Festivals and beauty editors (or at least this beauty ed) should not mix. It may only be for a couple of days, yet the lack of running water, mirrors and space for ritualistic skincare regimes deems the whole tent-in-a-field fun somewhat hard to swallow and makes any chance of looking good (Alessandra Ambrosio aside) nigh on impossible.
Unless, that is, you’re kitted out with the most hard-working, multi-tasking and ingenious of products which, of course we are.
So put down your Clarisonic, pop that serum back on the shelf and let go of those wireless curling tongs because these are the only makeup, skincare and haircare products you will need in your backpack . . . not forgetting deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste (we thought you’d know that those were pretty mandatory)!
[clockwise from right]
Rituals Hands Free, £3.50 Rituals.com. This green tea scented hand sanitiser will ensure your hands are germ and bacteria-free even without easy-access to soap and water.
Toni & Guy Hair Meet Wardrobe Cleanse Dry Shampoo, £7.19 Boots.com. There’s far too much fun to be had to spend time hair-styling. Simply shake, spritz into roots and massage to refresh and revive 1, 2, or 3-day old hair.
Shiseido Expert Sun Aging Protection Cream Plus SPF 50+, £33.50 Houseoffraser.co.uk. If you remember just one thing this festival season, whether there’s cloud cover or blazing sunshine, it’s a super-high factor, broad spectrum sunscreen. Slather generously over every inch of your face (including hair line, ears and nose). This new offering is lightweight, easily-absorbed, smells delicious and comes in a handy 50 ml tube.
Bourjois Cream Blush in Rose Tender, £7.99 Boots.com. Minimal sleep, excessive alcohol consumption and below-par meal options equates to tired, greying skin. Revive your face by faking a healthy flush using Bourjois’ new easy-to-blend (using your freshly sanitised fingertips) cream blushers, available in a whole range of skin-flattering shades.
Wild About Beauty Golden Beach Bronzer, £18 Houseoffraser.co.uk. If you’ve ever wondered what it is that differentiates Coachella from Glastonbury (and makes it all the more appealing), we’d like to suggest it’s the Cali-girl desert-bronzed skin tones. All that sunshine and LA heat imparts the most natural, effortless tan tone. Blend Wild About Beauty’s trio of shades to recreate it for yourself.
Topshop Peel Off Nails, £6 Topshop.com. Don’t let a lack of facilities dampen your beauty spirit. Instead, pop one (or two) of Topshop’s innovative Peel Off nail polishes into your bag and simply do as it says on the bottle; paint, peel off, and re-varnish.
Aveda Lip Saver SPF15, £11.50 Aveda.com. This deeply nourishing, moisturising and sun-shielding lip balm in a compact stick means there’s no excuses for returning home with dry, chapped lips.
Nars Multiple in Puerta Vallarta, £30 Narscosmetics.com. When the sun finally pops out, sweep this shimmering bronzer down limbs and across cheek and collarbones to add some beauty luxe.
This Works In Transit No Traces, £17 Thisworks.com. Unlike every other facial wipe, towelette or eye make up removing pad I’ve ever tried before, This Works No Traces don’t sting, dry out or irritate the skin. The rose micellar water and mint soaked pads are simply amazing – and the only face wipe I will ever condone!
Stila After Glow Lip Colour in Electric Pink, £12 Stilacosmetics.com. This is the bright make up must-have of the festival season. A gorgeously waxy crayon that boasts fluoro-pigments 3 times brighter than conventional colours for a bold lip by day and a (wait for it . . .) UV glow by night. A slick of this and there’s no way you’ll get lost in a crowd!