PSA: Coachella is upon us. Buckle up for a week's worth of spamming from our favourite celebs featuring eccentric outfits, cowboy hats and glitter-filled make-up looks against a dessert backdrop (Palm Springs and Indio to be exact). This year's annual event will see hotly anticipated headlining performances from the likes of Bad Bunny, Blackpink and Frank Ocean. It's safe to say festival season is well and truly underway, especially now that we're counting down the weeks to Glastonbury.
Unless you're glamping in a luxury yurt with a slew of A-listers, it's fair to say that festivals are not the most glamorous of events. Late nights, copious amounts of alcohol and sleeping under a poorly assembled tent don't always lend themselves to radiant skin and glossy hair, but that's not to say that you have to slum it completely...
Whether you're planning to spend the weekend at Coachella, Wilderness, Glastonbury or Secret Garden Party, follow our festival beauty commandments for a fresh-faced and fuss-free weekend...
Opt for face wipes over face wash
It's very rare that you'll see us advocating face wipes, but festivals are one of those needs-must occasions. Tents - or worse, communal washing areas - just aren't the place to embark on a multi-step cleansing regime, and it's perfectly possible to hunt down wipes promising non-astringent formulas and a host of skincare benefits. We recommendbiodegradable option from skincare brands like Philosophy, Bioderma and Simple.
We love: Philosophy's One-Step Facial Cleansing Cloths, £12. Great for on-the-go these are kind on skin and the planet.
Embrace dry shampoo, it's your new best friend
You're at a festival, ergo, you are going to become very closely acquainted with the phenomenon that is dry shampoo. To avoid the tell-tale chalky white residue at the roots, it's worth investing in a slightly pricier formula - insider approved favourites include those by Living Proof, Philip Kingsley and French pharmacy brand Klorane, though Toni&Guy's offering is an easily accessible alternative.
We love::a[Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo, £23.75]{href='https://www.sephora.co.uk/p/Living-Proof-Perfect-Hair-Day-PhD-Dry-Shampoo-198ml?' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'}. Oil, sweat and odour are quickly taken care of while hair is left refreshed and lifted.
Try a braided hairstyle
The best way to distract attention from your unwashed, heavily dry-shampooed hair? Braids. We're talking french plaits, halo braids, braided up-dos - the more intricate, the better. Check out our handy braid tutorials, or if you're still left a little baffled, investigate the on-site braid bar options.
Choose waterproof eye make-up
Whether you're standing stoically in a rainstorm or sobbing your way through an Adele headline set, upgrade your eye make-up to a waterproof formula for the weekend to ward off smudges and panda eyes. If you're feeling really fancy, investigate lash primers for a longer-lasting finish.
We love::a[MAC Stack Waterproof Mascara Black Stack, £26]{href='https://www.sephora.co.uk/p/MAC-Stack-Waterproof-Mascara-Black-Stack?' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'}. This viral sensation is now available in waterproof form, expect the same volumising, lengthening and bold look in a more resistant formula.
Treat your nails to a gel manicure
Somehow, chipped nails look ten times worse when you're putting up a tent in a muddy field. A gel manicure is a worthwhile investment, and will see you through the weekend and beyond. Not planned ahead and booked an appointment? Look out for long-lasting gel formulas on the high street to extend the life of your DIY paint job.
Embrace face glitter - in moderation...
Festival season is one of the only times you can just about get away with wearing glitter as a grown-up, so make the most of it. Gleaming pots of finely-milled sparkle might look ever so appealing on your pre-festival Boots trip, but traipse back to your tent wearing rosé-tinted glasses and you will end up spilling them all over your tent, your tent-mate and all your worldly possessions. We'd recommend opting for a liquid liner, shimmering pressed shadow or liquid glitter eyeshadows instead.
Don't forget your SPF
Yes, you're standing in a field during the Great British Summer, but that doesn't mean that you won't burn. If it's not already part of your day-to-day beauty regime (and trust us, it should be), choose a facial moisturiser with SPF protection, then top up throughout the day. La Roche Posay's handyAnthelios Anti-Shine Sun Protection Invisible SPF50+ Face Mist, £17, lets you stay protected without having to sacrifice your face of make-up.
Having slept in many a tent and stood in sweaty crowds aplenty, we've compiled our essential guide to fuss-free festival hair and make-up. Get this clever lot on your packing list pronto…
Festival Beauty 2023- Grazia
1 of 7Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit
Meet your new best friend. Bobbi Brown's handy concealer duo consists of a yellow-based version of her classic Creamy Concealer to camouflage panda eyes, with pressed setting powder making sure your cover-up sticks around into the small hours.
2 of 7La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Tinted Fluid SPF 50+
La Roche Posay's Anthelios sunscreen is a favourite with beauty editors – and for good reason. If you prefer a lighter base over full-coverage foundation, free up some space in your festival beauty bag by opting for this tinted, non-greasy SPF fluid.
3 of 7Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm
Maybelline's pocket-sized Baby Lips are a multi-tasking beauty essential, soothing chapped lips, adding a touch of colour and doubling up as a cheek tint.
4 of 7Neal's Yard Remedies Organic Defence Hand Spray
Hand sanitizer can be luxurious, too - and Neal's Yard's organic spray is a case in point, blending essential oils with witch hazel to blitz germs and keep hands fresh.
5 of 7Klorane Oatmilk Dry Shampoo, £8
Klorane's naturally formulated dry shampoo is a winner, soaking up natural oils without leaving behind any tell-tale chalky residue. A true festival hero product.
6 of 7Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Waterproof Mascara
Clump-free, waterproof and promising a serious curl - Estee Lauder's mascara offering is 100 percent worthy of inclusion in your ruthlessly edited festival beauty bag.
7 of 7Murad Clarifying Wipes
We would never normally suggest wipes but if you can't quite fit your entire cleansing regime into your backpack then opt for Murad's clarifying saviours.
Festival Packing Checklist
These things aren't glamorous, but they are essential.
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Bin Bags. Arguably one of the most important things you'll take (joint tied with the second thing on this list, actually) these are multi-purpose. Need somewhere to put all your rubbish to stop your campsite turning into a scene from Lord of the Flies? Bin bag. Need somewhere to sit when your deck chair has been stolen? Bin bag. Need an impromptu poncho when the weather turns and you were too optimistic to bring one? Bin bag.
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Toilet rolls. Trust us, the portaloo will run out, and it will be when you need it the most. If you carry one thing around with you for the entirety of the festival, make it this.
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Hand sanitiser. Look, festivals are gross, but you don't have to be. This will be your best friend after eating, before eating, after using the toilet and after touching the floor.
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Gaffer tape. Comes in handy for tent-business.
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A pair of flip flops you don't mind throwing away. To wear when walking around your little tent area in the mornings rather than pulling your wellies on.
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A torch. When the sun goes down, you'll be thankful. Bonus use: To tell scary stories around the camp fire.
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Travel Johns. These disposable 'Johns' full of crystals that turn to gel will be a life-saver when you need the loo at 5am.
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A refillable water bottle. With all that walking around, sun exposure and drinking, you're going to get dehydrated. Having a water bottle you can constantly fill up is going to drastically reduce your chances of getting ill.
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