Beach Beauty ~ What To Pack In Your Beach Bag

How's your summer going?
As for me, well I could do with more beach days, as in every day.
I was asked recently what I put in my beach bag (apart from towel, book, hair ties). I actually keep it pretty simple.
If you have some beach days coming up, here are 5 essential pieces to pack in your beach bag.

Caslon straw beach bag, on sale at Nordstrom

Broad Spectrum Facial Sun Protection

I can't stress enough how important a really good facial sunscreen is. You should wear it every day of your life, not only to protect you from getting melanomas on your face (have you ever seen someone with half their nose cut off from skin cancer?) but also sun damage is the fastest way to age your skin, so therefore preventing sun damage is the best way to stay youthful.
You just cannot get more sun protection than Neutrogena Dry Touch Broad Spectrum SPF 100

Sun Protection For Your Body

This summer I'm into Juice Beauty's Organic Moisturizing SPF 30 Sport Sunscreen. 

I love the whole organic side to it, but also like that it's a sport formula (I'm not sporty) because sport sunscreens tend to stay on better and longer. If they're going to protect you nicely while you're out running, chances are they'll take care of me nicely while I'm lazing in the sunshine.

Lip Balm 

You need to give your kisser some extra loving when you're at the beach, both keeping it hydrated and using some sun protection.
Try Juice Beauty's Organic SPF 8 Lip Moisturizer. 

These are ridiculously affordable, so  not only can you keep re-applying all day but it's not a big deal if it gets sand in it or gets melty in the heat. Win win win!

A Bright Lipstick

 Electric Poppy

If you are going to wear any makeup to the beach, such as your brows and some waterproof mascara you will be putting them on at home before you leave, so the only makeup you need to throw in your beach bag is a nice, bright, vibrant lipstick or lipgloss to offset your beachy glow.
Try Charlotte Tilbury's new Hot Lips in Electric Poppy or in Hot Emily

Hot Emily

After Sun Hydration

After a day at the beach your skin is normally a little more dehydrated and maybe got some excess sun, so it needs some extra loving. I prefer to spritz on something refreshing rather than try to work a cream or lotion into my skin, and if you've been reading this blog for the past three years you already know that my go-to product is Tatcha's Luminous Dewy Skin Mist

Five Best Beach Lips ~ Your Five Best Lip Shades For August On The Beach

Are you stealing a getaway to the ocean this August?

On hot beachy days the last thing you want is a face full of makeup, but if you're not in the mood for an entirely naked face, these lip colors when paired with a soft brow and a little waterproof mascara will give you a fun and fresh pop of color, and keep you looking casually gorgeous!

I absolutely love fuchsia lips!This pencil format is ideal for the beach. Easy to apply and it won't melt in your beach bag. 
Nars Satin Lip Pencil in YU $26 at Nordstrom

Lipstick Queen Frog Prince $25 is an emerald green lipstick that magically transforms itself to your own perfect shade of rosebud pink, as soon as it hits your lips. With Vitamin E and Shea Butter it keeps your lips soft, hydrated and endlessly kissable. You can find Frog Prince at Space NK

The best red this summer just has to be Charlotte Tilbury's limited edition Matte Revolution 1975 Red $32. This is a perfect sunset red, in Charlotte's special formulation that not only makes lips look fuller, but also makes them look lit from within. Available at CharlotteTilbury.com

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey $17 has been around for decades. A slippery sheer hint of color, this one pairs with your tan beautifully, leaves your lips looking bitten and your teeth looking pearly white. You can find it at Nordstrom.

Nars Orgasm Lip Gloss $26 is universally flattering to all skin tones. It's fresh, pretty and goes with everything. 
Love it.

Has Your Sunscreen Stopped Working??

Has your sunscreen stopped working? How are you supposed to know if your sunscreen is still effective, still protecting you, or needs to be thrown out?
story via Vogue.com

3 Signs It's Time To Buy A New Sunscreen

Sunscreen is the ultimate getaway insurance, promising a guilt-free, burn-proof romp on the beach or day by the pool. But your application is futile if the formula in question has stopped working. In fact, there are a number of elements that may inhibit the power of your lotion, cream, or spray to protect your skin from UV rays. Luckily, they’re as easily identifiable as they are entirely preventable.

“It all starts with what’s inside the bottle,” says cosmetic chemist Ni’kita Wilson.“You want the product you’re using to be as fresh as the day you bought it.” Often ignored, a simple guide to the product’s effectiveness is the expiration date provided by the manufacturer, printed right on the bottle. “Sunscreen’s efficacy is tested to up to three years,” says dermatologist Elizabeth Quigley. “Anything that’s past its expiration date belongs in the trash.”

Even if you are technically within that crucial window, poor storage can cause early expiration. For example, placing a bottle on a windowsill can force the sunscreen to absorb UV rays between uses, weakening its potency when it is applied to your body. Exposure to heat can also compromise the stability of a formula, causing it to separate. “If you squeeze the bottle and [a runny] liquid comes out first, toss it. It’s important that the sunscreen is applied uniformly and there are no uncovered gaps on the skin,” says Wilson.

Of course, if you’re using the FDA-recommended dosage, a bottle of sunscreen should almost never last long enough for any of the aforementioned issues to occur. “Two ounces every two hours,” says Quigley, who adds that no matter how high the SPF, sweating, swimming, and friction caused by movement or toweling off can lead to accidental exposure, making reapplication essential. “You shouldn’t have anything left after a full day in the sun.”

How To Choose The Perfect Swimsuit

Have you bought your new summer bikinis or swimsuits yet?
I haven't.
To make it worse trying to balance a super heavy work load with taking care of a chronically ill child has meant racing from one directly to the other, so I haven't been able to work out for 3 months, which means I'm starting summer in my worst shape ever. Ever.

So, as I venture bravely into the swimsuit store I need every trick under the sun to help me find something new to wear on the beach.
This year I'm more in the mood for a maillot. But I've said that many years and ended up buying bikinis, so who knows?

How To Choose The Perfect Swimsuit (or bikini)


1. The best swimsuit fit is snug, with no gaping fabric.
Swimsuits do expand when wet, so if in doubt go a little smaller.

2. Show off your best assets with colors, prints and embellishments.
Downplay your other bits with solid, darker colors.

3. Shirring works magic! It hides bulges, hugs curves and defines the waist.

4. For extra boobie support look for underwire, bra style tops and halters with thicker ties. When tying your top, go tighter.

5. Tops fit when they cover your breast without it bulging under the underwire, or molded cup, or near the underarm.



6. Monokinis, padded push up tops, Brazilian bottoms and embellishments like ruffles and bold colors create the illusion of curves.

7. To avoid tummy bulge look for tie side or banded bottoms. Both lie softly on the tummy. In a one piece look for surplus wraps and princess seams.

8. Asymmetrical silhouettes narrow the shoulders and highlight the beautiful line from a woman's neck to her collarbone. Pair it with a ponytail for a sleek look.

9. Create the illusion of legs thaat never end with high-cut, dark colored bottoms and a pair of wedge sandals. Use bronzer on your legs for a sculpted, even tone.

10.  Choose a swimsuit that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Try on several styles and don't become discouraged!

This list came from Everything But Water