Festival Beauty Survival Guide

Festival Beauty Survival Guide

Come rain or shine, festivals are always great fun. But 4 days of dancing, drinking, and camping definitely calls for a bit of forward planning, especially when it comes to beauty. 

We're heading to Pemberton Festival next week, and as much as I want to pack light, I also want to make sure I stay as fresh as possible for the whole weekend. Here are some of my top hair & beauty must-haves to help you look and feel amazing this festival season!


1) Baby Wipes

Baby wipes serve SO many purposes - removing make up, freshening up your body, wiping away any sweat, and of course, keeping your hands clean and germ-free. I grabbed a huge pack for just $3.99, so they're super cheap but an absolute must to keep you as fresh as possible all weekend.

2) SPF Face/Body Lotion

Protect your face and body from the sun with a high-SPF face and body cream.  I recently started using Garnier's Ombrelle SPF60 Face Cream and it is honestly amazing. I'm guilty of not wearing high factor SPF face cream as much as I should, mainly because I've never found a sunscreen that doesn't give me spots or make my face look shiny. The Ombrelle cream is so light and it's fragrance & colourant free so it doesn't irritate my skin. Plus, the factor is really high so it offers great protection, as I really don't want those wrinkles coming any earlier than they need to! I've also got the SPF50 Body Lotion from the Ombrelle range, which is also suitable for sensitive skin and doesn't have a greasy finish.

3) Hand Sanitizer

Little running water + portaloos for 4 days...I probably don't need to explain why hand sanitizer is an essential! I've yet to buy one, but I've heard really great things about Aesop's Rinse Free Hand Wash as apparently it doesn't dry out the skin like most other washes. I occasionally suffer from eczema on my hands, so I'm intrigued to try this out as I find that most hand sanitizers do irritate my skin.

4) Dry Shampoo

Do not, I repeat, do not leave for your festival without dry shampoo! Dry shampoo was pretty much made for festivals and it'll leave your hair looking and smelling like it's just been washed (kinda). My long-time favourite is Batiste, especially the "hint of colour" range as the spray is tinted so it blends nicely into my hair.  

5) Mirror

Most powders and palettes will have a tiny mirror attached, but it's nice to have a normal-sized mirror to see what you actually look like. You can also get some with a hook attached, so you can hang it up inside your tent. 

6) Cleanser

Your skin will no doubt take a beating from excess sun, unhealthy food, and lack of sleep, so adopting a simple cleansing routine will help to keep your skin bright and blemish free. I highly recommend Garnier's SkinActive Micellar Water, which is both a make-up remover and a cleanser and it lifts off every last bit of dirt and grime. My skin's quite sensitive but I've found this to be really gentle and balancing, it's non-greasy, and you don't have to rinse it off either which is perfect for festivals. Don't forget to pack some cotton pads too. 

7) Waterproof Make-Up

Don't let sweat and/or rain ruin your face! Switch to waterproof mascara so your make-up stays in-tact and you don't end up with panda eyes. I also love Dior's Long-Wear Eyeliner and have been using it for years, as it glides on and creates the perfect flick and has great staying power even after a long day. 

8) Glitter 

I'm a huuuge fan of glitter (even if it does get everywhere) and I think it's such a make-up essential for festivals. Use a little bit of sunscreen or a liquid highlighter as a base, and pat a bit of glitter on top under the eye and around the cheekbone. For a super affordable option, Topshop's Glitter Pots and H&M's Glitter Dust are great, as is Urban Decay's Moondust Eyeshadow which is a bit pricier but gives a great finish.

9) Hairspray

Tame any flyaways with a good hairspray. I've used Garnier's Fructis hairspray for years and I LOVE the smell - the tropical scent always reminds me of being on holiday. Use it to secure cute plaits or a topknot bun for when you need to scrape your hair off your face.

10) Hair Grips

You never know when you'll need a few hair grips, plus you can create some really cute festival hairstyles using just a few pins. I swear by Invisibobbles too, as they secure your hair so well but don't leave any crazy kinks, which is ideal especially when you can't wash them out. 

11) Phone Battery Pack

While this isn't really a beauty essential, it is definitely an item that you shouldn't leave for a festival without! A phone battery pack is an absolute must, and I came across a power pack from RAVPower which is ah-mazing. It gives 9 iPhone 6 charges - yes, NINE! - and has 3 USB ports so you can charge multiple devices at once. It'll definitely get you through your weekend so you can take all the festival selfies & Snapchats in the world! 

What are your favourite festival beauty essentials? Let me know in the comment box below! And don't forget to check out my recent vlog featuring some more of my top essentials! 


Some products in this post were gifted by Garnier, but all opinions & recommendations are my own  🙂 

13 Comments

  1. July 14, 2016 / 2:25 pm

    Love this list! Dry shampoo is a must have! I also just bought the 100% Pure Black Tea liquid eye liner and that stuff does not come off! I’ll definitely be taking it to Stagecoach Music Festival next year.

  2. July 13, 2016 / 11:50 pm

    My favorite pick of yours is BABY WIPES! I literally carry them in my purse everywhere I go…can’t live without! Ha!

  3. July 13, 2016 / 11:40 pm

    You’ve got to try Epic Wipes! They’re a “pocket shower,” 16 times larger than a wet wipe and made of bamboo, water, chamomile and eucalyptus 🙂 they just came out this summer and have become my must-have camping accessory.

    • Go Live Explore
      Author
      July 13, 2016 / 11:46 pm

      Oh i’ve never heard of those – but they sound amazing! Damn, I wish i’d heard about them before, i’d have got some. We’ll know for next time! Thanks love! xx

  4. July 13, 2016 / 9:51 pm

    Sounds like you have everything down to a science for the perfect festival look! 🙂 Agree that dry shampoo is definitely a must!

  5. July 13, 2016 / 3:53 pm

    Great list, I love dry shampoo it is the best thing ever!!! If I was ever to go to the music festival I would forsure back everything you said in this post! so helpful thank you for sharing

    http://xoxobella.com

  6. July 13, 2016 / 9:20 am

    I LOVE dry shampoo! It’s honestly a lifesaver. This is an awesome list – thanks for sharing 🙂

    • Go Live Explore
      Author
      July 13, 2016 / 9:29 am

      Thank you Lana, i’m glad you found it useful!! x

  7. Kandja Sylla
    July 12, 2016 / 2:59 pm

    Oh thanks for the reminder about waterproof mascara. I don’t want to have panda eyes during events like this. Awesome battery charger you got–I mean it can charge NINE! Just incredible!xx

    http://www.prettyweirdbombshell.com

    • Go Live Explore
      Author
      July 12, 2016 / 3:15 pm

      Right! Can’t stand it when my make-up runs. And honestly, i’ve been using it instead of a wall charger since last week and it’s STILL going strong. Literally amazing! xx

  8. Kandja
    July 12, 2016 / 11:07 am

    I am in love with dry shampoo! These are such great shares Alicia 🙂
    I definitely need to try the glitter look next festival I hit up xx

    • Go Live Explore
      Author
      July 12, 2016 / 11:25 am

      Thank you lovely, yes dry shampoo is such a must! Glitter gets everywhere but I love it can’t wait to wear it and look all girly haha xx

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