12 Beach Bag Must-Haves
Summer days are meant to be carefree, but that doesn't mean you can drop the, um, beach ball with your beauty routine. Here are our favorite warm-weather essentials to keep you feeling and looking cool, chic, and well protected.
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The It Bag
The criteria for the perfect beach tote: Sturdy, roomy, and super cute. We think this beaded, cobalt blue, woven carryall fits the bill.
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A Really Cool Sunscreen
This sunscreen not only protects skin against both UVA and UVB rays, but also cools overheated skin on contact, dropping its temperature by 4 degrees.
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Pout Protection
You’re good at coating your face and body with sunscreen (right?), but what about your lips? The thin-skinned, often-neglected area is especially vulnerable to sunburn. With SPF 30, aloe, and vitamin E, these balms pack serious protection and hydration. Plus, they come in fun, beachy flavors like Mango and Coconut.
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Strand Saver
UV filters in hair products usually work strictly on your strands -- good news for your hair color, but bad news for your scalp. This leave-in conditioner has real SPF 15, made up of sunscreen ingredients typically found in skin products, and works on both your hair and delicate scalp skin. Apply it after every dip in the ocean.
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Fab Flip-Flops
Your favorite flip-flops have been streamlined. This season, the must-have sandal has a thinner foot bed and slimmer, shorter straps.
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A Smarter Spray
In theory, spray sunscreens are great for seaside touch-ups, but catch an ocean breeze and the fine mist usually ends up everywhere but your skin. Enter Accuspray technology. The nozzle on this new spritz was designed to give you more control so the SPF goes exactly where you want it, not out to sea.
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Back Support
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the hard-to-reach back is the number one spot for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Fortunately, a new gadget has your back -- literally. Pop in a can of aerosol sunscreen (it holds most standard-size spray cans) and use the trigger on the handle to start spraying at any angle.
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Versatile Visor
It’s a headband...it’s a visor...and if you play beach volleyball, it’s your new best friend. The stretchy, jersey material keeps your hair off your face, while the brim keeps the sun out of your eyes.
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A Taming Tool
We all love the perfectly imperfect hair waves we get from the ocean, but all that salt water and wind can also make for some gnarly tangles. To prevent knots, stash a wide-tooth comb in your bag and have a post-swim detangling session.
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Sunny Sunnies
Shield your eyes in style with a pair of brightly colored, retro-inspired sunglasses.
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The Big Chill
This towel doesn’t just soak up sweat; it cools to 30 degrees below your body temperature in a minute -- and the effect lasts up to two hours. So cool!
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A Trendy Topper
No beach bag is complete without a hat, preferably one with an all-around brim to shade your scalp, face, and neck. This beachy-chic fedora does all that and has a UPF (the fabric equivalent of SPF) of 30.
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Next Slideshow DIY: Homemade Skin Care Recipes
DIY: Homemade Skin Care Recipes
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