8 beach makeup essentials for your next trip to the islands

First things first: no fellow beach babe of ours will head to the islands without sun screen. Sun protection is as vital as a basket bag and a towel turban. We’re very excited about this product launch (coming to stores and online this 27 November), as Supergoop! is unveiling its CC Screen in Thailand for the first time. 100% mineral, the complete care cream is designed for all skin types, with SPF 50 UV protection, and 8 self-adjusting (yup) shades to suit a variety of skin tones. It’s both a creamy and hydrating formula that leaves a natural finish on the skin, perfect for that “oh, me? I just emerged from the sea and always look this good” kind of feel. Natural, beautiful, and very easy to pack in your island getaway makeup kit, too.

Image Credit: Supergroup!

Inspired by the shades of the beach (from sea foam to algae, no less), Nudestix packs your golden goddess makeup needs all into one bag with this exclusive set. The brand claims to have tested this set to be “beach-proof, heat-proof, sweat-proof and kiss-proof” making it an ideal seaside companion. We love that you can craft so many different looks from this set, and it’s perfect for those of us who are lazy and like an all-in-one bag for all our base foundation (and contour) needs. More multitasking, less stressing.

Image Credit: Nudestix

Want to know a secret? Autumnal hues are actually great for the beach. Too Faced may have launched this palette with a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte in mind, but we love it all the same for a cocktail at Coco Tam’s. The limited edition eyeshadows offer the perfect warmth for our alluring beachside looks, boasting something both very natural and very sensual about them. The rich, creamy colours are perfect to go from day to night, too, for all those days you don’t have time to hop back to the villa to change.

Image Credit: Too Faced

When talking about beach beauty, one of the biggest buzzwords is this one: glow. And it’s no secret both Rihanna and her Fenty Beauty brand love a good glow. We love the new Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil for its diamond-dusted effect, especially in the rosy tint (sorry, rosé tint) for the beach. Boasting a pink and golden sparkle to warm up the face, the jelly-powder formula is great for the beach because it doesn’t wash away even if the breeze is a little stronger, and it melts into the skin for a very natural look. You can also use it for your body, and be the most glamorous goddess in the sun.

Image Credit: Fenty Beauty

For those who prefer to go down the shimmery route for their eyeshadow at the beach (there’s hardly a better time), the Tarte Rainforest collection has plenty to offer. We love the Seagrass Eyeshadows for their ease of use (and ease to pack), which glide on and dry very quickly. Opt for the blue hues for a bold eye, or the holographic hues for a more futuristic look. The products are water infused with marine plant extracts and offer antioxidant protection too, so if mermaids exist, we have a feeling they’d approve.

Image Credit: Tarte Cosmetics

If you’re only heading to the beach for the weekend, you’re going to want to go for products that are versatile. Whilst gloss is a risky one to wear by the beach (one brisk wind and your hair is stuck to your lips), lip balm is actually a great companion both for its hydrating qualities and its natural flair. This one by Philosophy not only gives you all that nourishment with almond, jojoba, and sunflower oil, but also doubles up as a great alternative to powder blush. Dab some on your cheekbones for a sun-smooched look that will last all day.

Image Credit: Philosophy Skincare

Look, you can’t fault the classics. We’ve long loved Lancome’s mascaras, and when it comes to a trustworthy and timeless option for the beach, we know we’re never in the wrong with the Hypnose Star Mascara. It’s waterproof so it shouldn’t budge even if you get thrown in the pool, but we love it even more for the intense volume and curl it gives our lashes. Highly pigmented, it’s better suited for your evening beach looks, but a great option for those who have finer eyelashes nonetheless.

Image Credit: Lancome

If you’re out in the sun all day, your skin will get thirsty. Thereby a refreshing mist is as much a must-have as sunscreen. We love the Dr. Dennis Gross C+ Collagen mist which is antioxidant-rich to work as both a hydrator and to set makeup. It is designed to provide a pollution shield to protect against environmental aggressors, too, so it’s a spritz of plenty of good stuff, really. It’s always good to put a little protection on your face to get any of those troubles out of the way. Your only worry by the beach should be: pina colada or martini?

Image Credit: Dr Dennis Gross