You’ve been hitting the gym every day, you can’t remember the last carb that crossed your lips and you dream of chocolate covered… well, anything. Above all, you swear you’ll never eat another celery stick. All to look good for that week at the beach.

Your body is as ready as it will ever be, but what about your makeup? The colors and looks that are working for the office are going to look out of place in a tropical setting. Here are a few tips for looking your best at the beach.

Try a Spray-on Tan

You might be tempted to bake in a tanning bed for a few weeks before you go, but try a spray-on tan instead. The benefits are numerous – no burning, no weird goggle lines, no UV exposure and you get a great-looking tan almost immediately. Just remember that since it’s artificial, you’ll still need to use sunscreen at the beach to protect your skin.

Moisturizer

Salt water and sunlight will dry out your skin even with the best sunscreens, so your moisturizer needs to be up to the challenge. Look for moisturizers that are fortified with vitamin E and botanicals.

Sunscreen

Protect yourself with sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 – 30 is better. Look for products that are waterproof and incorporate a moisturizer to help pull double duty under the sun’s glare.

Manicure Set

Whether it’s building sand castles, parasailing or just collecting seashells, your nails can take a beating at the beach. Be ready for repairs. For durable all-day protection, pack a good clear polish and go with the natural look.

Foundation

Your spray-on tan may give you all the foundation coverage you need for the beach. But if you still feel the need, look of a waterproof variety with a sheer luminous coverage. Apply only where needed – around your eyes and over the apples of your cheeks. This will give you coverage without looking made-up. Between the sun and the surf, the less makeup you have on (or at least feel like you have on), the better.

Concealer

A few daps under your eyes is probably all you need, but it will be indispensable if the sun and the surf cause any little imperfections to pop up. Look for a waterproof variety and if it says it is sweatproof, all the better.

Cheeks

Stay with the natural look and try a cheek stain to give your cheeks a little extra color without overdoing it. Of course, waterproof is the way to go here as well.

Eye Shadow

Go with something light and close to your skin tone. Depending on your pre-trip tanning, something in the gold or vanilla family can give you just the right amount of highlight without looking “made-up.” Colors with some subtle shimmer can catch the sun and give your eyes some extra pop. Again, waterproof is the way to go.

Mascara & Eyeliner

Mascara can be tricky when you know you’re going to sweat and probably be submerged at some point during the day. Waterproof mascara can be especially harsh on your lashes, but a water-resistant variety can give you the same run protection while treating your lashes a little more gently. As for eyeliner, a waterproof product is your best bet. Use a thin line close to your lashes in a charcoal or dark brown shade.

Lips

A sheer shimmery lip tint with an SPF of 15 or more can give your lips a great sheen and sun protection as well.

Tips for a night out: Have some fun with your shadow and add some extra shimmer. Also pack a facial highlighting pen to help erase shadows and give your look that extra zing.

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