Are you off to Glastonbury on Thursday? If the answer is a big old YES, you've probably spent the last week clicking on every single weather report you can find, trying to suss out whether it's wellies or flip flops time...
Sadly, it looks like it's going to be the former – which throws a gigantic spanner in the works of your festival fun. Because, how do you keep your hair from going frizzy if you're set on keeping it straight? What bag do you take to hold the essentials? Will wellies give you blisters? And so it goes on...
Throw into the mix the other usual festival worries – how to you keep your phone charged? What happens if you unexpectedly get your period? – and the festival of fun you've been dreaming of for months, fast becomes an unsettling, stomach-curdling worry.
But you stop all that worrying right now. Because we have thought of solutions to ALL the problems described above (and more) ahead of time for you.
Scroll down to read them...
The Ultimate Festival Hacks
1.) How to keep your phone charged
The mobile network provider EE will be offering FREE mobile charging in recharge tents this year at Glastonbury, no matter which network you're on (hurray!). Make sure you source them when you get there.
As a precaution though, we'd also advise taking a portable charging device with you, like a JUICE power station which can charge your mobile up to 6 times.
To save battery if it's low, put your phone on airplane mode (remember to turn it off when you're expecting someone to get through), and make sure all apps are closed on your phone as often as possible; when open, they run down your battery something stupid.
2.) What to do if you lose signal...
This WILL happen. Make sure you make a contingency plan with your friends. i.e. 'If we get lost we will meet up here at this time. And if you're more than 20 minutes late I am going home, so DON'T BE LATE.' That outta do it.
3.) What to do with your hair in the rain...
This is always a tricky one. Unless you're someone who loves your hair just as it is, rain always proves troublesome.
Yes, there are solutions, like obviously, wearing a hat. But unless it's a bathcap, it's unlikely to keep your hair completely dry.
If you want to ward off frizziness/curliness (or alternatively, want to keep your hair curly, if you've curled it especially), a good idea is to plait it. Plaits contain frizz and also produce the perfect curl, so they're worth considering.
If you have a fringe that curls, wear some sort of bandana, head scarf or hair band. Job done.
4.) What bag to take
The fanny pack. Seriously, do it. Everything is secured round your middle (so unlikely to get stolen) it's handsfree so you can dance (without the faff of holding onto something), and if you pack cleverly, it will hold a whole heap of stuff.
5.) What to do if a stranger spills their drink over your back
Make sure you take some antibacterial wipes. Trust us on this one. It's a little pedantic perhaps, but Kim K takes some with her to festivals, so we know we're not alone on this.
Antibacterial wipes just mean that whatever you get sploshed with – mud, booze, sweat – you've got some immediate relief from the grossness; and the knowledge that anti germ agents are working hard to make you cleaner is also a massive load off.
6.) Don't take a pillow
Takes up too much space. Take a pillow case and stuff your clothes in it instead; it makes a perfectly satisfactory pseudo pillow and allows more room in your suitcase for all the clothes.
7.) Take a plastic bag
This will come in handy. We can't tell you why, but most festival dilemmas can – at least in part – be helped by a plastic bag. For instance (bar the phone hacks) all the above (3. as a hat, 4. as the bag, 5. as a cloth, 6. as the pillow case itself – ta-daaa!).
8.) Where to find a mirror
By the miracle of friends! Arrange a mutual 'mirror agreement' with one of your festival besties (to save that all important phone battery in not using the reverse camera). Agree there is nothing too embarrassing for them to tell you: be it snot in your nostril, visible ear wax, mascara gloop... you want to know about it.
9.) What happens if you get your period
Take sanitary products even if you're not expecting your time of the month (because, well, you never know). Whilst sanitary products will most likely be available on-site from one of the two pharmacies, it's best to go prepared.Take a pack of baby wipes as well.
10.) What to do in an emergency
Glastonbury has medical facilities situated around the farm, including a hospital with casualty unit, a minor injury unit and two Walk-In Medical Centres (at Cabaret Field and Silver Hayes). There are two pharmacies too – at Big Ground Medical Centre and opposite William’s Green on the walk through towards West Holt. Memorise where they are, and know your bearings at all times.
11.) How to prevent blisters
Putting surgical tape over blister points can help prevent them – or just stick on a Compede.
12.) How to clean your teeth without a toothbrush
Wrap a paper towel round a (clean!) finger and gently rub your teeth. Not ideal but better than nothing. Sugar-free gum will help you with festival breath too obviously.
13.) How to keep your feet warm in wellies
Contrary to popular belief, sometimes many layers of socks don't do the trick. Wearing one pair allows your foot's heat to circulate more easily. Choose wellie socks to stay toasty warm.
To find out which wellies to take, click here.
14.) How to block out noise during the few precious hours you've reserved for sleep
Earplugs.
15.) How to get through a crowd
It's weird but simple: be polite. Very polite. Generally in large crowds, people expect to be shoved and are often on the offensive. You can move swiftly through a crowd if you're polite and apologetic. 'Im SO sorry but it's very important I get through' or 'thank you so much for letting me pass' – stuff like that. People won't expect it, and most likely, they'll do what you want.
Have fun!
Read on for more festival advice...
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