5 Products You Gotta Have For a Weekend Get-Away

Summer vaca means weekend jaunts to the beach, mountains or your country house (aka your parent’s home in suburbia).  Unfortunately, when you are a guest, your beauty needs are at the whim of your host, which may not always jive with your style (or worse…they might buy generic)!  So before you embark on your break, check out these 5 products to keep you looking your best without adding bulk to your bag.

1.  HIGH WATTAGE SPF

When you’re a guest in someone’s home you have no idea if they’ll keep you protected – sure they’ll make sure you don’t go home with that hot bartender who dropped out of high school, but are you sure they’ll keep your skin safe from the sun?  Stock your own SPF to ward off harmful UVA/UVB rays.  We love Sun Bum SPF 70 Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion ($16 at trustthebum.com) because it has top protection factors, while enriching skin with Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps to neutralize free radicals.  We go as far to use it on our face and body, which allows you to consolidate your regimen into one portable bottle.

2. MAKEUP REMOVING WIPES

During the week you can be compulsive about your skincare routine, but during a weekend getaway you have to forget about your fixations.  Unpack your toiletry bag and instead, toss in a pack of makeup removing wipes.  We are really into Proactiv Solution Makeup Removing Cloths ($17 at DiscoverProactiv.com) because they are pre-moistened and whisk away dirt, grime, and makeup from your face. They are gentle on your skin and offer an effective way to freshen up your complexion. Added bonus: they are alcohol and fragrance free, and enriched with lavender and allantoin to soothe and condition skin after a day in the elements.

3.  SANDY HAIR SAVIOR

The quick fix for beach hair is pretending the look was intentional, but we all know that at the end of the night your one-time tempting tresses have turned into dread locks.  Reverse the effect by brushing through your hot mess while nourishing your hair.  We are really into Conair Infinity Pro Argan Oil Treatment Strip Finishing Brush ($13 at Conair.com).  It’s the perfect brush for to get through the tough stuff, while adding some needed extra shine.

4. CALM DOWN POST-SUN SKIN

So you forgot to trust our advice, and you ended up sunburnt.  Feel free to keep beating yourself up over it, but don’t let your stinging skin drag you down further.  Help revitalize and hydrate skin with Sun Bum's 'Cool Down' Continuous Spray Aloe Vera ($12 at Trustthebum.com).  We tested it out this weekend and loved the cooling effect, and invigorating scent.  It is enriched with soothing Aloe, Cucumber Extract and Vitamin E, which provides an intense hydration to gently restore the skin's natural moisture balance.

5. TIE IT UP

There’s nothing worse than being without a hair tie, so stash a few in your bag to avoid this rookie mistake.  Then you can look like a hero when your hostess asks if she can “just borrow one of yours” – even though you know she’ll never remember to give it back. We are crushing on Scunci Everyday & Active 3X Stronger Braided Hair Ties ($3.99 at Walmart.com) because we found out our fit-spiration guru, Tracy Anderson relies on them for her workouts.  They are colorful and fun and fit any mood while maintaining a tight grip on your hair without damage or snagging.