Our Game-Day Staples for the US Open

The US Open is almost here, and as excitement builds for seeing our favorite tennis stars compete for a trophy, we’re also beginning to plot how to look and feel our best in the stands. While a sophisticated yet sporty outfit is a good place to start, it’s also important to pack your courtside bag with accessories and beauty essentials that keep you refreshed, comfortable, and appropriately glam.

From SPFs you’ll actually reapply to chic, on-trend sunglasses, Team Byrdie is well-versed in portable marvels that will elevate your experience, whether you’re making the trip to Queens or enjoying the sunny spectator sport of your choice. Game, set, match: Read on for our editors’ picks roundup of courtside essentials, ensuring you’ll be ready to cheer on your favorite athletes in style.

Olivia Hancock, senior beauty editor

Supergoop! Play Everyday Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

When you’re sitting courtside, you need to keep an easy-to-apply sunscreen in your bag. This Supergoop! stick is perfect for those moments—the portable SPF glides on effortlessly and doesn’t leave behind an ounce of greasiness or white cast. Plus, it’s water and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes. 

Dove Advanced Care Dry Spray Antiperspirant

A long day under the sun requires a deodorant that keeps you fresh all day. That’s why the mini version of Dove’s Advanced Care Dry Spray Antiperspirant stays in my bag at all times. It dries instantly and won’t leave any white marks on your sporty outfit.

Undefined R&R Sun Glaze Lip Tint

Your lips need sunscreen, too, and the R&R Sun Glaze Lip Tint features mineral SPF 40. Aside from sun protection, this lip oil tint also includes ceramides, peptides, and hyaluronic acid to keep your lips nourished all day. There are two shades to choose from—Untethered Pink or Unbothered Nude (the latter is my favorite at the moment).

Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 39 Perfume Mist

If you want to smell delicious, reach for the Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 39 Perfume Mist. With notes of coconut cream, tropical orchid, toasted praline, and warm vanilla, this scent is ideal for a summer day. Since this is a hair and body fragrance, I apply it from head to toe to ensure I’m smelling like a tropical oasis the entire day.

Jasmine Phillips, social media editor

Vacation Super Spritz SPF 50 Face Mist

Sunscreen is a must year-round, but especially when outdoors. I love Vacation’s Super Spritz SPF 50 Face Mist because it makes it easy to reapply my SPF hands-free, so I don’t have to worry about spreading germs from my hands to my skin. The mist also helps cool me down on hot days.

Maed Revive Lip Balm

I have at least three lip balms in my bag at all times, and Maed’s Revive Lip Balm for Barrier Repair in the new shade Reckon, launching on August 18, is a must-have. It keeps my lips soft and hydrated all day long, and it provides a lovely wash of color that takes me from day to night, both in the stands and everywhere between.

Adelaide Giesey, editor

Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF 50 Reapplication Mist Skinscreen

While watching tennis matches can be distracting, don’t forget the importance of reapplying sunscreen. This Ultra Violette reapplication mist has SPF 50, and spritzing it on feels as refreshing as a crisp honey deuce. It’s small enough to throw into your bag, and it won’t interfere with your game-day glam—a must-have in my book.

Peach & Lily Collagen Cushion Peptide Lip Balm

I can’t go anywhere without a lip balm, and an all-day sports event is no exception. While I’ll likely pack multiple options, the Peach and Lily formula is one of my favorites. It’s the perfect weight: thick enough that you can feel it on your lips, but not tacky. Plus, it’s packed with peptides and ceramides for heavy hydration. I personally love wearing the clear gloss with a rosy lip liner for an easy on-the-go touch-up. 

Ouai Mini Super Dry Shampoo

One of the first places that starts to sweat is my hairline: It’s the telltale sign that I’m getting just a little overheated. A dry shampoo is a non-negotiable for me, and the most important thing to look for is a formula that layers well during multiple applications. Ouai recently relaunched its dry shampoo in my favorite scent (shoutout to Melrose Place), and I’m happy to report it’s as cute as it is effective. 

Derek Deng, associate content editor

Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm SPF 45 in Getaway

I have a confession to make: I only recently started applying SPF to my lips. It’s more important than you think, and quite honestly, much harder than you think to find an SPF-infused lip balm that isn’t grainy, sticky, or smelly. But this one from Naturium has defied all of my expectations—it’s nourishing, lightweight, and most importantly, doesn’t feel like an SPF lip balm. If I’m spending a long day out in the sun, chances are you’ll find me applying this, taking a selfie, or both at the same time. 

Purcell 24/7 Colostrum Pore Defence Ampoule

This colostrum-infused face mist has swiftly garnered a cult following in South Korea, and for good reason. It’s changed the meaning of “touch-up” for me: a few spritzes after a long day, and my makeup looks glassy, glowy, and instantly refreshed. It’s pocket-sized for easy courtside touch-ups.

Cyklar Bergamot Bond Huile de Parfum

My Cyklar perfume oils have their own shelf on my fragrance cabinet, which says a lot about how inseparable I am from them. Potent, vibrant, and beautiful to layer, these perfume oils come with me everywhere. Bergamot Bond, in particular, is crisp, energizing, and effortlessly cool—and that’s exactly the vibe I want when I’m courtside at the US Open.

Ali Webb, associate style editor

Charlotte Tilbury Super Nudes Lip Cheat Contour Duo

When it comes to glam, the US Open calls for a look that’s put-together enough to hang with the elite crowd, yet somewhat laid-back to avoid feeling overdone amidst the athletic action. My personal hack? This dual-ended lip liner from Charlotte Tilbury, which comes in four neutral variations for a naturally sculpted look to fit a range of skin tones. Use the darker shade to sculpt and define as with any other lip liner, then fill and add color all over with the lighter end. During the day, I’d pair this with an SPF lip balm—the above launch from Naturium is one of my favorites—while at night, the liner looks great with a plumping gloss like Tilbury’s Big Lip Plumpgasm.

Emi Jay Sweetheart Clip in Pink Cherry Pie

This summer, I’ve been squarely in my claw clip era. I usually like to wear my hair down, but when yet another sweltering heat wave arrives, I need an option that holds some of my thick strands off my face while still feeling inspired. This sweet Emi Jay launch features cherries—my favorite of the array of summer fruit trends—and a tasteful dose of sparkle, making for a clip that looks great both on the strap of my bag and actually in my hair once the humidity gets to me.

The Framery Didi

You won’t catch me at a summer event like the US Open without a pair of sunglasses in tow. Not only are they functional, but they’re essential to the aloof vibe I want while seated amidst a high-profile audience. This pair from The Framery has a classic cat-eye silhouette that fits right into a retro-chic tennis aesthetic, plus the sultry, warm shade of purple makes a case for itself as an unexpected neutral.

Bella Cacciatore, senior news editor

Evolvetogether Monaco Hand Cream

My hands are always super dry—especially after using cheap hand soap in a public restroom—so I always make sure my purse is stocked with plenty of hand cream. This one is my latest favorite. It’s deeply hydrating yet lightweight, so it’s perfect for sweatier summer days since it doesn’t leave a residue. Rose scents can be tricky, but this one is so uplifting and fresh—sometimes I layer it on just for a whiff of fresh florals.

Mac Lipglazer Glossy Liner

The one thing that always makes me feel put-together, no matter how faded the rest of my makeup is or how sweaty I am, is a fresh coat of lip liner. The downside? It usually requires a little precision. That’s why I love MAC’s new glossy lip liners, a sheer, gel-like formula that I can apply quickly and without a mirror in a pinch (and also looks great all over the lips). Despite the smooth formula, the Lipglazer liner stays on for hours, perfect for eating a hot dog or enjoying a honey deuce. The best part? It comes in my favorite-ever shade, Whirlin’, for a perfect “dirty” pink.

Saie Slip Tint Undetectable Baked Setting Powder

One thing about me: My forehead is going to be shiny. I’ve been reaching for this powder all summer to keep shine down and my makeup in place, without dulling my glow. The baked formula is so good at removing shine and blurring pores, but it has the prettiest lit-from-within finish that never makes me look cakey or dry. It’s a must-have for long days in the stands.

Shauna Beni-Haynes, senior commerce editor

Lanolips SPF 30 Sun Balm

The skin on your lips is super sensitive, plus I recently learned about the risk of sun spots on the lips, motivating me to take extra steps to prevent damage. I’ve been applying this SPF 30 lip balm every time I step outside. It has a gorgeous shimmer finish and doesn’t taste like sunscreen.

K-Runman Portable Handheld Turbo Fan

I get hot quick, and this portable turbo fan is a lifesaver. It’s tiny, lightweight, and fits easily into purses. It has a powerful motor that pushes out nice, cool wind, plus it features multiple speed levels. I also love that it holds a charge for up to 1.5 hours of use.

Alyssa Kaplan, commerce editor

D.S. & Durga Crush Balls Eau de Parfum

As a tennis player myself, I was intrigued by this new fragrance from D.S. & Durga. Most of the notes listed are rather ambiguous, but to me, this scent smells like fresh-cut grass with some solar, salty, and fresh notes to round it out. It’s absolutely reminiscent of a summertime tennis session—and if you’re not on the court yourself, it’s the perfect viewing partner. 

Caliray Come Hell or High Water Volumizing & Lengthening Tubing Mascara

Classic mascaras smudge under my eyes after just a few minutes in the heat, so I reach for this smudge-proof tubing formula whenever I need my look to last through the elements. Unlike many tubing options that offer length but virtually no volume, this one gives my lashes thickness (without clumping) for a dramatic finish. Plus, I’ve never experienced even the slightest trace of smudging when wearing it.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30

A moisturizer with SPF is an outdoor activity staple, and this one from Elemis is my all-time favorite. The lightweight formula is deeply moisturizing without feeling greasy on my combination skin. It leaves my skin feeling balanced and protected. I also appreciate that it layers seamlessly under makeup—I never have to worry about it pilling or breaking up my foundation.