The arrival of June means a lot of things — the year’s already half over, it’s Gemini season, strawberries are finally affordable, etc. — but mainly that it’s time to jet off to far-flung destinations where salty waves, white sand beaches and lots of photo opportunities await. Or at the very least, it’s time to hoof it to the nearest pool.
Of course, hand in hand with all the backstroking, sun-bathing and sweltering temperatures comes a whole set of beauty conundrums: fried hair, parched skin, sweat, sweat and more sweat. When you’re spending a drastic amount of time outside or submerged in salty or chlorinated water, sunscreen, hair serums and moisturizers of all kinds become super important. Makeup, not so much — but we still want to look our best, whatever the occasion.
Click through the slideshow above for 12 products that’ll help you master beach babe beauty. Needless to say, there’s a lot of SPF involved.
[ Next: Summer Beauty Swaps: 7 Products to Toss as the Weather Heats Up ]
Beachside Beauty Essentials
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Supergoop
Super Power Sunscreen Mousse, $19 at Sephora
First and foremost, you need a capital-S Stellar sunscreen. Even if you're pale as Tilda Swinton in anything besides Trainwreck, even if your skin hasn't seen sun in months, you're in good hands with Supergoop. This particular formulation is ultra-lightweight, water-resistant and almost too fun to put on (hello, it's whipped). What's more, it's packed with moisturizing shea butter and antioxidant-rich blue sea kale to give your skin a nice, healthy glow. Also, unlike many sunscreens on the market today, it doesn't contain chemicals that kill coral reefs or accelerate the growth of skin tumors — always a plus.
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EOS
Active Protection Lip Balm in Lemon Twist with SPF 15, $3.29 at EOS
Unlike other parts of your body, your lips don’t have any sebaceous glands, so it’s extra hard for them to retain moisture. That's why they shrivel up like raisins when exposed to salt or chlorine. The solution? Chug water and wear an SPF-fortified (and Environmental Working Group-approved) lip balm.
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Aquaphor
Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment Skin Protectant, $5.26 at Walmart
On days when we're swimming or basking in the sun for extended periods of time, we like to follow up our chapstick with a little Aquaphor. It's a very rich (but light) moisturizer that can be used on any part of your face and body, and it helps so much with soothing dryness and irritation. (Fun fact: It's also a great makeup remover.)
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Biossance
Squalane + Mineral SPF 45, $39 at Sephora
OK, last sunscreen suggestion, we swear. (In our defense, this one's face-specific.) At $39, it's a tad bit pricey, but definitely worth the investment: It doubles as a primer, it's got squalane (a hydration star), thermus thermphilus ferment (a hardcore antioxidant), zinc oxide (which protects the skin from UV rays and has healing properties) and mineral-based light reflectors (which smooth the appearance of wrinkles and other skin imperfections and make you look fresh and glow-y). Oh, and its EWG-approved, so again, no carcinogens or marine-life-harming chemicals.
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Weleda
Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream, $19 at Dermstore
In any discussion about post-sun skin care, this product comes up again and again. On any old day it's great for nourishing, hydrating and healing skin, but on those when you tragically (inevitably) forget to reapply sunscreen to one sorry patch of skin, it's a godsend. Smother the sizzling area in Skin Food and in 12 hours' time it'll look (and feel) much better.
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Playa
Ritual Hair Oil, $38 at Playa
A few drops of this crazy-lightweight oil is enough to revive saltwater- and chlorine-ravaged hair. Apricot, kukui and coconut oil combat the inevitable dryness of sea/sunbathing and make strands feel healthier and softer; sunflower oil tames frizz and brings back shine. Work a bead through your hair (paying particular attention to your edges) right before you hit the road. We like that it's heavy-duty but leaves no gross residue.
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Ouai
Sun of a Beach Ombré Spray, $24 at Sephora
File under: just for fun. This new addition to Ouai's all-star lineup offers mild, summery highlights without a trip to the salon. Just spray it on and lay out. Made with a mix of lemon and pineapple juice, plus a touch of hydrogen peroxide (to lighten) and coconut water (to hydrate dry strands), it's basically an elevated version of Sun-In. Celeb hair guru and Ouai mastermind Jen Atkin recommends spraying the product through your hair and then combing it out to evenly distribute. You can also just spritz the strands that frame your face, if that's more your vibe. Of course, even a slight hair color change is a commitment, so start with a light misting and see how you feel.
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Schmidt’s
Rose and Vanilla Deodorant Stick, $8.99 at Schmidt’s
Artsy-fartsy non-aluminum-based deodorants that actually work are few and far between, and this is one of those unicorns. In addition to smelling nice and not wearing off after an hour (or even 15), it comes as an easy-to-wield stick, allowing for easy post-dip reapplication. (Yes, we love our creamy Soapwalla paste, but let's face it, one good wind gust and that container would be lousy with sand.)
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Nars
Powermatte Lip Pigment, $26 at Nordstrom
Normally, we like to keep our makeup minimal when water and sand-adjacent, but then this picture of Kendall Jenner wearing a hip-bone-baring one-piece with a bold red lip surfaced, and now we're dying to rock a statement lip/swimsuit lewk. This super-concentrated formula is known for its staying power, plus fiery orange-red is the perfect summer shade.
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Tatcha
Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, $20 at Sephora
Again, when swimming is on the agenda, it’s best to minimize your makeup routine. However, if you insist on making post-beach plans and need to look presentable, bring along Tatcha's heaven-in-a-bottle face mist, to be used in lieu of foundation. It'll give you the most natural, dewy, angelic glow, and your sun-kissed skin will appreciate the hefty dose of hyaluronic acid and Japanese anti-aging superfoods delivered in every spritz.
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Beautycounter
Touchup Skin Concealer Pen, $33 at Goop
Keep an easy-to-swipe concealer pen on hand for quick complexion fixes. (Redness happens, particularly when you're laying out in the sun.) This non-toxic one from Beautycounter blends right into your skin — it's perfect for light, soft, semi-sheer coverage. The only tricky(-ish) part is picking a color that anticipates your tan.
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Ilia
Multi-Stick in I Put A Spell On You, $34 at Net-a-Porter
Again, when it comes to beachside beauty, compact, double-duty products are everything. Once you've had your fill of the water, swipe this lightweight multi-stick across your lips, eyes and cheeks for a pretty, natural-looking flush. And don't worry: the formula is loaded with hydrating ingredients like sunflower, castor and sesame oil, so it won't sit heavily on your sunned, sensitive skin.
