So you just booked your trip to spend your spring break in the Caribbean and YAY! Get prepared for a next-level amount of fun. I spent my spring break in Cuba, but in a place full of beautiful people and gorgeous country, I couldn’t figure out what beauty essentials to bring having never visited before. But don’t stress! I’ve gathered the best advice and products you’ll want to take with you.
1. Sunscreen and bug spray
Let’s start with the boring stuff. You’ll want to bring these along because it’ll be essential for the safety of your skin. Sun Bum has an amazing smelling sunscreen, so you won’t actually smell like you’re doused in the stuff, but more like coconuts and bananas. As far as bug repellent goes, OFF! is your best bet—it’s super effective and will save you from the mosquitos!
2. BB cream
Now for the fun stuff! You won’t want to spend a lot of time doing your makeup because you’ll want to explore. Therefore, a BB cream is a great way to apply and go. Dr. Jart+ has a multi-action BB cream that’s moisturizing and provides amazing coverage. Not only that, but it’s waterproof and has SPF 45 in it already (extra points for that sunscreen coverage!).
3. Highlighter
The sun is going to make you glow already, but a little extra highlighter to top it off helps you glow all the way into the nighttime. And trust us, you’ll be out at night because the nightlife there is unreal. Fenty Shimmer Skinstick in “Confetti” is a pretty opal shade that catches the light and could honestly blind people. Another highlighter that’s perfect if you want more options during your trip is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Aurora Glow Kit. The glow is crazy with this palette, just layer the colors or wear them alone for your shine.
4. Two or three of your favorite lipsticks
You’ll be going out at least a few times, and nothing looks better in pics (for Insta, obviously) than a fabulous lip color. The three essentials you’ll want to bring are your favorite bold shade, your favorite gloss and your favorite nude. NYX has a gorge liquid metallic red in “Monte Carlo” that’s prime for salsa dancing night.
For glosses, Kylie Cosmetics has put out some chic releases – and you know you want an excuse to buy one! As far as nudes go, Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Matte Lipstick in “Holy Chic” is a pinky nude that’s a holy grail to have while traveling.
5. Effective setting spray
Cuba was really humid, especially when it gets warmer there. In Caribbean locations, you’ll need a setting spray that can hold it together while you let loose and have fun. Urban Decay remains at the top for their setting spray “All Nighter“. Spray away and go play!
6. Exfoliating face wash and cream face wash
As always, it’s really important to wash your face at the end of the day, but it’s especially important when you’re traveling in a humid and warm environment like Cuba. That weather combination is the perfect climate for bacteria to live on your face and cause breakouts! You don’t want to deal with that on your vacation, so take two magical products with you to prevent this. First, pack an exfoliating face wash like St. Ives Green Tea Blackhead Scrub to wash away dead skin and bacteria. Use this every other day to avoid wearing out your skin. Second, your everyday cream face wash is a must. Burt’s Bees Deep Cleansing Cream is the GOAT.
7. Cooling toner
After all your cleansing, a cooling toner will help fight any damage the humidity and heat have caused. For night time, the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Chamomile and Lavender is super soothing for the skin and your face will drink it right up. For the morning, Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea will sooth your skin and make it absolutely glow.
Feel free to follow my Instagram, @marisa_pieper, for a look into my experience in Cuba. Have a great trip!