08 Jul
Blog

A Guide to Proper Footwear Selection for Athletes

When we destroy our natural walking and running pattern with popular, inappropriate shoes, we open the door to pain, injuries and other obstacles to movement.

Social proof is a powerful influencing factor. We are wired in such a way that whatever is common is normal and therefore cannot be that bad. Pop tarts for breakfast? Why not?

Stop being such a buzzkill, Shane.

But a quick review of history shows how often following herd norms can lead the masses to insane behaviors.

Continue reading

07 Jul
Blog

Monster Hunter Stories 2 Review: A Less Intimidating Hunt

In Monster Hunter Stories 2, a driver drives a Tigrex.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

RRP $ 60.00

"Monster Hunter Stories 2 is a much friendlier introduction to the complex franchise, anchored in excellent turn-based RPG combat."

advantages

  • Addictive monster collecting

  • Excellent RPG combat

  • Deep customization

  • Tons of content

disadvantage

  • Frame rate jerks

  • Repeating cards

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is the perfect entry point for newcomers to the series. Not really.

That statement has become a meme in recent years as Monster Hunter fans refer to each new release as "accessible". Monster Hunter Rise came close to making this a reality, but the basic complexity of the franchise and headache-inducing user interface still make it an intimidating experience for absolute newbies.

In comparison, Monster Hunter Stories 2 is much more digestible. It does many of the same fundamentals, but is presented in a simplified way that is easier to analyze. While it's a completely different experience – a turn-based, Pokémon-like RPG instead of a hacking-and-slashing action game – it explains the basics of the franchise much more clearly than Monster Hunter World or Rise.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a friendly alternative to the usual grind of the franchise. Even with repetitive level design, it features an excellent combat system, engaging story, and deep endgame that make it a perfect RPG for anyone looking for a more relaxed hunt.

Have to hatch them all

On the surface, Monster Hunter Stories 2 looks like a completely different beast. The game is a sequel to a Nintendo 3DS game that puts players in the role of a monster rider, not a hunter. The main difference is that riders make friends with monsters and work with them. This gives the game a Pokémon-like gameplay loop in which players collect and raise monsters, and keep six on each of them.

For Pokémon fans who have been let down by the ever-decreasing difficulty of the franchise, Monster Hunter Stories 2 is an excellent alternative. The monster collecting hook is addicting and gives players loads of creatures to discover. The Rite of Channeling feature acts as a kind of breeding mechanic that allows players to pass the trait of one monster on to another. It is a deep system that opens up limitless opportunities for team building.

In Monster Hunter Stories 2, a rider rides a monster.

Granted, there is some cognitive dissonance in the experience. While it's a cuter concept compared to the standard hunting loop, it does take a bit of time to overcome some initial discomfort. Players essentially kill (or punch the snot) a monster, break into its den, steal one of its eggs, and raise the baby as their own. For those who find Monster Hunter's colonization undertones hard to swallow, this version certainly offers a tougher moral discomfort upfront.

For Pokémon fans who have been let down by the ever-decreasing difficulty of the franchise, Monster Hunter Stories 2 is an excellent alternative.

Even so, the game ultimately won me over with its intriguing storyline – something Monster Hunter Rise missed. It's a rambling narrative that explores the different ways humans and societies interact with monsters, whether through peace or violence. All of this is linked by a mysterious, lore-rich story in which players must uncover what makes monsters across the continent unpredictable.

The game also has wonderful aesthetics with vivid colors and high quality movies. Sometimes it feels like watching a Monster Hunter anime, with exciting action sequences and dazzling battle animations. The game's frame rate is unfortunately jerky on Switch, but every time I booted it up, I was completely lost in a colorful and detailed world.

Rock, paper, monsters

The core of the game is its fantastic turn-based combat system. Monster Hunter Stories 2 uses a Fire Emblem-style “rock, paper, scissors” mechanic for battles. Players have three types of basic attacks: power, technique, and speed. In battles against monsters, players must predict what type of attack a monster will unleash and counter it with one of their own.

In Monster Hunter Stories 2, two monsters compete against each other.

This works just as well because the game provides players with the right tools to solve this little battle puzzle. Each monster uses a normal attack type, but can switch to a different one when it gets angry. At the end of the game, I was able to look at a monster I'd never seen before and deduce from the behavior of other creatures how it would attack. It rewards players who think like horsemen and really take the time to watch and remember how nature works.

Despite being turn-based, the battles cleverly stay true to the basics of Monster Hunter.

Monster sidekicks also play an important role in combat. Each race has its own basic attack type, so players need to build a group that covers all of the bases. The swap in a new monster midfight doesn't burn for a round, which gives players the flexibility to adapt to a new fight and not have to worry about getting a Pukei Pukei into an Anjanath fight.

However, creating the perfect team goes much deeper. Monsters can learn a variety of skills, from elemental attacks to team-wide buffs. That gives players a good reason to keep looking for new creatures and experimenting with channeling mechanics to expand a creature's toolbox.

Battles are less about micromanaging teammates and more about maintaining a connection with a monster. Perform the same type of attack as a companion and the duo can perform a combo attack that deals more damage. Actions like these increase a kinship gauge that can be used to perform certain skills. When the gauge is full, a player can ride their monster to carry out devastating attacks with dazzling animations. Small systems like this made me feel really close to each of my friends and really sold the driver concept.

In Monster Hunter Stories 2, a character aims at the body parts of a monster.

Despite being turn-based, the battles cleverly stay true to the basics of Monster Hunter. There are a variety of weapon types that have their advantages and disadvantages against certain monsters. Players can easily target specific body parts of monsters in combat in order to mine valuable handicraft parts for armor and weapons. Compared to a game like Monster Hunter Rise, which hides systems like this in walls of tutorial texts or obscure user interfaces, everything feels streamlined. I learned basic ideas here that I never fully understood in Rise.

Of course, it's a completely different type of game, so it's not entirely fair to compare the two. Monster Hunter Rise is an excellent action RPG that thrives on complexity. Monster Hunter Stories 2 is a more controlled, tactical experience. Each is a perfect match for the type of story they're trying to tell; It's just a matter of the speed you prefer.

Drive on

What is particularly impressive about Monster Hunter Stories 2 is how much content is packed into the experience. Mainlining the story takes 30 hours, but there's so much more depth than the main story. Side quests, arena battles, royal monsters, and a full post-launch road map provide tons of reasons to dig deeper. In the middle of my playthrough, I just started turning on background music and kicking back for some monster collecting expeditions.

In Monster Hunter Stories 2, two drivers face a giant dragon.

There is also multiplayer, both in the form of co-op games and PvP battles. The latter offers serious long-term potential for the game as it gives players yet another reason to dig into the game's gathering and breeding mechanics in order to create stronger monsters with unpredictable abilities.

It's a repetitive game, although that's as much a part of Monster Hunter as giant swords.

While there is no shortage of activity, it can be thin at times. Long battles against powerful monsters usually drag on, although the battle can be sped up up to three times. Monster caves and explorable areas are based on dungeon crawlers. This means that levels can be a somewhat boring chain of narrow passages leading into open areas. At the end of the game, I noticed rooms that were identical to areas I'd seen over and over, even though they were in a different part of the island.

It's a repetitive game, although that's as much a part of Monster Hunter as giant swords. The series invites players to learn complex routines and get into a flow. The main difference in Monster Hunter Stories 2 is that everything builds on an actual endpoint rather than going on as a Sisyphus live service grind. There is a secret to unravel and a great evil to kill at the end of the day.

This change in pace allows players to experience the world and ideas of Monster Hunter without intimidating engagement, which is a huge plus.

Our opinion

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a top-notch spin-off that cleverly transforms the complexities of Monster Hunter into a friendlier role-playing game. Worthwhile fights and a thoroughly entertaining story make up for repetitive card design and a stuttering frame rate. For those who found Monster Hunter Rise too intimidating, this is a better way to understand the basic ideas in a less sophisticated, turn-based format.

Is there a better alternative?

Monster Hunter Rise could be an overall stronger game, despite being a completely different beast.

How long it will take?

The story lasts at least 30 hours, but dedicated gamers can spend dozens of additional hours exploring the world. That doesn't even include the upcoming content of the game.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is one of the best turn-based RPGs of the year and is perfect for fans of Monster Hunter and Pokémon.

Editor's recommendations



07 Jul
Blog

Homepage | Breaking Muscle

Break muscle

Menu

  • fitness
  • Trainings
  • To eat healthy food
  • reviews
  • Write for us
  • Trainer & Trainer
  • business
  • eBooks
  • about us
  • Contact us

business

A guide to the right shoe choice for athletes

Stress management and hypertrophy Tarek Shuhaibar discusses stress management strategies to improve your body, strength, and mental health.

Stress management and hypertrophy

12 Rules for Optimizing Your Health for a 21st Century Mindset Comfort and convenience have made it harder than ever to be mentally and physically healthy.

12 Rules for Optimizing Your Health for a 21st Century Mindset

The challenge of getting on the podium at the CrossFit Games Meet Jamie Simmonds, the third fittest woman in the world and an international CrossFit champion.

The challenge of getting on the podium at the CrossFit Games

A better approach for the beginner than "I saw it on Instagram" Yes, there are a lot of fit looking people who love to post sexy looking fitness moves all over social media and most of them don't come with an attempt not to try this at home unless they have a disclaimer.

A better approach for the beginner than "I saw it on Instagram"

A Guide to Recovery and Training for Trainers and Parents What you do after your workout can determine what you get after your workout.

A Guide to Recovery and Training for Trainers and Parents

A plague of strength is the best kind of plague This episode offers you breathtaking stories about how people exercise and the social, political and economic pressures that physical culture has put on at different stages of humanity.

A plague of strength is the best kind of plague

A 5-step progression to the Bar Muscle Up You need these five basic movements to build your first bar muscle - and how to get there without injuring yourself.

A 5-step progression to the Bar Muscle Up

A six-week sled training program As foolproof as sledging is, some people still slaughter it, resulting in poor shape and wasted energy.

A six-week sled training program

An introduction to daily wavy periodization DUP has regained popularity with powerlifters and regular fitness goers in recent years for good reason.

An introduction to daily wavy periodization

Conditioning for strength athletes Fitness and stamina overlap, but they are not the same.

Conditioning for strength athletes

Strength training for ice-cold athletes Yunus Barisik emphasizes the need for more strength and outlines how he structures the training of his ice hockey athletes in order to optimize performance.

Strength training for ice-cold athletes

Lifting Big, Dylan, Jazz and Skinny Jeans More than anything, music has helped me learn a visceral connection to movement and lifting weights.

Lifting Big, Dylan, Jazz and Skinny Jeans

Helping ordinary people build incredible bodies There are several ways to achieve fitness, from bodybuilders to the general population.

Helping ordinary people build incredible bodies

4 ways the pandemic saved my gym What I learned when COVID forced me into a situation where I needed to improve or my employees would lose their jobs and I would lose my business.

4 ways the pandemic saved my gym

How to Use Diet Periodization for Maximum Muscle Strength Your exercise and diet choices should work synergistically to help you achieve your physical goals.

How to Use Diet Periodization for Maximum Muscle Strength

I challenge you to train like a human How you can use our bio-evolutionary programming to make our training more fun and interesting in today's world.

I challenge you to train like a human

Do world-class warm-ups for world-class performance A successful warm-up should improve your performance and prevent pain and injury.

Do world-class warm-ups for world-class performance

Adopt your exercise habits to build better motivation You can improve your motivation and the likelihood of exercising consistently by simply changing your mindset and taking responsibility for your training experience.

Adopt your exercise habits to build better motivation

Protein in its purest form - 25% DISCOUNT WITH CODE: BreakingMuscle25

The will and the way

Ultimate body weight

Olympic weightlifting

28 day clean eating challenge

Push, pull and flourish

Flexibility 101

Glute goddess

Handstand strength

DB strength of women

Barbell basics for women

Strength training for beginners

Ignite: fat loss

Muscle building strength

Rowing for weight loss

Barbell Shred

Simplify muscle development by making your workouts easier This workout plan has a refreshing and healthy approach that you can use in any gym to build more muscle and achieve your goals.

Simplify muscle development by making your workouts easier

The 12 Week Fat Loss Enhancement Workout The Only 12 Week Three Phase, Three Method Fat Loss Plan You Will Ever Need To Quarantine The Weight Gain.

The 12 Week Fat Loss Enhancement Workout

8-week training plan for push-up strength and power The push-up may be off the radar for most strength programs, but it's still a powerful addition to any fitness plan.

8-week training plan for push-up strength and power

5 effective and easy upper body strength routines Here are five surefire upper body exercises that can be a part of any strength, strength, weight loss, and / or general fitness program. I've also included recording forms so you can keep a log of your workouts.

5 effective and easy upper body strength routines

5 powerful lower body strength routines Looking for a good leg workout? Here are five simple workouts to help strengthen your lower body. Includes full training details and a downloadable logging form.

5 powerful lower body strength routines

4 core pull-up exercises for women Follow these exercises to strengthen your abs and do your first pull-up in no time.

4 core pull-up exercises for women

Better athletes: from cradle to grave Here are tips from Rick Howard, an expert in long-term athletic development, to always being an athlete.

Better athletes: from cradle to grave

5 essential exercises for the strong runner Strength training is a critical component of any high-performing, successful runner as it helps prevent injuries and build muscle strength.

5 essential exercises for the strong runner

Physical readiness for firefighters: 12 week training plan

How to self-diagnose your shoulder pain

Top 10 Foods to Gain Muscle Mass

10 landmine exercises you have never tried – and shouldn't have tried –

The 8 minute mile standard

7 exercises to maximize hand, wrist and forearm strength

Greasing the Groove: Here's How It Works for You

10 exercises without equipment for strong legs

Understanding energy systems: ATP-PC, glycolytic and oxidative – oh my god!

5 mistakes new coaches should avoid Let my pain be to your advantage as I've rounded up a few common mistakes coaches make early in their careers.

5 mistakes new coaches should avoid

Emotional intelligence as a success marker for fitness training Educating people in fitness, nutrition, health, and wellness requires emotional intelligence. Successful personal trainers abound in EI.

Emotional intelligence as a success marker for fitness training

Redline for results If you're unsure of the role conditioning plays in achieving your goals, or you don't know how to program it effectively, then this is a must do.

Redline for results

No legs, no worries - keep your upper body strong and fast The seated dumbbell cleans and pushes for stability, strength and a strong back.

No legs, no worries – keep your upper body strong and fast

Blood flow restriction cuffs (BFR) for boundary pushers These blood flow restriction cuffs (BFR) can be the new addition to your exercise regimen if you are serious about your workout.

Blood flow restriction cuffs (BFR) for boundary pushers

A guide to not only surviving but thriving through menopause This book is a basic, informative, and fun step-by-step guide on how to thrive through menopause.

A guide to not only surviving but thriving through menopause

A crispy algae delight for vegan athletes

Hydrow Review – Full Body Home Happiness

A weight vest for beginners

The practice of natural movement

Everyone's bike: the NordicTrack S22i

Protein To Go: Au Bon Bone Broth

A comprehensive guide to fitness floors

Keep an eye on your diet on the go

Can Colostrum Change Your Life?

Sandbags to help you bring it together

The ultimate isometric exercise guide Paul Wade, the author of Convict Conditioning, has a lot to say about isometric training and exercise.

The ultimate isometric exercise guide

Choose slings and wrist wraps based on function The wrist wraps and slings you need depend on the type of exercise you are doing.

Choose slings and wrist wraps based on function

The Njoie Nforce Percussion Massage Gun Percussive massage guns can cost up to $ 500, but there are cheaper variants that are more suitable for casual users.

The Njoie Nforce Percussion Massage Gun

How to Eat Fat If you're interested in a keto diet, this might be the snack hack you've been looking for.

How to Eat Fat

The keto diet: basted egg with lemon ricotta

A Free Keto Diet Recipe Book: Salmon Stuffed Avocados and More

Eating well in old age: pikeperch with a parmesan crust

20 Ways To Prepare Poultry: Chicken Potstickers

Jackfruit: protein for sporty summers

Summer barbecues: how about clean eating and a dish made only from vegetables

Subscription Eating – Not your mom's food

Prebiotic Food: Broccoli and White Bean Soup

No powdered protein bars

Food intolerance: should I get tested? The companies that continue to promote the IgG blood tests either do not fully understand the function of the IgG antibody, or worse, they do and continue to sell their product anyway.

Food intolerance: should I get tested?

The Athlete's Friend, Eggs: Best Buying Practices Fun fact in case you missed it - the only difference between brown and white eggs is that brown eggs are from chickens with brown feathers and white eggs are from chickens with white feathers.

The Athlete's Friend, Eggs: Best Buying Practices

Turkey piri piri burger When your summer gets hot, spice up your burger game with these turkey piri piri burgers.

Turkey piri piri burger

Greek pimiento burger Go on a culinary summer vacation in Greece by combining all the typical flavors in one delicious grilled burger!

Greek pimiento burger

Caprese chickpea burger Make your summer meal lighter with this chickpea-based veggie burger.

Caprese chickpea burger

Ginger shallots pork burger Change up your grill burger routine with something unexpected.

Ginger shallots pork burger

Gym Owners: How Do You Measure Your Success? Unfortunately, many gym owners don't even count the money they don't pay themselves and lose sight of what really matters in a successful gym business.

Gym Owners: How Do You Measure Your Success?

The 6-week challenge: play a losing game 6-week challenge versus a professional coach for life: What business are you in? You can't be in both.

The 6-week challenge: play a loser game

Don't leave a customer behind

A practical experiment on muscle fiber activation

Training of the over-specialized athlete

Rational periodization in strength training

The coach's approach: evidence versus intuition

Productive programming: that's how it works

07 Jul
Blog

Razer Blade 14 Review: The Gaming Laptop Usurper Has Arrived

Razor blade 14 review 03

Razer blade 14

RRP $ 2,200.00

"The Razer Blade 14 is stealing the crown as the best gaming laptop you can buy right now."

advantages

  • The gaming performance is excellent

  • Colorful 1440p display

  • Surprisingly small

  • Cheaper than Razer Blade 15

  • Great battery life

disadvantage

  • Warm surface temperatures

  • Thick bezels

The Razer Blade 15 was already the smallest gaming laptop in the world. Building an even smaller version of the Razer Blade 14 is, on the one hand, exciting. On the other hand, I had serious concerns about how Razer could possibly keep these components cool enough.

Add in an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX processor and up to an Nvidia RTX 3080 – and you have the potential for a hot mess. Fortunately, the Razer Blade 14 is anything but.

Razer did the impossible and delivers an amazing gaming experience in a tiny form factor. With a lower starting price of $ 1,800, there's little reason to pick the Razer Blade 15 as its smaller brother stole the crown from the best gaming laptop. A new king has arrived.

design

Play Fortnite on the Razer Blade 14.

Despite its smaller size and asking price, it looks almost identical to the Razer Blade 15. It has the same completely black aluminum housing, the green snake logo on the lid and few large ventilation openings or gaudy design elements. It's the same kind of minimalist gaming laptop with amazing build quality that the Razer Blade line has always delivered. There's a reason people call these laptops the MacBooks of the gaming laptops.

The most important change in the Razer Blade 14 is of course the size of the screen. The 14-inch gaming laptop is a new trend led by popular options like the ROG Zephyrus G14 and the Predator Triton 300 SE. This isn't actually the first 14-inch Razer Blade – there was a model back in 2013. But apart from the screen size, this new version has little to do with the 2013 model. The processor, graphics, and cooling technology have finally caught up with the demand for smaller gaming laptops – and the 2021 Razer Blade 14 is the answer to that desire.

The Razer Blade 14 is the thinnest 14-inch gaming notebook and the smallest overall in terms of volume.

However, a smaller screen also means a smaller footprint overall, which is why I am a little unsure about the ability of this laptop to keep the components cool enough in this test. The Razer Blade 14 is the thinnest 14-inch gaming laptop and the smallest overall by volume – just 0.66 inches thick and 3.9 pounds. That makes it an insanely portable gaming laptop, especially considering how powerful this thing is.

Because of its size, it's also a great regular laptop. It's only 0.08 inches thicker than the Dell XPS 13 and only 0.03 inches thicker than the MacBook Air. It's an incredible feat of engineering.

The Razer Blade 14 offers excellent image quality.

Of course, Razer already makes the Razer Blade Stealth 13 and Razer Book 13 – if you really just want the Razer stylings with no power. But the Razer Blade 14 feels like the laptop that can do it all without sacrificing portability or design – or performance – too much.

That has been the promise since this laptop was announced. I was thrilled that the Razer Blade 14 kept that promise. Mainly.

As can be seen in many photos, the Razer Blade 14 is an absolute fingerprint magnet. That was always the case with these black Razer Blades, which is why I wish the Mercury White option would be offered for the 14-inch model. The latest update to the Razer Blade 15 tried to fix this issue with a fingerprint-resistant coating, but the Razer Blade 14 didn't.

Ports

The Razer Blade has a great port selection including HDMI 2.1.

The Razer Blade 14 has a healthy range of ports available. On the left you'll find USB-C, USB-A, a headphone jack, and the proprietary Razer charging port. On the right side you get a USB-A, another USB-C and even HDMI 2.1. HDMI will likely be your primary method of docking the Razer Blade 14 to a monitor, although both USB-C ports also have DisplayPort 1.4 and power.

However, when gaming, consider using Razer's own power adapter, which has a nicely braided cord that plugs into a 230 watt power adapter. It's big for this size of laptop, but when you're juicing performance-hungry components like this one, it's inevitable.

I would have liked the Razer to have a full-size SD card slot like the Blade 15, which is extremely convenient for photographers and videographers.

The Razer Blade 14 also offers Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 for the latest in wireless connectivity.

display

The Razer Blade 14 shows off some impressive graphics with its 1440p screen.

In terms of screen quality, the Razer Blade 14 is on par with what the 15-inch model offers. It is a 16: 9 1440p IPS display with a refresh rate of 165Hz. That's both high resolution and high refresh rate that is the best of both worlds. That's no surprise as it's becoming the norm for gaming laptops.

The picture quality is the real surprise. The Razer Blade 14 offers fantastic color saturation and reaches 90% of the AdobeRGB and 100% of the sRGB color space, which is basically unknown for gaming laptops. The color accuracy is also pinpoint accurate and the maximum brightness is 315 nits. That's nowhere near as bright as the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro, the brightest gaming laptop I've ever tested.

Would I wish it looked more like the Razer Book 13 with its 16:10 screen and tiny bottom bezel? Absolutely. A larger screen would have allowed a smaller bottom frame and more screen space without having to shrink the overall area. For now, Razer seems to be sticking to 16: 9 for its gaming laptops. Despite my affinity for thin bezels, it's hard to complain about a screen that looks this good.

performance

I never doubted that the Razer Blade 14 would be a beautiful, well-constructed laptop. Performance and thermals worried me. But once I started using the Razer Blade 14, many of those worries were aside.

In some ways, the Razer Blade 14 is actually more powerful than its bigger brother. This is thanks to the processor inside, which is the 8-core, 16-thread AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX. In terms of sheer performance alone, this is the king of gaming laptop processors right now. The fact that it finally has a home in the Razer range feels like an important moment for AMD.

The back of the Razer Blade 14 shows the redesigned fans.

I know Cinebench isn't the be-all and end-all of processor performance, but it's overwhelming that installing this Ryzen chip in the Razer Blade 14 beats the Razer Blade 15 out of the water in this benchmark. It's a similar result in a video encoding test in Handbrake, where the Razer Blade 15 with its Intel processor was 25% slower.

Add an RTX 30 series graphics card to the mix and you will be very happy with the content creation performance.

Speaking of graphics, my configuration came with the RTX 3070. It's still hard to grasp that you can put an RTX 3080in here as well if you want to. The 3060 is the base model option, which will still be pretty impressive, but on other laptops I've tested there's a big leap in performance between the 3060 and the 3070. Either way, you get a full 100 watts of power to the GPU, which is why I was so worried about the temperatures too.

In terms of cooling, Razer has achieved the impossible.

But I'll just say this – Razer did it. You get really good gaming performance, even at 1440p, and I've never seen GPU temperatures rise above 87 degrees Celsius. Well, that's not exactly what I would call "cool", but for a laptop this size and with so much power, I'm impressed. Here is a massive steam chamber that covers almost all of the built-in components and is supposedly even larger than the 15-inch model.

There are also some new fans inside, each with 88 0.1 mm fan blades. Of course, the huge vapor chamber means you can't swap out the memory, but it protects the performance and thermals that actually make the Razer Blade 14 such a great gaming laptop. Fortunately, all configurations of the Razer Blade 14 come with 16 GB of dual-channel RAM and a full terabyte SSD.

Gaming performance

Benchmark Assassin's Creed Valhalla on the Razer Blade 14.

How good is the gambling? Well, most of the games I've tested hit at least 60 frames per second (fps) on max 1440p settings, including Fortnite, Battlefield V, and Civilization VI. The Battlefield V performance was particularly noteworthy at 78 fps, which even beats the much clunkier Lenovo Legion 5 Pro, a thick 16-inch laptop that we also tested with the RTX 3070.

On the whole, this Lenovo laptop averages better frame rates, especially in Fortnite where it was up to 18% faster. Better airflow in a thicker case always means better temperatures and ultimately better performance – but the Razer Blade 14 isn't as far behind as you might think. It really makes you wonder why we don't see high-end graphics options in laptops like the Zephyrus G14.

The table below shows 1080p performance for a comparable comparison to cheaper 1080p laptops like the ROG Strix G15. Here you can see how closely the Blade 14 can often keep up with much larger and bulkier laptops like the 16-inch Lenovo Legion 5 Pro or the 15-inch MSI GS66 Stealth.

Laptop 3DMark time spy 3DMark fire strike Assassin's Creed Valhalla (1080p Ultra High) Battlefield V (1080p Ultra) Fortnite (1080p Epic) Civilization VI (1080p Ultra)
Razer Blade 14 (RTX 3070) 8605 19673 60 fps 96 fps 96 fps 84 fps
Asus ROG Strix G15 (Radeon RX 6800M) 10504 26800 77 fps 109 fps 108 fps 91 fps
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro (RTX 3070) 9175 21033 61 fps 73 fps 101 fps 101 fps
MSI GS66 Stealth (RTX 3080) 9097 19175 70 fps 97 fps 140 fps 140 fps

There have been a couple of heavier titles I've tested that put the Razer Blade 14 in a fight for its money. Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Cyberpunk 2077 both couldn't quite reach 60 fps in 1440p. They arrive in 1080p, however, and Cyberpunk plays well enough if you turn up the DLSS settings.

Surface temperatures are a different story. The Razer gaming laptops are notorious for being hot, largely because there just isn't a lot of ventilation here. They have a few vents along the hinge for the vapor chamber as well as two above the fans in the back, but Razer sacrifices a lot of airflow by not drilling holes throughout the case. And the Razer Blade 14 is no different from previous blades in this regard.

The palm rests of the Razer Blade 14 tend to get nice and warm, which can be uncomfortable.

It can get really hot at certain key points, for example in the space between the keyboard and the display. But that's normal. However, the palm rests bothered me the most and set it apart from other gaming laptops that I have tested. The palm rests of the Razer Blade 14 tend to get nice and warm, which can be uncomfortable. If you're at home and have a long gaming session ahead of you, you'll likely want to dock it and use an external keyboard.

Even when not playing, the Razer Blade 14's palm rests stay warmer than other laptops. The fans spin even if you're just using a web browser, and the case never feels cold to the touch. It's unfair to compare the Razer Blade 14 to an ultra-efficient laptop like the M1 MacBook Pro, but surface temperatures are a compromise for being able to play modern 3D games anytime.

Keyboard and touchpad

The Razer Blade 14 keyboard and touchpad.

Everything else is what you would expect from a Razer laptop. The keyboard and touchpad are both great, and the RGB backlighting per key is as customizable as it gets with an insane 15-level brightness control. It sounds over the top, but compared to the three or four tiers that many gaming laptops have, I can't fault it.

Razer even adds some nice touches like the above-screen Windows Hello IR camera and some decent speakers. They're upward facing and THX certified, which basically just means THX helped test them to make sure they weren't causing any distortion at high volume levels. The result is decent speakers for watching videos or listening to music. Unfortunately, the fan noise disturbs the appreciation of the speakers when gaming.

Battery life

Razer promises 12 hours of battery life with the Blade 14. That's unheard of on a laptop with a beefy RTX 3070 or 3080, but the Razer Blade comes surprisingly close. In our local video playback test, it landed 11 hours and 20 minutes, which is almost three hours longer than the Razer Blade 15. It's a similar comparison in our light web browsing test, where it took eight hours and 17 minutes.

The Razer Blade 14 also outlasts the ROG Zephyrus G14 and Predator Triton 300 SE, which were previously champions in gaming laptop battery life.

You only get that much battery life from a laptop with an RTX 3070 inside, but Razer got more out of the 61.6 watt-hour battery that I thought was possible.

Our opinion

There are many cheaper gaming laptops that are just as powerful as the Razer Blade 14, such as the all-AMD ROG Strix G15. But none of its competitors have the premium fit and workmanship of the Razer Blade 14, nor the extremely small size. Add in good battery life, a colorful display, and surprisingly good gaming performance, and you have what it takes to become a new standard for gaming laptops. The fact that it's $ 500 cheaper than a similar configuration to the Razer Blade 15 is the icing on the cake.

Are there alternatives?

Other 14-inch gaming laptops are the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE and the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. Both are limited to an RTX 3060 and are a few hundred dollars cheaper than the Razer Blade 14.

The Razer Blade 15 obviously has a bigger screen, but costs $ 500 more for the same configuration.

How long it will take?

A couple of Razer Blade reliability issues have been well documented online, including the problem with the high battery, which is apparently the most notorious culprit. However, it is still not an issue that has been officially addressed by Razer.

Barring potential reliability issues, the Razer Blade 14 should last four or five years before it needs to be replaced. The vapor chamber makes it difficult to replace or repair yourself, but RazerCare offers up to three years warranty over a thorough (and expensive) upgrade to the standard one-year warranty.

Should you buy it?

Yes. It's the best gaming laptop you can buy right now, especially if you want your gaming laptop to be just as suitable for non-gaming activities.

Editor's recommendations



07 Jul
Blog

The Challenge of Getting on the Podium at the CrossFit Games

Meet Jamie Simmonds, the third fittest woman in the world and an international CrossFit champion.

Jamie Simmonds, the third strongest woman in the world in 2019, is an international CrossFit Games champion and ambassador for the plant nutrition company Nuzest.

Previously a gymnast and rugby player, Jamie made a name for herself on the CrossFit competitive scene in 2016 when she stood on the podium with Team CrossFit Yas.

Continue reading

07 Jul
Blog

Soundcore Life P3 Review: Feature-Loaded Affordable Earbuds

Soundcore Life P3 in a charging case.

Soundcore Life P3

RRP $ 80.00

"The Life P3 has features typically found in expensive earbuds and is great value for money."

advantages

  • Customizable EQ

  • Customizable controls

  • Wireless charging

  • Good battery life

disadvantage

  • No wear sensors

  • Transparency during calls cannot be activated

Ever since Anker launched its Soundcore audio products, they have impressed us with their consistently high quality and low prices. Soundcore's latest product is the Life P3, a $ 80 set of true wireless earbuds that take that value equation even further with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and wireless charging – two features that typically appear on earbuds that are twice as expensive . Are the Life P3s as good as they look on paper? Let's check them out.

What's in the box?

Scope of delivery of the Soundcore Life P3.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

First, let's give some well-deserved praise to Soundcore: Previous Soundcore earbuds came in large, heavy boxes with embedded magnets and lots of plastic – not exactly easy to recycle in most places. The Life P3 comes in a much simpler box that is smaller and uses less material. The magnets are gone, but a black plastic tray remains in there. Still, this is a big step towards more sustainable packaging that we want to encourage.

Soundcore has a successful design formula.

In the packaging you will find the Life P3 earbuds already in their charging case, a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, four additional sizes of silicone earbuds (a fifth set is installed on the earbuds) and some paper documents.

design

Soundcore Life P3 in a charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Life P3 uses a familiar AirPod-esque design with slim, touch-sensitive stems that protrude down from a small, rounded body. If you want something that doesn't stand out, the colors black and blue are muted and subtle, but there are more vibrant options too: white, sky blue, and coral red. This type of color choice is unusual in the world of true wireless earbuds – most models only offer two colors (usually black or white), if they offer a choice at all.

The matching charging case is smoothly rounded and relatively compact, but not as pocket-friendly as the AirPods or Google Pixel Buds. Earlier Soundcore earbuds like the Liberty 2 Pro and Liberty Air 2 Pro used a smooth sliding mechanism for their charging case lids, but the Life P3 stick with a more conventional flip hinge – an obvious place to save some money.

What is really impressive is the degree to which you can customize the tap controls.

But while this hinge may make the case cheaper to manufacture, the case doesn't feel cheap at all. The lid is spring-loaded and opens automatically when it is lifted, which makes one-handed operation much easier than with similar housing designs. It also stays open if you want it to. The earphones simply snap into their charging sockets and are just as easy to remove.

With the case's wireless charging capability and the earbuds IPX5 rating for water resistance, Soundcore has a winning design formula.

Comfort, controls and connections

The scope of delivery of the Soundcore Life P3.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

I found the Life P3 very comfortable to wear over a long period of time. You will likely get a snug fit from several of the included silicone earbuds. The handy Soundcore app also includes a leak test feature to ensure that the tips you choose effectively seal your ear canal. Too many people just use the factory-installed tips because they feel good, but that can be a recipe for poor sound quality and poor ANC performance, so be sure to try several sizes.

Without wing tips or ear hooks, the Life P3 won't sit as securely as earbuds designed for running or heavy workouts, but they should be suitable for all kinds of low-impact activities like brisk walking, biking, rowing, or weight lifting. They're definitely safer than Apple's AirPods because of the silicone earbuds.

Touch controls don't always respond as responsively as physical buttons, mostly because they can be difficult to tap accurately every time. The Life P3's touch controls don't really change this situation – the touch area is pretty small – but they do help you know when you've typed successfully or not with a confirmation touch tone that can be disabled if you are don't need it.

But what is really impressive is the degree to which you can customize these tap controls. You can have up to three tapping gestures per earbud – single tap, double tap, and tap and hold – for a total of six functions. Each can be set to control your choice of volume, play / pause, skip forward / backward tracks, activate voice assistant and select ANC / transparency mode. Better still, you can choose between which ANC options you want to toggle: ANC, transparency, or "normal" (both ANC and transparency disabled). You can switch between all three or choose a combination of just two modes.

Audiophiles won't be blown away by the Life P3's performance, but it sounds great for its price.

The only thing missing is wear sensors – the Life P3 cannot automatically pause your music when you remove an earbud.

The Life P3 uses Bluetooth 5.0 and I had no problem pairing it with my iPhone 11 quickly. That connection stayed strong and stable – I could leave my phone in my home office and the earbuds never failed no matter where I was, from the basement to the third floor. Each earbud can be used individually – perfect for making calls or simply to extend battery life. The ability to connect to two bluetooth devices at the same time would have been a nice touch, but that feature remains a rarity in the true wireless realm, so I can barely knock an 80-dollar set of buds if I don't have it.

Sound quality

Soundcore always amazes us with the great sound of its earphones, especially when compared to much more expensive products. The Life P3 are no exception. You get a very full frequency response and really good clarity over the entire spectrum. For genres like rap and hip-hop, there is a lot of bass power in the lower range, but it doesn't tarnish the mids.

Out of the box, the P3 are set to a flat EQ. This is a good, neutral starting point, but you owe it to yourself to dive into the Soundcore app's huge selection of EQ presets. Regardless of whether you want to emphasize or weaken bass or vocals, there are no limits to the possibilities. Can't find what you want? With the custom 8-band EQ function, you can create your own presets.

I found that the acoustic preset did the most to improve clarity and energy without compromising the bass too much.

Audiophiles won't be blown away by the Life P3's performance, but for its price, it sounds great. The only way to get better sound for the same or less money is to find a much more expensive model on offer.

Noise cancellation and transparency

Soundcore Life P3 earbuds outside the charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

At this price point, you don't get the same ANC performance as the Sony WF-1000XM4, AirPods Pro, or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, but the Life P3 still offers really noticeable noise reduction in a variety of scenarios, from the constant roar of a loud fan for background discussions in a café.

This ANC function can be set with the Soundcore app with a choice of three modes: indoor, outdoor and transport. I found that outdoor made a very slight noise when there was no music, but indoor and transportation were both nice and quiet. That might make you think you should just stick with indoor or transport, but if the wind blows you'll be glad that outdoor is an option: it almost completely kills wind noise where the other two modes struggle . The transparency mode can also be set with the fully transparent or vocal mode. The vocal mode, as the name suggests, helps in finding voices. It works really well, but with one small drawback – you have to activate it before placing a call as you cannot switch between ANC / Transparency once a call is in progress. In fact, you cannot access the Soundcore app at all while on a call.

Battery life

Soundcore claims the Life P3 has seven hours of lifespan per charge when ANC and transparency are disabled, and a total of 35 hours when you include the charging case. These numbers drop to six hours or 30 hours when you turn on ANC or transparency. When testing, I actually got a little more with around 7.5 hours of non-ANC time. Either way, these are really solid numbers that are better than many other earbuds at this price point and vastly better than the Apple AirPods and AirPods Pro (4.5 to 5 hours per charge, 24 hours total).

The performance data of the Life P3 are rounded off by a quick charge function, which gives you two hours more time after 10 minutes of socket time, which is also very good.

Call quality

Despite the presence of six microphones, telephoning with the Life P3 is only average. Outside there were no dropouts and most of the background noise was kept in check, but my voice sounded thin and at times quite distant. Your callers may need to turn up their volume to hear you clearly. Indoors, like most earbuds, the call quality was much better.

Extras

There are some fun extras in the Soundcore app like the Find My Earbuds feature. It doesn't actually locate them for you like some other companies like Apple and Jabra do, but you can make each earbud emit a loud tone which should help you find them if they're around.

You will also find that Soundcore has compiled dozens of its own playlists taken from tracks available on the Lum streaming service. I didn't know any of the featured artists, but that makes it a great companion to traditional streaming services as a discovery tool.

Soundcore also offers a sleep soundtrack tool that allows you to mix and match a variety of ambient sounds like the sound of waves or the chirping of birds to help you drift away. You can play them in an endless loop or set them on a timer.

Our opinion

The Soundcore Life P3 combines an incredible number of functions in one compact, comfortable and affordable set of true wireless earphones. For the price, they're an exceptional value.

Is there a better alternative?

The closest competitor to the Life P3 is the $ 90 Earfun Air Pro. They're very close when it comes to ANC, sound quality, and battery life. The Earfuns have wear sensors to automatically pause music, but they lack wireless charging. Where the P3 has a big advantage are its app-based adjustments for EQ, controls, ANC, and more. The Earfun do not have an app, which limits the possibilities.

How long will they last?

With true wireless earbuds, it's always hard to tell, but the Life P3 should deliver years of use. With the IPX5 protection, you will survive encounters with water, but avoid splashing in your case – it is not protected. The battery life will decrease over time, but with seven hours of startup time, it should still be quite usable after halving it. Thanks to the Soundcore app, the company can issue firmware updates over time if problems arise. Soundcore backs the Life P3 with an 18-month warranty – six months longer than most companies.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. Unless you are an audiophile with exacting standards, the Soundcore Life P3 has the features, quality, and price to make it an excellent choice for everyday use.

Editor's recommendations



06 Jul
Blog

HP 930 Creator Wireless Mouse Review: Made for Creators

HP 930 Creator Wireless Mouse

HP 930 Creator Wireless Mouse

RRP $ 90.00

"The HP 930 Creator Wireless Mouse is a highly customizable mouse with no serious drawbacks."

advantages

  • Ergonomic design

  • Seven customizable buttons

  • Long battery life

  • Fast charge capability

disadvantage

  • Right-handed only

  • A bit expensive

HP has redoubled its recent efforts to woo creative customers with a full line of laptops like the Envy 14 and Envy 15 aimed directly at creative professionals. But HP hasn't stopped with laptops. It's also available with the HP 930 Creator Wireless Mouse, a device designed to work more efficiently in applications like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro.

In addition to the HP Envy x360 15, another laptop for developers, I received a 930 Creator Wireless Mouse as a test device. I put the $ 90 wireless mouse through its paces – does it offer something to measure up to the best mice?

design

Top view of the HP 930 Creator Wireless Mouse.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The wireless 930 Creator mouse is made of two-tone silver-gray plastic and feels robust enough. It's light and easy to move around without feeling cheap, and the lower part that flares to the left has a slightly grippy coating that helps keep control over quick mouse movements. Aside from the color scheme, HP's mouse is similar to Logitech's MX Master 3, its main competitor.

Like the MX Master 3, the 930 Creator Wireless Mouse has a dual-function scroll wheel with a button that changes from ratchet to free-scrolling mode. The HP version is just as slick when allowed to flow freely, but chunkier in ratchet mode. The scroll wheel can be pressed and pushed to the left and right for additional functions.

There are four buttons along the left side to the top of the flare. The device closest to the user switches between two Bluetooth devices, while the other three can be programmed to perform many functions (more on that later).

This is actually an unfortunate arrangement as it is far too easy to press the bluetooth switch instead of the first programmable button to disconnect the active device. I've been using the mouse for a few weeks now and still occasionally hit the wrong button. HP would have been smarter to put the button on the bottom of the mouse.

Open view of the HP 930 Creator Wireless Mouse.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The 930 Creator Mouse comes with a proprietary dongle that plugs into a slot on the bottom. It's accessed via a magnetic cover that opens easily once you've read the attached diagram which tells you to press the bottom to pry the cover open. In combination with the two Bluetooth connections, you can use the dongle to establish a connection to a total of three devices.

As with the MX Master 3, you can connect to several devices at the same time via Bluetooth and the dongle and move the cursor and files between the devices. That's a nice feature if you're using multiple computers at the same time, and the feature works between Windows 10 and Mac OS.

ergonomics

Side view of the HP Creator Wireless Mouse.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Thanks to its shapely contours and the rounded design, the 930 Creator Wireless Mouse is a comfortable device – if you are right-handed. It's pretty much useless for left-handed people, which is unfortunate. The same applies, of course, to the Logitech MX Master 3 and many similar mice.

For those who can use it, however, and if your hand isn't too big, the mouse can be found comfortably in the palm of your hand and your thumb to rest easily on the flare. Moving the mouse is a simple process that does not cause significant fatigue even after hours of use.

The buttons are in the right places so they're easy to reach but not too easy to accidentally press (except for the bluetooth switch, as mentioned above). The left and right buttons have a nice click and are not too loud.

All in all, the 930 Creator Wireless Mouse passes the ergonomic mouse test quite well. It's a mouse designed for long creative sessions, and you won't find it getting in your way.

performance

The 930 Creator wireless mouse has a sensor resolution of 800 to 3,000 dots per inch (dpi), among some competitive mice that can achieve a resolution of up to 10,000 dpi. The MX Master 3, for example, has a resolution of 4,000 dpi, more than the HP, but not enough that the typical user would notice. The HP Accessory Center app can be installed from the Microsoft Store to set the resolution.

The HP Accessory Center app sets the mouse resolution.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

As mentioned earlier, the scroll wheel works remarkably fast in smooth scrolling mode. If you're fidgety, it might move too fast, but you can use it to navigate long web pages and documents with ease. When it comes to cursor control, the 930 Creator Wireless Mouse is a confident performer that offers precise control thanks to a combination of just enough weight and ergonomic design.

HP promises up to 12 weeks of battery life on a single charge. I've been using it for a couple of weeks so far and I'm still sitting on around 70% battery life. So I'm well on my way to getting closer to HP's estimate. HP also states that a one-minute charge provides 30 minutes of battery life, ideal for times when you need to get something done and the battery is dead.

Programmability

All seven buttons of the 930 Creator Wireless Mouse – the pressed scroll wheel, the left and right action of the scroll wheel, the right button and the three programmable buttons – can be assigned functions within several applications. The buttons are programmed using the HP Accessory Center app.

The HP Accessory Center app is used to program the buttons on the 930 series Creator Wireless Mouse.

As in the example above, the app can recognize multiple applications and automatically assign certain functions to each key. Or the functions can be set manually. It's an easy-to-use app that makes customizing the mouse for supported applications a breeze.

Our opinion

The HP 930 Creator Wireless Mouse is a great addition to the programmable mouse category. It's well built, sits comfortably in the hand (if you're right-handed), and offers easy-to-use and very flexible programmability. Buying this mouse with an HP laptop makes perfect sense and is a one-stop shop for support.

However, there are other good mice out there too, so do some shopping. Chances are you have the 930 Creator Wireless Mouse on your shortlist.

Are there alternatives?

The most direct competitor is the Logitech MX Master 3, which costs $ 10 more than HP's mouse. The Logitech also supports multiple applications with custom buttons, but not as many as the 930 Creator Wireless Mouse.

The Razer Pro Click is another alternative to the 930 Creator Wireless Mouse and costs $ 10 more. You'll find that the Razer has longer battery life, an equally ergonomic design, a 16,000 dpi sensor, support for up to four devices, eight programmable buttons, and longer battery life. It's a formidable competitor.

How long it will take?

The 930 Creator Wireless Mouse is well built and should be used for years. The one year warranty is an industry standard.

Should you buy it?

Yes. It lies comfortably in the hand and can be adapted to your workflow.

Editor's recommendations



06 Jul
Blog

Summer Skin Care: How To How To Prep Your Skin For Summer

A sun-kissed glow may be high on summer beauty lists, but the right sunscreen is non-negotiable. More people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the United States each year than all other cancers combined, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

At the Eminence Organics, we want you to look good and stay protected. Here are some of our favorite summer skincare essentials, handpicked by our aesthetic experts, that are perfect for prepping your skin and lengthening its glow beyond the summer months.

Summer skin care for the day

Ingrown hair peeling

Because cell turnover is much slower on your legs, dead skin cells can build up quickly, hide stubborn ingrown hairs, clog your razor, and cause uncomfortable razor burn. Exfoliating your skin can lift any hair that is under dead skin and remove it more easily. Before you shave, use your favorite Eminence Organics body scrub to remove dead skin and expose razor-sharp skin.

Shave your legs with a moisturizing oil

While it's convenient, the best time to shave is not with your morning shower. According to Allure, "your legs swell slightly when you sleep, which can hide part of your hair." For a closer shave, wait until evening to pull out your razor and tackle any hair that would otherwise be hidden. Expert Tip: Shave near the end of the shower when your hair follicles are the softest. Apply a particularly moisturizing oil such as Apricot Body Oil for your shave. This oil replenishes the moisture in your skin while you shave, leaving your limbs soft and silky.

Protect the skin with sunscreen designed for exercise

Did you know that if you've had more than five sunburns in your life, the risk of melanoma doubles? If you are planning on spending time in the sun, protecting your skin from sun damage should be your top priority.

Protect your skin from harmful sun rays with Lilikoi Mineral Defense Sport Sunscreen SPF 30, formulated with zinc oxide. Whether you swim or do outdoor sports, this waterproof sunscreen will protect you from broad-spectrum UV rays all summer. Resistant to water activities and sweat for up to 40 minutes, this sports formulation will keep you covered from head to toe.

Use a replenishing mask to moisturize dehydrated skin

Chlorine (and salt water if you're a beach bunny) tends to strip oil from your skin, leaving your summer complexion dry and dry. Consider treating your skin with a regenerating mask to rehydrate your complexion. If you're suffering from too much sun and dry skin, our strawberry and rhubarb mask uses shea butter to provide the deep moisture you need to look plump and refreshed.

Lynne G., a reviewer from Eminence Organics, was not only delighted with the results of the skin care routine, she also drew special attention to the natural scent of the mask: “I love the smell. I love how smooth and clean my face feels after using this mask. The smell is I highly recommend it. "

After masking your skin to rejuvenate, keep your whole body rehydrated with plenty of water. Take down those eight glasses a day and keep your moisture levels up inside and out.

Switch to a moisturizer with SPF

Looking for a moisturizer that doubles as sunscreen? Our Lilikoi Mineral Defense Moisturizer SPF 40 can be multitasking all summer long. Formulated with zinc oxide and titanium oxide, this moisturizer uses these natural minerals to block UV rays. Lilikoi seed oil helps with the visible signs of aging, so the Lilikoi Mineral Defense Moisturizer not only protects the skin from the elements, but also leaves you easily hydrated and looking fresh and natural.

We also have three other all-mineral SPF moisturizers that are silicone-free and specially formulated for the face and neck. The Lilikoi Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 40 protects against blue light stress and environmental pollution. Tropical Vanilla Day Cream SPF 40 has shea butter and a light vanilla scent – you will feel as if you have been transported to a tropical oasis. Our Bright Skin Moisturizer SPF 40 targets the appearance of dark spots, while the Red Currant Protective Moisturizer SPF 40 protects against the signs of aging and is good for oily skin times.

Apply makeup with SPF

If you are looking for another multi-purpose wonder, our mineral powders are doubly suitable as skin care and make-up products. For a more natural look this summer, swap your heavy makeup powder for a mineral powder from Eminence Organics with SPF 30. You can choose from five shades plus a translucent powder. Don't forget to protect your lips; Because they lack melanin, they are very prone to sunburn. Rose hip and lemongrass lip balm is fortified with rose hip oil, lavender, and zinc oxide to perfectly moisturize and protect your wrinkles.

At night: Repair your skin for a lasting glow

You have your skin prepped for summer, but during the night you can work your magic to make sure your complexion and body are repaired from sun damage. The sun's harmful effects don't stop when you've been looking for shade. The effects of UV exposure, including dry and itchy skin, can take two to four hours to fully develop. Replenish moisture with these after-sun essentials from Eminence Organics.

Replenish moisture with a repair balm

Does your skin suffer from exposure to the sun? Repair dry skin and reduce redness due to dryness with our rose hip and lemongrass repair balm. Enriched with rose hip oil, sunflower oil and a Natural Repair Complex, this ultra-rich balm provides moisture and protects the skin from the drying effects of the elements.

Apply a moisturizing moisturizer to help promote dryness

Give some relief to dry, itchy skin all over your body with Eminence Organics Rose Hip & Lemongrass Soothing Hydrator. The cooling properties of camphor and menthol refresh the skin while aloe and A. Natural repair complex help with drought. Try layering this lightweight moisturizer under the richer rose hip and lemongrass repair balm to lock in moisture.

How do you protect your skin from the sun? Browse our full list of summer essentials and find even more sun care recommendations at an Eminence Organics Spa partner near you.

06 Jul
Blog

A Better Approach for the Novice Athlete Than “I saw it on Instagram”

Yes, there are a lot of fit looking people who love to post sexy looking fitness moves all over social media, and most of them don't come with an attempt not to try this at home unless they have a disclaimer.

Coach to the wriggling client: "What are you doing?"

Client: "I'm not sure. I just saw it on Instagram."

(Common sigh among the coaches all around).

Yes, there are a lot of fit looking people who love to post sexy looking fitness moves all over social media, and most of them don't come with an attempt not to try this at home unless they have a disclaimer.

Continue reading

«‹5253545556›»