I think that given the circumstances so far this year, everyone is looking for an excuse to be outside for some fun in the sun. Whether you are headed to the pool, lake, beach, or even your own backyard, I’m here to tell you about my favorite sunglasses, sunscreen, and swimsuits for you and your children this summer.
Sunglasses
I have to wear sunglasses when I am outdoors, even if the sun is not out. I had LASIK eye surgery several years ago and my eyes are much more sensitive to the sun than they used to be. Because of this, I also have to wear sunglasses that are polarized. I hate to admit it, but in the past, I have spent way more money than I should have on Ray Bans, Maui Jims, and Oakleys. Gone are the days of expensive designer sunglasses that may break or go out of style.
Last summer, I discovered goodr sunglasses. These are my absolute favorite sunglasses! They are made for people who are active outdoors, but even if you are not an outdoor athlete, you should still check them out. They do not slide down your nose when you get sweaty, they do not bounce on your nose when you walk or run, and they are polarized. They come in several styles and sizes, and have lots of fun designs and colors. The best thing about them is the price, as they range from $25-$35 and they have a 1-year warranty. These are mainly for adults; however, they fit my 10-year-old son, and he wears them while playing baseball. Another bonus about these is that they are sold at several stores around the Knoxville area, including: Fleet Feet, Runners Market, The Long Run, and River Sports. These sunglasses are a little bit too big for my seven-year-old daughter. For younger children, I would stick with buying the cheap sunglasses that you can find at the checkout counter. I say this only because younger kids tend to break or lose sunglasses quickly.
Sunscreen
If you plan on spending a lot of time outside this summer, I cannot stress enough the importance of sunscreen. Yes, many people want to be tan, but you still need to protect your skin. There are so many sunscreens out there and it can be a struggle to find the perfect one.
For babies and toddlers, I really like Neutrogena or Aveeno lotion because both are good for sensitive skin. I highly recommend using lotion on babies and toddlers rather than a spray. My top picks are Neutrogena Pure and Free and Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection for Sensitive Skin. You can use both of these on their faces as well. Last week, I saw a hack to make putting sunscreen on kids’ faces easier: use a makeup sponge! My kids are older so their skin is not as sensitive, and they also have more of a darker complexion so I use spray sunscreen on them now, but I still use lotion on their faces. I prefer the Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids spray for their bodies and the Aveeno Protect-Hydrate lotion for their faces. For older kids with lighter skin tones, I recommend using a lotion rather than a spray. Again, I would stick with Neutrogena or Aveeno. For adults, I highly recommend Blue Lizard for sun protection. They also have sunscreen for baby and kids, but it is a little more expensive than some of the others. For tanning, I like Sun Bum Browning Lotion, but I only recommend this if your skin is not sensitive to the sun or if you already have a base tan. You should use at least a Sun Bum SPF 15 lotion underneath the browning lotion. All of the above can be found at Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS, and most other stores that have a pharmacy section.
Swimsuits
Last, but not least, are swimsuits. For many moms, swimsuit season is not always their favorite time of year. But, don’t let Body Envy at the Beach stop you! I know that after having kids, your body just isn’t the same; however, you CAN still rock a swimsuit, so please put one on this summer! My absolute favorite is CALIA, which is Carrie Underwood’s brand. They are sold at Dick’s Sporting Goods, but the last time I was there, they did not have the best selection. In the past, they have always had a lot of styles available in store. My guess is that they have not received anything new due to being closed for several months. They do have a lot available on the website and usually they are on sale. I have never paid full price for any of them. I love all of the styles, designs, and combinations you can make with the two pieces and tankinis. Bonus, they carry plus sizes! For baby and kid swimsuits, I prefer Target and Old Navy. They both have really cute designs, they will not break the bank, and they occasionally have really good sales.
