#TulumDiaries: Packing Essentials for Tulum, Quintana Roo

Photo via Google Images

THE VIBE: 

Heading to Tulum is like returning to one's true nature. It's all about the stars in the sky, the rustling of the leaves, the laughter in the air, and the heartfelt connection amongst locals and travelers. The vibe is minimalistic, wholesome, and nourishing.

 

THE SUPPLEMENT ESSENTIALS

• Jiva Bhaksa Revive Me. Helps you overcome jet-lag, heals your intestinal lining, helps your body overcome stress, and replenishes essential vitamins and minerals. What better for a detoxing vacation?

• Jiva Bhaksa Busy Bee. Tulum is so miraculous. You are going to want to see and do it all—and you're going to need the energy to do it. This supplement is made with bee pollen that gets your engines revving, keeps your mind sharp (for when you're speaking Spanish), and balances your blood sugar levels so that you don't get unexpectedly hangry. You could rename this powder to YOUR SLAY ALL DAY SUPPLEMENT. 

• Astaxanthin. Think about fish: they are in the water and have the sun shining down on them all day—yet they never burn. Want to know why? They are eating this photo-nutrient: astaxanthin. It prevents you from getting a sunburn from the inside out. Give it a try, I'm telling you this is supplement is one of the best kept secrets on earth!  

 

THE SKIN ESSENTIALS

• Non-toxic Bug Spray

  • There are so many bugs in Tulum! Don't leave the hotel room without your bottle of bug spray—especially at night! Itchy itchy, ow ow.

• Non-comedogenic + Non-toxic Sunscreen 

  • Girl, your skin is your biggest organ. Its condition affects all areas of your life, and the last thing you want to do is unnecessarily damage it. Apply ample amounts of sunscreen while in Tulum. The sun is strong, and you will get burned (maybe even roasted). Opt for a higher SPF, and re-apply regularly throughout the day to get a golden glow (rather than red inflammation). 

  • The Alchemist's Picks: Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen, Tatcha Silken Pore Perfection Sunscreen

• Gentle Exfoliating Scrub

  • Sunscreen is great for protection, but neglecting to clean it off your skin will lead to breakouts, and discomfort. End the day by using a gentle exfoliant that will gently take off all of the sunscreen, and won't leave you feeling red and painful. 

  • The Alchemist's Picks: Neutrogena Microderm System, Soap Cherie's Charcoal Soap

• Ultra-Hydrating Face Mask  

  • When you're sunburned, a hydrating face mask is your best friend. Slather it on, and sleep in it if you can.

  • The Alchemist's Picks: Ginseng Therapy Mask by Ling Skincare

• Ultra-Hydrating Serum

  • If you can't sleep in your hydrating face mask (or don't want to), follow with a hydrating serum. Use it in lieu of lotion, and spritz with rose water periodically. This will prevent the "next day burn" that happens for most of us, and will leave you looking golden and glow-y. 

  • The Alchemist's Picks: Tatcha's Luminous Deep Hydration Serum

• Rose Water

  • To use as facial toner. I recommend heading to an indian grocery store, and picking one up that they say is the highest quality. It's godly. 

• Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil

  • Buy it in Tulum. Use it after existing the shower. Refrain from drying yourself off with a towel, and instead rub generous amounts of coconut oil all over your skin. Next spritz covered areas with rose water. Spritzing with rose water will help the oil sink into your skin at a faster pace, and the coconut oil helps repair any skin damage, heals burns, and will prevent you from looking like a dried up prune when you're 90 years old. 

• Local Honey

  • uy it in Tulum, and use it as a face mask. It's super hydrating, helps heal and repair the cells, assists with repair from cuts and burns, and is —and it supports the local economy. What more can I say? 

 

THE MAKE-UP ESSENTIALS

• Lipstick in every shade

  • Think of the beautiful green trees and banana leaves, think of your golden skin, and think of the shades that would look best within that picture. Those are your go-tos. For some of you it will be hues of purple, others reddish tunes, and others pink salutes. Bring them all.

• Hydrating lip+cheek balm

  • A little tint never hurt nobody. Using a hydrating tint will help your skin retain moisture after a long day at the beach. Who doesn't want?

• Shimmer for the cheek bones + eyelids

  • Stay away from golds, and opt for silvery nudes. You're already going to be golden, and you don't want to look orange.

• Green eye shadow

  • Yes, green. It cancels out red tones in your skin if you're looking sunburnt, and helps open up your eyes.

• No mascara

  • Seriously, just forget it. Dab a tiny bit of coconut oil on your lashes before bed, and let them rest. They get enough of a workout in your day to day life, and there's no need for any plumping of the lashes here. (You look better without it). 

 

THE OUTFIT+ACCESSORIES ESSENTIALS

• Flowing silhouettes. Daytime, daytime, daytime. 

• Short, Strappy Dresses. Pretty for the party.

• Crop shorts (with frayed ends). Let loose. 

• Non-clingy fabrics. Be free.

• Shades. Slay.

• Sun Hat. Protect your face from premature aging.

• Chunky bracelets. Minimalistic glam. 

• Jelly shoes for the beach. Flip flops do nothing but make you trip. Avoid, and opt for jelly shoes. 

• Wrap up shoes for when you're walking about town. Sneak in a little sexy.

• No sneakers. Who wants a weird-ass shoe tan? Not I, and most likely not you. 

• No diamonds. No diamonds, no pressure—so leave the diamonds at home. In this minimalistic sanctuary, opt for healing gem stones, and buy them locally! There's so much selection, and you'll be uber impressed by how obsessed you become with your new goods.