The summer is here, the beach is calling!! Or the lake, or the park, or wherever you need to have a beach bag handy to get you through the day, but are you ready? Do you have all the essentials to keep you looking fabulous, but not overdone? Here are my favorites to keep your skin and hair protected while still looking flawless.

Have these in your beach bag?

1. First, start with a sunscreen that will protect without clogging the pores, my favorite is AmorePacific Spf 30+++. This sunscreen is completely oil free and filled with antioxidants. The +++ is the international label for the highest sun protection you can get from both UVA and UVB rays. AmorePacific’s Spf 30+++ also contains oil absorbing properties so you can apply all over you face in the morning as your moisturizer without feeling like you just put on a thick Spf. AmorePacific uses bamboo sap in lieu of water, Korean red ginseng, and green tea as their main ingredients so even the most sensitive skins will love this line.
2. For some color, try Laura Mercier Bronzing Gel, $30. It is in a handy little tube and a little goes a long way! Just put some on your fingertips and dab on your cheeks and forehead to give your skin a sunkissed glow without the harm of the sun.
3. For lips, gloss is a must! For the beach, a little shine never hurt so I never leave the house without my sephora lip gloss palette in shades of bright pink, only $4!  I think I have these everywhere, my bag, my car, my desk, just in case I need a little pink pick me up! And because they are only $4, you wont care if you lose it on the beach.
4. Waterproof mascara always looks fabulous on the beach, your lashes just need a quick coat of L’Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara in black.
5. A quick fix for your hair is to extend your sunscreen you use for your body into your hair, it will keep your hair protected and hydrated at the same time. A hydrating spray to apply when you get out of the water is a definite! I love Phyto’s entire line of summer hair care products.  The Protective Beach Spray is the best! It has Spf and olive oil extract to keep your hair silky smooth even out in the sun!

Don’t forget a towel that screams your personality and your favorite summer read to keep you busy on the down times. But if you go with your friends, I doubt there is any down time, too many cute boys and girls to check out! Have fun but stay protected, the sun is hotter than ever so keep applying the sunscreen every four hours. Keep at least two bottled waters with you in your bag, getting dehydrated just isn’t cute! Keep drinking lots of water all day, the sun is harsh and you need to replenish what it tries to take away.