Around here we’re all about traveling in good taste and come summer that means embracing our inner California girl and clocking in beach time. Be it a friend’s birthday in the Caribbean; a long weekend in Todos Santos; a summer house in Positano; or your favorite Hawaiian hideaway, there is something extra special about a vacation where shoes are optional.
Our ideal beach holiday is one where you go from day to night by tossing on a cover-up, dabbing on some BB cream, and lip tint and giving off a beach babe vibe while ordering another rum cocktail. A beach vacay means packing lightly, even when it comes to your beauty routine. So, in addition to this season’s requisite beach hat and tassel tote, here is a short list of every beauty product you need to stay stylish wherever it is that your toes get sandy this summer.
Opening Photo by Guille Faingold
First Things First, Sunscreen
If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it 1,000 times: sunscreen! Sunscreen should be a staple in your beauty wardrobe year round, but it’s especially important on a beach getaway. There are few things less chic than a nasty sunburn plus the after effects of a sunburn are no bueno! We love the Karyng by Dr Karyn Grossman Complete Broad Spectrum SPF 50 for face because it’s formulated with protective echinacea, coconut oil, and celebrity dermatologist Karyn Grossman’s pro-verte complex. It’s an SPF, a tinted moisturizer, an anti-aging powerhouse, and makeup primer all in one so it’s key for packing light! Pair it with a new bikini, and you’re 100% beach ready!
Beautiful Not Basic: BB Cream
When in paradise, leave the smokey eye shadows at home and go for a bronzed no-makeup look because less is more when shoes are optional. Let the sunshine and sea salt do their magic on your face and locks and use a touch of BB Cream or a pinch of well-blended concealer and let your freckles show. We love the Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 because it’s sheer yet buildable, leaves a slight shimmery glow in the best way, and also has SPF 20. Use it day and night and be sure to pair it with incredible sunnies!
One and Done: The Multiple
Go easy on the makeup to maintain your I-woke-up-like-this sunkissed glow. Add one or two NARS The Multiple sticks to your makeup bag and that’s about all you’ll need for eyes and cheeks. These amazing cream sticks are totally travel friendly and give a little shimmer and emphasis to cheeks and eyes. Our favorite shades are obviously the ones with a Hawaii vibe as in Na-Pali Coast for a beautiful bronze glow and Maui for a little touch of pink. Touch up as needed or after every other Mai Tai.
Perfect Pout
Leave the long-wear liquid lipstick at home and opt for a sheer touch of color with SPF to protect and accentuate your pout. Mineral Liplux SPF 30 in Firecracker by Coola pairs incredibly well with any beach outfit. There are six gorgeous shades to choose from but Firecracker is our pick for a light lovely red that looks like your natural lip color with a Face Tune-esque boost. Organic cupuacu butter and mongongo oil have anti-aging benefits and make this lip tint ultra moisturizing and the SPF protects your lips from a sunburn. Choose your favorite shade and pair with your favorite a Paloma.
Beautifully Bronzed
Tropical getaways inevitably include boat rides, beach days and lots of sunshine. Be just as diligent about taking care of your skin after the sun goes down as you are about applying sunscreen throughout the day. We’re loving the Herbivore After Sun Soothing Aloe Mist for both face and body. You can even spritz it in your hair. Aloe water and witch hazel soothe the skin and lavender oil leaves you relaxed and moisturized. It smells great too so a little of this and a tropical flower in your hair means you can leave the perfume at home.
Tropical Tresses
Opt for stylish, messy beach waves, a bun or a sexy ponytail for your tropical vacation. These hair styles, like your no-makeup-makeup-look, are effortless and chic. They take no time to put together and leave you extra time for sundowners and beach walks. We’re currently coveting both the La Playa Beach Spray and Champu Seco Dry Shampoo by celebrity hairstylist Octavio Molina. These two products are all you need to tame your tresses while channeling your inner golden goddess.
Speaking of tropical vacays, one of our fave spot to rock these products is on the white sand beaches of Honolulu, Hawaii. Here are our Editor-in-Chiefs picks on where to wine, dine and relax Oahu-style.
More on Salt & Wind
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- Beach Day at Caneel Bay
- Marigot Mango Eclairs
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P.P.S. Hitting the road soon? Show us how you travel in good taste by sharing your adventures on Instagram with the #swsociety hashtag!
