By Melissa McCombs
In St. Augustine, the beach is never far away. Over the years, we have learned what makes a beach day feel easy and what leaves you wishing you had packed differently. Here is our list of essentials for a long, happy day by the water.
For your skin
- Sunscreen. The most important item in the bag. Reapply every couple of hours and after swimming.
- Cooling Sun Mist (4 oz). Lavender, aloe and coconut to rehydrate and calm the feeling of warmth. Our larger bottle, made for long days outside.
- Aloe Cucumber mist. A second, extra-cool layer for face and shoulders.
- Lip balm with sun protection.
- A fresh-water bottle for rinsing salt and sand from your face.
For comfort
- Wide-brim hat and sunglasses
- A large, soft towel and a second small one for your face
- Beach umbrella or a shade tent
- A light cover-up for the hottest hours
For staying cool
- A small cooler with plenty of water
- Fresh fruit like watermelon, oranges or grapes
- Your mists, tucked in the cooler or a shaded pocket
A chilled mist on warm skin is one of summer's simple pleasures.
Your beach day rhythm
- Morning: Apply sunscreen before you leave home.
- Midday: Seek shade during the strongest sun. Mist face and shoulders with Cooling Sun Mist.
- After swimming: Rinse with fresh water, reapply sunscreen, and mist again.
- Heading home: One more round of Aloe Cucumber to cool down.
- Evening: Shower, mist with Lavender, and press in a few drops of Rosehip & Calendula Serum.
Pack light, pack smart
You do not need a huge bag. A few multi-use essentials go a long way. Hydrosols are a good example: one mist refreshes your face, cools your shoulders, and gives you a calming moment in the shade.
Pack your beach bag: The After-Session Duo ($53) is an easy add. For the full coastal ritual, choose the Salt Life Box ($86).