I think all I do in the summer is unpack and repack bags. I like to keep a cosmetic bag ready for the beach, the park, or laying out on the roof filled with essentials. I then put said bag in a beach tote filled my summer books/mags, all the The New Yorkers and Time Outs that accumulate in my apartment unread, and a towel. When I go away for the weekend, I then put THAT tote into my larger DVF Rolling City Bag. It’s like the bag version of Russian nesting dolls. As you can imagine, the cast of “characters” in the cosmetic bag is updated fairly often. Right now, I’m loving:

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Lip Moisture Cream SPF 30

LOVE this stuff. It softens lips, is a perfect primer for gloss or lipstick AND has the highest SPF I’ve found in a lip balm yet. I never understand why all balms don’t include at least SPF 30. Who wants to a) keep reapplying and b) burn their lips on some shoddy SPF 5? AND it plumps without pain. I adore Elizabeth Arden in general.

For fun, I also throw in Elizabeth Arden Crystal Clear Lip Gloss. It’s
It’s lightweight, glosses the hell out of your lifestyle and is flavored with refreshing spearmint. Anything other than clear gloss on the beach is just cheesy.

Bliss Sunban in SPF 20
It’s oil-free so I use it on my face as well. Protects against the sun and moisturizes at the same time.

Before heading out to the beach, from the largest bag, I use:
tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes! Waterproof Mascara in Black
This stuff is virtually clump-free, isn’t as dramatic as Diorshow so you’re approp for beaching and is waterproof. I swam laps rocking it and it was still ON at the end of the day. And it comes in an adorable JEANS case. What’s better than that? Not one thing.

tarte Cheekstain in Flush and Bronze Goddess
I mix a bit of both. Bronze Goddess goes on forehead, cheeks and chin, a tiny dab of Flush goes on cheeks and the nose. Bronze Goddess smells of divine coconut, Flush smells like some kind of delicious JUICE. Adore these. I even carry a smaller sized Flush stick in my purse. I have true separation anxiety when I leave it at home.

Finally, this has nothing to do with beauty, but being that it’s wedding season, I just have to share: I don’t think I’ve ever met a guy who didn’t inform me himself that he looks really, really good in a tux. What is that? I mean, ush, it’s true, but for the love, can’t you wait for me to say it? Has this happened to you? And feel free to let me know what’s in your beachbag. Happy Monday!

Photo courtesy of Elizabetharden.com