The Beauty Essentials To Pack This Festival Season

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 Packing Checklist

These things aren't glamorous, but they are essential.

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