLY able to get my hands on a cushion compact from IT Cosmetics and I am so utterly in love and obsessed! The IT Cosmetics CC+ Veil Beauty Fluid Foundation SPF 50+ is unlike anything...and I really do mean ANYTHING...that I have ever used.  I do not wear foundation, tinted moisturizer or powder unless I am attending a big event or doing a photoshoot because no matter the brand, I can always feel it on my skin and I absolutely hate that feeling.  Well the IT Cosmetics CC+ Veil Beauty Fluid Foundation SPF 50+ is so  incredibly light that I forget that I am wearing it.  It covers imperfections, but does not hide my skin so my skin still looks really natural, glowing, bright and flawless...how they've managed to accomplish that must be some form of beauty voodoo. The IT Cosmetics cushion compact contains CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ UVA/UVB, which is a physical only sunscreen that protects against the rays that both burn and age your skin. The CC+  improves skin texture, brightness and increase skin hydration by 79%. The  formula is  infused with Peptides, Niacin, Algae, Vitamins A, C, B, E, Hyaluronic Acid and Hydrolyzed Collagen along with Antioxidants and natural botanicals for long-term brightening and color-correcting benefits.  This cushion compact makes it amazingly easy to build the level of coverage you want, for someone like me who likes a really thin layer of coverage, I just press on the cushion once for the perfect amount of product. The color I am wearing in the picture is "Rich." This past week has been the first time in my life that I have worn any type of "coverage" product on my face every single day, this may not sound like a big deal to most, but for me this is HUGE!  The fact that I actually WANT to wear this product speaks volume about how life changing it is.  For once in my life something was actually worth the wait! Let me know if you've tried it! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! *Disclosure: Press sample, affiliate link

Protecting your skin from UV rays is a daily task. I know several people who have had a Melanoma and Melanoma Cancer. When caught early, it can be taken care of; however, I did have a favorite family member pass away when I was 6 years old from Melanoma Cancer. My aunt was only in her early 20's when she died. So this is not something that can happen at an older age--but at any time in life. So let's talk about what we can do to protect our skin from the sun's damaging rays. First, what are UVA and UVB rays and where and how do they affect us?

How UVA Affects Us:

Can pass through window glass. Is not affected by a change in altitude or weather. Is present all day and every day of the year. Penetrates deep into skin layers. Is 5% of the sun's rays. Is 20 times more abundant than UVB rays. Affects long-term skin damage.

How UVB Affects Us:

Cannot pass through window glass. Causes sunburn. Causes tanning. Helps the body with normal vitamin D production. Varies with the season. It is more intense in the summer than in the winter. Varies with weather conditions. Is more intense at midday than in the morning or late afternoon. Is more intense at high altitudes and near the equator. Is protected against by the SPF in sunscreens. Is related to more than 90% of non-melanoma skin cancer. SPF (sunscreen protection factor) is your key to protecting your skin from UVA and UVB rays. The SPF # is what predicts how long your skin can be in the sun with a low risk of burning or damaging your skin. SPF 30 is best, while the higher SPF only provide minimally more protection. While water resistant sunscreens help maintain sunscreen on your skin through perspiring and water activity, it is only for a few hours and it is best to reapply sunscreen every two hours regardless. Should you get a sunburn, you will feel the effects within 2-6 hours of the burn. In more severe cases, sun poisoning can occur. I have had sun poisioning in the past, and it is not fun! While we're discussing using sunscreen in the spring and summer months, it is incredibly important to wear it year round. UVA and UVB rays are ever-present regardless of season. The intensity may vary, but you are still at risk for sun damage to your skin. As you age, dark spots will begin to emerge showing sun damage from years ago. I can certainly see the age spots on my face, but it is even more disturbing when I have my skin looked at under UV light when getting a facial and see just how extensive the damage is. Check out our post on sunscreens that won't detroy the coral reefs which includes our favorite sun protection products. If you're not convinced you need to always wear sunscreen, check out our Q&A with a Melanoma survivor. How do you protect your skin from the sun year round? Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!