With summer fast approaching, the need to soak up some rays is totally on my radar right now. Currently dreaming about a Vegas vacay, sitting out on my patio or at friend’s pools will have to do in the meantime.

I don’t typically tan well, which means that I try even harder to look like I got some sun. What that means is usually sitting outside without sunscreen (although if I’m tanning, I will apply sunscreen no matter what). My boyfriend is in the medical field and is always harping on the the effects of sun damage and is always telling me about having to cut out moles or skin cancer from people’s skin because they never wore sunscreen when they were younger.

Since tomorrow (May 27) is National Sunscreen Day I wanted to highlight the importance of covering up while enjoying the sun since being out there too long can cause sun burns and skin cancer (according to the Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation, there are 80,000 cases of skin cancer diagnosed in Canada each year). When it comes to protecting your skin, look for a high SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15 and make sure to apply it 20 minutes before you go outside. The sunscreen should also say “broad spectrum” on the label.  If you’re at the pool or beach, make sure the label also says “water resistant”.

You want to reapply sunscreen often, especially if you are swimming or sweating.  Also, make sure you apply a sunscreen to your face everyday (or use a moisturizer or foundation with an SPF in it to make sure you’re covered). In the summer months, I’ll often opt for a face sunscreen as my foundation primer.

When it comes to actually choosing a sunscreen, I have to admit that I’m a sucker for cute packaging and a nice smell. Since coconuts are synonymous with summer, I’m in love with Sun Bum, a sunscreen brand based out of Florida that makes the trendiest (and the most yummiest smelling) sunscreens around. I’ve talked about the brand a few times before on my blog as I have a number of their products, but in honour of National Sunscreen Day, I wanted to touch on some must-haves, whether it’s for the skin, face, hair, or even if you have a baby.

The Sun Bum SPF 30 Original Sunscreen Lotion has been a favourite of mine for a while (my original bottle is all beat up from my trip to Southeast Asia in January). Available in SPF 15, 30, 50 and 70, and as a lotion or spray, this moisturizing sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays, while also infusing your skin with Vitamin E, helping to protect you against premature skin aging (a big side effect of staying out too long in the sun or through the use of tanning beds).  This offers UVA and UVB protection and is water resistant for 80 minutes. It’s also vegan and is gluten and paraben free. My favourite part though? That coconut smell!

Since you’ll want to use a different cream that is formulated to use on the face, give the Face Cream SPF 50 a try. You will want to use a heavier SPF on the face since the skin on your face is more sensitive than the rest of the body, the 50 SPF in here makes it perfect for daytime wear. This also includes their popular zinc oxide formula, as well as aloe and vitamin E. It goes on clear and absorbs quickly. It’s also water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Pair that face cream with one of their lip balms since no one wants a sunburn on their lips. Available in six scents (key lime, coconut, pomegranate, watermelon, banana, and mango), these offer SPF 30 to protect your lips from sun exposure.

If you’re not a fan of hats (they just don’t look good on me), you’ll want to protect your hair from sun damage as well. Sun damaged hair can often include discolouration, dry and brittle strands, broken or split ends, and even thinning and frizziness. Although Sun Bum does offer shampoo and conditioner, make sure you use some styling products that will help your locks against the sun’s harmful rays. Their Beach Formula 3 in 1 Leave-In product helps to protect, detangle, and condition hair while also restoring its natural beauty. This product is great for controlling frizz, preventing split ends, and even slows down colour fading. Best of all, it will leave your hair smooth and shiny. I also have their Beach Formula Shine On Lightweight oil treatment, which I brought with me to Asia to use there since it was so hot and sunny. That product protects hair from the elements, while hydrating, restoring and strengthening your hair. They have an abundance of different hair products in their line, and if you keep reading, there will be a giveaway at the end of this post!

For those of you with little ones, you’ll want to invest in a sunscreen that is specific for babies skin since they have a lot thinner skin and their body’s natural protection system is still developing. Sun Bum’s Baby Bum formula is actually made in Australia since they seem to be ahead in sunscreen technology over there (makes complete sense). The Baby Bum products, which include a Premium Natural Stick of SPF 30 and a Premium Natural Lotion, also SPF 30, are naturally sourced sunscreen for sensitive skin.

So we covered body, face, lips, hair, and even babies, but what about our eyes? Everyone should also have a pair of sunglasses on hand since they enhance the normal light-filtering capabilities of our eyes and protect against the sun’s damaging UV rays. Although I have loads of sunglasses, both affordable and designer, I can never have too many pairs.

Ever since I got my Celine Phantom Luggage, I have been eyeing a pair of Celine shades as well. I just love how classic and statement they look. I recently got a pair of Celine Baby Marta sunglasses from SmartBuyGlasses.ca, a leading online retailer with over 30,000 pairs of designer sunglasses on their site.

It was hard going through their site and not wanting to order 10 different pairs of shades. They offer so many different brands and trendy styles for prices lower than department stores. Just a word of warning through, since they ship out from Asia, make sure you pick a pair that says “fast shipping”; I got mine in like five days from Hong Kong (crazy!). SmartBuyGlasses does offer a virtual try on service where you can see how the sunglasses look through the use of a photo or webcam. If you need some sunglasses inspo, check out their summer gift guide to see what’s trending.

In honour of National Sunscreen Day, I am giving away some Sun Bum goodies to one lucky Canadian reader! Up for grabs is the Sun Bum 3 in 1 Leave-In Treatment, the Sea Spray, and the Shine On Hair Oil! Contest closes on June 10, 2017, enter via the Rafflecopter below!

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway