A recent invitation to a night away at the beach came with a caution: "Girls be warned – I'm feral at the bach!"
This disclaimer, sent refreshingly not as an apology but merely as a statement of fact, highlighted a fork in the beauty world when it comes to weekends away in the summer. Some go all in, embracing an opportunity for fun, frivolity and experimentation, others don't even pack their toiletries. Both approaches are valid, and appealing.
I'm not contouring to collect shells, or using up tank water to complete my overblown everything shower, but I’m also not going without the parts of my beauty routine that bring me joy.
I’ll gladly live in togs and an oversized shirt, if it frees up luggage space so I can pack more than my fair share of skincare. A mix of functional supplies and little, sandy luxuries. Here are the products I justify sacrificing space in my carry on for, even if they aren't strictly necessary.
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance, $95
When my skin has dried out like a piece of frizzled seaweed on the foreshore, a layer of this ultra-nourishing moisturiser before bed usually brings it back from the dehydrated brink.
It’s great for city breaks too, rich enough to stand up to aggressive hotel air conditioning. Hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica and aloe vera lock in hydration. Though by room-mate did comment that I looked like a slug when I came out of the bathroom.
Aesop Polish Bar Soap, $30
Every beach visit, I'm reminded of the 2003 Amanda Bynes movie What A Girl Wants. Describing the hands-off approach to beauty inherited from her mother, Bynes’ character Daphne says, “Mom says if you can walk on a beach, and you have a steady hand with nail polish, there's no reason to ever pay for a pedicure”.
I prefer my exfoliation, on feet or otherwise, to take place in the shower rather than in public, scrubbing and rinsing away the sand and salt and other accumulates of the day. This Aesop polish bar is my current sloughing vehicle. It has pumice in it, so still fittingly beachy.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood Saprkling Body Oil 200ml, $359
This unadulteratedly luxurious body oil shimmers like silica sand in the sun, swirling lazily in its heavy glass bottle like a sunny snow globe. Glide it on after a resetting shower. Sometimes sparkling skin is all that's needed to make whatever the evening portion of the day holds feel special.
La Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen For Face SPF 50, $37
The only non-negotiable on this list. I slather my body, readily and frequently, with copious amounts of whatever broad spectrum high SPF sunblock is within arms reach. Lately it's been the Bondi Sands Sport SPF 50 Wet Skin Sunscreen, $21.
I'm pickier when it comes to my face, which has a tendency to be sensitive when it comes into contact with thicker formulations. I like this mineral one as it feels lightweight and has a bit of glow in it, but still offers SPF50 protection.
Ceremonia Papaya Scalp Scrub, $53
Trailing behind my three bach mates on the beach and admiring their long tresses in various stages of ocean tousled wavery, I felt a tad like the fourth Maharelle sister in that Saturday Night Live skit. My fine shoulder-length hair doesn't attractively kink after a dip; get within 100m of the ocean and it tangles into a jumble of knots
Instead of coveting what doesn't belong to me, I do my best to work with what I've got, packing a few products that help keep the hay at bay.
A cleansing scrub filters out any detritus – this Ceremonia one has a buttery whipped texture and is flecked with large salt flakes that melt pleasingly as you massage it into your scalp. A nourishing mask follows to add back in hydration, and hopefully smoothness. I use Chloe Zara's Silk Hair Balm, $54
kit: Unwind Body Balm 200ml, $46
I never struggle to sleep at the beach, what with all the fun in the sun and the soothing sound of waves – but also because I’ve built this decompressing layer into my nighttime routine. The calming, herbaceous scent (think spearmint, lavender and eucalyptus) is an olfactory signal to my body that it's time to settle down.
