I had my first taste of summer while I was in Paris earlier this month – it was HOT! Probably the hottest I’ve ever experienced while there.

While I am personally ready for Fall already – summer weather is certainly here for several so I wanted to give a refresh to my summer necessities post. These are the items I swear by for keeping cool, staying hydrated and ensuring I am sun safe all summer. With every summer feeling like it gets a bit hotter, I reach for everything on this list time and time again.

Read on for my summer essentials – the perfect handy checklist for all summer long.

Summer Necessities

Straw Hat

Even if you’re great about applying SPF to your face, a sun hat is a fun in the sun must in my opinion. Especially if you’re fair skinned like me! My dermatologist said I should wear one every time I’m going to have prolonged exposure to the sun so I am sure to have one at the ready this time of year. I have built a small collection of go-to ones that I love and reach for depending on my outfit including this one, this one and this one which is packable and makes it great to travel with!

Hydro Flask

Obsessed with this water bottle is an understatement. It helps me drink so much more water than I used to thanks to the straw which makes water intake easier. I get so thirsty in the summer when my body is depleted from the ongoing heat and I love having temperature controlled water in my HydroFlask.

Because it keeps drinks cold it is also great to bring for a day at the beach or spent hanging in your favorite local park.

Ball Cap

The perfect topper for walks outside or more casual jaunts to the farmer’s market I love keeping my ball caps ready for use this time of year to provide more sun protection to my face.

Market Basket

Market baskets are closet staples for French women as they head to their local farmer’s market each week and I adore mine. This one has double handles like mine which I love – perfect for when you have heavier loads or lighter loads.

These personalized ones are so cute, too. I also love those by Sezane that are a bit more modern but still have traditional charm. They feel designer without being designer.

This Loewe one I own is my most-used bag of summer typically. I love that the straps can be worn three ways!

I personally use my market bag as my beach bag! 

SPF

Following my skin cancer diagnosis, I learned to be much more diligent about SPF. It is my #1 summer necessity.

The Supergoop ZincScreen, Supergoop Daily Dose Bioretinol SPF 40, Tower28 Sunny Days SPF and the Tula Mineral SPF are my current go-tos for SPF for my face and I always am sure to bring along a powder SPF with me wherever I go for easy face re-application over makeup.

And don’t forget about your lips this time of year, too! They are often overlooked. Supergoop has a SPF lip balm you can tote around for easy application. Here are some other SPFs I like for body, too.

Sunglasses

While often thought of first as an accessory, sunglasses were initially designed to provide your eyes protection from UV rays so be sure to always pack a pair. I swear by Celine sunglasses as they are virtually indestructible (I’ve had my first pair for six years now!) but I also love and wear often this Le Specs pair and this designer-look alike pair that are both more affordable.

Tinted Lip Balm

I ditch heavier lipsticks and matte lip colors this time of year and reach for tinted lip balms that provide equal parts treatment and just the right hint of color. My current obsession is the Westman Atelier Squeaky Clean Lip Balm.

I have a variety of others I love, too and you can find them in my Beauty Favorites Shop where I also share the shades I wear.

Beach Towel

No summer is complete without a cute beach towel to pack up and head to your nearest body of water to cool off. These cabana stripe ones are so cute! I love that they are oversized (my preference) and they have nearly 1,000 positive reviews.

My friend has the Serena & Lily ones at her cottage and they are so, so great too. And if you want a burst of color for your beach towel, look no further than those from Brooklinen.

Picnic Cups

How darling are these seagrass picnic tumblers? Pop them in your market bag and have a chic cup for all picnic guests for fresh juice or rosé. I also think they are so great for summer dinner parties! 

Picnic Blanket

A picnic blanket is perfect for outdoor movie nights, actual picnics, reading in the park – you name it. This one has a waterproof liner in case the grass is wet at all!

Hand Fan

I don’t go anywhere in New York in the summer without a hand fan packed into my purse to help provide some relief when the heat just won’t quit. It is one of my best hacks for staying cool and somewhat more comfortable in the humidity! I have this one in Black as seen here and also this one.

Having a hand fan on me is actually my secret weapon to not feeling like I’m going to faint while standing on the NYC subway platform waiting for a train in the summer. 

Megababe Thigh Rescue

File under things I can’t live without come summer and sunny days. Say goodbye to irritating thigh chafe when you glide this on before you leave the house. It is amazing at ensuring your legs stay comfortable on sweaty days.

I also just bought the brand’s Bust Dust for testing after hearing great things. It helps absorb any boob sweat if you find that to be an issue!

Setting Spray

I have been using this setting spray for a decade – possibly more. It never ceases to amaze me how it keeps my makeup intact under the sun. No melting, no fading and no dripping. You can apply it liberally and it even works to cool you off or touch up makeup, too. I always travel with a travel size bottle of this spray year round, too!

For when I want to have a glowier makeup look in the summer, I have started using the Exa Beauty Set + Glow Mist as well. 

Makeup Primer

I use the Saie Super Glowy Gel year round as a primer but on hot days I reach for the Milk Hydro Grip Gripping Primer as I find its tacky texture, once dried down and makeup applied over it, really holds onto your makeup so it melts less on sweaty, humid days. It is the perfect primer for my Quick Makeup Routine I do during the summer.

Cream Bronzer

I always make changes to my makeup products in the summer. I love swapping to a cream bronzer in the summer for a more sun-kissed look. The Saie Beauty Bronzer is a cult favorite for good reason. It buffs in beautifully to the skin and really give such a pretty sun kissed, bronzed look. Pro tip: Don’t skip getting the brush for this product – it makes all the difference in natural application!

Looking for more beauty products I love for summer? Check out my My Favorite Products for Summer Glow.

 . . .

What are your sunshine necessities this time of year?

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