Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Beach Checklist

Not to rub it in for those of you not taking a trip to the beach anytime soon...but I am super excited about my beach trip this weekend!!! I have been excited for a couple of weeks now actually. As with all trips I take I have to start planning way in advance, buy new outfits, tan, get a pedicure...etc. I have gotten most of these things done already but there are few little last minute things I just learned about that I'd like to do before I leave!!











1. Purchase thickening foam for my hair. It's always good to give your hair a break from blow-drying but it's even better to let your hair air dry when you're at the beach! Since my hair is stick straight, I never usually like to let it air dry because it ends up looking flat. Well I just recently learned a great tip! Let it air dry, then apply some thickening foam. Divide hair into 4 sections and twist into knots on top of head. Before going out, unpin and voila! Instant volume. I can't wait to try it out!














Jonathan Product Infinite Volume Thickening Foam - $24








2. Stock up on black tea. Yesterday I received a great tip from E l l e S e e s on how to soothe sunburn. She says "You'll need a bathtub, pitcher, water, rag, and three bags of black tea. Fill the pitcher with warm water and soak the tea bags in it until the water is almost pitch black.


After stripping down and exposing the affected area, soak the rag into the water and apply it on your skin without wiping it off. It's recommended to do this treatment as soon as possible, or before going to bed so your body can heal itself more effectively. A combination of the cool water and components of the tea (like tannin) help soothe the skin and speed recovery."

Thanks Elle!!! :)

P.S. This isn't the only great way to use black tea! Check out my post Black Tea for Sugar Cravings.














3. Shave with baby oil instead of shaving cream. The baby oil creates a barrier between the razor and your skin that won't rinse off plus it seals in moisture! No razor burn AND smooth, silky legs!






















4. Scrub my lips with brown sugar. Using about a teaspoon of brown sugar on a damp cloth to rub on lips will soften them and create a sexy pinkness!











5. Paint my toes purple. According to Self Magazine, astrology can tell you what your perfect summer shade is. My sign is Libra and it says "Libras are the arbiters of taste; they love to spot the next new thing...demonstrate your fearless fashion prowess with a double coat of grapy purple polish." While I don't necessarily believe in horoscopes, I think purple would be a pretty change from my usual bright pinks! If you want to find out what your horoscope's summer shade is, click here!











6. Perfect the messy rope braid hairstyle. I found this cute hairstyle on ...love Maegan and I think it's perfect for the beach!!











 What are some of y'alls favorite beach trip essentials??







34 comments:

  1. I actually just came back from the beach. I had such a great time. I wish I would have had some of these tips before I left though. And I'm definitely going to try out the baby oil. What a great idea!

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  2. I've never heard of shaving with oil... sounds interesting! I recently got a Lush lip scrub but it's pretty much the same thing - a sugar scrub. Have fun!

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  3. After doing all of this, you're going to need a vacation ;-)

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  4. I live by the beach so I dont need to take more than a bottle of water and my wallet!

    Have an awesome time on your trip!

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  5. thanks for all the beauty tips!! :) awesome!

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  6. i'm a "cutting edge" leo, so i'm supposed to go greige. not sure how i feel about that for the summer, but it may be worth a try :) i always bring hawaiian tropic sunblock. it smells like childhood and tanning oil to me, so i don't mind slathering on the spf 50.

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  7. I'm a Libra too, so I guess I should paint my nails purple this weekend. Have a great trip and let us know how the thickening foam works. It sounds really cool!

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  8. I am air dry and "crimp" my hair most days during the summer. I too have straight hair - but after a couple days of scrunching it, your hair will start to train and look better.

    My astro polish color is blue - yuck! I hate blue finger nails. Too bad it wasn't pink. :)

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  9. Great list! I wish I could let my hair air dry but I have oily hair soo it does not work out for me haha

    Have fun on your trip!! Its Wednesday so you're almost there!!!!!!

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  10. Thanks for the linkback! Made my day! And thanks for the other tea tip!
    I'm a Libra too and by coincidence I have that same shade on my toes as we speak, er, type!
    I use baby oil to take off my makeup as well as shaving or I use conditioner to shave.
    Have fun and just know I'm super jealous! Argh!

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  11. I love all your tips! I'm going to the beach in July and can't wait. I like to get all prepared in advance too. What fun you're going to have!

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  12. Great list, I love to let my hair air dry during the summer. My hair is naturally wavy so it works out perfectly, but I am definitely going to check into that thickening foam. I also love the pic at the top of your post of the old fashioned bathing suits! I secretly want to find one and wear because I think they're so cute!

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  13. I quickly found my nail polish! Ah, such fun, now I just need to figure out how to paint my nails without also painting my finger, haha, it truly happens every time.

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  14. Big Floppy Hat, Sunscreen, comfy beach chair and a good book!

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  15. I loved this post! I'm doing a "Whats in your beach bag?" post tomorrow! My nailcolor was silver...I'm a cancer. I think pink or red is more my style but your purple nailpolish is pretty! I hope you have a fabulous beach vacation!!

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  16. I hate living in a state with no beaches I so miss Michigan. Too funny my post tomorrow is all about nail polish and your sign. I have never tried brown sugar on my lips. I have a flip scrub and when I run out of that I use sugar and water and it flakes off the dead skin.

    You better post a TON of beach pictures!!

    xo

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  17. I live on the beach and I'm so excited for your upcoming trip! Love the hair thickener and purple polish! Another trick to shaving and smooth legs is mix oil, brown sugar, and white sugar together (I put them in a mason jar and leave it in my shower) and then rub over legs before shaving. It leaves them sooooo smooth and beach ready!

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  18. You are going to be so ready for the beach! I need to try that thickening foam for your hair. I see many uses of it in my future this summer. I hope you have a great vacation! Thanks for sharing these great tips.

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  19. What a great list, I love that black tea / sunburn tip. While I always hope to avoid burning ... I have fair skin and it happens. Will try that next time!

    My must have for the beach is a big Diva-style straw hat. I like to wear it while walking on the beach to protect my face. And it looks great too.

    Have a wonderful time!!

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  20. What great tips! I especially love the baby oil trick and the back tea for sunburns! Thanks! Luvs!

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  21. These are all such great tips! I had never heard of the tea bag thing. I love the braids! Have a great trip!!!

    xo
    Valerie

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  22. The thickening foam sounds great- I am totally going to get some. My nail polish suggestion was hunter green-no thanks! Purple will look cute though.

    Have tons of fun and don't forget the SPF-hopefully you won't have to use the black tea tip then!

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  23. I've never heard of the baby oil thing. So cool! I'll have to try it sometime. As for my beach essentials, it's large sunglasses and my Havaianas and I'm set!

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  24. I love that hairdo - I love a messy hairdo!
    If you like to read at the beach I can recommend a book that I am reading now (and I think I am tardy to the party - it's been out awhile) called "Firefly Lane" ... it's the perfect beach read! Have fun! Also I highly rec Sinful brand nail polish - cheap and comes in lots of fun beachy colors. You can get it at Walgreen's (which I call the poor gal's Sephora) ha ha... oh I noticed the Jonathan hair product - love that brand! The hairspray is THE BEST.

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  25. I am going to have to try that brown sugar tip...I've never heard that before. You are so lucky to be going to the beach. We have North Avenue Beach in Chicago, but its not quite the same. :)

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  26. Lucky, I wish I was going on vacation! LOVE that hairstyle! :-)

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  27. that rope hair is a must! fun tidbits! tanner is a must-have for moi ;)

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  28. I am SO going to try your baby oil trick!

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  29. Nice post! I am so excited you are heading to the beach. We are trying to go this weekend too! I always bring my st. ives apricot scrub so I can do a good exfoliation after the beach.


    xo Marcie

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  30. This tips are wonderful! I am so going to remember the black tea one. And I must try the baby oil and brown sugar trick. Thank you!

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  31. Sounds like you are ready for some fun in the sun, miss! I love shaving with baby oil (so silky smooth) and I MUST try the brown sugar on my lips! Have a fabulous weekend!
    PS - my horoscope color was hunter green as a capricorn... I'm not sure if I'll be wearing it on my nails or toes anytime soon. ;)

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  32. I hope you have a great time at the beach! You must be so excited :)

    I’ve heard that tea is really good for sunburn. I did not know about the baby oil trick and cannot wait to try that one. Thanks for the link and I definitely want to find out my summer shade. The purple is really pretty. Love that braid style! You must take lots of pics.

    You might know this, but I recently found out about this tip. I hate sand stuck to me at the beach, so they say to bring baby powder and sprinkle it on and rub. The sand supposedly comes right off!

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  33. OMG have so much fun on your trip! I am going to bookmark these tips, thanks for posting :) I always carry Abreva. As embarrassing as this is, when I spend too much time in the sun I end up with a fever blister/cold sore on my lip that doesn't go away for a couple weeks. Boooh!

    Have a great weekend!

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  34. Well, I hope you had an awesome time at the beach. It's also kinda fun preparing for the whole thing, don't you think? It's the anticipation which really sets the bar for the whole experience.

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