Okay, so you’ve picked out your ultimate beach bag, but what good will it do if you still haven’t packed the summer getaway’s must-haves? With all that time playing in the sun, you will need to keep your head in the game and avoid some serious dehydration problems – and a bright red Rudolph nose in the middle of a scorching hot summer.

And hey, instead of looking all blistered, you’ll end up sashaying around the beach with some serious elegant vibes.  This season, a full-formed summer-y aesthetic is all you need to hit the waves!

Fortunately, we’ve made a small list of what your big-and-bright beach bag should include:

1. First thing’s first, an all-polished and trendy bathing suit is the pièce de resistance.
2. The Pareo adds a bit of glamour to your sun dazed look.
3. Sure, a towel’s a towel, but you don’t want yours to be too big or too small! Pick a standard size, a jolly graphic pattern and make sure it goes well with your swimsuit.
4. Next, throw on a hat that shows off your sun-kissed skin and your beach waves. It’s the perfect touch for a voguish allure.
5. Sandals or flip-flops are an integral part of your beach-wardrobe. They should perfectly match your clothes. In this case, the brighter, the better!
6. Let’s not kid ourselves, sunnies are a must! Whether you’re using them to protect your eyes or to eye the crowd, you must choose the right shades for a sunny day out.
7. Don’t forget to pack your tanning oil to even out your summer tan. We’re looking for a caramel color, not a strawberry melba!
8. Along comes the good-old sunscreen to protect your beautiful face from unwanted sunburns. Better safe than sorry, right?
9. A touch of lip balm will do wonders to your lips and can save them from swelling up.
10. Protect your velvety hair with a beach hairspray. It will also give it a glow like no other!
11. Lastly, listening to some music with your headphones can gloriously calm you down while you’re chilling under the sun. Once you’ve checked this list, put on a bright smile and hit the beaches in style!

   Cindy Menassa