Beach Weekend Essentials
By Alina Avery
I spent the long Labor Day weekend saying so long to summer in Cape Cod. We had a super fun girls weekend (#girlstrip!) drinking Bud Light Limes and frozen mudslides, eating lobster, and enjoying the last bit of summer. Spending a lot of time out in the sun and consuming a heavier than usual amount of alcohol can be really taxing on your body, so here are the steps I took to make sure I made it out of the weekend in one non sunburnt piece.
Before
Since, as they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and we were planning on going out at least two out of the three nights, I did a deep conditioning hair treatment before I left. Sun isn’t just damaging for your skin, it can also really dry out your hair. Especially in combination with salt water. Especially if you’ve dyed the crap out of it like I have. Lately I’ve been using the Redken All Soft Heavy Cream. I used the All Soft line years and years ago but recently just picked this up again and it gets the job done. It’s also relatively affordable, which is great because I have lots of thick, dry, damaged hair and go through conditioners like water. (Please excuse the security tag, at least you know I haven’t stolen it!)
Along the same lines, prep your skin by exfoliating and moisturizing. I’ll use Lush’s Ocean Salt scrub before shaving and then follow up with generous layer of moisturizer. I like the St Tropez Gradual Tan Firming Lotion since it’s an easy way to get a little bit of a tint and a lift for your skin before baring it all (or most of it)! It’s also really hydrating and softening, so it’s great for preparing for a few days in the sun.
Just a note though: self tanners DO NOT protect you from the sun! Not at all! You may look more tan, but you’ll still burn in the sun.
During
Obviously, wear sunscreen: something for your body, your face, and your hair. For body, Matt and I have both been using the La Roche Posay Melt-In Milk since it’s easy to apply. We usually aim for an SPF around 50. I used to think that aerosol spray sunscreens were the bomb since they’re so easy, but they waste so much and always get in your eyes and mouth, and it’s also a lot harder to make sure you haven’t missed any spots. So now I tend to grab traditional lotion formulas. For face, the Clarins UV Plus Day Screen High Protection Tint formula (I wear medium) is a great alternative to foundation. It gives a slight tint with a matte finish that protects from the sun and evens skintone. If you want to go tint free, I like the Supergoop City Sunscreen Serum because it’s light and absorbs quickly. I finish up with a spritz of Supergoop Defense Refresh Setting Mist which is incredibly refreshing and light and leaves a matte finish. It’s not pictured here since I couldn’t find it for the photo… guess that’s an indication of a successful girls weekend? I don’t think I’d manage to get through a whole bottle of this for just my face, so I also mist it on my chest and shoulders too when I feel like I need to top up. I also used it in my hair for this trip!
In between beach excursions, try to add the moisture lost to sun and sea back into your skin. I like the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream for whenever I’m spending more time outdoors than usual. It really keeps skin hydrated and helps with any irritation.
After
My post sun recovery is actually a lot similar to my post indulgence one. I opted for a cleansing conditioner for my hair since it was already so stripped from the sun but felt a bit grimy from the sand. I LOVE the Macadamia Oil Flawless Cleansing Conditioner. It smells amazing and leaves my hair so soft and light! I can do another post on cleansing conditioner d0s and don’ts. This is my favorite one by far.
You’ll also want to prolong your glow (whether it’s from the sun or from a bottle) with a lot of moisture. I use a body oil right out of the shower, like the Caudalie Divine Oil which smells INCREDIBLE, and then a heavier cream, like Kiehl’s Creme de Corps, before bed. I like the lighter oil for when I’m headed out so I don’t feel like I’m slimy or slick, but the heavier body cream when it can soak in overnight.
Finally, I admit, most nights I just settled for a makeup removing wipe in lieu of properly washing my face. Terrible, I know. I really wanted a deep clean, so I went for my trusty Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleaners to feel like myself again. This gently exfoliates since the sugar crystals dissolve over time and produces a lovely thick foam. It also smells (okay, and tastes) like sugared lemons. Such a gorgeous scrub.
It sounds like a lot of work but it’s worth it to take care of yourself! What’s your beach weekend routine?
