We love summer—the warmth, the long days, the sense of time slowing down.
Sunburns? Not so much. But summer’s too short to stay inside hiding from the UV index. Instead, we’ve put together some fun ways to stay safe in the sun.
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Outdoors
6 fun ways to protect yourself from the sun
A rainbow of zinc
Something a little more fun than your standard sunscreen and perfect for faces and small areas, these multi-coloured zinc sticks from Zalan offer a colourful, water-resistant way to block the sun's rays. The sticks are easy to apply, and come off with baby or makeup wipes.
A fun beach umbrella
For low-maintenance, portable shade, there's nothing like an old-school beach umbrella. Pop it up, stick it in the sand, and you've got a cool place to lie when you're done frolicking in the water.
Sun-protective clothing
If you want sun protection that doesn't disappear when you swim or sweat, then try out some sun-protective clothing. Hats are an obvious choice, but you can find whole outfits— like these ones from Sunveil — that block anything from more than 90 to almost 100 per cent of the UV rays outside. (Plus, if you're somewhere buggy, they can work as bug clothing too.)
A big, face-shading hat
It doesn't get more glamorous than a wide-brimmed hat when it comes to stylish sun-protection. This one, made in Canada by Puffin Gear, blocks at least 97.5 per cent of broad spectrum UVA and UVB rays.
A pool float with built-in shade
Pools (and lakes, and rivers) don't tend to have a pile of shade, so if you've got a little one who needs to stay out of the sun, a pool float with a built-in canopy is a perfect solution. Just make sure you stay within arm's distance —pool floats aren't meant to be personal flotation devices.
An elegant paper parasol
Bring back the 19th century with an elegant paper parasol. Pick up a plain one, then decorate with lace, paint or paper flowers. (Just don't get them wet!)
