Summer lovin’

First thing that comes to mind when you say summer is the beach. In this scorching heat, and you happen to be planning to take a vacation on the beach or if you live by the beach, make sure you’re well protected. You better believe it when they say "it’s better to be safe than sorry" especially when it comes to protecting the largest organ of our body, the skin. If you love the beach, then I’m sure most of you know what to have, what to bring and what to put on. Let me give you a quick rundown to make sure your checklist is updated. If you’re not a beach fan and you happen to be in a group who loves the beach, then you have no choice but to be prepared.

For your Face and Body:

•Burt’s bees travel kit. This kit is so handy I always have it in my purse, every day. How could you go wrong when in one small handy kit, you have two kinds of hand cream, toner, cuticle scrub, foot cream, facial cleanser, facial scrub, shampoo bar, soap bar and my favorite, the milk and honey body lotion.

•Lancome UV Perfect with SPF 50 is the best sunscreen that I have ever used. Talk about protection, this one sure can. When you sweat under the heat, you won’t have teary eyes even if this product gets into your eyes.

•Kiehl’s lip balm with SPF 15 is a product that I cannot live without. If, like me, you have been having problems with dry, chapped lips, then do your best to have this product because it’s not available in Manila yet. Trust me when I say that it’s worth the effort.

•Philosophy’s señorita margarita’s 3-in-1. I got this product as a Christmas present last year from Raymund Gutierrez. When I read the label that said 3-in-1, I was like, ‘Oh wow!’ as my mouth dropped open (I was like a kid in a candy wonderland). Can you imagine bringing this one product instead of three bottles? Imagine that. Had I known this product existed, I would have brought this with me when I went to London (because they’re so strict with the luggage weight).

•Loofas. When traveling, never leave home without this. Nothing feels better and more refreshing than a well scrubbed body after laying out under the heat. Best part is that it’s so cheap you can just leave it in the hotel when you’re done.

•Totally Nutty shea butter heel cream. I have a thing for clean and well-moisturized feet. So take this with you and moisturize those dry heels. If you want to be walking around the beach with your flip flops, have nice, clean and well-moisturized feet.

•Coppertone Sport sunblock with SPF 30. It’s sweat proof! Make sure to protect your body before laying out. Just add more in the middle of the day to make sure you have enough protection.

•Lancome’s miracle so magic body shimmer is a must-have. It gives your body that extra shimmery, healthy glow to enhance your color without making you look "sweaty" on night outs.

For your Hair:

>•Kerastase reflection shampoo and leave-on conditioner. Protect your hair from the sun’s harmful rays. Your hair will take the most beating from the sun, too, so make sure you have enough products to make sure your hair is well protected. I use these every time I go out under the sun and my highlights are still intact to this day.

•Kerastase Chroma Protect. After shampooing, I slab chroma protect on my hair to make it stay conditioned and protected. I don’t like walking under the sun with dry, frizzy hair.

•Lazartigue Paris’ Sun protection styling tools. Keep your hair well in place and protected at the same time with this protective hair milk. Say goodbye to dry, frizzy hair and walk around the beach confident with a well-moisturized and protected slicked back ‘do.

•Sebastian’s Zero G hair spray comes in a super cute travel size can. Let your hair down and keep it neatly in place with this hair spray that does the work and never gives you "flakes."

•Sebastian’s Volumizer is perfect for women with thin hair. It’s super handy and helps give your hair that lift it needs when you feel like letting your hair down.

•Bed Head’s control freak. If you have frizzy hair, then make sure you have this product handy. It’s a life saver!

In your Makeup Kit:

Your makeup kit doesn’t have to be as bulky as when you travel abroad. You want simple things to bring on the beach to enhance the color you’ll be getting from the sun and at the same time making your look as natural as possible. You wouldn’t want overdoing your makeup while walking on the shore in the middle of the day. Keeping it simple does not mean you’ll be sacrificing beauty. It means you’ll be more enhanced naturally.

•Stila’s Sheer color tinted moisturizer is best for your afternoon strolls when the sun is not as harmful. It has both the sun block and color that you need and is enough to give you the best and natural coverage.

•Bronzing brush. Use this brush when applying bronzers. It’s fool proof. It’ll help you apply the bronzer on the cheeks naturally. Remember, just dip the brush on the bronzer, then give it a bit of a shake, then brush it on your cheeks. As your guide, apply the bronzer only on the parts where you get a bit "flushed" from the sun’s heat. Lightly brush the left over color of the brush and start from the left cheek, over your nose, going towards your right cheek before you leave the room.

•Tarte bronzer. It comes in a super cute packaging. A great bronzer and is a must-have for tanned skin that needs a bit of color enhancing.

•L’Oreal Paris blush sorbet. Blush #113 is my favorite. This color is sure to give you that extra glow during the night, just enough for a fabulous "healthy" and natural look in bars along the beach. It brightens up the face instantly but naturally. A secret weapon must have.

•L’Oreal Paris Essential Colors makeup palette. I have a thing for palettes. It’s the most convenient thing to have. Aside from palettes being organized, you have all you need in it. If you want to look different at night, then this is what you’ll need. It has five colored eye shadows, four different shades of lipsticks, two shades of blush and makeup tools, too! How can you go wrong?

•Lancome’s Juicy Rougue. Color 134 is my favorite. I wear it every day. It looks so natural and has a bit of a shine to it, too. Careful not to use too much gloss on the beach especially if you have oily skin (as mine). Your face will be dewey enough during the day looking a bit oily so balance your day look with a lipstick that is not matte but not too glossy. You don’t want to look "greasy" during the day. Remember to keep your face simple, clean, neat and natural.

•Shiseido lash curler. Never leave home without this. Always curl your lashes before leaving. It opens up your eyes, making it look wider and livelier. This is the only thing you need to do after sunblock and lip color.

•L’Oreal Paris’ double extend lash fortifier and extender. MAC eye pencil. These two products should be staples in your makeup kit. The MAC eye pencil in brown is water proof so you can definitely wear this during the day especially if you’re the type who can’t leave the house without eyeliners. Make your lashes thick and long using this wonder product. First apply the base, the white part. Let it sit for a few seconds before applying the black mascara. You’ll be surprised you can have thick long lashes after all!

•Lancome’s black eye pencil. If you want your eyes to stand out on beach night parties, then try this water proof black eye pencil. It’s soft, easy to apply and has a soft "smudger" to help you get the smokey-eye look.

Lastly, remember to pack your hat, beach towel and sunglasses. There you have it, a well planned and protected beach travel guide. So now that you’re well equipped and protected, enjoy the sun, the beach and most especially your friends. This is your time to relax, to renew your body, soul and spirit. Have fun! Enjoy and live the life!