Lip balm truly is an everyday necessity for me, and even if you don’t suffer from Sahara-like skin, reapplying a hydrating balm throughout the day is a good habit to get into.

For the summer in particular, I gravitate towards a formula that is both super nourishing and contains SPF. In my experience, the best affordable lip balm on the market that checks both of these boxes is Blistex Medicated Lip Balm.

It’s not the most glamorous beauty item, but I reckon it’s quite an important one.

Spray Deodorant

Deodorant is an everyday essential, that much is true. But what I really think you need for a tropical vacay is the increasingly popular spray deodorant.

Dove and Degree both make comparable versions that get the job done. What makes these better than stick deodorant is that these spray versions will never bunch up in the armpit, creating little chunks of white deodorant that stick to your pits in an unsightly manner. This is especially problematic when wearing sleeveless tops.

The spray deodorants also won’t leave any kind of white cast on your armpits or on your clothes. So while they’re a hair pricier than stick deodorants, for the summer months it’s worth it to spend the extra dollars.

Waterproof Mascara

It’s no secret that waterproof mascara is notoriously hard to remove once it’s been applied to the lashes, but that’s part of what makes it so great for vacations in hot destinations.

Instead of worrying about raccoon eyes or having to touch up your makeup, skip the troubles and purchase the waterproof version of your favorite mascara like Lancome’s Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara or Too Faced’s Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara (if you don’t already own it, that is).

During a long day at the beach or at an amusement park, the last thing I want to be doing is constantly checking my reflection for any makeup mishaps.