You're all set to get away for the
weekend, but first you have to deal with what to put in your
bag.
With the added pressure of a holiday weekend--is seersucker patriotic enough for a red, white and blue party??--putting together your weekend bag for this Fourth of July is easier said than done. Since a Thursday meltdown is no way to kick-off a holiday--or to end a short work-week--follow our lead.
Here, travel tips for busy women who want to
have a stylish weekend without the packing fuss.
In Pictures: Eight Ways To Pack Summer
Perfect
Gadgets
If you're a woman whose blow-dryer is as essential as your BlackBerry, you've already handicapped your packing potential. Beauty gadgets like dryers and straighteners take up precious room better saved for an extra pair of sandals or a great summer must-read.
Instead, make the most of one of summer's best hair trends--beach-tousled waves. Easy to achieve and safer on your strands than hot-styling, just apply a salt-based spray to damp hair and "scrunch" pieces of your hair to create loose, textured curls.
While there are multitudes of "beach" products on the market this summer, Frederic Fekkai's Summer Hair Beach Waves has received rave reviews at Sephora.com and rings in at $23. Celebrities are keeping the look popular this summer. Both Kate Hudson and Jessica Biel have taken their easy-going locks down the red carpet, so you can feel confident they're formal enough for just about any weekend event.
Still, if the addiction is unbreakable, look into travel-sized options. Conair makes mini versions of most of its top-selling ceramic and ionic dryers for under $25 as well as cord-free models of its straighteners and curling irons--an incredible plus if your weekend takes you out of the country or to a rustic retreat.
Beauty
If your weekend away will take you through airport security, you are well aware of the TSA rules on tiny, sample-sized products. Luckily, more and more manufacturers are getting hip to travel needs and creating minis of their best-sellers. The travel-sized principle also comes in handy when packing for a one-bag weekend getaway. Why lug 10 ounces of shampoo to the shore when three will more than suffice?
One product not to skimp on, though, is sunscreen. The Mayo Clinic suggests you use as much as one ounce (think a shot glass) to cover all of your exposed body parts. When you take into consideration their recommendation to re-apply every two hours (or more if you've been swimming or sweating) sample sizes just won't suffice. Plan on packing a full-sized bottle of SPF 30 to keep your skin safe this weekend.
One summer beauty myth debunked: Just because your tinted moisturizer or foundation boasts an SPF does not mean you're scot-free to hit the beach. Celebrated dermatologist Dr. Jeannette Graf recommends applying a full face of sunscreen before heading out to the beach--regardless of what your make-up tells you. A combination of make-up with an SPF and a moisturizer with SPF, "will give you an extra boost of protection," says Graf.
This weekend's set to be a hot one around
the country, meaning make-up won't be long for this world once
you've left the house or hotel room. A quick swipe of bronzer
and some waterproof mascara should be all you need, and won't
leave you with a mess on your face come mid-morning. Better yet, a
lighter makeup bag means less to stow in your luggage and easier to
carry around for quick touch-ups for photo-ops.
Style
Weekend style calls for maximum versatility from a minimal number of pieces. A day on the beach has a curious way of turning into cocktails with little to no warning, and it's up to you to be prepared. A great cardigan and some pretty accessories are the key to dressing up or down your minimalist wardrobe without sacrificing style, so be sure to bring your favorites along.
This season's trend of maxi-dresses is an
easy choice for most body types, as they're incredibly
packable, affordable and available virtually everywhere. Worn to
the beach over a bathing suit with a pair of flip-flops it's
casual and care-free. But when paired with a chic pair of wedges
and some jewelry it translates seamlessly into drinks, dinner and
fireworks. 
Another piece that can pull double- or even
triple-duty is an oversized scarf. First it's a blanket in the
jitney or on the plane, and then it's wrapped around your waist
as you make your way to the beach or pool. Before you know it, the
sun has set and it's wrapped around your shoulders to fend off
early-evening chills. Best of all, a scarf doesn't need to be
packed; tied around your neck or to your bag, a scarf makes a chic
accessory for traveling.
Entertainment
Between books, magazines, music and PDAs, it would be easy enough to pack a separate bag just to entertain yourself en route to your weekend destination. And we all know it's easy to tear through an embarrassing number of "chick-lit" novels in a few days by the ocean. This year, however, the advent of the Kindle has at least saved us our weight in paperbacks. For less than the price of a trip to the Borders, you can reload the handheld device with this summer's must-reads. This summer we're downloading Mating Rituals of the North American Wasp by ForbesWoman's style editor, Lauren Lipton.
Does it go without saying that you should synch and charge your iPod? You never know when you'll be asked to play DJ for dancing under the stars…
In Pictures: Eight Ways To Pack Summer
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