As we breeze into summer temps, it's time to trade in cold weather creams and salves for a beauty regime that reflects the season.

Argan oil is fabulous at bringing back luster to winter-damaged skin and hair. Buy it pure, and lather it on from top to tail. From $17.89 at www.noahsnaturalfoods.ca

Trust Bumble and bumble's surf foam wash shampoo and rinse for beachy hair all the time. From $24 each at www.bumbleandbumble.com

Obsessive Compulsive's lip tars have super staying power and will stick to your lips all day long, even in a heat wave. From $18 at Sephora.ca

Give your talons a break from dark lacquers and intricate nail art, and try a nude with attitude. Deborah Lippmann Careless Whisper is our pick. From $15 at select retailers.

Like many young designers, Lauren Moffatt started by designing and producing her collection from home. But home was a 31-foot sailboat docked on New York’s Hudson River, so it certainly makes for a more interesting start.

While her clothing isn't necessarily nautical, her spring/summer collection would not be out of place on a sailboat, or any other breezy destination. Her lightweight denim Alley Dress ($325, left) is ideal for throwing over a bikini and her Billie Jean striped dress ($295, right) would look great with a pair of flat sandals on deck.

And if you aren’t spending your summer at sea, her loose, easy dresses are perfect for yacht-watching from a waterfront patio. Ahoy! —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Available exclusively at Much&Little, 2541 Main St., Vancouver, 604-709-9034, www.muchandlittle.com

Raffia is a material usually associated with straw hats, espadrilles, and beach bags, so we were pleasantly surprised to see the elegant bags from Canadian brand Ann & Arayata.

Its clutches and totes are made from hand-harvested raffia, which is woven on traditional looms by rural Filipino artisans. And they are super chic.

We will still be sporting our giant straw hats and beach bags during the day, but dinner and cocktails require a more refined raffia. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Leah clutch, $150 at Ann & Arayata, http://shop.annandarayata.com

Evil UV rays must be blocked, but is the list of unpronounceable ingredients contained in chemical sunscreens really better? It’s hard to say, but thankfully, we’ve found a sweet solution.

Coola Sunscreen SPF 35 Spray ($32 at Chapters) is made from 97 per cent natural ingredients. Think soothing aloe, cucumber and algae extract as well as red raspberry seed oil—a natural sunscreen with anti-inflammatory properties.

The weightless formula contains no nanoparticles, its spray format is easy to use and the pina colada or mimosa fragrances are incredibly addictive.

The only thing missing? A paper umbrella. —Christine Laroche

Chapters, 788 Robson St., Vancouver, 604-682-4066, www.chapters.indigo.ca and Lavish & Lime, www.lavishandlime.com

What’s that up there on the horizon?

Could it be…sunshine? On days like these it’s especially tough to drag our butts to the gym. So we don’t. We’re putting the “out” in workout with seawall jogs, open-air tennis matches and long-distance bike rides. And we found a pair of sunny g’s that can keep up: Oakley’s new Overtime shades ($150) hug our mugs even when we’re bump-set-spiking by the beach. They’re light so we can wear them all day and they’re available with polarized lenses so we can wear them on the waves. Plus, they don’t look too sporty.

Then again, neither do we. —Kelsey Dundon

Oakley, ca.oakley.com

While we are busy waxing, spray tanning, and sweating on a treadmill to get ourselves beach ready, it is good to know that it is far more simple to get baby ready for the beach. Here's how.

Head
These Kuki Kids sun hats feature a cotton outer with a towelling lining, a strap (so they can’t pull it off every two minutes) and an adjustable head size. $19.99 from Raspberry Kids.

Shoulders
A good suncreen is important for more than just the shoulders, we’re covering their delicate skin from head, shoulders, knees and toes with this Eco Baby Eco Logical Skin Care Sunscreen ($21.50) And while we are protecting their skin, try these Buzz Away DEET-Free insect repellent towlettes ($16). So much easier than accidentally spraying product into their eyes. Both from Lavish & Lime.

Knees
A re-usable swim diaper not only saves you money but means your kids aren’t swimiming around in a diaper full of weird, absorbent chemicals. And, these diapers won’t become so heavy they end up at their knees. We love Canadian made Applecheeks, their swim diaper is $19 at Dandelion Kids.

Toes
If your beach’s sand isn’t soft and white, you may want to protect their feet with a pair of waterproof Native Howard shoes. These work on the rocks and on deck. And we love that they look like mini boat shoes. $34.99 at Life & Soles. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Indoors or outdoors, in venues big or small, music is always best served live. Packed with artists coming soon to our pretty city, this playlist will put you in the mood to groove. –Kelsey Dundon

“When I’m with You” -- Best Coast, May 23 at Biltmore

“Minnesota, WI” -- Bon Iver, May 25 at Deer Lake Park

“Disparate Youth” – Santigold, May 26 at the Commodore

“Thank You Space Expert” – Mogwai, May 29 at the Commodore

“Main Street” – Deer Tick, May 30 at the Commodore

“Love Lost” – Temper Trap, June 19 at Malkin Bowl

“Kiara” – Bonobo (DJ set), July 26 at Fortune Sound Club

“Shake it Out” -- Florence and the Machine, July 20 at Deer Lake

“Feel Love” – Ben Harper, July 4 at PNE Amphitheatre

“Elephant Gun” – Beirut, July 28 at the Orpheum

While there's no shortage of neon and rainbow-printed swimwear on the market, there most definitely is a lack of simple, classic black swimsuits for those of us that aren't trying to emulate a Brazilian beach party.

But then Beth Richards, and her beautiful, clean-lined swimwear, came into our lives, and suddenly the beach became a place where we didn't have to abandon our mantra of being modern, chic, and always in black. The designer, who identifies herself as a real woman with a real body, says the suits provide coverage without compromising style.

Hopefully this Vancouver brand will help change our fashion reputation from yoga pant-wearing women to elegant beach beauties in stunning bikinis.

Beth Richards' swimwear, starting at $100 per piece, at Net A Porter —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Summer is just around the corner, and it’s time to show off a little skin— preferably not of the pale and pasty variety.

While we don’t endorse fake ‘n’ bake, faux-ing a sunny glow is a different story. Take, for example, the beauty team behind Erdem’s S/S 2012 show, who gave the models a slight tan using St. Tropez products to compliment the dreamy, floral sojourn collection. The Bronzing Mousse ($49.50) is lightweight, allowing one to start with a subtle tan and layer if needed. —Anya Georgijevic

Editor’s note: For a full service spray tan ($49), book with Beautymark’s St.Tropez specialist Cindy Leyland, 604-202-6249.
Beautymark, 1268 Pacific Blvd., Vancouver, 604-642-2294, beautymark.ca

A turban, a sarong, a neck warmer, a bag accessory, and a head covering are a few of the many uses of fashion’s most versatile accessory: the scarf.

In the summer, we love it on the beach, as a picnic blanket, and as a great way to shade us from the sun, which is why we have our eye on the Forget Me Not’s colourful, Italian-made cotton silk scarves. The designer, Coco, has a background in fashion communications, but she has definitely found her calling: the enchanting, digitally printed scarves are one of Gravity Pope’s bestsellers.

Last year they told us the scarf was the new “It” accessory. But we’re saying “It’s” here to stay. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

$325 at Gravity Pope Tailored Goods, 2205 W. 4th Avenue, Vancouver, 604-731-7673, www.gravitypope.com