Category Archives: THE BEACH
WHAT’S IN MY AFTER THE BEACH BAG
Freshening up after a long day at the beach before heading for a bite to eat with family or friends can be a breeze if you have the right stuff. I always keep a “after the beach bag” in the trunk of my car so that I’m prepared at all times. The contents of the bag are simple. Fresh towel, shampoo + conditoner, facial towelettes, toothbrush and toothpaste, hand sanitizer, lotion, and a few simple cosmetics. Everything is inexpensive because it’s sitting in a trunk everyday and things get left behind or borrowed and not returned. When it’s time to switch out cosmetics, i opt for travel size products that I’ve received through gift with purchase or inexpensive purchases.
Here’s a list of the contents of my 2012 summer “after the beach bag”:
1. VO5 shampoo + conditioner (Not meant for a deep lather but a quick run through and rinse to refresh the scalp and hair)
2. Fresh towel (If you don’t have this, you will be toweling off with the towel that was laying on the ground)
3. Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Towelettes (I’ve used facial cleanser as well but this is easier and quicker)
4. Surfer’s Salve (This is an all purpose product. Love this stuff. I also carry this in my everyday bag. Good for lips, dry skin, cuticles and bug bites)
5. Travel toothbrush and toothpaste (I will use this if I can do so discretely)
6. Clinique moisture surge (This can be used everywhere including your face)
7. Cosmetic bag includes: (eyelash curler, Lancome Definicils mascara, Lancome Le Crayon Khol and Dream Bouncy Blush) The mascara gets changed after several months of use and the eyeliner gets sharpened frequently. Fingers are used for smudging the liner and applying blush. I do not share these things.
8. Hand sanitizer (Super important because beach bathrooms have so much germs and there’s no antibacterial soap readily available)
SUMMER 2012 SUNSCREEN CHOICES
This summer season I’ve been using two sets of sunscreens. The first set is made by SUN BUM. I’ve been using this on days when I’m at the beach for 2-3 hours or less with little time spent in the water. The second set is made by COPPERTONE. I’ve been using this set on days when I’m at the beach all day with lots of time spent in and out of the water. I love both sets. Sun Bum smells great, works well and is paraben free, hypoallergenic, oil free/ PABA free, won’t clog pores and is anti aging. Sun Bum does require reapplication immediately after swimming to prevent sunburn. Coppertone is a brand I’ve been using for many years. The Coppertone Sport high performance ultra sweat proof spray is my favorite product. It’s waterproof, sprays at any angle, goes on clear with little rubbing required and works against sunburn with 2-3 reapplications in an all day sun exposed/prolonged swimming period. I’ve tested this product 5 times since summer started and it really works.
THE HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY
My friend is such a dear, she finished reading THE HUNGER GAMES, CATCHING FIRE, and MOCKING JAY and has recycled her books on to me. THE HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY is what I’ll be reading at the beach this summer season. I’ve been told that it’s very good and once I start reading, I’ll be hooked. I haven’t watched the Hunger Games movie yet but I will once I finish the first book.
BEACHY ACCESSORY
I’ll be working a surfing event that’s coming up at the end of the month. To accessorize my favorite watch, I purchased a bracelet set from AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS. The look is simple, beachy and fun. For information on the watch that I’m wearing, use this LINK.
SUNGLASSES AT THE BEACH
It’s tempting to wear your favorite high end designer sunglasses to the beach but don’t do it. I learned the hard way recently that even if you are super good about caring for your sunglasses, accidents do happen. You can read the write up I did on my lost pair of SALVATORE FERRAGAMO shades at the beach HERE. Do instead, invest in a less expensive polarized pair of shades. Polarized sunglasses are the best at the beach because your view of the ocean and surroundings are much more clear and colorful. I love looking at the ocean and seeing fish swimming around and the jagged reef from where I’m standing on shore. You don’t get that kind of view with regular sunglasses. The cheapest polarized pair of sunglasses that I have owned were from FILTRATE EYEWEAR. Prices range from $50-$60 and all styles are polarized. The only problem I ran into was the corner of the lenses began to delaminate on one side after owning it for 1 year. Another member of my family purchased a pair of Filtrate sunglasses at the same time as me and ran into the same problem. That was approximately a year and a half ago and I’ve heard that the company would be looking into the problem and fixing it since they had other customers with the same experience. Currently I’m using ELECTRIC BSG POLARIZED sunglasses. It’s a brand that I trust and have been using for years. This particular Electric pair that I’m using now is my first polarized style from the company. When you visit their website, you can choose 3 different levels of polarization. Visit ELECTRICVISUAL.COM for more information.
LEAVE YOUR HIGH END DESIGNER PAIR OF SUNGLASSES AT HOME
DO BRING A POLARIZED PAIR OF SUNGLASSES TO THE BEACH INSTEAD
ELECTRIC BSG POLARIZED SUNGLASSES
BEACH TIP #1
As February is soon coming to an end, March promises lots of sunshine and days lounging at the beach. I go to the beach as much as I possibly can. During spring and summer that can sometimes mean 2-4 times a week if my work schedule is good to me. Over the years, I’ve tried many different things to make going to the beach as pleasant as possible. Having the proper items at the beach can make a beautiful day at the beach a very comfortable one too. Beach tip number one that I’m sharing today is having a great beach towel. I’ve used countless towels over the years. Bath, high end name brand, hotel quality and blanket towels. The best by far are surf shop towels. A lot of brands start off soft and velvety and colorful but over time they lose that feel and the color fades. Surf shop towels stay soft and the bold colors last after countless uses and washes. They also don’t get thinner over time like other towels do. Always wash your towel before use other wise terry cloth balls will end up all over your skin and hair when you towel off after a swim. Never reuse a beach towel once it’s been used at the beach. Wash and dry all fabric items from the beach before reuse. This will eliminate skin rashes and other irritations from growing bacteria. Surf companies that carry good quality towels are Roxy, Quiksilver, Billabong and Volcom.
