Summertime brings with it several inevitabilities: warmer temperatures, a definite need for ice cream, and plenty of time with the nearest body of water. You donโt have to live in a coastal state to love the beach, and those on the edges of the country certainly donโt have a monopoly on splashing their way to a cooler afternoon or sunning themselves with toes in the sand.
Man-made beaches and sandy lakeshores mean that ladies everywhere can get in on the fun. It also means the need for sand-, sun-, and spray-proof beauty bags are now a national necessity. Whether summerโs in full swing, youโre getting ready for a vacation, or just reevaluating your product routine, take a look at our beach beauty must-haves tips for the perfect summer beauty routine.
Skin Care
Getting ready to bare your legs after a long winter means itโs time for a little TLC. Before you get down to shaving or waxing, start by loving your skin. Dry brush exfoliation works to eliminate dry skin cells and reenergize the skin, but if youโre in the mood for a little more luxury, try relaxing in the bath with a teaspoon of coconut oil or use a bath bomb made with essential oils. Sugar scrubs also do wonders if youโre in a hurry and only have a few minutes in the shower.
After shaving, showering, or fun in the sun, donโt forget to moisturize! Just because the dry days of winter are over doesnโt mean dry skin is behind you. Beach winds and high temperatures can have a drying effect on the exposed skin. Donโt neglect your lips, either โ make sure you have Brazilian lip butter stashed away in all your bags.
Once youโre out in the sun, skin care requires a different approach. Protecting yourself from harmful UV rays is an important step for personal health. If youโre looking for a glow, consider using a self-tanner before your beach days, then slathering on the SPF while youโre out playing. Your skin will thank you, and no one will be the wiser.
If you have sensitive skin and sunscreen doesnโt agree with you, consider alternative methods. Often, the irritating ingredient in sunscreen is a chemical absorber used to filter UV radiation โ you can avoid contact with these compounds by seeking out a zinc-based sunscreen. If that doesnโt work, use cover-ups to keep your skin safe. Floppy hats and sarongs are beach essentials, but if youโre looking for something more functional, consider a color-blocked wetsuit or rashguard.
Eye Protection
Eyes need their own category because letโs face it, most of us have more products that go on or around our eyes than for the rest of us combined. From eye creams and drops to contacts, favorite sunglasses, primers, shadows, and I-completely-swear-by-it mascaras, your eye care routine is about as personal as it gets. Itโs important to maintain happy, healthy eyes for personal safety and long-term health.
When you head to the beach, you shake up your routine with the introduction of sand and water, on top of sun exposure. You need to be sure to keep sunscreen and other sandy sediments out of your eyes โ glasses can help. Itโs generally discouraged to do swimming of any kind with contacts in. You can trap harmful bacteria in your eye, cause irritation, or just have your day derailed by a mishap. If you do need vision correction, plan to wear glasses or prescription sunglasses to the beach.
Speaking of sunglasses, you should definitely have a pair or two for your day at the beach. Sometimes a hat doesnโt quite cut it, and keeping the sun out of your eyes is about more than comfort. Consider picking up a cheap pair at a local drugstore for when youโre in the water. That way, if they float away or you lose them, youโre not out a designer pair.
Makeup Must-Haves
Beach makeup is all about low maintenance. The last thing you want to do is spend your day managing runny mascara or blotting foundation. You also donโt want heavy products weighing your skin down or fighting with your sunscreen. The secret to a great beach day is waterproof and weightless.
For your base layer, look for a primer that has some level of SPF coverage โ if you can find one you like, you wonโt have to worry about oily sunscreen on top of your look. Pair that with Swimmables Longwear Foundation and youโll be set for the day. The best thing about the beach is not needing a full look. You can easily skip your normal eyeshadow routine and still be perfectly at ease. If you still want your eyes to pop, swipe on a waterproof mascara or consider lash tinting. Both options let you skip mid-afternoon application and eliminate the need to control raccoon eyes.
Packing Your Bag
The best way to do the beach? On a momentโs notice. In the summer, find a cute straw tote bag that youโre not overly attached to and pack it with beach-day essentials: towels, sunscreen, a cheap pair of flip flops, and the magazine backlog that youโve been meaning to get to. That way, when youโre feeling the need for some sun and a little relaxation, all you have to do is put on your suit, grab some snacks and your tote, and youโre out the door. Low maintenance, easy, and perfect for summer.
So there you have it! Those are our beach beauty must-haves for summer! If you think I missed something, let me know in the comments.