5 beauty essentials for the beach

Erin Dungan

Less is more when packing Spring Break makeup essentials, especially for those going on tropical vacations. The sun and salt water, although packed with health benefits, can sometimes be harmful to one’s skin with too much exposure. It’s all about bringing minimal makeup that has maximum protection.

Waterproof mascara is the way to go when traveling to hot, humid and unpredictable climates. L’Oreal’s Voluminous Mascara is a favorite to many and comes at an affordable price of $6. Most waterproof mascaras work fairly similarly, but to guarantee having a mascara that is smudge free and highly pigmented, opt for a pricier brand.

Don’t forget that lips need sun protection too. Shiseido’s Sun Protection Lip Treatment is a no-fuss balm that is portable and holds up well at the beach. It has 35 SPF and can even be applied on the nose for extra protection. Add this under any lip color or on its own for incognito protection.

To keep the products minimal, consider NARS Matte Multiple Stick. It’s an all-in-one cheek and lip cream that can be used wet or dry. The stick allows for easy application and the cream melts into the skin, leaving a beautiful, natural matte finish.

Rimmel London offers a Lasting Finish 25-hour foundation. Not only will this foundation maintain coverage for a day at the beach, but it also comes with an affordable price tag of $7. This foundation does have SPF 20, but consider applying sunscreen with higher protection before the foundation.

A waterproof bronzer is the ideal way to finish a sun-kissed look for the beach. Sally Hansen offers a waterproof bronzer made to prevent excess shine and melting makeup issues that occur with too much exposure to heat and humidity. Priced at $6, this product is an essential for any vacation.