After a year straight from the colon of hell, one feels compelled to give thanks for the smallest of mercies and simplest of pleasures. Right up there is a day at the beach, especially with friends you may not have been able to hang out with for a while. Sun, salt and that certain burnished - but not burnt - glow a surfside sojourn imparts. Better still, these long, lazy days give way to warm summer nights where anything seems possible. There are two steps to making your beach-fresh look work - between the flags and when you get back home.

When it comes to sun care, a lot of international brands don’t measure up to Australian standards; our rays are too fierce. Salt & Stone is the exception. 

Founded in LA in 2017 by snowboarder Nima Jalali, it is free of artificial fragrances, sulphates, petrochemicals, parabens, phthalates or GMO's. Better still, all of its packaging is recyclable and made from post-consumer recycled materials while production is carried out under renewable solar and hydroelectric energy. Perhaps most impressive, however, is the number on its SPF rating: a solid 50. And in a country with such high skin cancer rates, that counts for a lot. Mindful of not wanting to weigh down your beach bag with unnecessary gear - you don’t want to be rifling away when your Grindr/Tinder pings - we’ve narrowed it down to three essentials: Salt & Stone Premium Protection Face Stick SPF50+, Salt & Stone Premium Sunscreen 50+, and Salt & Stone Natural Deodorant in Vetiver, because of all that sweat. If you remember, the Salt & Stone SPF 30 Lip Balm, will also keep an often neglected part of the body in acceptable shape. Throw in Triumph & Disaster’s Karekare Tonic sea salt spray, and your beach bag is complete. Don’t forget to reapply and if you need a beach read, MISTR recommends - we’re helpful like that - Craig Silvey’s new tome Honeybee.

Now that you’ve spent the day slathering on sunscreen - and with good reason - by the time you’re off the sand and preparing for a night out, some cleansing is required. While leaving SPF enriched potions in place won’t harm your skin per se, a buildup can result in inflammation in those with sensitive complexions. It can also (depending on the ingredients) form a barrier between the actives your skin is crying out for after a day of sun exposure and the aforementioned hungry epidermis. Baxter of California has been all about the post-beach routine since 1965 and it’s ideal for a top to toe cleanse. For the body, the Baxter of California Deep Cleansing Soap Bar will wash away dirt, sweat and product but doesn’t strip moisture. Extra points for the bentonite and kaolin clays that extract impurities and the smoked wood scent is nothing to sniff it. Your face needs something gentler. Namely Baxter’s Daily Face Wash with caffeine to reduce the puffiness associated with too many summer cocktails the night before. Finish up with Baxter’s Oil Free Moisturizer which will replenish what the beach day has taken out. Throw on a light fragrance and own the night. We like Mihan Aromatics Sienna Brume which features notes of cucumber and white pepper.