Summer Beach Beauty Must-Haves

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 don’t have to live in a coastal state to love the beach, and those on the edges of the country certainly don’t 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 summer’s in full swing, you’re 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 it’s 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 you’re 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 you’re in a hurry and only have a few minutes in the shower.

After shaving, showering, or fun in the sun, don’t forget to moisturize! Just because the dry days of winter are over doesn’t mean dry skin is behind you. Beach winds and high temperatures can have a drying effect on the exposed skin. Don’t neglect your lips, either — make sure you have Brazilian lip butter stashed away in all your bags.

Once you’re out in the sun, skin care requires a different approach. Protecting yourself from harmful UV rays is an important step for personal health. If you’re looking for a glow, consider using a self-tanner before your beach days, then slathering on the SPF while you’re out playing. Your skin will thank you, and no one will be the wiser.

If you have sensitive skin and sunscreen doesn’t agree with you, consider alternative methods. Often, the irritating ingredient in sunscreen is a chemical absorber used to filter UV radiation — you can avoid contact with these compounds by seeking out a zinc-based sunscreen. If that doesn’t work, use cover-ups to keep your skin safe. Floppy hats and sarongs are beach essentials, but if you’re looking for something more functional, consider a color-blocked wetsuit or rashguard.

Eye Protection

Eyes need their own category because let’s 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. It’s 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 — glasses can help. It’s 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 doesn’t 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 you’re in the water. That way, if they float away or you lose them, you’re 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 don’t 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 — if you can find one you like, you won’t have to worry about oily sunscreen on top of your look. Pair that with Swimmables Longwear Foundation and you’ll 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 moment’s notice. In the summer, find a cute straw tote bag that you’re not overly attached to and pack it with beach-day essentials: towels, sunscreen, a cheap pair of flip flops, and the magazine backlog that you’ve been meaning to get to. That way, when you’re 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 you’re out the door. Low maintenance, easy, and perfect for summer.