Grab your beach bag — it’s the (unofficial) start of summer!

Before baring skin in a favorite sundress or swimsuit, don’t forget the bare beauty essentials needed to keep skin (and hair) looking fresh and feeling good before, during and after fun in the sun.

Here are new (and a few old favorite) must-have products to have on-hand:

Lather up: Before embarking on an outdoor adventure, don’t forget the sunscreen! The beauty industry already has been buzzing about the CoolDry Sport Sunscreen lotion with broad spectrum protection (less than $10 at www.neutrogena.com and most major drugstore chains). New from Neutrogena, it’s formulated with MICROMESH technology that claims to allow sweat to pass through and evaporate while still offering skin top-notch sun protection. It’s available in an SPF 30 or 70, as well as in a spray option.

Summer (hair) spritzer: Turn tangled beach hair into enviable texturized waves with a sea salt spray, like the volume texture sea salt spray by IZ, the hair care line by Pittsburgh-based Izzazu Spa, Salon & Serata ($6-$24 at www.store.izzazu.com ). Mist spray all over hair (making sure to get it beneath layers, too) and then use fingers to scrunch and bunch hair up to get effortless-looking wavy locks. (Tip: Works on dry or damp hair.)

Skin T-L-C: Help relieve the sting and flaky skin that come along with too much sun exposure with the Sun Scrub, a new all-natural, handmade sugar scrub from Pittsburgh-based Simple Sugars. It gently exfoliates and soothes skin with aloe and green tea extract, which have anti-inflammatory properties that can ease sunburns, and it has a light beach-inspired scent. ($14.95-$19.95 at www.simplesugarsscrub.com .)

Protect your pucker: Lip colors can be drying and often lack sun protection. Try the sugar lip treatment from FRESH ($22.50 at QVC.com and Sephora) to give lips a little color burst, along with long-lasting moisture and nourishment thanks to ingredients such as vitamins A, C and E and antioxidant grapeseed polyphenols. It comes in a range of on-trend shades, including cherry, ruby, plum and coral (pictured).

The sunless sun tan: Self tanners can be tricky business. Too often, they’re messy, smelly, sticky or they stain. A tried-and-true favorite of many are the Sublime Bronze self-tanning towelettes from L’Oreal Paris ($10.99 at www.lorealparisusa.com and most major drugstore chains). One towelette equals one full-body application. The scent is minimal, and the color is attractive (no Oompa Loopa risk here)! Apply, starting at the feet and working up the body, and let dry for about 10-15 minutes before getting dressed. To keep color from gathering along joints, rub lotion in knee and elbow creases to help smooth the tanner. The color should last a few days before another application is needed, or for darker results continue to apply daily until desired look is achieved. (Tip: Self-tanning products are not only safe alternatives to a traditional suntan, they also can be used to prolong the look of a tan without having to spend more time in the sun’s damaging rays.)

After glow: Keep skin looking sun-kissed with a tinted moisturizer and a touch of blush. The Josie Maran daily moisturizer with Argan oil ($60 at QVC.com) will help summer skin stay soft, smooth and safe (it contains an SPF 47). Plus, it offers a hint of color. When it comes to makeup, no need to stress about finding a shade to match skin with a tan. The Josie Maran brand also has a full line of Matchmaker Complexion Collection cosmetics (like the blush and brush set, $29.50) that uses its “chameleon pigment technology” to complement any skin tone.

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