I know, I'm a little late with this, but better than never, right?
Yep, I'm in the good ole Midwest, so it's a pool bag, not a beach bag. :( But, it is what it is. I love the Midwest regardless!
Disclaimer: I'm definitely an over achiever, so I probably have too much in my pool bag, but I always want to be prepared. I can also tell you that I've used EVERYTHING in my bag more than once and most things are used every time I go to the pool.
For whatever reason I love watching YouTube videos or reading blogs about what other people pack in their pool/beach bags. I pretty much go to the subdivision pool or Hurricane Harbor (HH) every single day (from 10:30 am - 4:00 pm), so here's what I pack every day.
- Six Flags Season Pass (for HH) or Subdivision Pool Key
- Swimsuit (not pictured)
- Flip Flops (not pictured)
- Towel
- Sunglasses
- Hawaiian Tropic (HT) Oil Free Faces Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30
- HT Dark Tanning Lotion with Sunscreen SPF 4
- HT Silk Hydration After Sun Lotion
- Urban Decay (UD) b6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray
- Magazines/Book
- Water/Gatorade (not pictured)
- Makeup Bag
- Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes
- Kleenex
- Q-tips
- Hair ties
- Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops
- Maybelline Baby Lips Sunscreen SPF 20 Lip Balm
- Tampons
- Contact Solution
- Deodorant (not pictured)
- Biolage Fortifying Leave-in Treatment
- Comb
- Waterproof radio
- Cell Phone in waterproof container
First and foremost, I keep my Six Flags Season Pass or Subdivision Pool key in the front pocket of my pool bag. Naturally, you're gonna need a swimsuit, flip flops, towel and sunglasses. But, the most important thing is your sunscreen! I am a huge fan of all Hawaiian Tropic products (obviously). They seem to work wonders for me. I use the HT Oil Free Faces Sheer Sunscreen for my face (blatantly obvious) and for my shoulders. Then, on my stomach/back, legs and arms, I use the HT Dark Tanning Lotion. I prefer lotion over oil because oil just plain makes me feel icky! Seeing as how we usually go to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, I use the HT Silk Hydration After Sun Lotion right before I change into my clothes to go ride roller coasters. I love this stuff! Unlike other aloe gel/lotions, you can't even feel it on your skin. It doesn't feel thick and grimy...and it really takes the heat out of your skin. Again, I love it! Throughout the day, to refresh, I spritz my face with the UD b6 Prep Spray. That's my skincare for pool days. I also bring along some of my Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes to remove any makeup or just to cleanse my face after lying in the sun all day.
To avoid complete and utter boredom, I bring magazines or a book to read. Next, I always bring one large bottle of Smart Water and one bottle of Gatorade to stay hydrated all day. This actually gets me through the day.
I always include a makeup bag with some small necessities. Kleenex because I'm the queen of allergies in this allergy-ridden city and my nose constantly runs while I'm at the pool. Q-tips to soak up water in my ears (no, I don't shove the thing all the way down my ear canal LOL). I usually have hair ties with me at all times...and I mean ALL TIMES. Since I wear contacts, I always need eye rewetting/lubricant drops. I went without those drops once and let me tell you...OUCH!! It felt like glass shards were in my eyes. Nope. Next, let's talk about lips. I don't know about you, but my lips always get chapped when I'm out in the sun...hence the Baby Lips Sunscreen Lip Balm. I adore Baby Lips (all of them) and I especially love the Sunscreen Lip Balm. It is so sheer but hydrating at the same time. Can't live without. Of course, I keep at least two tampons with me for emergency situations. :)
Finally, we have contact solution in case my contacts fall out (trust me, it's happened); deodorant for obvious reasons; Biolage Fortifying Leave-in Treatment because my hair becomes uber knotty after being in chlorine all day and a comb to comb it through (this leaves my hair soft and smooth for the rest of the day); a waterproof radio to help combat boredom after I'm sick of reading for the day and last but not least, my lifeline - my cell phone.
I know, I probably over pack seeing as how my shoulder kills me after walking all the way to the pool or water park, but eh. I seriously use all of this stuff.
I hope this helps you pack your bag.
XOXO
Life's a Beach! I received my Surf's Up VoxBox from Influenster today and I'm going to unbox it for you now!
First, is everyone familiar with Influenster? Coming from the website itself, "Influenster is a community of trendsetters, social media masterminds, and educated consumers who live to give opinions of products and experiences". You can check the website from time to time to learn about new products and to review products with which you are familiar. They have VoxBox programs where they invite their most active members to receive complimentary (YES, FREE!!!) products to test and review. All they ask is that we share our opinions with friends and followers. OK, moving on...
After opening the box, I saw this:
AAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!! I love Hawaiian Tropic products. A staple in my pool bag is Hawaiian Tropic's After Sun Moisturizer in Lime Coolada. So, I'm stoked to try Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration After Sun. The fragrance is Coconut Papaya and it smells DELISH! It's a lotion with aloe gel ribbons. This lotion goes on smooth, is easily absorbed and non-sticky unlike most aloe gels. I just put it on my arm and I can't feel it anymore. You know some lotions that you feel on your skin for the rest of the day? Yeah, I hate that. As far as the "after sun" portion of this lotion, I won't know until I go to the pool again. Unfortunately, it's supposed to rain here until Monday, so I'll try to update you on Monday. But, I can tell you that my Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Moisturizer always keeps me from peeling and it's very soothing. I don't usually burn, so I don't know about the pain, but I do know that it instantly removes the sun's heat from my skin. I will NOT go to the pool or spend a lot of time in the sun if I don't have that lotion with me, so I'm sure this lotion will be similar, if not even better!
NEXT...
Anyone and everyone that knows me knows I love nail polish and I especially love OPI and SinfulColors! This SinfulColors is in Aqua and it is soooo pretty. I love it and Brian loves it on me. I tried it on my thumb and he immediately said, "do your hands and feet!" The card I received from Influenster says, "Bold, Vibrant, Unexpected Color! SinfulColors professional formula is formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP free and is never animal tested". That right there is exactly why I'm a fan of SinfulColors to begin with! You'll notice throughout my blog that I tend to focus on products that never test on animals. I'm a huge animal lover. Ok, let me do my mani/pedi and post a pic to that. Gotta admit, I'm not one to use blues on my fingers or toes, but this is just pretty enough for me to pull it off. Who knows? This could start me off on a whole new "blue" thing. LOL.
Oh, I looooove it! I could get used to this. This is a beautiful color and I am always drawn to the pearly nail colors. Sometimes, the matte colors drive me insane because I just put a clear top coat over it that makes it shiny anyway...so matte doesn't work for me. I'll let you all know how long this polish lasts. I typically get about a week out of my self manicures. I am pretty hard on nails with typing and helping Brian in the yard. So, we'll see...
Ok, this next product has me a little confused. It's the First Aid Shot Therapy: Pain Relief in Berry Flavor. Not sure why us beach bunnies would need this, but hey, I'll try anything once. Reading from the card, it says, "First Aid Shot Therapy 'FAST' is an FDA compliant liquid pain relief (drinkable) shot. Common uses for FAST are headache/migraine, sore muscles, back pain and hangover headache." Now, I have to go ahead and get this out there right now...I don't do well with weird stuff that I have to drink. For example, 5 Hour Energy...GROSS; Alka-Seltzer...GROSS; Cough Syrup...GROSS. So, this will be horrible for me, but here it goes. Ok, wow! I was very skeptical, especially about flavor but it's not as bad as I thought. Don't get me wrong, I would never like "crave" one of these or anything. Anyway, ironically, I had a bit of menstrual pain (ugh, why us women must suffer...) and it took away the pain in a matter of minutes. But, to be quite honest, I'd be more apt to take an Aleve or something. So, I don't know that I would buy this in the future, but I surely do recommend it to those that can drink strange things with no problem.
NEXT...
We have COVERGIRL Bombshell Curvaceous by LashBlast Mascara. I've been super anxious to try this mascara. Again reading from the card, "The new COVERGIRL Bombshell Curvaceous by LashBlast Mascara features the revolutionary Bombshell Boost System, which has two brushes and two formulas for volume, curl, and dramatic intensity. The first step loads on volume, thickens and curls lashes; and the second step is a dark, intensifying topcoat that seals the look for bold, noticeable lashes. This mascara works like a waterproof formula and has serious lasting power. Remember to use an oil-based eye makeup remover!" Like I said, I've been waiting to try this particular mascara, so I did a mini COVERGIRL Bombshell Curvaceous by LashBlast vs. BENEFIT BAD gal lash mascara pic for you.
On a clean face, no makeup and uncurled lashes, I applied the Bombshell to one eye and the BAD gal to the other eye. Before you read any further, which eye do you think has the COVERGIRL Bombshell Curvaceous by LashBlast mascara?
I've heard nothing but negative reviews of this mascara. Tons of people talked about clumping and others crabbed about not being able to get it off (which baffles me because it specifically says on the packaging, "Removes with COVERGIRL Makeup Remover or any other oil based makeup remover").
I can definitely tell you I'm pleasantly surprised by the quality of this mascara. I actually love it. First you apply the first step (indicated by the number 1) which thickens and curls lashes, makes them fuller. Then, you apply the second step (indicated by the number 2, LMBO). The second step is supposed to be a topcoat of sorts that intensifies your lashes so that they are more noticeable. Step 1 definitely works, it made my lashes look fuller and curled them without me using my lash curler (which is awesome!!!!). Gotta say, I didn't notice that big of a difference once I applied step 2, but they certainly looked darker, so that's a positive. Ok, I'll tell you...my right eye (the one on your left) has the Bombshell and my left eye (the one on your right) has the BAD gal. Can you tell a difference between the two? I can!
Now as far as washing it off, I had no problem whatsoever. Granted, I did read the packaging where it recommended an oil-based makeup remover. Luckily, my usual routine for removing makeup is to take all makeup off with Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes and then I wash my face with Aveeno Foaming Cleanser. I used one of my towelettes and the mascara came off easy peasy lemon squeezy. I'm just sayin'. So, I would definitely pay attention to the packaging and invest in some oil-based makeup remover if you are a fan of the Bombshell.
Finally, in the bottom of my VoxBox were two coupons; one for $1 off any one (1) Jamba 8oz All Natural or Fruit and Veggie Smoothie Kit and the other for a FREE! one (1) Jamba 8oz All Natural Smoothie Kit. I'll definitely hightail it on over to Schnucks here shortly and see what I can get. I'll update you on the Jamba All Natural Smoothie Kit.
I guess that's it for now. If you received the Surf's Up VoxBox, please feel free to leave a comment including your link to your review. I'd love to see it.
Ta Ta for now!
XOXO
