The Monthly Edit, Vacation Edition. March was pretty lively. My job search started to kick into gear, it's trying to be spring here in Massachusetts, and I vacationed in the Caribbean for a week. Since my home skin care ritual has pretty much stayed the same, especially since it's still a bit cold and dreary here, this month I'm focusing on vacation products.

SKIN

I love everything about the beach and beach vacations. It's all about wearing less clothing (no bulky coats and boots), more sunscreen, protecting your hair, and following a minimal-to-no beauty routine If I had to go to a deserted island, I'd have to take sunscreen. Even though I'm Italian (descent), I burn up like a match. I normally bring specific products with me on vacation or to the beach, but this time I switched it up. Call me impressionable, but I follow Camila Coehlo on SM and while she was on vacation recently, she sprayed herself with a body sunscreen in a pink and orange can. Because of the burn factor, I wanted a spray to hit all areas. Plus, I tend to lean towards chemical sunscreens when I'm in the sun a lot because, from personal experience, they work best.

I found the sunscreen. Every morning, I sprayed myself, neck to thigh (I have to have a bit of color on my legs and feet), with Target's Up&Up Sport sunscreen 50 SPF. I did not burn, didn't get any color except for a tiny bit on my lower legs. I've never used any Target sun products and was happy this worked. A spray just makes it so much easier to get every area (especially around the shoulders and armpits areas; magnet areas for burns). For my face, I brought a Cetaphil zinc oxide sunscreen but couldn't wear it. I prefer not looking like a mime. Zinc and titanium dioxide are the best sunscreens for my face, but it's that zinc, man. You really have to search for the right one. At home, I usually use EltaMD products or my new favorite from Sephora for my face. This vacation, I just wanted to switch up my products.

I brought a SuperGoop sunscreen for my face just in case I had issues and that was perfect. I also bought a random Neutrogena sunscreen, down there, just in case I needed it. It broke me out. So, there.

For skin care, I brought miniatures of my favorite products: Vibriance Vitamin C Serum, Oak Essentials Hydration Heroes, Ren Ready Steady Go toner, and Iris & Romeo facial spray. Totally changing up my products for vacation usually leads to issues and breakouts, so I try to maintain some consistency.

MAKEUP

For the beach, after sunscreen, I applied MAC First Response Eye Cream (like I do every day), L'Oreal concealer, and Tarte Tartelette XL Tubing mascara. I never wear makeup to the beach but I require concealer and mascara to not look dead.

For dinner, it was pretty much the same; I only added Rhode Pocket Blush in Freckle and a clear lip balm with Maybelline Gone Greige lip liner (I could barely find a link for this liner; they'd better not be discontinuing it).

HAIR

Since my hair is highlighted, I have to protect it from too much sun and that Caribbean wind. One product I found to be a miracle product is Sun Bum's 3-In-1 Leave-In Conditioner. I heard about this via a surfing website. It's the best. I normally use it all summer long, out of the shower before drying, but on vacation I also put it in my dry hair to protect it from the sun. And it does! I spray it on my hands and apply it all over before I put my hair back. And, then, always a hat.

Side note: I always take note of the products female surfers use on the regular and in the sun. They're exposed to elements way more than we are and they've tried and tested everything. I'll take a surfer's suggestion for a sunscreen over a magazine or "influencer".

For washing and conditioning, I brought R&Co On a Cloud shampoo and Color Wow Money conditioner. I rotate both at home. In Aruba, it's all about maintaining moisture and preventing breakage and overexposure. I'd planned to take my new Davines MELO products but I used up my travel-size bottles.

This is the first time I've returned home from a beach vacation without fractured, dried-out hair.

NAILS

Nothing. Nada. Not even clear. In the past, I've gotten manicures with some kind of sheer pink. The sun and sunscreen turn the polish gray, like a corpse. So I cut my nails super-short and buffed them.

For toes, my usual: OPI's La Paz-itively Hot. For some reason, I always wear this shade when I vacation. Maybe because it's a bit shimmery and it doesn't get dull from the sand. I've been wearing this polish for years and years. I prefer a good fuchsia-pink pedicure over red.

SCENT

I found a rollerball of Glossier You at Marshall's right before I left. So good, and this size was perfect for travel. I've always loved this scent (I even use Gourmand Fleur de Blonde hair and body mist at home because it smells just like it). I actually preferred the original You before it was reformulated. But, I got this specifically for vacation. For me, fragrance is part of one's life mood; I wear it in the day, at the beach, at night, and to bed.

April showers are for real here in Massachusetts. Fingers crossed, consistent sunny weather is on its way. Until then...