*sent to me as part of the LLABP
**sent to me to review by the brand


We are quickly moving towards the height of summer, and that means a lot of outdoor time, weekend getaways, days out, and holidays!  Even those of us staying nearer our home base are out and about much more often when the sun is shining -- evening strolls around the riverside, picnics in the park, reading at the cafe, exploring those lesser known shops, trips to the market...  There is so much to do in the summer, but also a lot of new hassles to consider whenever we leave the house.  Will my skin be exposed to direct sunlight?  Are those pesky mosquito buzzing?  What is the pollen count?  I wonder what the public toilets are like??  With all these potential events ready to throw a curveball at the day, I have decided to be always be prepared and at the ready!


I have narrowed my essentials bag down to just six items -- 6 products for any possible situation that pops up!  I find it is best to be prepared, as there is nothing more annoying than having a fun outing ruined by blisters, headaches, bug bites, or tender sun burn.  After years and years of being caught off guard (you would think I would learn, right???) I have finally decided to carry my 'Summer Safety Kit' along on every adventure, whether it be to the seaside or to our local park for an evening film screening.  That way, we can sort out any issues and not have to worry about finding an open supermarket or pharmacy that carries an ethical and all natural solution!

So what are my summer staples?



Floral water to beat the heat:  I hate feeling sticky and sweaty, and nothing works better to revive you  than a quick spritz of cooling floral water.  I find different hydrosols are ideal for different situations, but rose water is my favourite all-rounder.  This stuff calms your mind while also stimulating and rejuvenating your body.  The mist feels so lovely on hot skin, and it really helps to beat the heat!  Just spray 3-4 times around your face, arms, chest, and neck, and you will be feeling cooler in no time.

Right now I am carrying Alteya Organics Organic Bulgarian Rose Water as the bottle is super light, meaning it does not weigh down my bag, and is super affordable.  I got my first in the May Love Lula Beauty Box and I have been hooked ever since.  When you use as much of this floral water as I do, you want something that doesn't break the bank.  I love the smell of this one as it is not too heady, and since the bottle is pretty slim it fits perfectly in my hand making it simple to use.  One thing I appreciate about the brand is they offer both a plastic bottle and a bio-glass option.  Plus, I love that Alteya's product is so simple -- just 100% pure steam distilled rose water from organic Rosa Damascena -- nothing else!

Ingredients: Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Distillate.


Aromatherapy roller to soothe the senses: If you are anything like me, the heat can exaggerate normal allergies due to pollen or other common triggers, leaving you feeling foggy headed. And when you are out in the sun too long, it is easy to get dehydrated or a mild sunburn on your scalp, both of which can lead to pretty nasty headaches.  Whatever the reason, I have found that keeping a natural remedy on hand has been really helpful.  Choose a blend of calming and tension-relieving essential oils, like lavender, peppermint, chamomile, rosemary, and eucalyptus.

The one I have just popped into my bag to have at the ready is from Mia & Dom, and it is the Headache Remedy*.  The vial is glass and is the perfect size to slip into a side pocket so it doesn't get lost in the belly of your bag (I mean, mine never seems to end and is like Mary Poppins' magic duffle!).  Mia & Dom's formula combines refreshing peppermint with hot ginger to create a potion that eases strain and soothes away headache pains.  You just apply to temples or wrists, breathe it in, and relax.  This is another product that I found to be really affordable, coming in well under a tenner, and so far I have found it perfect for my summer bag!

Ingredients: Sunflower Oil with Essential Oils of Peppermint and Ginger



Hand sanitizer to keep things clean:  We have all been there.  A public toilet with no hand soap.  Or worse, no toilets around at all!  After exploring all day, you want to be sure you are not then ingesting any nasty bacteria or germs before having your meal, but if there is not any soap on hand (or if you are not comfortable using what is on offer due to toxic ingredients!) what can be done??

For the longest time I avoided sanitizers, as I was convinced they were not good for you.  Keeping certain bacteria, the good kind, is actually key to maintaining a healthy immune system, and hand sanitizers just kill everything indiscriminately.  But, after doing some lengthy research, I found that using this on occasion is completely fine, especially if you choose an all natural option.  These are short term solutions designed to give a quick cleanse and sort out any nasty germs that may have been picked up during the day, and are not actually intended to be used in place of good old soap and water.  Rather, it is for when you are on the go and facilities are not available -- perfect for summer excursions!

I was really pleased when Botanicals offered to send me a bottle of their Organic Santiser with Lavender & Tea Tree**, and it could not have come at a better time.  Looking at the ingredients I knew I was not going to be worried about using this product, as it is so pure -- just alcohol (to kill the germs) and essential oils.  The applicator is actually a spray method, so you just spritz your hands and are completely sorted.  I liked how simple this was to use, as I can't stand hand products that you squeeze out without knowing how much is the 'right' amount.  This decides for you!

Botanicals' Organic Sanitiser utilizes the power of plants to aid with the sanitizing properties of the alcohol.  Lavender essential oil has antifungal and antiinflammatory properties, as well as being soothing and good for detox too!  Working in tandem is tea tree, which is naturally anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-fungal.  This trio really helps tackle all the nasties that build up on your hands from everything you touch, and it is pretty gentle for something that contains alcohol.  I will definitely be carrying this throughout the summer, and will be getting my mum (the germaphobe) a bottle as well so she can feel at ease when she is out and about.

Another bonus about this product?  It isn't just for your hands!  You can spritz any cuts and scrapes on arms, legs and feet to help keep them clean and free from infection, or if you're smelling a little, well, less than fresh, you can use this as a temporary deodorant!  Perfect for both your health and all the noses around you.

Ingredients: Aqua, alcohol denat*, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower oil*, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree), leaf oil* geraniol**, linalool**, limonene**. (Certified organic ingredients. **Natural constituents of essential oils.)



Insect spray to keep the bites at bay: The sun draws everyone outside, but it also brings in all the bugs, and with those pesky flies, mosquitoes, gnats, and midges come itchy, swollen bites.  The last thing you want after a hike in the woods or a drink out at the pub is constant scratching.  Bringing along a bug spray can really help reduce the number of bites (hopefully down to zero!), and even if you aren't expecting to come across any pesky insects, it is handy to have just in case.  You never know when the mosquitoes will come out to play!

Eco by Sonya makes an all natural Organic Personal Outdoor Spray* that acts as a repellent to all those flying pests.  The formula is deet free and contains essential oils that deter biting bugs, including citronella, basil, and lemongrass.  While the liquid smells nice and fresh to people, these oils are much stronger in scent to insects and deter them from coming near the source.  Citronella actually acts to mask the smells attractive to the biters (basically blood and sweat -- ew), so between the three you are much less likely to end up as a main course.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Ethanol*, Caprylyl/Capryl Wheat Bran/Straw Glucosides, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil*, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil*, Cedrus Atlantica (Cedarwood) Oil*, Coriandrum Sativum (Coriander) Seed Oil*, Ocimum Basilicum(Basil) Oil*, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Leaf Oil*, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Oil*, Cymbopogon Nardus (citronella) Oil*, Fusel Wheat Bran/Straw Glucosides Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate , Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate , Glyceryl Caprylate, Geraniol*,Limonene*, Linalool*, Eugenol*, Citral*, Citronellol*


Sunscreen to help your skin stay safe: This one doesn't really need explanation.  Your skin burns quickly in direct sunlight -- often in less than fifteen minutes -- so you really have to take care to protect it.  Every time you get a sunburn, it is not just the surface that is hurt.  The very DNA in your cells is being damaged, and persistent exposure to this can increase your chances of getting skin cancer.  Using any form of sun protection is good, but using one that is broad spectrum is even better, as the deeper layers of your skin are defended against the different types of UV rays.

Right now I am loving Organii's Sun Milk SPF20, as it does not contain any nasties (no point in protecting your skin from cancer causing damage if the product you are using also contains cancer causing ingredients!) and is certified organic.  The mineral content acts as a physical barrier, keeping the sun's rays from penetrating the skin.  I have been using this on an almost daily basis since receiving the full size tube in my June edition of The Natural Beauty Box, and I have not had a single incident yet -- no burns, no redness, nothing!

Ingredients: aqua (water), dicaprylyl ether, pongamia glabra seed oil, zinc oxide, caprylic/capric triglyceride, polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, glycerin, alcohol*, olea euro¬paea fruit oil, titanium dioxide, oryza sativa bran oil, cocos nucifera oil*, linum usitatissimum oil*, argania spinosa kernel oil*, simmondsia chinensis oil*, mag¬nesium sulphate eptahydrate, magnesium stearate, hydrated silica, pongamol, alumina, tocopherol, helianthus annuus seed oil*, daucus carota root extract*, stearic acid, bisabolol, oryzanol, parfum**, benzyl salicylate, limonene, linalool *ingredients from organic farming **as component of essential oils ***made using organic ingredients


Plasters to sort any ouchies: I mentioned the importance of having plasters at the ready in my 7 Steps to Sandal Ready Feet post, but I have to reiterate how key these are for me, especially in the summer!  You never know what is going to happen, even on the best of days, and that is especially true when you are on day trips or out exploring the area (especially if you have wee little ones!).  I always have a handful of plasters in my bag to help treat any accidents that arise, whether it is shoe related (stupid blisters!) or a clumsy spill onto the pavement.

I really like Organii's Organic Cotton Patches Mixed Sizes* box, as there are so many shapes and sizes available.  The bandaid has a 100% organic cotton backing and a 100% organic cotton pad, meaning there are no nasties hidden in the material and the skin can still breathe through the bandage.  I usually just take the whole box with me when I go out, as this way I am covered no matter the situation.




So what are your summer essentials for when you are on the go?  Any products you think I should add to my bag??  Please let me know in the comments below, as I would love to see what you think xx




Blogger Note: Every product mentioned in all of my posts are purchased with my own money, are gifts from friends or family, or were won in public competitions unless otherwise stated.  However, my posts may contain affiliate links. This will never change my approach to my reviews, nor will it influence how I represent the products I am writing about, as I only choose to represent or work with brands and companies that I 100% respect and trust.