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Festival season is finally upon us, and while we can't wait to don our sparkliest glitter and most audacious outfits, the pre-festival skincare panic is setting in. What is the best way to remove make up without water? Which beauty products are the most reliable? How can I ensure makeup stays on all day? Below, we ask to three beauty insiders for their failsafe beauty and wellness tips for festivals.
Sophie K
Radio presenter Kerrang! Radio and Absolute Radio
Bring your best skincare
“I always have Dermalogica Pre Cleanse with me. It's not the most portable product, but after I clean my makeup off with micellar water and cotton wool, this is a non-negotiable step in my cleansing routine. I wear A LOT of makeup at festivals as I am always working and on camera, so as someone prone to acne I never miss this step, even at a festival.”
Pack the right SPF
“SPF is never an afterthought for me – it’s an essential part of my daily routine, no matter where I am. I use Altruist Sunscreen SPF50 on my face because it's kind to acne-prone skin, super affordable and the anti-redness version has a slight green tint to offset any sunburn. It's my secret weapon!”
Drink as much water as you can
“You will never see me at a festival without at least one water bottle. I will always have a litre bottle of water on me that I fill up multiple times a day. It keeps my skin looking fresh and helps me avoid heat stroke and dehydration – it’s easy to forget you’re standing in the sun when you’re watching bands you love. My favourite bottle is Chilli, and Stojo collapsible bottles are great too, but I'm not against having one of those hiking Camelbaks either.”
Charlotte Dormon
Founder of Good Health PR
Pack the right vitamins
“I always take vitamins with me to festivals, including probiotics, ginseng, Rhodiola and vitamin C to keep my energy levels up and boost my immune system. They help counteract the lack of sleep, alcohol and stodgy festival food. I also have a BetterYou B12 spray in my bag as I find this gives me much more energy throughout the day as you often hit a wall at a festival and suddenly feel zapped.”
Pick multitasking beauty products
“A mini compact or multi-stick that can be used as a blusher and lipstick is easy to throw in your bag and take with you when you are out and about. I have an RMS compact that is bronzer, lipstick, blusher and highlighter all in one, which means I can give myself a refresh anytime, and it takes up very little space.”
Don't forget body wipes
“Showers at a festival are great if you have access to them of course, but the queues are often long so I like to use Fresh Wipes Body Wipes to give myself a clean. They are designed for your whole body and are antibacterial so you’re getting a good cleanse and you feel and smell fresh too. I wouldn’t go to a festival without them.”
Zoe Moore
Hair and makeup artist
Pack long-wearing products
“I love a smokey eye, so investing in good makeup that will last all day is a must. Estee Lauder Double Wear Infinite Waterproof Eyeliner in the shade Kohl Noir is undoubtedly the most festival-proof eyeliner out there – it even stays on the waterline, which is notoriously tricky to achieve. It's the blackest and most long-wearing pencil liner I’ve come across in my 15 years as a makeup artist. I’m also a big fan of Fenty Icon Velvet Matte Liquid lipstick – it really makes an impact with minimal effort.”
Use a good setting spray
“This is essential for making sure your makeup stays on all day. Choose one that works for your skin type, or for the look you’re trying to achieve. I like hydrating ones because your skin can get dry at a festival due to all the dust and dehydration. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray Extra Glow adds a luminous shine to dry skin, and No7 Hydraluminous Fixing Mist is also brilliant for setting makeup and giving a boost of hydration during the day.”
Embrace the natural texture of your hair
“It’s too much hassle to keep it overly styled when you’re subject to the elements at a festival. I love Sam Mcknight Cool Girl Spray (it comes in a mini size) which I use on my clients to add texture and a little hold. To freshen up your roots use Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo morning and evening to avoid washing it for a while.”
Don't forget to still look after your skin
“There are so many brands that do great travel sets, so you can still use good skincare products when you're at a festival. What people don’t see is that, as makeup artists, we spend at least 30 minutes prepping our clients' skin before we even use any makeup, so it’s the fastest way to get the results you want. My personal favourite is the Malin + Goetz Sun + Travel Set, which contains an SPF lip balm and a mini deodorant. It’s in my personal kit and my professional one.”
Anita Bhagwandas
Beauty director at Condé Nast Traveller
Make sun protection easy
“Your SPF is non-negotiable. The last thing you want is a sunburn to ruin your weekend. Make it as easy for yourself as possible by using a spray SPF – they are easy to use and fast on the go. I’m a fan of Clarins Sun Spray Lotion Very High Protection SPF50+ for the body, and Kate Somerville Uncomplikated SPF 50 Make Up Setting Spray is excellent to set your makeup and give you sun protection, too.”
Get a lash lift and tint
“If you love mascara but want to avoid the hassle of using it at a festival, then a lash lift is ideal for mimicking how mascara opens up the eye, while the tint ensures your lashes are darker. If you’re a false lash wearer, then switch to extensions for the weekend to save yourself the hassle of removal when you’ve had a few drinks and just want to sleep. Alternatively, Ardell Naked Press On Lashes are pre-glued underlashes that are applied on the underside of the lash line. They look more natural, and can be reused around four times.”
Opt for a cordless straightener
“Straightening and curling your hair at a festival is way too much hassle and it’ll always end up full of dust. Take a silk scarf instead. You can use it as a headscarf, a bandana, or to roll your hair into a bun. You could try a keratin treatment if frizz is a problem, and if you’re desperate, then the Dyson Corrale Straighteners are cordless, so they’re ideal for camping.”
