Beauty for Beach Days

Sunscreen:
I consulted the Environmental Working Group's Sunscreen Guide and was happy to find my favorite SPF 30 sunscreens by Badger and California Baby ranked highest for safety and effectiveness. The Badger SPF 30 sunscreen stick is also good to apply pre-surf for nose, ears, hands, and cheeks, and their SPF 15 lip balm stays put during surf or swim sessions and beach yoga classes.

Hats:
I've got a collection of hats and make a point to wear one when spending more than a few minutes outdoors. Baseball caps (Yankees AND Dodgers, showing my East and West coast support!); straw cowboy hats; cotton floppy hats. When in the water, I wear a beat-up baseball cap and tie the string on my wetsuit zipper to the hat (so it doesn't get lost at sea when I wipe out).

Makeup:
Even when I'm wearing only sunscreen on my face, I like to put a little color on my lips. My current favorite is Jane Iredale's PureMoist Lip Colour SPF18. There are no harsh chemicals or artificial colors and it's got SPF protection. My favorite is a soft and pretty red color named Nicole, which I dab on lightly for a bit of color during the day; at night, I wear it loud and proud. I have become a devotee of many of Iredale's products and also like to use some of the 24-Karat Gold Dust powder (mineral, nothing toxic) for a subtle shimmer on eyelids and cheeks or to blend it with some moisturizer or sunscreen for a pretty glow. You can find more safe-for-you cosmetics (and see how the products you already use rank) at the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database from the Environmental Working Group; for even more information on the safety of makeup and personal care products, visit the site for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

Beach Hair Spray:
I make my own beach hair spray. In a spray bottle, I mix 1 cup of filtered water, 1 tablespoons of sea salt, 1 teaspoon shea butter, 2-3 drops of essential oil of choice (I like jasmine and orange). Shake and spray. (Twist and braid a few pieces of hair for some waves.)

Hair bands:
Self-promotional plug! I make hair bands, from basic black elastic bands embellished them with recycled scraps of fabric (denim, hankie, chino, linen, tulle, silk tie...) and sell them on my Etsy shop, which features upcycled and vintage clothing and accessories.

Moisturizer:
Shea butter, from head to toe.

--Stef McDonald

Rainbow Bright: Eco-Friendly Flip-Flops

Thanks to the Sweet Greens blog for posting about the super-cute and eco-friendly flippies from Simple. A pair of flip-flops made of recycled soda bottles, rubber, and paper--and they're this cute? Well, hello!--Stef McDonald

Out in the Sun: Safe Sunscreen

Something that cannot be denied: surfer girls get a lot of sun. But there's good protection from the harmful rays and you might be surprised by what's in most sunscreen products (you don't really want to know, but you really should pay attention). I posted about safe sunscreens on my other blog: Sideshow By the Seashore. Lather up.--Stef McDonald

Designer Boards, Bags, More

Refinery 29 featured the painted boards by designer Alexandra Cassaniti; I also like the board bag, vial necklaces filled with sand or compost, and bags.--Stef McDonald

Cynthia Rowley's Surfer Girl Roxy Clothing

The Cynthia Rowley for Roxy collection is out and it's super-stylish. Not surprisingly, the focus is on pieces meant for post-surf life (sandals, dresses). I like the board shorts best--cute and functional.--Stef McDonald

Seven Ply Skateboard Design

I heart Etsy in a big way and can pass hours clicking around the site. With the holidays looming, I got a little lost today, adding a lot of fun items to my cart for some loved ones on my list. Search the site for "recycled" or "repurposed" or "upcycled" to find artists and other crafty types who sell items that might otherwise end up in landfills. (Also try searching the stellar vintage section.) Seven Ply is a seller who offers jewelry and other trinkets made from discarded skate decks (above, earrings).--Stef McDonald

She Sells Sea Shells...

Check out Betty Belt's new designs. These necklace are made from repurposed sea glass that our friend Donna finds on California beaches. Donna personally sorts and selects the sea glass and designs each piece on paper then takes them to Bali, where she gives them to her silversmith who creates the bezels and box hinges by hand with recycled sterling silver. We want one!--Rebecca Heller

Fashion Fun: Lines for Surfer and Skater Girls

We've read recently that two fashion designers are working on lines that we're going to want to check out (cause there ain't nothing wrong with wanting to look cute). Fabulous fashion designer Cynthia Rowley is teaming with Roxy for a line of surf and surf-inspired gear and Kit Scarbo, one of the past contestants of "Project Runway," is reportedly working with Etnies.--Stef McDonald

Splurge: Surf Hoodie

A gray hoodie is a staple in my wardrobe and I've got more than one (when one is in the wash, I've got a back-up). But I don't have one with a photographic print of the ocean on the back, like this one I found on Etsy. Wow, this one is cool. The seller also has tees. --Stef McDonald

Lip-Smacking Good: Non-Toxic Tints

I feel naked without anything on my lips and use shea butter when I'm feeling no-nonsense and glosses when I feel glam. For in-between, a tinted balm is just right and my new favorite comes from Hemp Organics, a company that makes products without the nasty chemicals you find in most brands. The Skin Deep database, which lists ingredients in personal care products and tests them for safety, gives this product the Low Hazard label (0 is safest and this gets a 2) so I can feel comfortable wearing it.

Breast Cancer Awareness: Beauty-Buying Tips

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and you're sure to see the pink ribbon on many products. Maybe you'll think, Oh, great, I'll buy that and help support the fight against breast cancer. The pictured pink gloss from Jane Iredale would be a good grab because it does not contain carcinogens like so many other beauty products (yes, a lot of beauty products really do contain chemicals linked to cancer -- but it's easy for you to educate yourself with help from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics). I'll get off my soap-box after saying this: you should think twice about what you buy and choose not to get products that can harm you and/or the environment. Still have your attention? I've posted more on the issue at my other blog, Sideshow by the Seashore.--Stef McDonald

Cute Baby Onesie: Stoked To Be Here

With baby showers looming, I was searching the web for some surf inspired items. This one made my day. Get it here at Surf Shack Baby. --Rebecca Heller

Ando and Friends: Cool Clothes

Super-stylish surf artist Andy Davis is creating wearable art with his new company Ando and Friends. With organic fabrics and Andy's signature designs, we just can't get enough. --Rebecca Heller

Wave: Art Restored

Driving up PCH last weekend, I spotted a new American Apparel shop. Yep, there's another one (everywhere you turn it seems, just like Starbuck's). But news via Racked LA: the store is in the same space that once housed a surf shop, with a wave mural above it by a surfer and surfboard shaper, and American Apparel commissioned the artist to restore the mural. Good nod to history. (Image from Racked LA).--Stef McDonald

Splurge: Lather Up

My new favorite soap comes from Soaptopia, a shop in Mar Vista (they also sell their products online and in select stores). How perfect is this one for a post-surf shower? Ocean's 12 contains seaweed, palm oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and lemongrass essential oil, among the all-natural ingredients. Very refreshing. --Stef McDonald