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Woman sitting alone on beach
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West Chester | Life > Experiences

Beach Bag Essentials You Never Knew You Needed

Ally Schakel Student Contributor, West Chester University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at West Chester chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Summer is right around the corner, which means beach trips and tropical vacations! Personally, I love the beach wherever it is and try to go at least once every summer. As much as I love basking in the sun and sand all day, sometimes it can be a bit uncomfortable or inconvenient. Over the years, I’ve learned some tips about what to pack in my beach bag that have proven to be very handy. They are not the most conventional or traditional items, but they sure are helpful! 

1. Washcloth 

This may sound a bit funky, but I have learned that packing a small washcloth in your bag can do absolute wonders for you and your friends’ beach days. This idea came to me because I unfortunately have really sweaty hands. Whenever I went to the beach, sand would constantly stick to them, and I would have trouble touching things. 

The washcloth is truly multifaceted. Not only can you use them to wipe down your hands, but practically anything else you may get sand on. Your drink, your book, etc. I have also found that other items can tend to become greasy from sunscreen, especially the screen on your phone. The washcloth always comes in handy with that, so you can actually read your text messages and take cute pictures. 

Tip: Small packaged wipes, Wet Ones, for example, are a helpful alternative!

bathroom-towels
Nordstrom

2. Mini Fan

Alright, this might sound a bit extra, but consider packing a mini fan! This can be as simple as packing the little fan you may use for skincare or lashes. A couple of years ago, during graduation party season, I found this tool to be a lifesaver when sitting outside for long periods of time under the blazing sun. I started to pack mine for the beach, and now everyone asks for it!

Yes, fanning yourself off is always a convenient option—But let’s be for real, it’s totally not the same or nearly as liberating as having a fan do it for you. The one I have is fairly cheap, and Amazon sells them for a reasonable price as well. People can judge as much as they want until they’re the ones sweating bullets, and you’re sitting pretty, cooling off with your fan. 

3. Lip Balm (that won’t melt)

When you’re baking in the sun for prolonged periods of time, your lips can become burnt and/or dried out. This is one con of summer, but it is definitely fixable. Packing a lip balm is a great solution, but oftentimes it’s not always that simple in the summer. Have you ever opened your lip balm at the beach and the product slides off with the cap, or melts onto your hands? I have multiple times left with a slippery mess and no way to hydrate my lips. 

I have found that lip balms with a certain applicator are better for the beach, ones that already come in a liquid-like form. This way, you do not have to touch the actual product and have to fuss about sand or clean hands, etc. The brand Laneige has come to be my favorite when packing for the beach. I have also heard Aquaphor is convenient for people as well. 

Far from chilly London, an RCKa tote bag finds its way to warmer climes.

4. Mini Mirror 

This may not be essential, but if you’re concerned about cakey sunscreen or frizzy beach hair, you may want to pack a small mirror. I always try using my phone on the beach as a mirror, trying to get sunscreen out of my eye or checking to see if everything is blended in. Over time, I’ve realized that it’s somewhat of a hassle; Squinting under the sun, trying to read shadows off what looks like an almost entirely black screen. Unless you always have shade, it can sometimes be hard to see your reflection at the beach. 

I thought a small mirror would be a simple fix to this. There are various small mirrors available at numerous beauty stores and online as well. They are fairly priced and not hard to obtain, and some of them even have lights incorporated. No more worrying about white streaks on your face or getting wrinkles from staring at your phone so hard.  

Bonus Reminder: Don’t forget to bring cash and your beach tags!

I am not saying your beach trip will be miserable without these items, but they are surely helpful. Although they are not the most traditional, they are practical and handy when you need them to be. Conveniently, they don’t take up much space in your bag and also don’t break the bank. Next time you’re packing for your beach getaway, try bringing a little fan or washcloth, and thank me later!

Ally Schakel

West Chester '28

Ally is a second year student at West Chester University double majoring in Marketing and Business Management. Her interests span from cooking, to working out, to watching her favorite TV show, Friends. She is a part of the writing team and strives to make meaningful contributions! Ally’s work is not specific to any genre, and she enjoys fluctuating between different writing styles.