Beach Bag Must Haves For July 4th Weekend

Heading out to the beach this Fourth of July weekend? Don’t go empty handed! From sunscreen to face mists, read on to discover a few of our beach bag musts for the holiday.

When we think of July 4^th weekend, we think of barbecues, long beach days, and plenty of sunshine. You’ve already got your buns and condiments ready, but is your beach bag packed? There are a few necessities you need to get your hands on before heading out to the sand— think: sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses— and a few others you maybe wouldn’t have thought to bring. Curious what they could be? We’re sharing a few of our favorite beach bag products fit for your July 4^th weekend, ahead!

A HAT, SUNNIES & A BEACH UMBRELLA

We love the beach, but there’s no denying it’s one of the most intense environments in terms of sunlight and heat. Without much shade— often any— it’s important to bring along a beach umbrella to provide some much-needed shelter. Although beach umbrellas alone do not provide adequate sun protection (meaning you still need to wear sunscreen and take other protective measures), they can definitely come in handy. Similarly, wearing a hat and sunglasses can help protect your face against harsh UV rays. The area around our eyes is one of the first places to show signs of aging, and seeing that UV damage is one of the causes of premature skin aging, it’s best to protect your eyes. By wearing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, and by seeking shade when possible, you’re well on your way to a sun-safe holiday weekend.

BROAD SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN

Regardless of whether you’re heading to the beach, if you’re planning to be outdoors at any point this holiday weekend you’re going to need Broad Spectrum sunscreen. We recommend reaching for one that boasts an SPF of 15 or higher and is water resistant as well, like Kiehl’s Activated Sun Protector 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50. This mineral sunscreen is formulated for both the face and the body, and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Just be sure to reapply at least once every two hours.

Editor’s note: Keep in mind that even if you’re planning on wearing makeup to the beach, you still need to apply and reapply sunscreen throughout the day. Luckily, there are ways to reapply sunscreen without ruining your makeup, and we’re sharing exactly how here!

A REFRESHING FACE MIST

A long day at the beach can leave your skin feeling sticky and uncomfortable. Throw a cooling face mist into your beach bag to help beat the heat. Most face mists can provide an instant skin refresh as well as lightweight hydration, which can totally come in handy while you’re lounging on the sand. Spritz on Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water. It’s enriched with 15 rare minerals and offers a burst of moisture and cooling relief! 

For a quick recap on the benefits of face mists, click here! 

POUT PROTECTION

We always remember to reapply sunscreen on our complexions and bodies, but it’s easy to forget about our lips! Providing the delicate skin on your lips with SPF protection is just as important as lathering up the rest of your body with sunscreen. One of our go-to lip conditioners formulated with SPF is Kiehl’s Butterstick Lip Treatment with SPF 25. It boasts UV protection plus light hydration. Not to mention, it’s available in five tinted shades!  

DETANGLER & A HAIR BRUSH

Whether you’re running around on the sand or jumping though waves, salty beach hair can get messy in no time at all. Keeping a hair brush and a detangling hair mist on hand is an easy way to help beat the beach tangles. Spritz on L’Oreal Paris’ Power Moisture 10 Second Hydra-Detangler before combing through your locks.

CLEANSING WIPES

After a long beach day exposed to sand, dirt, and environmental assaults, cleansing your skin from head to toe is an absolute must. Since most beach trips require a drive back home before that’s possible, we like to keep cleansing towelettes on hand to use while on the go. Simply sweep a wipe over your face and neck to help remove lingering impurities.

Discover a few of our favorite cleansing towelettes you can buy at the drugstore, here!