Fashion

9 Spring Break Products You Absolutely Need

by Alexa Dragoumis

Whether your new crush is on your cruise or you simply want to look amazing in all of your friends' Instagrams, there are all kinds of reasons why looking fabulous on spring break is a must! Because of all those reasons, packing properly is key and while our new clothes always make it inside our suitcases, sometimes we forget that our spring break beauty products are equally as important.

From covering up our inevitable sunburns to being able to bring our look from day to night quickly, the right products can make traveling so much easier. In my experience, the more natural I keep my look, the better off I am, so this list will have your friends thinking you just "woke up like this." After all, vacation is all about that dewy-skinned, just-got-off-the-beach look. You don't need much to achieve it, but you definitely could arm yourself with the following.

If you're anything like me, you're probably already worried about how you're going to fit all of those shoes into your bag with everything else and the last thing you're thinking about are your toiletries. Follow my perfect plan of attack and that part will be a breeze.

Moral of the story: Before you get on that plane, throw these nine items into your bag!

1. SPF Foundation

(VirginN Pure Minerals, Foundation, virginnmineralmakeup.com, $38.00)

Inevitably, we all get a little too excited about the sun when we haven't seen it in a few months. And seriously, who can blame us? But the problem is, sometimes we end up with not-so-cute burns that we need to cover up. Foundation is great to bring for two reasons: 1. It'll provide extra SPF 2. It'll help you cover up those sunburns if you do end up going a little overboard.

My absolute favorite is VirginN Pure Minerals, which is a completely mineral-based foundation developed by Sun Valley estheticians. The only other ingredient in the product is silk, which has SPF 30 and anti-bacterial properties (aka it's safe to use on blemishes). The coverage is absolutely amazing and the product melts right into the skin, which will leave people wondering if you're even wearing makeup!

If you prefer a liquid foundation, my other favorite is Olay's Total Effects CC Cream, which you can find at the drugstore. If you need a little extra coverage, apply two layers. Another plus: It has SPF 15 and actually helps get rid of your sunspots.

2. Aloe Vera Makeup Wipes

(Ulta, Neutrogena Hydrating Make-Up Remover Cleansing Towelettes, ulta.com, $7.99)

Let's start with the obvious — the less liquid products you have on a plane, the better! Neutrogena's Hydrating Makeup Wipes are my absolute favorite for sunny destinations. Aside from the fact that they make a great makeup remover, the wipes have aloe vera in the ingredients. If you have a small sunburn, these will help you heal it!

3. Dry Shampoo

(Sephora, Klorane Dry Shampoo, sephora.com, $20.00)

If you find yourself heading from the beach straight to the bar, dry shampoo is a great thing to use when you head back to the room to freshen up. It'll soak up sweat and oil at your roots and save you the trouble of blowing out your hair again. Plus, it smells totally amazing!

In my opinion, not all dry shampoos are created equal. Some can leave residue and make your hair feel dirty, but a good product will leave you feeling like you just washed. In my experience, Klorane, R+Co, and Eva NYC are a few of the best.

4. Bronzing Sunscreen

(Walmart, Australian Gold Continuous Spray, walmart.com, $8.44)

Especially on your first day at the beach, it's probably safe to say you'll be feeling a little pale, so expedite the process (in a safer way) with a bronzing sunscreen. As your real tan develops, sunscreens like Australian Gold will give you a subtle glow to start.

5. A Nude Eyeshadow Palette

(Ulta, Maybelline "The Nudes" Palette, ulta.com, $9.99)

Need I say more? Nude palettes are great for giving us just enough makeup without looking like we spent hours getting ready. With palettes like Urban Decay's Naked Palette and Maybelline's The Nudes Palette, you can turn your daytime shimmer into a late-night smoky eye in a pinch! Plus, these are basics you should probably own either way.

6. A Shimmery Lip Gloss

(Sephora, Buxom Full-On Lip Polish, sephora.com, $20.00)

A nice, nude, shimmery lipgloss will always make your lips appear fuller. Plumping lip glosses like Buxom's Full-On Lip Polish are my absolute favorite (and Clare and Gabby are shades everyone should try — take my word for it).

7. Waterproof Mascara

(Chanel, Volume de Chanel Mascara, chanel.com, $32.00)

Raccoon eyes in the pool are never cute, so a waterproof mascara that lives up to the promises on the label is key! Diorshow Iconic Mascara and Volume de Chanel's waterproof versions are great choices and they'll leave you looking like you're wearing falsies. But if you're frantically running through the drugstore as we speak, CoverGirl's LashBlast Volume Mascara is a close second.

8. Blotting Papers

(Target, Clean & Clear Absorbing Sheets, target.com, $4.99)

If you tend to get a little oily in your T-zone, it's always helpful to keep a packet of blotting papers in your clutch. They don't take up much space and they're a life saver in humidity! Clean & Clear's Absorbing Sheets are my favorite, but usually any drugstore you go to will offer its own brand for less.

9. Teeth Whitening Pen

(QVC, Smileactives Teeth Whitening Pen Duo, qvc.com, $27.50)

Nothing goes better with tan skin than a bright white smile, and a tooth whitening pen is always a handy thing to keep in your bag. Plus, some pens, like the Smileactives Teeth Whitening Pen, come in fun flavors like vanilla mint. It'll freshen up your breath and whiten your teeth all in one — and you don't have to wait 30 minutes for it to work — it only takes 30 seconds to dry!

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