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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCSB chapter.

Spring quarter is finally here and that means warmer weather, longer days, and sunny beach weekends. This is certainly one of the best times of the year, but are you prepared for the sunburns, hair damage, and makeup dilemmas that come with it? If not, don’t fear! Here are my top beauty essentials to keep you looking flawless this spring and summer.

Sunscreen

Although I am an advocate of wearing sunscreen year-round (that’s right, rain or shine!), spring and summer are when it is most crucial. Not only does a healthy SPF protect you from sunburns, it can keep skin cancer and pesky wrinkles at bay. To keep your skin healthy, invest in a moisturizer with SPF, such as this Neutrogena lotion and apply it under your usual foundation. To keep things really simple, try out a tinted SPF like Clinque’s BB cream, which provides coverage and SPF in one easy step. 

Primer

The summer sun can quickly melt away your foundation if you don’t take proper precautions. Lathering on a primer before applying your foundation can keep your skin looking matte and fresh all day long. I reccomend the Benefit pore-fessional primer which I use everyday.

Hair Protectant 

A day at the beach can turn your hair into a dry, brittle mess. To protect your locks from the sun and surf, try a UV-blocking spray like this Phyto Plage beach spray that protects against heat, salty beach water, and even chemicals in swimming pools. If you color your hair, try the Aveda Color Conserve protector which will keep your strands from losing their color during the summer.

Colored Lip Stain

Dark lips were all the rage this winter, but thick lipstick can be a pain in the warmer months. Instead, try out a light lipstain; these will keep your puckers looking pretty without all of the fuss of messy lipstick and constant clean-ups. Lip stains will allow you to sip on a lemonade or take a dip in the pool without losing any of its color. Check out the Josie Maran stain in Coral Pink for a light color or OCC Lip Tar in Neon Pink for a bright pop of color. 

Argan Oil

The sun, sand, and sunscreen after a day at the beach can leave your pores clogged and your skin raw and dry. Refresh it with all-natural argan oil like the one from Josie Maran. Argan oil moisturizes your skin and keeps it soft and smooth. It is also chemical free, so people with sensitive skin will love this. Or try out my newest obsession, Argan Cleansing Oil, which gently removes makeup and dirt from sensitive skin. 

 

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Kirby is a recent graduate from UCSB currently living in Los Angeles. As a proud Her Campus UCSB alum, she's happy to be back on the HC team covering one of her fave shows: "The Mindy Project." On any given day you can find her with her nose in a book (let's be real - it's a Kindle). In her free time, she likes petting dogs, binge-watching TV, and eating a lot of food. Find her on Instagram: @kirbynicoleb or @GirlBossEats. 
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Rachel is a senior at UC Santa Barbara and studies Communication and Global Peace and Security. Rachel is from a small, beautiful town in southern California called Palos Verdes. However, Palos Verdes is just one of the many places Rachel has lived. Rachel spent her childhood moving and traveling all over the world, living in places such as Indianapolis, Indiana; Santiago, Chile; Vienna, Austria; and Orlando, Florida. Rachel has found her heart and her home in California, choosing to spend her college years in sunny Santa Barbara. However, Rachel continued her wanderlust when she studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain in Fall 2012. At UCSB, Rachel is an immensely dedicated and involved member of her sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma, where she held the positions of Panhellenic Delegate, Inter-Greek Counselor, Rho Gam, and a member of the Nominating Slate. Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is a passion of Rachel's, as she is their Social Media Coordinator as well as an active and proud member. As a member of the Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honors Society, Rachel is able to implement her prowess and affinity for communication and communication-related issues. When Rachel is not writing, participating in Kappa events, or volunteering, you can find her in the gym, on the soccer field, watching Modern Family, or cooking. Rachel's love for sports, food, and writing often times go hand-in-hand, as one may see in her weekly blogs. For the past two summers, Rachel has been freelance writing for the Los Angeles Times, and hopes to continue her career pursuit of journalism after she graduates. Rachel is elated to be a part of Her Campus's fabulous team and loves every moment of it!