Top 10 Summer Essentials 2026 ☀️

Apparently, the influencers are currently stocking their Amazon Storefronts with "Summer Essentials" that are really only essentials if you're into overconsumption... I mean, I live in Michigan, and I'm still only working with five bathing suits, and I feel very weird saying "only five." I don't have an Amazon Storefront, and most of my essentials aren't really consumables, anyway, but I'm still going to drop some non-sponsored links to products I do use.

One: Japanese Sunscreen. This is the only sunscreen I've found that doesn't make my eyes burn if it gets in my eyes, which it inevitably does.

Two: a waterproof bug repellent. I workshopped this recipe last year and sent a few outdoors-y people in my life off with Altoids tins full to test. One said that when she put it on her hairline, it was like there was a bubble around her head that the bugs couldn't penetrate.

• 1/4 cup beeswax

• 1/2 cup beef tallow or olive oil

• 12 drops rosemary essential oil

• 12 drops cedarwood essential oil

• 15 drops geranium essential oil

• 15 drops peppermint essential oil

• 6 drops clove essential oil

  • In a glass mixing bowl over a sauce pot filled with water on the boil, melt the beeswax and beef tallow together. Carefully remove the glass bowl from the heat using oven mitts, and allow to cool for around five minutes, before whisking the essential oils into the still-liquid salve. Pour the salve into your storage container, and allow to fully harden before using.

  • To use: apply a small amount of salve around the full hairline, around the sock line, around the cuff line, and to create a barrier anywhere where insects may be attracted to exposed skin.

Three: A hair care routine. One tailored specifically for your hair type and lifestyle, focusing on protection from UV and wind damage, and moisture retention. I've gone into great detail about mine already, and have a few more points coming up in this list, too, so, moving forward!

Four: FL-41/60 tinted sunglasses. Yeah, even if you don't have to shield your migraine brain from the Big Light. I find they're the truest to shade and color of all the sunglass tints I've tried. Yes, even truer than grey tint. I think this makes them absolutely worth it, regardless of your light sensitivity.

Here's me in mine, from Zenni Optical:

Five: UPF 50 protective clothing. I currently own three hoodies, three pairs of ankle-length compression leggings, and one "straw" western hat. I also have a fabric swim cap for my hair, so it's not exposed to the sun and wind for hours while I'm in the water. Yes, I could swim at a public beach in a Muslim country, and I am not ashamed of that. It's going to be very interesting to see the reactions I get at the beach in my very Christian Reformed coastal area, where tankinis are the norm.

Why? Sunburns cause physical stress. My migraines are stress-induced. My uterine fibroids are causing my body enough stress already. And UPF clothing is cheaper and easier than re-applying sunscreen every 80 minutes.

Six: A flag code violation of a bathing suit. Mine came from SheIn back when I was still ordering from them, in the 2023 range. It happens to still fit. I may dress extra conservative in the harsh sunlight, but once Apollo puts his chariot away for the night, I can strip off the layers. And if America is careening into its 250th birthday in the state it's currently in, I can wear me a flag code violation to celebrate.

Seven: An easy-breezy summer wardrobe. I'm already getting wear out of my "magic skirts." And I am of the opinion that every woman over the age of 40 needs a Mrs. Roper Caftan for summer lounging.

Eight: A tried-and-true summer potluck recipe. If you have a ton of food allergies and have to bring something you can eat because you can't trust anything else that'll be on the table, it'll have to be a hearty side. May I suggest a Three Bean Salad, a Vidalia Onion Pie, a Protein Pasta Salad, or a Sorghum & Sweet Potato Salad? You'll also want a good Snackle Box plan... the gas price situation may make road trips out of reach this summer, but I live in an area where opportunities for watersports are free and plentiful, and Snackle Boxes are a natural summer accessory in a state known for beer, weed, and water recreation. And don't forget the iced tea!

Nine: A good summer music playlist, and a waterproof Bluetooth speaker. Your choice of speaker is personal, and should consider use on the beach, on a pontoon boat, on a kayak, on a river float, at the poolside, in the corner of a parking lot before and after a concert or movie, on a tanning deck, at a campsite, etc.

Ten: Summer Adventuring Buddies. At least one, but it's always fun to travel with a chaos pack.