It’s 2021. We’re getting our Fauci Ouchies (or encouraging friends and family to if we can’t), we’ve collected a veritable wardrobe of masks, we’ve got a stash of hand sanitizer on us at all times, and we’re ready for vacation, damnit! Our family went to the beach for our first vacation since the pandemic started, and it was the reset we all needed. Watching my three year old play in the sand and cackle at the ocean waves? Absolutely priceless. Pretty sure it refilled my serotonin stores for the rest of the year.
Now, since I was probably nine or ten, I’ve packed with a packing list. Because if I don’t use one, I’ll end up on a cruise without my glasses, or in a foreign country with not enough underwear, or opening my suitcase to find I packed in a frenzy and forgot most of my toiletries. I can’t plan your outfits, but I *can* give you what the packing list for cosmetics was for my family. Hopefully it’ll help you in getting supplies for your own beach vacation (or at least guarantee you show up being able to not smell like BO and car food). I organize my list by what I use starting from when I get up to when I go to bed rather than trying to go category to category. That way I know I’m not missing anything vital (looking at you, facial sunscreen).
- The Morning – Wake Up & Beach Prep
- Skincare: My skincare before going on the beach was super minimal. Cleansing, a hydrating toner, a vitamin C serum (vitamin C’s been shown to make sunscreen more effective), a moisturizer, and my sunscreen. You need to clean off your nighttime skincare, especially if it has any actives, so that nothing reacts to being in the sun. I also wash my daughter’s face because 1) if mama does it she wants to as well, and 2) she’s got some toddler acne we’re treating. My husband rolled out of bed and rolled his eyes at me as I slathered my facial sunscreen on his nose.
- Cleanser: Farmacy Clean Bee Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser
- Toner: Herbivore Botanicals Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist
- Vitamin C Serum: Farmacy Very Cherry Bright 15% Clean Vitamin C Serum
- Moisturizer: Farmacy Honey Drop Lightweight Honey Face Moisturizer
- Eye Cream: Farmacy Cheer Up Brightening Vitamin C Eye Cream with Acerola Cherry
- Sunscreen: REN Clean Skincare Clean Screen Mineral SPF 30 Mattifying Face Sunscreen
- Kids cleanser: CosRX Pure Fit Cica Cleanser
- Kids moisturizer: CosRX Pure Fit Cica Cream
- Kids facial sunscreen: Babyganics b Kids SPF 50+ Sunscreen Stick
- Skincare: My skincare before going on the beach was super minimal. Cleansing, a hydrating toner, a vitamin C serum (vitamin C’s been shown to make sunscreen more effective), a moisturizer, and my sunscreen. You need to clean off your nighttime skincare, especially if it has any actives, so that nothing reacts to being in the sun. I also wash my daughter’s face because 1) if mama does it she wants to as well, and 2) she’s got some toddler acne we’re treating. My husband rolled out of bed and rolled his eyes at me as I slathered my facial sunscreen on his nose.
-
-
-
- Haircare: I have “funky” hair, in the words of my family. It has purple, pink, blue, and I’m pretty sure some other colors in it. Now, fun colors, the sun, and chlorine or salt water will mean fading hair. It’s just a fact. But I can tell you with confidence that my hair didn’t fade NEARLY as much as I expected since I’d prep my bright strands for the beach and take care of them properly afterwards. For before? Brush thoroughly, use a leave-in conditioner made for use in the sun, slather on some deep conditioner (add hair oil to it if you need to), and style it in a bun or some other updo. Wear a hat if you can, too! I also would prep my daughter’s hair by styling it, normally in some kind of pigtails. Husband can practically abuse his hair and it looks stunning (seriously, so jealous!).
- Leave-In Conditioner: Davines SU Milk
- Deep Conditioner: Davines OI Hair Butter
- Hair Ties: Sweaty Bands Hair Ties in Black to the Basics
- Kids Leave-In Conditioner: SoCozy Kids Swim Leave-In Treatment Spray
- Kids Deep Conditioner: California Baby Swimmer’s Defense Hair Conditioner
- Kids Hair Ties: scünci Medium Size Polybands
- Haircare: I have “funky” hair, in the words of my family. It has purple, pink, blue, and I’m pretty sure some other colors in it. Now, fun colors, the sun, and chlorine or salt water will mean fading hair. It’s just a fact. But I can tell you with confidence that my hair didn’t fade NEARLY as much as I expected since I’d prep my bright strands for the beach and take care of them properly afterwards. For before? Brush thoroughly, use a leave-in conditioner made for use in the sun, slather on some deep conditioner (add hair oil to it if you need to), and style it in a bun or some other updo. Wear a hat if you can, too! I also would prep my daughter’s hair by styling it, normally in some kind of pigtails. Husband can practically abuse his hair and it looks stunning (seriously, so jealous!).
-
-
-
-
-
- Bodycare: Thankfully, this is pretty easy before the beach. Just some good ol’ SPF.
- Sunscreen: Bare Republic Mineral SPF 30 in Citrus Cooler
- Kids sunscreen: Babyganics b Kids SPF 50+ Non-Aerosol Sunscreen Spray
- Bodycare: Thankfully, this is pretty easy before the beach. Just some good ol’ SPF.
-
-
-
-
-
- Makeup: Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Seriously, makeup when you’re going to the beach? But it’s not what you think! My foundation has ingredients that can make sunscreen more effective, plus it’s super lightweight, so putting on a few dots was actually beneficial. A lot of people also enjoy sunscreen powders for touch ups, but I haven’t found one I enjoy. Also, a tinted lip balm with SPF really can make you feel like a new person. I also found plain lip balm with SPF for the mini human. Husband? Ahahahaha never.
- Foundation: Kosas Tinted Face Oil Foundation
- Tinted Lip Balm: Fresh Sugar Orchid Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 15
- Kids lip balm: Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Lip Balm
- Makeup: Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Seriously, makeup when you’re going to the beach? But it’s not what you think! My foundation has ingredients that can make sunscreen more effective, plus it’s super lightweight, so putting on a few dots was actually beneficial. A lot of people also enjoy sunscreen powders for touch ups, but I haven’t found one I enjoy. Also, a tinted lip balm with SPF really can make you feel like a new person. I also found plain lip balm with SPF for the mini human. Husband? Ahahahaha never.
-
-
- The Afternoon – Post – Beach, Showering, and Looking Like A Human
- Skincare: *Now* is when I do my usual AM skincare, which also preps for makeup. At least in my family, we go to the pool or beach until after lunch, go in for showers and naps, and then go out to dinner. This isn’t quite my normal routine, as my usual one has more exfoliation – but you only need so much exfoliation when you’re in the sun! Husband will occasionally steal my face wash – he claims not to, but I don’t use this stuff anymore and the level in the bottle is DEFINITELY decreasing.
- Cleanser: Farmacy Clean Bee Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser
- Toner: Herbivore Botanicals Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist
- Serum: Farmacy Very Cherry Bright 15% Clean Vitamin C Serum
- Emulsion Mix: REN Clean Skincare Keep Young And Beautiful Instant Firming Beauty Shot mixed with REN Clean Skincare Flash Hydro-Boost Instant Plumping Emulsion
- Eye primer: Farsali Unicorn Essence
- Primer: Bite Beauty Changemaker Skin-Optimizing Primer in Mattifying
- Lip balm: Kosas LipFuel in Baseline
- Cleanser my husband may or may not allegedly use: Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser
- Skincare: *Now* is when I do my usual AM skincare, which also preps for makeup. At least in my family, we go to the pool or beach until after lunch, go in for showers and naps, and then go out to dinner. This isn’t quite my normal routine, as my usual one has more exfoliation – but you only need so much exfoliation when you’re in the sun! Husband will occasionally steal my face wash – he claims not to, but I don’t use this stuff anymore and the level in the bottle is DEFINITELY decreasing.
-
- Haircare: You have to wash your hair after coming in. You may think you’re doing your locks a service by doing your usual 1-3 washes a week, but when you involve the beach or pool, that goes out the window. Your hair needs the chlorine and salt gone (even with the best protection), and so does your scalp. To make up for the constant washing, I use a special after-sun shampoo & conditioner, as well as minimizing heat styling unless necessary (like when your family takes beach pictures), so there were lots of beach wave days. When I did heat style, I played up my natural volume by adding more. I also used an after-sun shampoo & conditioner for the mini human. Husband tends to use whatever travel sized bottles are in the hotel because evidently his hair just doesn’t freakin’ care‽
- Shampoo: Davines SU Hair & Body Wash
- Conditioner: Davines SU Hair Mask
- Hair Serum: Davines Essential Haircare MINU Hair Serum
- Gel: Davines More Inside This Is A Medium Hold Modeling Gel
- Beach Spray: Davines More Inside This Is A Sea Salt Spray
- Heat Protectant: Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Crème
- Volumizing Spray: Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Spray
- Dry Texturizing Spray: Davines More Inside This Is A Dry Texturizer
- Kids shampoo: Fairy Tales Hair Care Sun & Swim Lifeguard Kids Clarifying Shampoo
- Kids conditioner: Fairy Tales Hair Care Sun & Swim Lemon-Aid Kids Conditioner
- Haircare: You have to wash your hair after coming in. You may think you’re doing your locks a service by doing your usual 1-3 washes a week, but when you involve the beach or pool, that goes out the window. Your hair needs the chlorine and salt gone (even with the best protection), and so does your scalp. To make up for the constant washing, I use a special after-sun shampoo & conditioner, as well as minimizing heat styling unless necessary (like when your family takes beach pictures), so there were lots of beach wave days. When I did heat style, I played up my natural volume by adding more. I also used an after-sun shampoo & conditioner for the mini human. Husband tends to use whatever travel sized bottles are in the hotel because evidently his hair just doesn’t freakin’ care‽
-
- Bodycare: you gotta hydrate your skin after it’s been in the sun or you’re gonna have a bad, bad time. Especially if you managed to burn. Husband, as usual, used the hotel wash that makes me break out, while mini human mostly used my products. Now, you’ll notice this has a pubic area wash. While the vagina is a fascinating body part that cleans itself, the vulva is definitely not and manages to catch sand and it’s 0/10 a fun time. Also, if you stay in a wet bathing suit for too long, you’ll get yeast infections (or “crotch rot,” as my mother so daintily calls it). Do yourself a favor and keep your outer bits clean. It helps. Trust me. Also, I do have a body exfoliant on here – exfoliating mitts! That way you can exfoliate before you shave. Just please, PLEASE be gentle. Save the massive exfoliation for when you get home!
- Body wash: Love Beauty and Planet Murumuru Butter + Rose Body Wash
- Pubic wash: The Honey Pot Sensitive Wash
- Exfoliant: Korean Exfoliating Bath Towels
- Razor: Venus Extra Smooth Mini
- Deodorant: Kosas Chemistry Deodorant in Serene Clean
- Post-sun spray: California Baby Aloe & Arnica Soothing Spray
- Body lotion: Nècessaire The Body Lotion in Fragrance-Free
- Kids body lotion: Honest Face + Body Lotion in Gently Nourishing Sweet Almond
- Body butter: Josie Maran Whipped Arian Pro-Retinol Body Butter
- Post-sun cream (if burnt): California Baby Aloe & Arnica Cream
- Bodycare: you gotta hydrate your skin after it’s been in the sun or you’re gonna have a bad, bad time. Especially if you managed to burn. Husband, as usual, used the hotel wash that makes me break out, while mini human mostly used my products. Now, you’ll notice this has a pubic area wash. While the vagina is a fascinating body part that cleans itself, the vulva is definitely not and manages to catch sand and it’s 0/10 a fun time. Also, if you stay in a wet bathing suit for too long, you’ll get yeast infections (or “crotch rot,” as my mother so daintily calls it). Do yourself a favor and keep your outer bits clean. It helps. Trust me. Also, I do have a body exfoliant on here – exfoliating mitts! That way you can exfoliate before you shave. Just please, PLEASE be gentle. Save the massive exfoliation for when you get home!
-
- Makeup: beach makeup means you get to do minimal makeup. I still brought enough stuff to do a couple of different looks, but there were no full beats in sight. I’m just listing the products I used most – it gave me a fresh faced, no-makeup makeup look.
- Foundation: Kosas Tinted Face Oil Foundation
- Concealer: Kosas Revealer Concealer
- Blush & hilight: Kosas Color & Light Palette – Cream in 8th Muse
- Bronzer & eyeshadow: Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer in Baked
- Brow Pencil: Kosas Brow Pop in Dark Brown
- Brow Gel: Kosas Air Brow – Tinte in Dark Brown
- Mascara: W3LL PEOPLE Expressionist Pro Mascara followed by Kosas The Big Clean Mascara on the top lashes
- Lipstick: Kosas Weightless Lipstick in Rosewater
- Setting powder: Lawless Beauty Seal The Deal Loose Setting Powder
- Setting spray: Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Set & Refresh Spray
- Makeup: beach makeup means you get to do minimal makeup. I still brought enough stuff to do a couple of different looks, but there were no full beats in sight. I’m just listing the products I used most – it gave me a fresh faced, no-makeup makeup look.
- The Evening – Getting To Sleep (Hopefully Without Burns)
- Skincare: after all that time in the environment, your skin is gonna need to recover BIG TIME. Layer on that hydration (you’ll see multiple products in some categories – like I said, layer it on), soothe your skin, and get ready for a new day. Again, the mini human has some products as well for her – they’re focused on soothing skin.
- Oil cleanser: Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm
- Foam cleanser: Farmacy Clean Bee Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser
- Toners
- Serums
- Lash serum: Borboleta Lash Serum
- Oils
- Moisturizer: Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream
- Eye cream: Farmacy Cheer Up Brightening Vitamin C Eye Cream with Acerola Cherry
- Lip cream: Agave+ Nighttime Lip Therapy
- Sleep mask: Edible Beauty & Sleeping Beauty Purifying Mousse – Sleeping Mask
- Kids cleanser: CosRX Pure Fit Cica Cleanser
- Kids toner: CosRX Pure Fit Cica Toner
- Kids moisturizer: CosRX Pure Fit Cica Cream
- Skincare: after all that time in the environment, your skin is gonna need to recover BIG TIME. Layer on that hydration (you’ll see multiple products in some categories – like I said, layer it on), soothe your skin, and get ready for a new day. Again, the mini human has some products as well for her – they’re focused on soothing skin.
-
- Haircare: it seems silly, but unless it’s wet I try to braid my hair at night. It keeps it from tangling as much, which means fewer pulled hairs.
- Use whatever tie you like. Personally, I like the ones I linked earlier that are made for thicker hair but don’t pull your hair out. One of these days I’ll get the little silk scrunchies that I keep seeing just for this…but that day isn’t today.
- Bodycare: Like your face, your body needs to pack in that hydration. I suggest lightweight, preferably cotton pajamas, too – just in case you’re also a dunce and forget to use sunscreen on your shoulders and upper back the VERY FIRST FREAKIN’ DAY. So relayer on everything you used after your shower. Also, if you’re like me and get achy just from existence, a pain relieving cream (or two layered) does wonders.
- CBD Lotion: Lord Jones CBD Body Lotion in Fragrance Free
- Arnica cream: Topricin Fibro Cream
- Haircare: it seems silly, but unless it’s wet I try to braid my hair at night. It keeps it from tangling as much, which means fewer pulled hairs.
Yes, I bring a lot with me. Even though I have travel or trial versions of almost all of these, it still takes it’s own bag. In NO WAY am I saying you need to be as extra as I am! However, hopefully my packing list has emphasized the importance of hydration, sun protection, and keeping clean & comfortable while at the beach. Don’t be stingy with yourself on vacation. It’s vacation!
Leave a Reply