What I take to the beach
I'm the only person alive who knows more about Beach than Ken. And I'm ready to share it all with YOU.
Every post I write involving SPF results in a dozen beach-related side questions from those who know me IRL.
(Pro tip: If you ask them in the comments here, everyone benefits and my WhatsApp stops melting…).
I’ve spent the last 3 years bumming around on beaches across 5 continents, so every time I pack my beach bag, thousands of hours of experience inform my every movement.
And today, I share it all with you :)
Full disclosure
I don’t have kids and abhor shade.
The bag
I generally avoid the traditional beach bag - they’re big and somewhat unwieldy, IMO. Although I wish I’d bought this one when it was in stock. *sighs forever and saves yet another eBay search*
I like either a tote (collapsible and easy to throw things in haphazardly) or a rucksack (holds everything, easier on the shoulders if heavy).
Tote
I bought this in Valencia. It holds everything, is surprisingly sturdy and leopard goes with basically everything. (I did cut the weird little tag off.)
Less than £20. WIN.
I also have a soft spot for a Deus tote and pick these up on my travels. They’re much smaller and you’ll run into the occasional bald guy in his 40s with bad tattoos carrying one into his mid-life crisis. I can get past that, you may not be able to. That’s ok.
Rucksack
This also doubles as my ‘small personal item’ in the cabin on flights. I bought my first in 2017 and replaced it last year, but my original one had done hundreds of thousands of miles by then.
A million pockets and soft enough that you can use it as an emergency pillow if needed.
The sun protection
I’ve written about these exhaustively, but for completeness, this is what goes in my bag:
Body
Sun bum SPF spray (15/30/50SPF are available)
Face
Kao - Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen SPF 50+ (the Japanese formulation
LRP tinted sunscreen:
Anthelios Ultra Cover SPF60 Facial Sunscreen if you can find it (currently still only available in Brazil. It’s worth the flight over to buy it, frankly)
Anthelios UVmune Hydrating Tinted Cream SPF50+ - the best one easily available in the UK - quite orange
If you’re travelling in Europe, you should be able to find the Mineral tinted SPF that comes in 4 colours. It’s not as good as Ultra Cover, but is decent.
For top-ups
La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF50 face mist
Lips
Lip balm - Sun Bum, (30SPF), Carmex Weather Guard (30SPF) or LRP Cicaplast (no SPF).
The beach blanket
I used to use a microfibre blanket, but since January of this year, I converted to a canga - which is basically the Brazilian name for a sarong. They’re lighter and dry out more quickly and I have no idea why it took me this long to make the switch. Double-sized ones are available if you’re looking to have yourself a beach party.
The hardware
Kindle
I can read 3 books in a day without trying1, so a Kindle was life-changing for me. They’re not nearly as sturdy as they once were, but I would rescue mine from a fire.
If anyone has bought a Scribe, please tell me all about it.
Charger and cable(s)
The sooner everything is USB-C the better 🙄.
For the charger, I do not mess about. It’s heavy, but it’s never let me down and has often got my friends out of scrapes, because I have enough charge to share the love, even after a full day at the beach.
It’s also been indestructible so far, after 12 months of daily use and a lot of carting about. The smaller ones I’ve owned all fell apart within 6 months.
The accessories
Sunglasses
I’ve apparently made an unshakable commitment to Ray-Ban aviators. I have 4 pairs and it’ll be Tom Cruise and I styling these out until the end.
Baseball cap
Really necessary if you read a lot. It will also protect your hair if you pile it up inside.
Be careful, the cap will rub the SPF off around your hairline. Remember to reapply sunscreen when you remove the cap.
Beach pillow
I’ve buried the lede here. Buy one of these. It will change your life.
This one has a removable cover, which is a good idea as you will likely sweat buckets onto this little guy,
If it’s a windy day, deflate it when you get up to go into the sea or whatever. Otherwise it will blow away and people will point and laugh when you have to go running after it. I may or may not know this from personal experience.
Flannel/washcloth
Take the one from your hotel2 to wipe your hands/face/whatever. Also dunk in ocean for a portably delightful cooling sensation.
Flips flops
Can only be Havaianas. Mine are invariably neon yellow (they call the colour Galactic Green)
A note on bikinis:
I’m a 30G bra size and prefer the tiniest bikini bottoms in existence. I am therefore not qualified to give useful generic bikini advice to the masses 😂3.
The snacks
Almonds - basically indestructible, delicious and good for you. Although, if available, the biggest bag of the most delicious flavour of Lays that I can find4.
In Brazil I basically subsist on Espetinhos de Queijo de Coalho, aka Beach Cheese. Everyone has their snack of choice on Ipanema. This is mine.
The hydration
Body
Please drink water. Also, alcohol in the sun is really bad for you.
I know. Sometimes I’m here to deliver the tough messages.
In Brazil I’m never too far from an abacaxi com limao5. I’ve drunk 4 of these in a day before now (it’s really excellent with a casual Beach Cheese skewer or 3).
Skin
Get yourself the 50ml (smallest size) and spritz yourself whenever you’re feeling frazzled. Thank me later6.
Spray this on before you leave the beach - last thing you do before you get up. Moisturisation is key to prevent post-beach withering. This is an excellent start.
The tresses
Conditioning treatment - maybe don’t?
There used to be advice to put a deep conditioning treatment on your hair all day. The *new* advice is that this risks damaging the hair. Welcome to the Age of Disinformation.
I’ve used this overnight - it’s designed to be slept in - so I offer it as an option.
Leave-in conditioner
I’ve been using this for a couple of years and keep a travel-size bottle in my bag. It is usually cheaper in the US.
Hair pins
Are much better for your hair than elastics and are far less likely to give you a ‘ridge’ in your hair when you take them out. Just a suggestion…
Don’t brush wet hair - wide-toothed comb only.
And take a deodorant.
Hopefully this is obvious.
Perpetual reminder
Don’t spend more than you need to on any of the above
Until the next time. Go tan responsibly! x
I read The Goldfinch in a day. It’s a day I’ll never get back, but hopefully my point is made
Disclaimer: NBWI does not condone stealing
If you do want advice about my specific extremes of top/bottom, feel free to ask.
In Greece family-size bags of both tzatziki and prawn cocktail flavours are available. Heaven.
Pineapple juice with crushed limes.
Do thank me though.
I would absolutely live on beach cheese skewers if I found myself in Brazil, and I’m positive my life would be 100% better for it! 😋