5 Summer Essentials for a Day on the Beach

....or, How to Catch a Hot Boy While Working on Your Summer Tan

by Anna Truong

The summer sun has finally decided to shine down on the usually rainy West Coast. Such an event is so rare and fortuitous, much like a pair of Manolo slingbacks on sale at 50% off at Holt Renfrew, that one must seize the opportunity when it is presented to her. But before I head off to Kits beach, I always make sure I take along the essentials with me.

* A hot bikini body

If you’ve been sticking with the Bikini Body-Ready Boot Camp since May like I… er, nevermind.

* A hot bathing suit

Set aside your insecurities and head down to the nearest bathing suit shop. With the multitude of style options available on the market ranging from skimpy triangle bikinis to more conservative tankinis, you’re bound to find one that you like. And with the right cut and colour, your bathing suit can hide a multitude of flaws. Personally, I like bathing suits with a sportier touch to them. They tend to keep everything in place where it should be. Also, while I may not have played a sport since mandatory PE class in grade 10, I look like I could be ready to pick up a friendly game of beach volleyball if the hottie on the blanket beside me asked.

* A book

Say no to study materials since there are too many distractions on the beach. Let’s face it, the only chemistry you’ll really be thinking about is the one between you and the hot boy. Nix the mystery crime thrillers too. You’ll be too wrapped up in the plot and will forget to reapply the sunscreen. Light reading with short chapters is preferable; I like reading chick lit myself – a guilty indulgence like a glazed doughnut or reruns of Gossip Girl. My personal recommendations: the Shopaholic series, and anything by Cecilia Ahern and Marian Keyes. Or why not try Men are like Mocha Lattes by Canadian author Lisa Summers? It’s smart, funny, and not hard to pick up again once you put it down.

* Sunscreen/sunblock

Naturally, you remembered to slather on the sunscreen before you headed out to the beach since it takes approximately 15 minutes for the lotion to be properly absorbed into your skin. However, don’t forget to take a bottle with you to the beach as well to reapply. I recommend Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock in SPF 30 or 45. It really is dry to the touch, not greasy like other formulas. I use this on both my body and my face. And since it’s relatively cheap, you won’t mind using a lot of it to ensure that you’ve achieved the full SPF rating. I also quite like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock SPF 70 which leaves a nice cooling sensation on your skin when you apply – a welcome under the blazing hot sun. Bonus: This is the perfect excuse to talk to the hot boy beside you. Ask if he’ll help you apply the sunblock to your back.

* Giant, dark sunglasses

Yes of course to protect my lovely peepers from the sun. And yes because they’re so timelessly chic (see Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O). But more importantly so no one can tell what or who you’re really looking at. Either the beautiful scenery of the mountains or the beautiful scenery of that hottie on the blanket to your right. Seriously, if you’re not going to talk to him, you might as well enjoy the view.

* A lip balm or gloss with SPF

Who knows if lip glosses really cause cancer? I don’t really want to be the one who finds out, so I always make sure I smother my lips in a coating of balm with SPF. My favourite is from Kiehl’s, but perhaps you want a little bit more colour on your lips. Try MAC’s new Tendertones which were released in June. They come in a variety of colours from baby pink to outrageous yellow/green. Plus they have an SPF 12 and smell like kiwis. In addition to the sun protection, these will keep your lips luscious and kissable – hopefully for later with hottie boy.

What are your essentials that you have to have in your beach bag?

Anna is a member of ChickAdvisor and beauty blogger. She requests you don’t ask why she refers to herself as Psychoexgirlfriend. Just know that it’s a long story best told over cocktails.