I should probably add on the phrase “on a beach vacation” to the title of this post, because some of the items I wouldn’t pack away in my suitcase for a snowy trip. But anyways! I have always been a beach girl, since I was little… choosing the beach over the mountains every single time. I’ve learned over the years that there are a few items every girl needs to pack with her on a tropical vacation (and no, none of these items are sponsored, I do truly use and love them). So let’s get started!
1. Self-tanner
Having this self-tanner with me on vacation is one of my top essentials. I love the sun but I don’t like laying out because of the risk of skin cancer… but I still want to appear tan on vacation. Jergens re-formulated this lotion last year & it now smells wonderful (remember when self-tanners had that horrible, icky smell?). A word of caution though, I like the regular one way way more than the firming one. Trust me, there’s a difference! I LOVE the regular one. I apply it on my legs usually every night or after showering, and it develops into a natural, gorgeous tan.
2. A portable charger
A portable charger is something I can’t live without when I’m traveling. I’m constantly on my phone answering emails, checking social media, etc. and my phone battery doesn’t last very long. This portable charger is really slim and fits easily in your purse, but I’m a huge fan of this charging phone case. It’s actually a charger and phone case in one – and I can’t tell you how many times it has saved my phone from dying! Keeping your phone charged is a good idea while traveling – you may need travel and weather updates, flight confirmations, the address of the hotel, etc.
3. Noise cancelling headphones
Santa brought me these noise cancelling headphones (in white) for Christmas this year, and I have used them on every single flight since then. They are great for watching movies and listening to music on the plane – but sometimes I just put them on and turn on the “noise cancelling” switch (located on the side of the headphones). It drowns out all of the airplane noises and people talking around me so that I can catch some sleep on the plane. With these headphones on, you can’t even hear the person next to you talking – they are AMAZING and definitely worth the money – no other headphones can compare!
4. A Good bronzer & highlighter
Since you’ll likely be on the beach all day, you don’t need to wear a ton of makeup (it can clog your pores!). The two most important makeup items I bring with me are this bronzer and this highlighter. Both are amazing and essential for giving you the “sun-kissed glow” we all want on vacation. The highlighter is absolutely magical – I’ve worn it the entire time in St. Lucia! Dust it on the tops of your cheekbones or on your eye-lids for a gorgeous, glowy look.
5. A Hanging toiletries case
I brought this Tory Burch travel case with me on this trip to St. Lucia, and it is a godsend. There are two things I really love about it: it’s incredibly slim, which makes it easy to fit in your suitcase, and secondly, there is a hanger attached so you can hang it in your hotel bathroom, on the showerhead or towel rack (which makes it so convenient and doesn’t take up counter space!). Although it is slim, there is plenty of space inside for all of my toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, etc. And it’s made out of nylon so you don’t have to worry about products spilling inside and messing it up.
6. Comfortable shoes
I learned this one the hard way, because one year I didn’t pack comfortable beach shoes & ended up with a ton of blisters! You’ll want to pack a pair of tennis shoes and a good pair of shoes for the beach – preferably a pair of sandals that are easily washable. Depending on your resort, you may end up doing a lot of walking! I brought these sandals on this vacation and I wear them everywhere – to the beach, to breakfast, exploring, etc. They are really comfortable and since they are patent, I can get them wet and sand washes off easily.
7. Makeup remover wipes
Makeup remover wipes are a must-have on vacation… I end up taking my makeup off a few times per day (after the beach, before bed, etc.) so wipes make it a ton quicker and easier to take off your makeup. Especially at night when you’re tired! These mini wipes are my favorite because they work so well, but they are also compact and easy to fit in your purse or suitcase.
8. A huge sun hat
My face is sensitive to the sun and burns very easily, so I always bring along a huge sun hat with me to wear while I’m on the beach. (Hats can be hard to fit in your suitcase, so I usually carry them with me onto the plane.) I brought this straw hat with me to St. Lucia & am pretty obsessed with it – it’s only $38 and SO high quality! (You’ve probably seen it in some of my photos.) If I had an extra $400 laying around to spend on a hat, I would definitely buy this one – it’s the cutest hat I’ve ever seen!
9. Several pairs of sunglasses
Yes, I am that girl that brings three to four pairs of sunglasses on vacation. However, I usually wear every single pair that I bring and I’m always happy I brought options! Sunglasses are essential on vacation because it can be hard to see in the bright sunlight. I am loving these tortoise sunglasses and these colored ones right now.
10. A packable laundry bag
I always manage to accumulate a lot of laundry on vacation – especially swimsuits that need washing. I always throw my washables in a nylon bag and pack it in my suitcase, so when I get home all I have to do is dump everything into the washing machine. This laundry bag is genius (and cute!) and will keep your washables away from your clean clothes. The same company also makes packable bags for your heels and lingerie!
There you have it! I love hearing tips about traveling, so if you have any “must have” traveling products, let me know in the comments!
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Need everything for traveling<3
Shall We Sasa
I LOVE that hanging toiletries bag! The print is so stinkin' cute!
http://www.rosyoutlookblog.com
I'm packing tonight for a trip- thank you for the sun hat reminder! : )
Brooke du jour
http://www.brookedujour.com
Love this post! You're making me want to plan a tropical vacay and stat. x
Audrey Adair | http://www.happilyaudrey.com
Oh, you are so right! And especially a self-tanner isn't a fail 🙂
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Great post! 2,3,6 and 9 are some of the things that I also never forget to pack with me when traveling.
http://lartoffashion.com
Yess to makeup removing wipes! I forgot mine last week when I was in Miami and it was the worst!
Christina :: Simple and Delish
Hi! New to your blog-loving it!! I do have a question for you since I can't seem to find it linked anywhere. That blue ring you have on is GORGEOUS! Where did you get it?!
Thanks so much! 🙂 It is a David Yurman albion ring with turquoise stone! The reason it's not linked is because I can't find it online!
I just recently purchased the Jergens firming natural glow over the daily moisturizer, having not tried any of them before. What differences do you see in the two that you like the daily moisturizer better?
Thanks!
Basically just the smell! The normal one smells and feels so much better on my skin. The firming one works just as well, but when I use it I feel like I have self tanner on… with the normal one, I just feel like it's lotion!
You look stunning. I wish I could go on vacation right now, too
Kisses from http://www.poshnessary.com ❤
A hanging toiletries case is so smart! I love bringing comfortable shoes when traveling since I tend to do a lot of walking. Great tips!
http://www.mintnotion.com
Great choices! I'd be perfectly content with one pair of sunglasses, but they're small!
Hanging toiletry cases are my favorite!! They make everything so simple.
Kendal // Life With Kendal
I love that self tanner, I'm going to have to pick up a bottle of it before I head to florida!
-Angela & Amy
FiletoStyle.com
Preach it girl!!! I am all about having the perfect self tanner and my phone always dies so having a good charger is crucial.
xo,
Sara Kate Styling
Yes to all of these!! I love the idea of the noise cancelling head phones. I am going to have to invest in some of those!
Happy Wednesday //http://lifeplusbe.com/
All the essentials!! A big hat and multiple sunglasses is key for protecting your face and neck in the sun! Love this roundup! XO
@stylemelauren
http://www.stylemelauren.cmo
I agree with every single one of the items. The wipes and the highlighter I CAN NOT TRAVEL WITHOUT for sure!
http://www.lifeisjustrosie.tv
Love the sunhat option!
Liz @ ShoppingMyCloset.com
Love all of your essentials and I'm definitely with you on every single one. I'd also bring my glare free Kindle so I can read at the beach!
xo, Nina
Law of Fashion Blog
Love the vibe of this pics!
Love,
http://www.thestyleventure.com
I couldn't agree more on almost all of these! I would of course die without my charger and having makeup wipes makes my makeup removal quick and easy. 🙂 I hope you are having a wonderful time! 🙂
Rachel
Simply Rachel Nicole
Love the pictures! I love the packable laundry bag, that is perfect for any vacay. 🙂
one-hautemess.blogspot.com
I always bring mini spray waters to spritz on before putting on lotion. Flights are so drying!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Love that $400 hat too… maybe one day 🙂
xo, Irina Bond | BondGirlGlam.com
Love the white shirt in the top image, where is it from?
Great travel items. I would add back up nail polish because it drives me crazy how easy my nail polish gets chipped at pools. It's nice to have the same color to do a quick touch up
Dresses & Denim
I love the white shirt in the first image, where is that from?
It's from Chicwish but I don't think it's still available! Free People makes a very similar one this year 🙂
I love the bathing suit you have on in the first picture! One of the cutest I have seen, where is it from?
XO Christiana
http://redbottomsandrose.blogspot.com/
Thanks Christiana! It is by Trina Turk 🙂
I love this post!! Some of these are definitely on my list too!
http://www.maggiealamode.com
I love this post! It's so good to hear what you pack since you go on these warm weather holidays so often – you must be a pro!
http://www.lucylovestosparkle.com
Yes! I bring 2 or 3 pairs of sunglasses too! And lots of sunscreen, because I'm a redhead. 🙂
Abbie E.
http://abulouslife.blogspot.com/
I love how versatile the millers are!
Sara | Lipstick, Lattes & Lunges
Where is that white off the shoulder top from in the picture?!
It's from Chicwish but I bought it last summer – I don't think it's online still! Free People makes a very similar one, though!
Looks so relaxing!
<3
katsfashionfix.blogspot.com
This is a cute posts and has some of my must travel items too! I love those tory burch sandals- i bought mine in red over two years ago and they still look brand new! money well spent!
Xo, Tara
http://brunette-ambitions.com
Ahh this is making me want to go on a beach vacation right now even more! I'm so over winter!
Laura | Laura Aime Vous
Great ideas.
x https://ahsknaka.wordpress.com/
Great list! I'm currently in Aruba and I totally agree with everything on your list!
Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com
I think my favorite thing that you've linked is your hanging toiletry bag! What a smart travel bag to own.
xx Kathryn
http://www.chicandshimmer.com
I would remember to take the laundry bag in my next vocation. I usually don;t know what to do with my dirty things, but thanks for the tip.
http://dressmecasual.blogspot.com.eg/
Thanks Caitlin for posting this, will definitely keep in mind for my next beach trip!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com
Haha! I'm also that girl who brings like three or four pairs of sunglasses on holiday, although I usually only wear one of them religiously lol X
THEFASHION-JUNKIE
Great post!!
My blog: Street Style City
Also have a look at my photography page: Photography
nice post! check out myblog
http://www.pineapplethrift.com
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Ooooh love the look of those noise cancelling headphones! Even if they're just for drowning out screaming kids in a coffee shop haha!
Lots of Love, Lottie | Lifestyle blog to make you smile 🙂
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