When I hit the beach I make it a rule to leave the expensive stuff at home because stuff has a tendency to disappear near large bodies of water — fancy sunglasses get forgotten on restroom counters, keys fall out of pockets in the surf and cars get broken into. I just bring the bare essentials of inexpensive beauty beach survival along with me and leave my beach bag in the car or on shore. That way, if (when) something does disappear, it’s not hard to replace.
If I were a rich heiress, I’d have an endless supply of Clinique’s Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 lipgloss and would absentmindedly forget tubes of it everywhere, but I’m not a rich heiress. At $14 bucks a pop, I’m not about to risk losing Glosswear, so on beach trips I’m bringing along my tube of Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother SPF 20 in Sheen ($6). This lil’ tube of gloss works like a charm, costs half as much as Glosswear does and still provides great SPF protection.
Sheen looks bright red in the tube but applies sheer pink. It has a light, slick feel on my lips, a subtle taste (which I don’t mind… It actually tastes really good, like watermelon Jolly Ranchers!) and subtle cooling effect. Great stuff, but it does have one unfortunate drawback: it doesn’t last (gives up after about two hours).
I wish it had more staying power (lasts nowhere near as long as Clinique Glosswear does), but I appreciate how affordable it is and love that it provides a reasonable amount of SPF protection.
Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother SPF 20
Price: $6
Use: An affordable, high-quality lipgloss
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
MoistureShine comes in six shades, each with the same fruity taste and cooling sensation.
Grab a tube of Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother SPF 20 at your favorite drugstore, or save yourself the trip and add it to your Target shopping cart.
Yesterday, El Hub and I paid a visit to Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of the island. It’s where we got hitched a couple years ago. We’re not staying at the hotel on this trip (rooms run around $350/nt), but we did share lunch at their beach front cafe and then hung out for a couple hours by the water.
Hawaii beach factoid: The Hawaii State Constitution guarantees the public’s right to use all areas of shoreline. There are no prohibited, privately owned beaches in Hawaii. 🙂
Turtle Bay is a lovely 4-star resort on Oahu’s North Shore, about a 40-minute drive from Waikiki. Nearby attractions include the quaint surf town of Haleiwa, the rock at Waimea Bay (people jump from atop a 30-foot rock into a protected bay) and the famous Pipeline beach (in winter has some of the world’s tallest waves).
Turtle Bay’s wedding pavilion: one of three locations on the property where couples can marry.
The hotel’s beach: reef protected, so there are no waves, making it perfect for families. The hotel rents snorkels and other fun-in-the-sun equipment. Docile sea turtles frequent the shoreline area, hence the hotel’s name.
Haleiwa, located about five miles down the road from Turtle Bay Resort, is home to one of the coolest little surf communities you’ll ever find. With plenty of shopping and eating for day trippers, Haleiwa is well worth the time it takes to get there (about an hour drive from Waikiki).
In Haleiwa, Matsumoto’s store has been serving shave ice cones — finely grated ice topped with yummy flavored syrups and/or ice cream — for more than 60 years.
Hawaii climate factoid: The northern and southern halves of Oahu are separated by a 3,000-ft curtain of steep mountains called the Ko’olau Range. North of the mountains, the climate is far wetter, and the landscape more lush and green than it is on the island’s southern side.
Well, those chickens in the backyard are still making a point of waking up the island at 4:30 every morning. I wish I could just send them a memo, “To: Hawaii chickens; From: Karen; Subject: Loud noise before dawn.”
Either chickens don’t need much sleep, or they go to bed early. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
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Just looking at your pictures makes me want to go back to Hawaii! I am so jealous you are there! ESPECIALLY on this grey Monday morning 🙁
Meaghans last blog post..Chanel’s Black Satin Nail
Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Meaghans last blog post..Chanel’s Black Satin Nail
Hi Meaghan,
Thanks for the birthday wish, girl! Yeah, it’s another year older and … wiser? I don’t know about that last part, ha!
happy birthday babe! may you have a wonderful one! but i bet you are already haha you are in hawaiiii!
Happy Birthday Karen! It looks like you are having a great trip so far. 🙂
….sending you best wishes for a wonderful day–I hope you get some makeup items and enjoy more of beautiful Hawaii.
It looks gorgeous! I hope you’re having fun!!! The gloss looks really pretty too. I might have to check that out.
Wow, no public beach! I wish they do the same here in Florida. If you go down to St. Pete and Tampa Bay area, it’s really ridiculous. Karen in a bikini, so cute! Anyways, chickens do go to bed early, around 8pm I think.
Happy birthday!
Sit-ups, who cares about sit-ups? You look great dear!
Happy Birthday, Karen!!
So good to hear you’re having fun in Hawaii! I’m sending you over my dose of fun, too, ’cause it’s finals week over here and I won’t need it, lol. I swung by Target during a grocery run and am wearing Rimmel’s Jungle Green for inspiration. 😀 Have a good day and forget the sit-ups and grab some more ice cream, you look great!
Happy Birthday!
You look mahvelous in that bikini, those sit-ups have paid off plenty! I love the super-colorful print!
Happpy Birthday! Hope you’re having a wonderful time over there. 🙂
Thanks for all you previous post continue the good work.
What fun! I could use a cheapo throw away gloss so I’m going to get moistureshine. Thanks for the reco dear!
I remember reading in your last post that it’s your birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I hope you have a great day. 😀
I’m gonna have to go out and buy me some moistureshine now, it sounds amazing!
That bathing suit is soo cute!! Everytime I check your blog [at least twice a day, hehe!] I crave the beach more and more!! I def need a vacation! Happy Birthday!!! I hope its absolutely amazing!!!
Happy birthday!
I got that lip gloss in the “shine” color in the Allure Beauty Box. I don’t care for lip gloss (I’m a lipstick person), but this is nice for SPF. I think the “sheen” color would be more my style, though.
Turtle Bay looks fantastic! We almost almost went there for our honeymoon last year, and truth be told, I wish we had. Ah well, there’s always the five- and ten-year anniversaries, right?
I love your photos and captions. “Don’t breathe out” — ha! You look great!
Happy Birthday Karen!
Hope you have had a wonderful day!
You are definitely covering all of the fun basics! I love going to Matsumoto’s and getting ice cream with my shave ice. LOL. What about Zippy’s? I know its not gourmet or anything fancy, but it’s an island staple!
Looks like you’re having a blast!!! happy Bday and keep having a great vacation!
Happy Birthday Karen! I need to go to Matsumoto’s when I’m over there in August.
Happy birthday, hon! We don’t get Neutrogena cosmetics in Canada, but your review sure does make it look fab 🙂
Hawaii looks amazing – all warm and fun and sunny! (It was eleven degrees Celcius where I live today. Brr!)
Raes last blog post..Quick question:
Happy birthday from warm Denmark 🙂
Have fun and forget about sit-ups for a few days 😉
Happy birthday, Karen! Keep your wonderful posts on Hawaii coming!
Oh – lovely pictures! I’ve always wanted to go Hawaii! Thanks for posting while you’re there! A quick word on the Neutrogena Lip Soothers – I LOVE them. However, you must be careful not to leave them somewhere where they will get really hot (like in a car) – or they kind of melt, and the consistency will never be the same again. Sadly, I ruined one of mine that way. Now I just remember to take them out of the car, or if I’m on the beach, tuck them under my bag or umbrella. Have fun! 🙂
Hi Ping,
Thank you so much, hon! It was a wonderful birthday, and spending it in Hawaii made it extra special. Hope you are doing well. How’s your week been so far?
Hi Amanda,
I just got back from Nordstrom and did some birthday damage, woot! Tomorrow is looking like a surf or snorkeling day, so I’m looking forward to that.
Many thanks for the birthday wishes! Hope you’re having a good one! How was the hubby’s bday celebration? Did he like his presents?
Hi Megan,
I’m having a ton of fun! I just wish the days could be even longer so I could spend more time at the beach!
Usually I don’t like it when glosses have a taste but this one is really quite yummy. I did the trick of putting on extra gloss before kissing El Hub and even he made a comment about how good it tasted.
How was your weekend in Nashville? Fun I bet!
Hi Dao,
Yup, it’s one of the many cool things about the islands. I can’t wait to check out the beaches in your state, though. I went to Florida 20 years ago (yikes!) and I remember really liking the water.
Dumb ass chickens! I just got back from the mall and I heard one going crazy in the jungle behind my in-law’s house!
Thank you for the birthday wishes, girl!
Hi Karen B.,
Awww, thanks homie. LOL, that’s cause I was holding the gut in!
Hi Elena,
Thank you! I will happily take that dose of fun and do my best to use it well in your honor. 😉
Study hard for your finals! What tests do you have this week? Oh, and remember, makeup bribery goes a long way, especially when it comes to studying!
Hi Glosslizard,
That’s my favorite sitting-around-at the-beach suit. I can’t really surf in it, LOL, because of the beads, but I like it. I bought it here last year during my visit. That’s one thing you’ll have to do when you come back — buy a swimsuit here! That way you can always say that you got yours in Hawaii. 🙂
Hi Jax,
Thank you! 🙂 I’m having a great time so far! How are things on the homefront? Are you surviving the Bay Area heat wave okay?
Hi Kris,
You’re welcome! It’s a great gloss to keep in a beach bag, for sure. Have a great week!
Hi Ellery,
Awww, thank you! I had a wonderful birthday, and it’ll be one I’ll always remember.
Lemme know which Moistureshine you get! I want more colors but can’t seem to decide which one I want!
Hi Vivien,
Awww, thank you! I got that suit last year (it’s by Lucky) at my favorite swimsuit shop, Splash Hawaii. I love their store because it has a TON of inventory, and you can buy pieces separately.
Are you a beach girl, too? I could practically live at the beach if I could.
Hi Jessica,
Thank you! 🙂
I’ve seen Sheen and it’s very pretty. They’re pretty lightly pigmented so it looks very natural. It’s rare when I meet a lipstick person (since gloss has been so popular for the last few years… I remember in the 90s when it was all about the matte lip!). Do you have a fave lipstick brand/color?
I really hope you and your sweetie get to visit Turtle Bay for your next big anniversary. The entire North Shore is a magical place. 🙂
Hi Holly,
Thank you! 🙂 Hope your week is going well!
Hi Krystle,
I went to Nordie’s today and my friend told me that I should go to Zippy’s to get an Orange Burst drink! Have you ever had one? I haven’t been there since, like, 1994!
Have you had your shave ice with condensed milk?! Holy crap that shizz is good! I am already craving another one and am cooking up another excuse to go up there!
Hi Erin,
Thank you! I’m having lots of fun and really enjoying the trip. How are things with you?
Hi Lehea,
Yah you do! How do you like your shave ice? They now have it so that you can get yours with condensed milk on top. It looks kinda gross, but I think it tastes good.
Oh, and they have a bunch of cute new tees, too. 🙂
Hi Rae,
Thank you! Holy crap! It’s cold in your ‘hood! I’ll send you some tropical weather vibes. *sending warm aloha*
Hi Ditte,
Awww, thanks hon! I will take your advice and eat some extra ice cream. 🙂
How’s your week been so far? Played with any new makeup lately?
Hi Miss QQ,
Thanks, girl! I’ll be sure to keep the aloha going for ya!
Hi Jaime,
Oh, thank you so much for the tip! Hmm, this might sound crazy, but have you tried putting your melted one in the fridge? Maybe that might change the consistency again.
Which colors do ya have? I think I want a few more. 🙂
Oh yeah! Swimsuit shopping in Hawaii! I can handle that! 😀
Nope – am hit hard with hayfever, so I only get to wear make-up on my lips 🙁 and not that much, because I have to watch out that I don’t get make-up on my motorcycle helmet in driving lessons 😉
Don’t we all hold our gut in? I do that about constantly (during my waking hours of course)
Karen Bs last blog post..Oranje boven!
Hey Karen!
I’ve been lurking here for a while, but because of this special day I simply must emerge from the fathomless depths of lurkerness and wish you a very happy birthday! 🙂
I really enjoy reading your blog, by the way: it’s nice to have a peronal touch accompanying every product review, and I love your creativity and sense of humor.
Keep up the great work!
Lots of love,
Izar
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