Saint Laurent
The Best Beauty Essentials to Pack for the Beach
Feature: Long Read
Words by Emily Kerr
Summer is well on the way and with a jam packed social calendar, we bet there is nothing more you would like to do than relax in the sun’s warmth on your next holiday. There is no doubt your trusty sunnies and swim suit will be first on the packing list, but have you thought about packing your beach bag? While you maybe tempted to reach for your favourite skincare, SPF or make-up products, not all of them are particularly beach-friendly. A successful day beach-side requires practical items like the right, high quality SPFand ‘beach ready’ make-up that makes life just that little bit easier. Whilst a fragrance spritz can encapsulate the essence of your holiday and be the portal to your distant adventure, even well after your return flight, choosing one that is to your taste can be a challenge. That’s why we have compiled guide to the ultimate beach bag essentials so you'll be ready to soak up the sun while looking and feeling your best.
What SPF and Skincare shall I pack in my beach bag?
Soaking up the sun feels wonderful, but without protection, it can cause several concerns such as premature ageing, sun-induced pigmentation, and the ever so painful sunburn. All thanks to the sun's UV rays, damage to collagen and elastin in the deepest layers of the skin (the dermis) can occur. What's more, it can take years before the damage surfaces and becomes visible. That's why a sun cream of at least SPF 30 or above with PA indicators and 'broad spectrum' (meaning protection from UVA rays, associated with skin aging and UVB rays, associated with skin burning) is vital for long term damage prevention. Expert's say packing a higher factor SPF is especially importantfor those with a fair complexionand forareas that are more sensitive to the sun, such as the face and around the eyes. Not only is the skin here thinner but is also more exposed on a daily basis and therefore more susceptible to sun damage. Don't forget to reapply every two hours or top up with an SPF mist for maximum effectiveness.
While SPF is one preventative measure, antioxidants found in some skincare products are another. They are great for minimising and slowing down the damaging effects of free radicals (free radicals, in short, are unstable molecules that damage the collagen, proteins, and lipids beneath your skin's surface due to UV radiation). For a protective shield over make-up and SPF, pack a Muad's Essential-C Toner containing antioxidants such as vitamin A to neutralise free radicals and minimise any skin damage.
Shop Now
What make-up shall I pack in my beach bag?
Whether you require a light touch up for beachside activities or a full glam look for post-beach soirées your beach bag calls for make-up options that are less hassle and mess-free. The introduction of versatile make-up products, nourishing skincare balms, and waterproof heroes, are sure solutions for those on the move and midday make-up melt downs.
Begin with a long-lasting base product such as Estée Lauder's Double Wear Smooth and Blur Primer. Not only do we love its non-comedogenic formula, we find that its oil-free solution helps keep any unwanted shine at bay. Re-application in the heat can be challenging, so try Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand and Westman Atelier's Face Trace Contour Stick for easy top-ups and buildable formulas. This contour stick, supercharged with jojoba oil, moisturises the cheeks, eyes and nose as well as provides definition, earning a permeant place in any beach bag. Finally, pair this with YSL's Lash Clash Extreme Volume Waterproof mascara for smudge free, locked in eye look.
What fragrance shall I pack in my beach bag?
Choosing the ideal beach bag fragrance is key; it should be long lasting, transcendent and unique to your taste. Scents are known for their memory-bottling benefits so if you enjoy spritzes that are inspired by warm, hazy destinations try Tom Ford’s Soleil de Feu Eau de Parfum for a sun set cocktail of amber and sandalwood. If you like a refreshing wash post lazing beachside opt for light, fresh, green notes, such as fennel, found in Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Aqua Media Cologne Forte eau de parfum (think of garden herbs submerged in a glass of icy sparkling water). And if you simply delight in a fragrance that embodies both, Diptyque's Do Son Eau de Toilette spotlights pink pepper and exotic orange blossom notes for a spicy-sweet and floral aroma. This scent will wrap you in a creamy, fragrant cloud and elicit memories of carefree summer evenings.
Shop Now
10 Beach Beauty Essentials
Whether you’re spending an hour or a day at the beach, we have compiled the ultimate beauty packing list to see you through your summer holiday.
Ultra Violette Extreme Screen Hydrating Body and Hand Skinscreen SPF 50+, £27
For a formula that has a lightweight and silky texture try Ultra Violette's reliable Extreme Screen Hydrating Body and Hand Sunscreen SPF 50+. Boasting UVA and UVB defence alongside soothing ingredients such as aloe vera for a cooling affect and a water-resistant formula for longer lasting protection, you can relax in the knowledge your skin is in safe hands.
Clé de Peau Beauté UV Protective Lip Treatment SPF 30, £53
Taking care of your lips is just as important as your complexion. With Clé de Peau Beauté's revitalizing UV Protective Lip Treatment SPF 30, lips are protected, smooth and moisturised.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Hydrating Face Mist, £80
When your skin needs a little boost under the midday heat, reach for Dr. Barbara Sturm Hydrating Face Mist. Infused with hyaluronic acid and purslane, which has deeply hydrating and skin-calming benefits, your complexion will be instantly revitalised with each application.
Lancaster's Golden Tan Maximizer After Sun Lotion, £28
Don’t let your summer holiday tan fade away with Lancasters Golden Tan Maximizer After Sun Lotion. Formulated with shea butter and a blend of antioxidants, it’s a fabulous hero guaranteed to prolong your holiday glow.
Fresh Floral Recovery Overnight Mask, £63
Add Fresh's Floral Recovery Overnight Mask to your skincare routine. Infused with squalene and vitamin C, it reverses sun damage by reducing redness and evening out your skin tone. Upon waking up with a new-found glow, you will wish you had packed this mask sooner.
Suqqu Suminokou Make Up Fix Mist, £30
Infused with nourishing camellia sinensis leaf extract, Suqqu's lightweight Suminokou Make Up Fix Mist strengthens your skin barrier, refreshes your complexion and locks in your look for hours despite the heat.
Westman Atelier Vital Pressed Skincare Powder, £69
Westman Atelier's intelligent Vital Pressed Skincare Powder uses antioxidant-rich skincare ingredients such as probiotics to work against environmental pollutants. It also provides a smooth and sleek finish as the final step in your make-up routine.
Rahua Hydration Detangler + UV Barrier, £34
Don't forget hair protection with Rahua's Hydration Detangler + UV Barrier! Shield your strands with a spritz of this nourishing plant-based formula (think mango and green tea). Your now soft, shiny locks will have a sweet and creamy aroma.
Parfums de Marly Perseus Eau de Parfum, £245
What better way to match a day of endless sunshine than with Parfums de Marly's Perseus Eau de Parfum vibrant blend of citrus and bergamot. It's the sparkling spritz you need to keep the holiday vibes going.
Creed Virgin Island Water Eau de Parfum, £265
If you’re after a fragrance that ignites your warm tropical adventure, look no further than Creed’s Virgin Island Water Eau de Parfum. It blends notes of coconut, ylang-ylang and crisp lime juice to instantly engage your senses and captivate your attention with a tranquil aroma.
Keep In Mind These Beach Bag Beauty Tips
Travel light and pack multipurpose products. Not only do they streamline your touch-up process (effortlessly enhancing multiple areas like your cheeks and lips) but they also fit into even the most compact beach bags. For a bright and radiant look opt for Vieve's versatile Sunset Blush Balm offering a natural veil of colour.
Top up throughout the day with a hydrating spray. A cooling spritz of MZ Skin’s Anti-Polluting Hydrating Mist works hard so you don’t have to. Think of reduced inflammation and a brightened complexion, all while you bathe in the sun’s rays.
After a refreshing swim in the sea apply a leave-in conditioner or hair mask to prevent your hair from feeling dry, dull and dehydrated. Rahua’s Leave-In Treatment boasts of omega-9-rich rahua oil which acts as a heat protectant and helps retain strand moisture so your hair can shine from root to tip.
More Beach Bag Essentials
Stories
New Fragrances the Harrods Beauty Editors Are Loving
Five beauty lovers, five favourite new fragrances. Discover the bold new scents the Harrods beauty team are currently obsessed with, what they love about it and why you need to add it to your line-up.
Read & Shop
Stories
Why You Need To Try Cycle Syncing Your Skincare Routine
Breakouts, bright spells, sensitive skin – what do they all have in common? They're closely linked to your menstrual cycle. Discover how to adapt your skincare routine to your monthly cycle and your skin will thank you.
Read & Shop