If you're heading somewhere around the equator, like Belize or the Bahamas, insect spray is a necessity. All the conditions that have humans flocking to the tropics (hot weather with lots of water pockets) also make it a desirable breeding ground for mosquitoes. While a sea breeze typically keeps them at bay, if you venture far from the water, you'll be battling swarms. We like mosquito repellant wipes for travel, especially if you're dealing with liquid restrictions in airports. Some anti-bug ingredients to look for on the label? Experts recommend picardin, lemon eucalyptus oil, DEET and IR3535.

This should be a no-brainer, but how many times have you fished around in your carry-on for a hair tie, only to come up empty-handed? Be sure to invest in some made out of a soft and stretchy material -- they won't leave a mark when you take your hair down.

Since the last thing you want to worry about on your beach vacation is your hair, try this simple hairstyle: Wet your hair and braid it on either side of your head. Spritz it with a little hairspray and leave the braids in during the day -- it's a great for activities like hiking or kayaking. When it comes time to go out on the town, take the braids out and run your fingers through your hair -- you'll have instant, no-fuss waves that won't frizz up.

Add sweat- and water-proof to a BB's long list of skin-perfecting qualities and you've got a cover-up that will stay put come humidity or high water. For extra protection, make sure you bring one with sunscreen.

In locations closer to the equator, like Mexico or Key West, the sunlight is more direct. And if you spend a lot of time at the beach, beware: Reflections of the sun's rays in the sand increase your exposure by 25 percent, while reflections on water increase the intensity of UV exposure by 50 percent. Cancers caused by photodamage strike more than one million people each year, so making sure your products have sunscreen should be a priority.

Baby wipes are a good idea for any travel (especially antibacterial wipes -- buh-bye, icky airplane germs), but especially for traveling in the desert. If you're headed south to a place like Charlotte, N.C. or Austin, Texas, make sure to slip some wipes in your carry-on. Use them to wipe off your sweat-soaked skin, your sticky ice cream fingers, or the carry-on you accidentally set down in a pile of mulch.

Dry shampoo is a traveler's right hand man -- er, lady. Besides refreshing your hair after an afternoon of touring the sweet, sweaty South, use it to amp up your hair's volume for a night out -- after all, women's hair only comes in one size in the South -- big.

To get hair height the size of Texas, distribute the dry shampoo evenly on your head, holding the nozzle about six inches away from your scalp. The product will come out white at first, so don't panic if your brunette locks suddenly look a little skunky. Give the product about two minutes to absorb into your hair. Brush your hair out, then use a teasing comb to create extra volume. The dry shampoo should provide enough texture to give your hairstyle that extra "oomph."