Aloha! I just returned from a fabulous trip to Hawaii! Getting back to my normal schedule has definitely been a struggle – I’m still on island time! Although my to do list seems longer than before we left, I’m so glad we took this amazing trip!

Let me tell you – the Hawaiian sun is no joke. For real ya’ll. I was told to not underestimate it, and I for sure don’t think I did. Day one at the beach and pool, I slathered on my 50 SPF, reapplied multiple times in between getting my swim on, and even laid under an umbrella at the pool. We walked into the hotel room that afternoon, and I saw it. Yup, burned again.

 You’re killin’ me smalls

Since I’m a habitual googler (is that a word?), I found out I probably didn’t put enough on (it took a lifetime of sunburns for me to know this, oops). Throughout the rest of our time in Maui, I took special care of my skin (and hair!) to ensure it stays young and smooth for as long as possible.

I put together a list of my must-have products that helped me keep my cool, so I didn’t have to worry about my skin and hair under the burning hot sun.

7 Summer Beauty Essentials

1. Sunscreen.

Duh. Having a tan (or burn/freckles in my case), is sooo not worth the risk of skin cancer. So slather up. And I do mean slather. Did you know you need enough sunscreen to fill a shot glass in order to fully protect your skin from the sun? Also, higher SPF isn’t always better, so make sure you educate yourself on how effective (and for how long) your sunscreen is. I used COOLA Organic Suncare, Fresh Mango Sport Classic Sunscreen, SPF 50. This product is hypoallergenic, paraben free, and water resistant for 80 minutes. Oh, it’s also 70% organic and tones, calms, hydrates, and reduces redness. The mango scent is a real plus – it smells nothing like sunscreen! If you’re going to invest in a sunscreen this summer, this is the best one I’ve used!

2. Leave in Hair Treatment.

Heat protectants aren’t only for when you use curling wands or flat irons. The sun can really do a number on your hair, especially if the shade you’re sporting isn’t au naturale. My favorite summertime heat protectant is the Pureology Colour Fanatic Hair Treatment Spray with 21 Benefits. For every day use, my hair stylist recommends skipping your roots, but when spending the day in the sun and water, go ahead and spritz it on your entire head. This product is amazing! It protects against color fade while strengthening, and offering light weight conditioning with coconut and olive oils. This product definitely knows how to multi-task!

3. BB Cream with SPF.

If you need a little coverage (I have rosacea, so I like something to cover my facial rednesses), foundation is a little much for the beach. But a good BB Cream with SPF gives you just enough coverage to even out skin tone, while offering a dose of skincare. The one I use every day is Dr.Jart Premium Beauty Balm SPF45. I absolutely love this product! It has anti-aging properties, promotes natural collagen, is sulfate and phthalate free, and has SPF 45.

4. Lip Balm with SPF.

The skin on your body isn’t the only that needs a shield from the sun. The skin on your lips is extremely thin, so it dries and cracks easily in the heat. Show it a little TLC with a lip balm containing SPF. My favorite is the Sugar Lip Treatment w/ SPF 15 by Fresh. If you prefer a little extra color, then try the rose tinted version. Not only does it offer sun protection, but it acts as a lip treatment that smooths and moisturizes.

5. Hat.

I know, I know, it sounds more like a fashion essential. But wearing a hat helps protect your face, hair and eyes from the sun. I sported this panama hat from Cato basically everywhere we went in Hawaii. If you’re feeling a little more festive, this “Out of Office” floppy hat will certainly fit the bill (plus it’s crushable so you can pack it in your bag)

6. Waterproof mascara.

Think fast. If you were on a deserted island, and could only bring one makeup product, what would you bring? Mine is, without a doubt, mascara. And of course you’ll be needing the waterproof variety. Not only does it add a little lift to your eyes (and make you look like a human being), you can also use it to root stamp your lashes. Check out this tutorial from Glamour if you’re feeling brave. My all time favorite mascaras are the Falsies collection from Maybelline. I consistently get asked what mascara I use, and people are shocked to find out its a drug store staple. Maybelline New York The Falsies Push Up Angel Waterproof is what I used in Maui.

7. Aloe Gel or Rich Lotion.

If you do get burned, you need something to take away the sting and to help sooth your skin. I picked this Hawaiian Blend Aloe Vera Cooling Gel up after my first day of burns, and it helped much better than the 100% aloe gel. Disclaimer: I know the other products I’ve suggested have been more organic, crunchy, all natural, but I wanted something that would work fast, and this did the trick. Just keeping it real with ya’ll. Even if you don’t get burned, make sure to use a deep moisturizing lotion when you head back inside. The sun and sand can really deplete the moisture in your skin. I used Jergens Shea Butter Lotion. It’s super moisturizing without being greasy, and has a really nice scent.

Hopefully this list will help you to back your beach bag this summer! Make sure to let me know your favorite summer beauty essentials below. If you could take one beauty product on an island what would it be?

This post contains affiliate links. Clicking or purchasing from them doesn’t cost you anything, but it does help me scrap together a little change to support my shaved ice habit I picked up in Maui. Ululani’s anyone?