I don't like to take much to the beach. If I'm staying there for more than a couple of days, all I take is bathing suits, pajamas and flip flops as well as some beauty products. It's not anything compared to my massive stash I have, though. Some people like to go to the beach and still put on all their makeup, and others like to go with nothing in hand. I, on the other hand, have to be a little in between. I don't like to have a lot but I can never go with none (no matter how hard I try). After going to the beach at least once or twice a year for almost my whole life, I've found what I think are the top five beauty products anyone could use at the beach and an added bonus is they're all under $10.
1. Hawaiian Tropic® Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30
Now of course, everyone needs to use sunscreen, but after feeling this one I don't think I want to go back to normal sunscreen. It feels like normal lotion, not like the sticky, heavy, oily feeling I get after using regular sunscreen (spray or lotion). It also has a great summer-y, coconut smell to it that just epitomizes summer. With numerous freckles and skin so fair it's nearly the color of printing paper, I always try to tan, yet usually end up with a burn instead. I've found though with SPF 30 even though I have to reapply a little more than usual, I get a nice brown instead of red, which I'm always a fan of.
2. Ion Sun Protection Spray
I swear by this stuff for my hair anytime I plan on getting in the water (chlorine or salt). Even if I'm going to spending long amounts of time outside in the sun, I just spray this in. Having bleached hair, I have to take extra care of it to not get it too dry or dead, so this is like a shine spray that does a little extra. It's not heavy like hairspray and doesn't leave any weird gross residue after it gets wet, and I think it smells great, which is an added bonus!
3. Maybelline Colossal Waterproof Mascara
I can't go anywhere without mascara because I look like a small boy I like a little glam no matter what. However, when venturing to the beach, you're bound to get water near your eyes, but no one wants to look like a raccoon. I just take my favorite mascara and get the waterproof formula. I've found that this is one of the best waterproof formulations anyways with not much flaking and stays on all day.
4. Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25
I don't know if you've ever gotten your lips burned, but if you haven't, take my word for it that it's one of the worst sunburns you can ever have. Since then, I have gone hunting for a great lip balm with SPF. I found this one after my best friend had a tube and I had some of the driest lips on earth. She gave me some, and when I tell you I instantly went out and got some, I mean that night. I found a shop that sold some and picked it up. I keep a tube in my car and in my purse, and if I'm going outside or have particularly dry lips that day, I rub some on. It's super thick and glossy but heals your lips so quickly it's worth it.
5. Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula Body Oil
Rounding off the list at No. 5 is my favorite beauty product to walk the earth so far. I originally picked this up as just coconut oil that's not chunky to put on instead of lotion. I have pretty sensitive skin (especially after I shave) and KP (keratosis pilaris, a skin condition that causes red bumps all over my skin), so most of the time lotions irritate my skin. Coconut oil moisturizes it without the irritation, but when I found this body oil, I found a little slice of heaven. With coconut oil and Tahitian monoi oil, it's enriched with Vitamin E and doesn't feel greasy. I love it for everyday use, but after being in the sun, sand and saltwater at the beach, this was the perfect oil to make my skin feel normal after being stiff and dry.