Bring back glamorous fun in the sun of the past with Vacation suncare!

When I was a kid, bell-bottoms and feathered hair wrere all the rage. My folks were intense penny pinchers with the economy of the 1970s, so we rarely had the “good” sun lotions, but sometimes we did. Some friends of the family were a lot more flush, and they always had the good stuff. One memory that particularly stuck with me was when we spent a day with the kids and their au pair, who was playing the then-hit “One Tin Soldier” on her guitar. I remember the scent.

Apparently, I’m not the only one who wistfully remembers those sun product fragrances. Vacation is a company that has recreated with top perfumers the scents of the past, as well as products! What’s different is the fry ’em up formulas have given way to protection and care. I was happy to be hosted to experience it!

There are lots of fun products bringing back the essence of several brands, but you can dip your toes in (!) with the popular Vacation Sun Belt. It’s a cleverly designed waterproof fanny-pack with both top and front access, filled with mini sizes of a few favorites.

For some of us, sun protection is serious business. While I was still in school, a gas stove exploded in my face and hands. I realize that I’m extremely fortunate to have survived and even have a face. Most of the time, with a little makeup, nobody would never even be the wiser. But when the sun is bright, within days, the scars come right back. It lasts a couple of weeks and it’s really tough to have self-confidence. But I’m no different than anyone else: I love being in the warm, fresh air. I am very pleased with Super Spritz SPF 50. This is designed for face protection. So many products out there are goopy or powders that pill in humidity, but this sheer spray can be used under or over makeup and won’t make you break out. It does leave your complexion soft, though.

Vacation utilized famous perfumers from ARQUISTE. I have some fancy perfumes from ARQUISTE. This is what they they say about their signature fragrance: “Vacation® collaborated with Carlos Huber of ARQUISTE Parfumeur and Rodrigo Flores-Roux, the renowned perfumers behind Cire Trudon and Clinique’s Happy, respectively, to create “the world’s best-smelling sunscreen scent.” The resulting fragrance of the Vacation® Classic Lotion, the Vacation® Air Freshener, and, of course, “VACATION,” the Vacation® Eau de Toilette is nothing short of a summer teleportation device. The nostalgia-inducing scent mixes classic sunscreen notes (coconut, banana, pineapple, orange blossom) with unmistakable poolside aromas (pool water, pool toy, swimsuit lycra) to deliver an immersive trip down memory lane, capturing your treasured memories of both sunscreen and summer.”

Here are the benefits of the convenient face spf spritz:

Broad spectrum SPF 50 protection
Water-resistant (80 Minutes)
Hawaii Reef Compliant Act 104
Refreshing, long actuated fine mist spray
Clean, lightweight feel
PEG & Paraben Free
Cruelty-free
Vegan
Dermatologist tested
Allergy Tested
Safe for sensitive skin
Non-Comedogenic
Travel-friendly packaging made with recycled materials

It also helps skin look its best when faced with daily stresses such as blue light, pollution, and other environmental strains.

When I was growing up, we weren’t even allowed to apply baby oil, because that was for the serious fryers and we weren’t trying to fry. But certainly, that was the mark of the bon vivant. So now, Vacation’s Baby Oil SPF 30 is good for you and has sun protection! Ingredients include soothing Jojoba Oil, Calendula & Chamomile, Bisabolol, Vitamin E, Rose & Jasmine. This oil still gives you classic shine and has the memorable baby oil scent.

Classic Lotion SPF 30 is water resistant, vegan and qualifies for the Hawaii Reef Compliant Act 104. It’s a rich cream consistency, but does blend in pretty easily, with a soothing, but dry finish. It has the Vacation signature scent.

After Sun Gel is “an elegant, modern take” on aloe vera relief gels. It has aloe vera, green tea and cucumber, with the fragrance of cucumber that I remember from a European bath chain that had cucumber cream. Love it! Its fragrance was also designed by ARQUISTE. It cools, burns and soothes burned skin and prevents peeling. It also has Bisabolol, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Vitamin E, Glycerin & Prickly Pear, Allantoin, Hyaluronic Acid & Tremella Mushroom: all beneficial for skin. It’s got good slip, not gooey like old-timey gels.

I also tried the product that the whole world has been clamoring for: Orange Gelee’! A recreation of the famous, but no longer in production “Bain de” orange gelee gives the look, feel, scent and shine of the product from the French Riviera. But now it has SPF 30 and skin nutritious oils and ingredients like Shea Butter & Candelilla Wax, Tamanu & Coconut Oils, Saffron & Bergamot Peel, Jojoba & Maracuja, Vitamin E. It’s satiny and fragrant with super shine. Can you believe 11 beauty experts helped recreate this favorite? It’s true!