Crafty Mama

Beach days look a little different when you cross that 40 threshold, ladies, don’t you agree? Long gone are the days of just bringing some baby oil and a towel to sit on. Beach days require planning and the proper equipment to ensure an enjoyable, comfortable and safe day in the sun!

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Some of us may have found that our 20-something body is gone due to children, age, stress, injury or whatever. This does NOT mean we can’t put on a swimsuit, revel in the joy of our bodies and enjoy the best place on earth: the BEACH! I find that putting on the RIGHT swimwear is key. No one wants to be pulling at a swim bottom that is riding up or fidget with a top that just doesn’t give any support! Land’s End and Shapermint are two of my go-to brands for durable, stylish and supportive swim suits! As a fan of the tankini, the bottoms from Shapermint are high waisted and offer full coverage with tummy support for us mamas out there. Some of my favorite pieces include a swim skirt and adorable underwire tankini top!

In the words of my daughter, McKenna, “I take my sun safety very seriously!” With a history of skin cancer in my family, making sure our SPF is applied often is key. The worst ending to a fun day on the beach is a painful sunburn. I always make sure to apply a base layer of sunscreen on at home when I have nothing on, so I can get to all the nooks and crannies that might be overlooked.

For my glamour girlies…I rely on a makeup primer and moisturizer with SPF in them as well! I have relied on Olay Complete for years as my moisturizer and never been disappointed. I am a big fan of cosmetics that work well and don’t break the bank so ELF Cosmetics Whoa Glow primer is the best! This primer not only protects but allows your makeup to go on flawlessly! (Yes, I wear makeup to the beach) If makeup on the beach isn’t your thing, I totally get it, but if it IS…well, ladies…Let me tell you the secret of how to keep your makeup on all day sweat-proof! For sweat proof makeup on a beach day, substitute your Whoa Glow primer for ELF Power Grip Primer after your moisturizer goes on. Put on a long wear foundation such as Revlon Color Stay and try to utilize cream blush and bronzer. Finish your look with a waterproof mascara. Though this mascara isn’t labelled as waterproof, I have never had an issue with it and what I love is NO FLAKING! Then the whole key to a sweatproof look for the Summer is the finishing spray. ELF power grip finishing spray is the BEST! Let’s just say it got me through Disney World in June!

In my fair-skinned world, a proper sunhat is a must. I prefer ones that are ‘crushable” or “foldable”, so they aren’t ruined in your beach bag! Which brings me to packing up for your day in the sun.

While a cute beach bag is wonderful, it rarely fits all you need for a day at the beach. I still recommend having one for your side quests to the ice cream truck or ladies room! What I highly recommend is a foldable wagon. I keep mine in my car 365 days a year, it comes in so handy! This wagon I really love for it’s large sand-tackling wheels and its lower level shelf to carry a chair, pop up tent or cooler!

The right chair can make or break how long you stay at the beach, in my opinion! Us girlies over 40 need support, comfort and packability! These two chairs offer all that and more! I love this lounger as I am a book worm and want to be able to read even if I am lying on my stomach! It really is the ultimate beach chair having a sun shade and so many adjustable positions! If you don’t want as big an investment in a beach chair, this Ostrich backpack chair would be fantastic as well!

Round out your wagon with a waterproof and sand proof beach mat, a quick drying turkish towel and a wet bag to put your swim wear in, and you are hitting the beach in style!

Stay tuned for my next blog post about what to pack in that picnic cooler!