Beach Beauty Favorites
We've had SUCH amazing weather these past couple of weeks, I'm so grateful that summer in its glory is finally here! There's so much to love about Cleveland in the summer — the beaches, the Flats, dockside patios, and of course Lake Erie – I make plans to be outside as much as possible. Long days in the sun can quickly roll into a late night out, so I keep a few tried and true beauty products in my beach bag so they're always with me. I also try to keep my hair and makeup minimal so there's less need for touchups — plus a little sun gives you all the glow you need ;)
Here are some of my summer beauty go-tos that I keep in my bag and my bathroom cabinet:
OUAI Son of a Beach Ombré Spray // If you're a child of the '90s, I'm sure you remember Sun-In! I used to spray my hair obsessively to get those blonde highlights my mom kept saying "no" to. This ombré spray is a grown-up version, and I love the subtle results it's given. I spritz it on my hair before a day in the sun and it works its magic. My hair is already highlighted, but this lightens them a bit and brings out some of the thinner, more subtle highlighted areas. I also love the texture – it's non sticky and doesn't weight your hair down.
IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm // This stuff is a lifesaver! I put a little bit in my hair when it's wet before I dry it, and it makes my hair so soft and full of body. It helps control frizz and contains a UV protectant as well, which is great for protecting it against the sun/pool water/etc. Plus it smells like a vacation, so double bonus points for that!
Drunk Elephant UmbraTinte SPF 30 // My friend Amanda recommended this to me a few weeks ago, and I'm loving it so far! I wanted a clean facial sunscreen and I love that this has a subtle tint. It offers just a little bit of coverage, so you can wear it alone to the pool and not feel entirely bare faced. You can layer makeup over it as well for everyday use. I keep it in my bag so I'm never without it!
Vere Hair Bands // These hair ties are awesome at keeping my hair back without leaving a crease, or making my beach ponytail tangly. They look cute on your wrist too, and I always keep a few in my bag. I pick mine up locally at Stella & Shay in Lakewood!
Sol De Janiero Bum Bum Cream // This is THE BEST body butter I've ever used. I'm obsessed with the creamy/whipped texture and it makes my skin so soft. I normally don't like scented lotions, but this stuff smells like a vacation and it's perfect for summer. Trust me, it'll make your bum very happy ;)
Tan Luxe The Face Drops in Light/Medium // Even with spending time in the sun, I keep my face protected, and it never gets as tan as the rest of my body. I put a few drops of this in my moisturizer whenever I need an extra boost of color, and I love the natural glow it gives. If you want more color, you just add more drops – so easy. It doesn't transfer onto your pillow like other self tanners, so it's easy to throw on at night and let it do the work. I'll never be without these!
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Light // I've written about this bronzer before, but it's still easily my favorite. If I skip the rest of my makeup for the day, this is the only thing I'll throw on. It gives such a gorgeous glow with the light reflecting particles (not shimmer) and acts as a complexion enhancer and a bronzer. Holy grail – can never live without it!
COOLA Liplux Lip Balm with SPF 30 // I always keep SPF lip balm in my bag, and this one smells great and I love that it has a higher SPF. I also love Maybelline's Baby Lips — they make a similar version with SPF 20 and it's easily found at Target or the drugstore.
Pacifica After-Sun Spray // I grabbed this on impulse at Target (they get me every time) — I like to keep this spray in my bag for a refresher after a long day in the sun. My skin always feels tight and dry, especially after spending time in the pool. I don't like Aloe gels, so I like that this is a spray and it feels so refreshing and hydrating!
I've linked everything in the post, as well as below, if you want to check anything out! I'm on a constant search for a go-to body sunscreen, if you have any suggestions, leave them in the comments below or shoot me a DM on Instagram! Here's to many more days of sun and fun!
