This is THE summer we have all been patiently waiting for. The Summer where we can finally see friends, hug family, send the kids to camp without fear. After a long year of staying in and saying no, this is the Summer that I am so excited to finally say yes. Yes to impromptu cocktails with girlfriends, yes to long beach days, sleepovers, water balloon fights, and of course, yes to the ice cream truck. Yes to last minute bonfires and s’mores, and yes to staying outside late to play with friends.
In the next couple of weeks I’ll be posting tips for making this a fun, and easier summer for you. I’ll be sharing fun memory-making ideas for both grown-ups and families, an easy summer recipe, and I’ll also be sharing a lot of the products I love that will help to make your Summer a breeze.
This week I am starting off with essential items to pack for a safe day in the sun, (safe as far as skin protection goes).
As a redhead, I try to take extra care to protect my skin from the suns strong UV rays, so extra sunscreen and a hat are always in my bags, in my car, and stashed in a bin in our entryway. Whether you are planning for a day on the beach, on a boat, or frequenting an outdoor venue, purchasing and packing items ahead of time will save you a headache (and a sunburn) when it’s time to run out the door. These are the items (all pictured above) that I try to keep stocked up on…
Bags and Storage
These clear zipper bags are very reasonably priced and great for storing items in full view. They keep sunscreen and messy items (like wet bathing suits!) contained, so they don’t soak or soil your cute tote or beach bag. I keep several packed and store them everywhere. I love that they added hooks to each sized bag, so you can hang them in a spot where you can easily grab one on the way out of the house. I also have several beach bags and cooler bags hanging in our mud room, empty, but ready for packing. I love the cooler bags from Trader Joe’s. I also love this pink cooler tote from Amazon, with extra room for beach toy storage.
Sunscreen
With 5 people in our household, we go through a LOT of sunscreen. What I love about Beauty Counter’s formula is that their products are safe, non-toxic, and I feel good putting them on my three kids. This formula blends easily, and really does work great at protecting from burns! Their tinted spray sunscreen is also great for grown-ups (and especially pasty grown ups, ahem).
I also love, love, love this tinted moisturizer by Laura Mercier that doubles as a daily sunscreen. It is my favorite, all time make up product. I wear it almost every single day, and have done so for years. It’s light coverage, provides 25 SPF protection from the sun, and one tube lasts me at least a month, if not longer.
Cleansing and Exfoliation
Dry and peeling skin is an ugly, but real part of Summer. This exfoliating Himalayan salt scrub has rave reviews on Amazon and is very reasonably priced. I haven’t used it myself but I just ordered a jar and will be sure to follow up! Fingers crossed for amazing results.
Another BeautyCounter product I love and use regularly is their Charcoal mask. Since you’ll be applying sunscreen to your face daily, and sweating much more between June and September, your face and pores need some regular TLC. This mask is a great way to detoxify weekly. What I love about this product is that you really do feel effects of it working immediately, and I find that one tube does last quite some time.
In case you haven’t noticed yet, I’m a big fan of Beauty Counter’s products since they are safe for everyone in my family to use and share. Their Citrus Mimosa body wash is something I can keep in our shower, since it’s ingredients are gentle enough for even my toddler to use. It also smells amazing too!
Make Some Shade
As I’ve gotten older and wiser my hat collection has grown. I was never a big hat girl in my teens or twenties, but keeping the sun off your face really is key to wrinkle prevention and more importantly skin cancer prevention. I love a pretty rattan visor, and the ones above (both linked under the image) are both equally adorable.
It’s true that no one likes a shady beach, but a good umbrella really is worth it’s weight in gold in the July and August sun. This one is affordable, cute, and perfect for a pool deck. The pillow I added just to be punny (although it is super cute).
A cute, great fitting swim suit is a key Summer essential. I couldn’t decide on just one to share so I am linking all of these pretty pieces below. I don’t love to show a lot of skin on the beach or by the pool (again, redhead), but these modest pieces are equally cute (I think so at least!)
You’ll need a good pair of shoes to navigate the sand this Summer and these Moses sandals are so cute and come in the sweetest pastel shades (there are many other colors). I love these for the beach and the pool, since flip flops can get uncomfortable to walk in when sandy or wet.
Bug Protection
I don’t know about you but I am a mosquito magnet. While I understand their role in the food chain I cannot tell you how much I loathe those little suckers. In our area they come out at dusk and usually linger for an hour or two before dissipating back to whatever dark place they came from.
We also have ticks locally, so when the kids are running through sea grass at the beach or playing under a canopy of trees, repellent is a must. This one by Pure Haven is naturally-derived and leaves out the unsafe chemicals you find in some of the big name brands. They also make a mosquito repelling citronella candle that I will definitely be bringing out for cookouts this season.
Thanks for following along. I am so excited to kick off Summer and create new memories with my family and friends, especially after a long year of limited activities . After all that’s what it’s all about!
Affiliate Disclosure
I want to disclose that this post does contain affiliate links. If you choose to shop through this post (thank you for your support!) I may receive a small commission, which helps to support this blogging adventure. I have also linked Beauty Counter products through my friend, Angelica’s skincare page. I am not a part of the Beauty Counter team, but rather, she is my go-to for all things skin related). If you have any questions about products or ingredients, she is your girl and you can get in touch with her here!