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By Fly McIntosh for Your Look, Your Life

Summer is fully upon us, and that means frequent trips to the beach. Your weekend jaunts are meant to be relaxing and fun mini-vacations. You're supposed to free your mind of all the stress of the week and think only good, soothing thoughts. But the reality is that between preparation, packing and actual beach-time, things can get a little stressful. You want to feel and look good, but that's often a lot more easily said than done.

The ladies on our Your Look, Your Life panel love the prospect of weekend getaways as much as the next woman. So we asked them to share their ideas and experiences on how to prepare for the ideal simple, low-key trip to the beach. Absorb some of these tips like the sun's warm rays, and you're sure hit the beach feeling at ease.

PACKING

Host: What's in your bag? What are the must-haves, and is there any excess allowed?

Gillian (via Internet): Water bottle, sunscreen, beach towel, and sunglasses.

Maria T. (Account Executive, age 26): Being from Rio, I love going to the beach. I am such a minimalist when it comes to beach-time: bathing suit, sarong, t-shirt and flip-flops, that it. And to go out, I still just wear my flip-flops and throw on a cute skirt with a t-shirt.

Tina (Sales Associate, age 25): And a good book. This is your rare chance to read something that has nothing to do with work!

Julie (Pharmaceutical Saleswoman, age 25): I always love reading magazines at the beach. And having music is great, too.

Maria S. (Junior Media Buyer, age 25): Yeah, I just keep it real simple. Probably the most important thing is to have a swimsuit that limits the tan lines. As for nighttime, less is more when it's warm out.

Maria T.: Totally! I just feel like summer is the only time you have the opportunity to not layer. Time to relax and enjoy yourself. Just be confident because it is summer and you are going to be exposing yourself a lot more.

Tina: I also like my swimsuit to be able to hold up if I end up playing some beach volleyball or hitting the waves.

Julie: Oh, yeah! I always like to pack something to play with -- like a soccer ball or a frisbee. It's fun to kick around on the beach, and a great way to meet new people.

MAKEUP

Host: Fess up, are you girls wearing makeup and doing your hair at the beach?

All: Nooooo.

Tina: I never blow out my hair in the summer. I usually feel like I have to straighten it when I go out in the city, but at the beach I leave it curly and crazy. I just let it go.

Julie: Curls just go with summer. I let the humidity just take it away!

Maryam (Graphic Designer, age 31): No makeup at the beach, just maybe some lipstick.

Lisa (Teaching Assistant, age 26): With SPF!

Gillian: I only wear clear mascara and lipscreen. And usually I just put my hair in a bun. I always put oil in my hair before I go out, because my hair will be fried and dried if I don't.

Susan (Advertising Executive, age 50): At the beginning of the summer I use a tinted moisturizer with SPF. It gives you a nice subtle color to cover up that early season paleness, and the all-important SPF protection.

Maegan (Editor, age 28): My dermatologist recommends pre-packed witch hazel pads. I clean my face with them midday before reapplying sunscreen so that way I can start with a clean face.

Sherry (Architectural Designer, age 54): Actually you can use rosewater, too. It's less drying, and smells sweeter.

The bottom line here is to keep it simple: pack light, stay comfortable and spend your time worrying about SPF rather than lipstick shades. It's all about seeing the sun, your friends, and maybe taking in some literature that has no relevance to your job. And remember, relax!

>> We want your POV! Each month, our panel of women tackles a new style situation, providing our readers with a host of insights, experiences, and advice from real women. And we'd love to have you join our panel! Fill out our POV Survey every month and your input might make it into a future POV feature!