Listen, when the beach calls…you answer. DO NOT RESIST.
A dip in a crystal clear, blue ocean under sunny skies is pretty much heaven on Earth. I mean, is there really anything better than relaxing on a beach with a great book, tousled, beach hair blowing in the soft wind…sipping on an ice cold Nastro Azzurro? Sorry. Since my trip to Positano a couple of years ago, I haven’t been able to get that wonderful Amalfi Coast beach scene out of my head.
So, a trip to the beach is that much better when you have your essentials with you. Good book? Check. Sunscreen? Double check. What else do you need though? I’ve got a list to ensure your beach day goes swimmingly. Ciao bella!
A Great Bag
A nice sized carryall is perfect for the beach to hold all of your necessities. I love this one from The Hudson Bay Company (similar here) with its bright trademark colours, handy zippered interior pockets for things like smartphones and iPods, and it’s big enough to carry a couple of beach towels.
Fun Beach Towel
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this gorgeous towel from The Beach People! With its fun, graphic, eye-catching print, it will enhance a fun bikini and hey…it may just attract some beach people to join you!
Floppy Hat
Pre-mature aging and sun spots are not cool, so protect your face! Grab yourself a glamourous beach hat with a wide brim and channel “Beach Style Audrey Hepburn”. Check out these fun styles here and here!
A Good Book
Treat yourself to some brain food while you relax on the beach and pack a good book. Personal favourites? Sophia Amoruso’s #GIRLBOSS, Garance Doré’s Love x Style x Life and Amy Poehler’s Yes Please.
A Great Pair Of Shades
Did you know that diligent use of high-quality sunglasses significantly reduces the chances of developing cataracts later in life? Protect your peepers out in the sun with a great-looking pair of polarized shades that blocks out both UVA and UVB rays. I snagged a pair at Bailey Nelson in Westboro. Tons of chic frames available at this great store.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a total non-negotiable. Hear me? NON-NEGOTIABLE!!! Skin cancer is rampant, and no one wants to look like a weathered, old leather bag in their later years. Choose a non-greasy option and pay special attention to your nosey as most skin cancers develop there. Some great options are Ombrelle Water Resistant Lotion for body and Avène Haute Protection Emulsion SPF 50 for the face (both available at Shoppers Drug Mart). My dark-skinned lovelies – you need sunscreen too. Opt for versions that do not leave you ashy and grey such as La Mer Woman Face Sun Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30. Very pricey but very worth it. Don’t forget your neck and décolleté!
Avene Eau Thermale Spring Water
Avène’s Eau Thermale Spring Water is an amazing natural spring water mist that is fantastic for keeping cool under the sun, hydrating your skin and taking the sting out of sunburns. This mist is surprisingly moisturizing too. Bonus tip? Store it in the fridge for a refreshing treat after a day in the sun! Available at Shoppers Drug Mart.
Hair Sunscreen and Leave-In Conditioner
Leonor Greyl’s fantastic L’Huile de Leonor Greyl and Lait Luminescence are pretty much perfect hair products. I have been using Leonor Greyl’s products for the last few months and they have really repaired and strengthened my hair. No joke. The L’Huile de Leonor Greyl acts as a hair sunscreen, protecting your tresses from the punishing sun along with deep conditioning your hair. The oil is light weight so it won’t weigh your hair down and it smells like delicious lemon vanilla candies.
The Lait Luminescence is an extremely effective detangling mist. After swimming in the ocean or pool, spritz your hair with this product to prevent it from drying out. Extremely good at banishing all tangles as promised. One word: FANTASTIC.
After Sun Body Lotion
Avène makes a product so great at moisturizing skin after a day in the sun and the water, that I started using it daily! Avène After-Sun Repair Lotion is paraben-free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, so it’s safe to use on your face. Very lightly and pleasantly fragranced, its creamy texture absorbs into skin readily without leaving you feeling greasy.
Lip Balms and Glosses
Salt and chlorinated water really dry out your lips, and lip sunburns? Horribly painful (and terrible-looking). Arm yourself with an effective lip balm containing at least SPF 15. I reach for Elizabeth Arden’s Lip Protectant Sticks SPF 15. They contain the fantastic Eight Hour® Cream which I am a devoted fan of. I especially love the Lip Protectant Stick Sheer Tint in Berry (pictured above) and Plum!
Body Wash
Wash off your beach day with a moisturizing body wash. Oils are the beauty darling right now as everyone is seeing the dewy, glowy benefits of oil-based beauty products. Dial Miracle Oil Coconut Oil Infused Body Wash is so rich, moisturizing and soothing, some may feel they don’t even need to moisturize after using it. It smells wonderful and for the price, it’s incredibly effective. Obsessed with this one! Can I just say it’s also great for sudsing up after a work out too??
Well, ladies and gents…there you have it. My list of Beach Bag Essentials! Any beauty products I missed? What are your favourites? Let me know in the comments!
Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
