Stylenotes Summer Essentials

For the Beach Bum:

For day trips and beach days, we like to keep or bikini contained in this Terry Bikini Bag ($18 Everythingbutwater.com) -- which is great because it has a waterproof lining! And of course, don't forget to keep your skin protected, especially if you're planning on lying in the sand all day. There are lots of sunscreen/sun lotion/sun block products out there, but our favorites include the Kiss My Face Sunscreen, since it's a 100% paraben free sun screen with oat protein complex – great for sensitive skin, and paraben allergies. It's available in an spf of 18 ($6.71, Drugstore.com) or 30 ($10.99, KissMyFace.com). We're also fans of the Alba Botanica Fragrance Free Mineral Sunscreen with an spf of 18 ($8.95, Drugstore.com). We love that it includes aloe for sensitive skin and is hypo-allergenic while introducing organic ingredients and minerals. Although it's ultra gentle, we know that it does go to work! Last, for a super splurge (aka this DOES NOT get passed along the blanket), try the Jurlique Sun Lotion with an spf of 30 ($58, Amazon.com). It is super light and filmy, blending into the skin without hardly any effort with an incredible lavender aroma -- not reminiscent of that pungent sunscreen smell in the slightest!

For the Faker:

So some of us choose not to tan, and for others it seems genetically impossible to get anything resembling a natural sun-kissed look. Regardless, we don't want to be incredibly pale in the summer! To get a bit of color, we use a Cargo Bronzer ($25, Sephora) to accent our face, and love the Korres Natural Products Watermelon Lightweight Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer spf 30 ($28, Sephora) which provides solid, all over color that doesn't dissipate in the sun or clog pores. For days when we're not so involved with a glowing face but still need to protect our skin, we use the Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 ($15.99, Drugstore.com). For those readers who are aprehensive about using self-tanners, customize your look with the True Blue Spa Glow and Steady Daily Moisturizer and Gradual Self Tanner SPF 15 for Body ($15, Bath & Body Works). Basically what this means is that you'll get protection from the sun while getting a gradual tan, opposed to a streaked, nasty shade of orange-tinted skin overnight. Last, when we have ventured out into the sun and come home feeling burnt and dried out, instead of radiating with a deep tan, we drench ourselves in the rich Noodle & Boo Glowology Lovely Body Lotion for Sensitive Skin ($26, NoodleandBoo.com). This certified organic product has a light enough aroma that your significant other can use it without uttering the phrase "girly stuff".

For the High-Maintenance Girl:

We joke about this one -- I mean, can a woman really be called high-maintainence, if in the end, she looks utterly fabulous? Yep, exactly. Ever had a picture where your forehead, cheeks or chin turned up with major shine? Well, we have, and we feel that in the summer, oil absorbing sheets are an absolute necessity -- these sheets let you re-matte your skin without adding more makeup. Because in the heat and humidity, more powders and creams just exacerbate the problem. Our favorite is the Clean & Clear Morning Burst Oil Absorbing Sheets, ($5.49, Drugstore.com). For a more intense clean, a few of us at stylenotes use the Biore Daily Deep Cleaning Pore Cleansing Cloths ($10.99, Drugstore.com), because they are great at overall wiping off the sweat, layers of makeup, city pollution, you name it! So we know it may not be the most glamorous thing to discuss, but in the summer, you better be sure you have the correct deodorant! For those of us that need some extra coverage, the Dove Clinical Protection in Cool Essentials ($7.99, Drugstore.com) is strong without irritation, and a little goes a long way. We also found that Ban Invisible Solid Antiperspirant Deodorant ($3.49, Walgreens) works well and exudes a pleasant scent with an invisible solid that truly is invisible (read: go ahead and wear sleeveless tees!).

For the Hair-Obsessed

In the heat of the summer it is definitely a challenge to look well-coifed, so we have three words for you: product and scarves! Fight the frizz or flatness that the heat can evoke with a bit of product. We like the Warren Tricomi Protect Leave-In Conditioner ($25, TheCosmeticMarket.com), which remarkably doesn't leave hair greasy, while it is miraculously static and split-end free. If you're looking to spend a lot less, the Dove Weightless Moisturizers Hairspray with Natural Movement, Extra Hold ($1.29, Walgreens), will maintain your hair's style, without making it too hard or worse -- gummy with product. Plus, the small 2-ounce bottle fits perfectly into your handbag for on-the-go touchups. Keep the bangs off of your forehead and out of your eyes with a stylish scarf this summer. Target has a great selection of scarves, for the girls who can't tolerate the headaches that headbands sometimes incur. This Xhilaration Square Scarf in Pink Paisley and Xhilaration Head Scarf in Black/ White ($7.99 each, Target) are two of our favorites for the season.

So now that you've got a sampling of what the stylenotes staff lives and dies by in the summer, put our words to the true test – go ahead and get some for yourself to try!

-- Stylenotes Staff

Note: there may be a way to make the items mentioned above an even better bang for your buck -- remember to search stylenotes for special promotions and coupon codes that may be applied to your order.