USVI-On-Line

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This post is mostly friendly advice for newbies and mostly for the ladies, although there might be a few tips for guys.

Skin: It feels like your six inches from the sun during the summer in the VI's. I don't care where you are from in the states most people are simply not used to the intensity of the sun in the Caribbean. Your are 14 degrees from the equator and you will feel it.

You may be able to get by without sunscreen at home, but you won't be able to swing that on STJ or STT. Get good sunscreen and apply regularly. I bring two kinds with me:

Banana Boat waterproof, sweatproof is a MUST.(or something similar) Mimimum is SPF 15. Even with a 15 you will get crazy tan. There's nothing worse than getting sunscreen in your eyes (hence the waterproof sweatproof) and honestly I find that the stronger stuff isn't necessary unless you are really fair. Don't forget to apply to your feet!

The other brand I bring is Key West Aloe's spray SPF. I like the coverage and it moisturizes: http://www.keywestaloe.com/items.asp?Cc ... =0&Tp=&Bc=

They also have a great SPF lip balm. And I bring at least one version of Aloe vera (they have a light spray version called Too Cool or they have the gel). This stuff is great if you get burned and will help you heal fast. These products are vacay savers IMHO.

They also have "Save a Tan" which is a rich lotion with tons of SPF which prevents peeling. As you can tell, I am a huge fan of Key west Aloe's products.

Hair: Don't bother with a curling iron. And you probably won't need a hair dryer. The humidity is VERY high. Instead, embrace your beachy waves. Also, your hair and scalp needs sunscreen too. I use Fekkais 'Beach Waves.' When your hair is wet, you spray it in and scrunch. Smells good and you will look fab.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3017903?cm_ ... erralID=NA

They only sell this product during the summer motnhs and they are always threatening to discontinue it, but I love this producta and it has a faithful following. Sephora usually carries it too.

I also, bring a ball cap and a Buff (which has multiple uses on island a la Survivor). A bandana is handy to have too.

Shoes: Keens. Keens. Keens. (and a couple of pair of flip flops). No need to bring any fancy shoes. Seriously. Don't waste the space in your luggage.

I like Keens better than Teva's. Keen H2's were practically invented for STJ. They are the perfect shoe for hiking that short trail to beaches like Jumbie or Salt Pond and they come in fun colors too. Styling wise they are ugly as hell but honestly if I was allowed to bring only one pair of shoes I would bring these Venice or Newport H2's:

http://www.keenfootwear.com/wall/shoes/women/waterfront

Clothes & Swim: Don't waste your time on fancy stuff. Comfy, loose and cotton are the words for the day. Opt for softer, durable fabrics. Your skin feels tight after a long day in the sun and softer fabrics will be more comfy. Life is Good stuff is really comfy and soft. I like their hats and t-shirts.

For the ladies, I usually wear tankini swim suits. I do this for two reasons 1) they provide the same coverage as a one piece; and 2) they are easier to get in and out of when wet.

I also bring a smocked top cover up (old navy usually has options for ladies of all sizes). They look like this:
http://store.alloy.com/item.do?itemID=5 ... S181555030

These allow me to do my "flim flam shim sham" and change out of my tankini and into dry clothes on a busy beach without showing anything I don't want to. It's a great item to have.

Keep in mind that it is considered very impolite to wear only your bathing suit when in town. When you leave the beach you should put clothes on. Bathing suits-only is frowned upon.

Hydration: Especially in summer drinking plenty of water on island is key. Even more so if you are drinking rum!

So I bring a really good Nalgene water bottle. I like the Life is Good ones cause they are fun!

http://www.google.com/products?q=life+i ... CDMQrQQwAA

I fill them with water and put them in the freezer the night before. That way by the time I get to the beach and get thirsty, have nice cold water to drink.

Backpack: I like to use my Kipling backpack to carry my crap to and from the beach. They are light, durable and are great as a carry-on too. Plus they come with those cute little gorilla key rings! They come in fun colors and a variety of sizes. I always look for sales. The fabric holds up well to the environment at the beach:

http://www.ebags.com/product/kipling/tilsa/148047

Well, that's it for now. Hope these tips help.

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with any of these products or companies. They are simply items that I like and use.

That's all for now

Thanks for sharing all those great tips AND for including websites! Very helpful.

Thanks for putting this list together. I use a lot of the same items but I haven't tried the aloe yet. I'll give it a try.

Thanks for putting this list together. I use a lot of the same items but I haven't tried the aloe yet. I'll give it a try.

Gromit, I find that with the water quality i really need to use a REALLY intense conditioner--I have straight hair and it gets positively Ratsy otherwise.--does the Fekkai stuff you mention condition as well?

thanks

Lori

Gracias for this wonderful post. I really love hearing from regulars since I am a newbie! Also, do recommend higher SPF sunscreen (like 30) for the first two or three days there? Thanks again!

jbell157 wrote:Gracias for this wonderful post. I really love hearing from regulars since I am a newbie! Also, do recommend higher SPF sunscreen (like 30) for the first two or three days there? Thanks again!

I definitely start with the high SPF and go to 15 if it seems safe.

Gromit, in addition to your wondeful sense of humor as seen in your earlier postings, you're also a very thoughtful person for taking the time to post this pack list for the ladies . Thanks!!

loria, when I went looking online for the fekkai products Gromit mentioned I discovered that they also make a beachcomber leave in conditioner. It comes in a spray bottle. I am thinking you could take it to the beach and use it as a detangler. I of course bought some and will report back.

http://www.amazon.com/Frederic-Fekkai-M ... 102&sr=8-1


I have another recommendation for the list: bullfrog brand mosquito coast spf 30 sunblock and bug spray combination. It uses a deet alternative. It comes in a spray bottle, goes on easily, is not sticky, and doesn't smell as horrible as most bug sprays. I used it this trip and got NO no see um bites for the first time ever, even though we stayed on Francis until sunset one day, and only two mosquito bites, even though we had the house open. We did go through four bottles in 10 days--it's only a four ounce bottle, I think. Here's a link to the product:

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod. ... atid=10539

liamsaunt--that stuff looks great--I will give it a try and reprot back as well!

How come "strong, yet sensitive, handsome, virulent male with good listening skills and mosquito-repelling pheromones" didn't make the list?

54b wrote:How come "strong, yet sensitive, handsome, virulent male with good listening skills and mosquito-repelling pheromones" didn't make the list?

The same reason unicorns didn't?

Augie...well played, sir.

I just like to bring Gromit, then I have everything covered and I can pack like a dude!

You guys are killing me!

54b-- I didn't add that to the list since he usually packs himself (that's my hubby of course and he meets ALL those criteria!)

Another product that helps keep moisture in is Fekkai's olive oil line, particualrly the glossing creme: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.j ... yId=C10471

I know Vicki H is also a big fan of this product.

I know some may balk at spending this kind of money on hair products, but if you're like me and highlight your hair (and spend serious money doing it) it's important to protect it. Plus a little goes a long way.

Loria- my hair is naturally curly (I'm lucky cause I can easily blow dry straight if I want or go crazy curly if I want). But on island I just give up and go with the curl. That's where the Fekkai stuff comes in handy. I bring the glossing creme, the fekkai hair bandana (leave in conditioner) and the beach waves. Beach Waves is my fave though.

I also pack a heavy duty wide toothed comb so I can comb the product thru evenly and let my hair air dry on the beach (even my super think hair dries quickly) and then I'm good to go and actually look human.

These products provide sunscreen and moisture and keep my hair in decent shape thoughout the trip so it doesn't come home literally fried.

As for sunscreen, everyone's skin is different. My main point to newbies is: do NOT leave the villa without sunscreen on.

Seriously. I have seen too many folks who think that they can play it like they do at home and not be vigilant about reapplying when at the beach and the end up paying dearly for it.

I'm not the sunscreen police but I have on occasion spotted someone on the beach who was starting to really burn (if you're wearing good sunglasses you can see the redness that you can't see with the naked eye) and I've gone up to them to give them a heads up. Most don't even realize it's happening and it happens quickly. At that point all you can do is apply some good aloe product like Save a Tan and put on a shirt.

For me I've found that SPF 15 is perfectly adequate throughout the trip and generally don't mess with bringing anything stronger or lighter down. It's the SPF workhorse for me. But if you're fairer then a stronger SPF may be in order.

Also, I tried the Banana Boat waterproof sprays a few times and will generally bring a can down, but I find that they don't last long and tend to be a bit sticky.

So I stick with the Banana Boat sweatproof/watreproof cream and the Key West Aloe dry oil SPF 15 spray (I can't say enough great things about Key West Aloe).

True Story: On the Aloe note. The Too Cool Spray they have is awesome. I was down in Ft Lauderdale visiting a friend and applied sunscreen and then got in the pool in one of those floaty chairs. I was in the pool FOREVER and forgot to reapply and by the time I got out the tops of my legs were FRIED. I KNEW I was going to be miserable for the rest of the week-end. I remembered the Too Cool Spray and just sprayed the area sveral times throughout the evening. It cooled the burn and softened my skin and by the next morning they were 100% better.

I also had a cooking accident last year (grabbed the handle of a calphalon pan that had been in a 400 degree oven -- yes, I had a brain fart!) and seriously burned my hand. BADLY. So badly I thought I was going to have to go to the hospital.

I started applying the Too Cool Spray immediately and applying their aloe gel alternately and by the morning I swear to you my hand was healed. I had some very minor scabbing but my entire palm had been seared BADLY and now it was perfectly fine. It had been completely white (like dead skin seared off white and the skin had become like leather under the water right after it had been burned) but I was looking at my hand after using the Aloe and you would never have known I was burned at all by the next morning.

I was so overwhelemed that I wrote the company and thanked them profusely for making such awesome products. I told them that they shouldn't just focus their marketing on sunburn protection and focus on First Aid as well!

I've been a loyal customer ever since!

Glad this stuff helps. Sometimes it's the little extra touches that can make life easier!