Spring break is only a few short weeks away and sunny travel destinations are on the minds of many people. While families are gearing up to enjoy a week off school, we’re doing things a little differently. We recently took a few fun-filled (and to be honest – exhausting) trips with the kiddies back in December and January, so as much as we love our babies and enjoy spending quality time together as a family, my husband and I formally decided that we were in desperate need of a trip for just the two of us, and no one else (sorry kiddos)!

So when our friends at Expedia.ca asked if we were interested in heading to Cancun, Mexico this March, there was no question in our minds as to what we would say. Lazy days at the beach with nothing but sun, sand, and surf has me itching to get away and March can’t come quick enough!

Sun protection is definitely the most important factor in looking your best while on a beach vacation. In addition to lots of time in the shade and keeping covered up as much as possible, I like to start with a high SPF for the first few day of my  trip, then slowly go down to a lower sun protection factor as the trip comes to a close. I find this strategy helps protect me from sunburn and aids in achieving a great glow. Here are some products I’m loving that will certainly be making their way into my beach bag for our trip with Expedia.ca.

COOLA SPF 30 CITRUS MIMOSA – Available at The Detox Market Canada
I love this lightweight, 70% organic sunscreen (made with natural ingredients) because it absorbs quickly and leaves your skin feeling baby-soft. Once it’s fully absorbed you completely forget you even have it on, unlike some products that leave your skin feeling heavy and uncomfortable. It’s also water resistant for up to 80 minutes which means there’s plenty of swim time before you need to reapply. You also can’t beat the fresh scent of oranges which is an instant mood-lifter.

DERMALOGICA PROTECTION SPORT SPF 50 – Available at dermalogica.ca & Ulta Beauty
I’ve been using this Dermalogica sun protection cream for a while now and always go back to it as a reliable, no-fuss, skin perfecting sunscreen. It’s quickly absorbed without feeling greasy, which means sand isn’t going to stick to you once you hit the beach (the worst)! It’s also unscented (no artificial fragrances) for those with sensitivities, or won’t interfere with perfume if you choose to smell pretty on your vacay.

MYCHELLE DERMACEUTICALS SUNSHIELD UNSCENTED SPF 28 – Available at Murale & beautyBOUTIQUE.ca (March 2017)
This mineral-based sunscreen leaves your skin feeling soft, with a clear finish, and quickly absorbs without leaving a white residue. It contains Aloe and Vitamin E which helps to reduce skin irritation or rashes from the sun (something I suffer from with prolonged exposure). It’s also made without any chemicals, parabens, or artificial ingredients, making you feel really good about what you’re putting on your skin.

For those of you who like to prep your skin with a little faux-glow before hitting the beach, I’ve got you covered with goodies from my favorite self-tanning brand, St. Tropez.

ST. TROPEZ GRADUAL TAN PLUS SCULPT AND GLOW EVERYDAY MULTI-ACTIVE TONING LOTION – Available at Shoppers Drug Mart & beautyboutique.ca, Murale, London Drugs & londondrugs.com, Hudson’s Bay & thebay.com (Feb 2017)
This velvety smooth tanning lotion is the ultimate answer to pale, pasty, winter skin. I love St. Tropez products for their ease of use (no streaks or orange lines) and how you can use them daily to build a gradual, natural looking glow. Plus, the after-smell of self-tanner is virtually non-existant. This newest release now adds a toning dimension to give the appearance of a sculpted silhouette and flawless finish. I’m including this in my beauty routine starting now so that by our trip in March I’ll already be glowing and swim-suit ready.

ST. TROPEZ GRADUAL TAN PLUS LUMINOUS VEIL EVERYDAY ILLUMINATING FACE CREAM – Available at Shoppers Drug Mart & beautyboutique.ca, Murale, London Drugs & londondrugs.com, Hudson’s Bay & thebay.com (Feb 2017)
I’m always looking to achieve a youthful glow on my face, so this exciting new face cream not only instantly illuminates the skin, you can build your tan with daily use as it hydrates and keeps you looking its best. In anticipation of our getaway, I’m swapping this in for my morning and evening moisturizer to start my tan early.

We’re so excited for our upcoming trip with Expedia.ca and can’t wait to hit the beach. This will be my first time in Cancun so I’m really looking forward to seeing what it’s all about.  We scored an amazing deal by booking our all-inclusive vacation on Expedia.ca’s mobile site, saving nearly $100/pp from the already reduced pricing on their website. Expedia.ca has an extensive list of luxury properties both for families and couples and you’re sure to find the perfect getaway just for you by visiting their site here.