Do you go completely sans makeup when taking a trip to the beach or are you one that can’t bare the thought of not having a scrap of slap on your face? Along with key accessories, here’s a list of essential beauty products which I think are
just about right for the beach, enhancing your features without fearing that your makeup will slide halfway down your face before you have even set foot on the sand.
First up, sunscreen. If like my boyfriend, having to apply sunscreen is the worse part of your holiday or trip to the beach then I totally know where you are coming from. Truth is, as sticky and annoying as sun cream can be, it’s an absolute essential to be able to be out in the sun safely. I like to use a different sun cream for my face than for my body as I find that the ones for all over tend to be really thick and heavy. The one that I have has been mentioned on my blog before and it’s from none other than the La Roche Posay’s Anthelios range. I did mention on here previously that the Anthelios AC Matte Extreme Fluid does leave you with a slight white cast and really needs to be blended in well and the reason why I am still using this rather than tossing it aside is because I really like the texture of it. It’s a very light, white fluid that when blended in feels almost like it transforms from a liquid lotion consistency to more of a soft, powdery texture. This is why you are able to get a matte finish with this product rather than a shiny, sticky residue. It’s has an SPF of 30 which is my preferred factor of choice nowadays. Gone are the days where I dabbled with SPF 15 and even down to an 8 at one point, I mean there’s just no point then is there? Better to be safe than sorry.
If there is one product I cannot ever go without, it’s mascara! Teamed with curled lashes, it really does make a notable difference to my eyes as they appear bigger and more wide awake. For lashes that curl in the blink of an eye, I mentioned before my love for the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers. The mascara that I have been loving recently and is also a recent discovery in itself is the Loreal Paris Lash Architect 4D Waterproof Mascara (which I mentioned and wore in my favourites video here). It comes with a long, thin wand which is different for me as over the years I’ve become quite accustomed to mascara wands that are rather fat (for want of a better word). But I find with this wand, it defines, elongates and defines the lashes in such a way that it makes them appear soft with a seductive flutter. The thin wand also makes it easier to coat my (lack of) fine, bottom lashes. The waterproof formulation is also true to it’s word. Ten laps of the pool and no panda eyes in sight. This mascara is a definite winner for me.
The next product you would have seen if you had read my last post on my duty free impulse beauty purchases. The Clinique Chubby Stick for Cheeks is one of the latest product launches and so far there have been some pretty decent reviews. Makes a product all the more desirable doesn’t it? It was only a matter of time before the brand launched a cheek product in-a-stick having addressed first the lips and then the eyes. I’ve mentioned before that I have a preference for powdered blushes and probably because it’s less of a faff to use and doesn’t involve getting down and dirty with your fingers. What appealed to me though of the Clinique Chubby Stick for Cheeks is that it’s cream formulation is much more forgiving when you are in the 30 degree heat or happen to get caught in the oh so frequent rain that is synonymous with the city of London (which is probably a good thing that I’m typing this from a few thousand miles away in Vietnam). There’s no need to worry if your blush has streaked due to sweat if you’re faced with the former predicament, or rain if the latter situation applies. For those that are a fan of the dewy look than the Clinique Chubby Stick might just be right up your street. Application isn’t really too much of a faff really. You swipe the product onto the area you want it and then proceed to blend with finger tips or even a stippling brush perhaps. The product is very thin in texture so sheers out evenly literally at the touch of your finger tips.
Moving onto lips and this is something I’ve gotten very wrong in the past which resulted in 10 mouth ulcers placed strategically on my top and bottom lips. I couldn’t laugh let along smile without being in excruciating pain. So word of advice; NEVER sunbathe with lipgloss on. I’m talking Lancome Juicy Tube or any other type of oil infused gloss and especially those with no SPF in. I may as well of just smothered my lips in sunflower oil as I was literally frying my lips. I suggest two options for different scenarios. If you’re thinking about sunbathing or being out and about in the sun then I suggest using a proper SPF for your lips. I have the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant which has an SPF of 20. They also actually do a tinted one if you prefer one with a bit of added colour to it. This has treated my lips well for the last few times I’ve been away to the beach and on holiday. For those who won’t be in the sun much, maybe you prefer relaxing in the shade and you want a bit of colour to your lips then the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector are a good shout. They impart a subtle hint of colour whilst keeping your pout well hydrated. Not only do they smell delicious, they will make your lips look delicious too. Please note that they do not contain SPF (not to my knowledge anyway), so if you plan to be out and about for some time then go for the former.
Not to forget your talons and your tootsies, I would suggest Maybellines Forver Strong Super Stay Gel Nails 7 Day Colour. These have been by far the best long lasting nail formulation I have tried to date. Maybe not a full 7 days without a chip but around 5 or 6 days which is good enough for me especially if like me, you are in and out of the water constantly in an attempt to keep cool. With a wide range of colours, from pretty pastels and muted tones to more bright and vibrant shades like the one I picked up last minute en route to the boarding gate. The shade name? Hot Salsa! Hot Salsa is the perfect blend of pinky red with a touch of orange, which all together creates a beautifully vibrant colour I can only describe as a warm neon coral. It’s definitely the shade of the moment for me.
Finally, beach accessories which I think are essential. First off, sunglasses! Unless you want to constantly squint and strain your eyes then you will need a good pair of sun glasses. They are far more than just a fashion accessory. High Street ones are really inexpensive nowadays but if you’re after a pair of designer ones then may I suggest checking out the stores in duty free. I picked my Rayban Wayfarer Folding ones on a previous duty free trip as I wanted a pair that were a bit more robust than my Rayban Aviators (the lenses keep popping out of them which is very annoying, does that happen to anyone else?).
Then secondly, may I suggest a hat?! I’m not much of a hat person but I’ve just seen so many pretty hats around recently that it caught my attention. What better excuse to get one then for when you hit the beach. I find that it shields me from the harsh sunlight when I’ve had enough of the sun but still want to be outside, and because I have dark hair, my hair gets hot very quickly when I’m in the sun so the hat is perfect for keeping me a bit more cool in the heat. The hat I picked up is a straw Fedora from Asos (which I nearly lost whilst I was on the back of a golf buggy) and I am totally in love with it. It fit’s well and doesn’t annoy me but I do have to put up with “hat hair” when I take it off but that’s a small compromise I’m happy to make.
What are you beauty and accessory essentials when you plan to hit the beach?