Our guide to the best summer festival beauty bag essentials
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Sun & holiday
Reading time: 3 minutes
Make the most out of packing less with daytime refreshers, party essentials & morning-after must-haves
The music, the sunshine and the palpable atmosphere we’ve missed so much – festivals are finally back in full swing and we’re here for it. The one thing we haven’t missed? The sunburn, lack of access to hot, running water and sleeping in a sweaty, muddy tent.
But your festival make-up and hair don’t need to suffer. Forget compromising and leaving essentials at home or overpacking and being weighed down by excess or heavy beauty products you won’t need or want. Smart packing and innovative multitaskers or travel-sized products are the way to take more with you for less.
On-the-go essential
Skincare saviours
The make-up removing pad
Try: Face Halo Make Up Remover Pad
• Dual-sided
• Reusable
• Machine washable
Just apply water or cleanser to the pad to gently remove make-up for a deep clean and gentle exfoliation. For heavier eye make-up, simply hold it on the eyes or lashes for an extra five to 10 seconds.
The face SPF
Try: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50
• Size: 50ml
• Water, sweat and sand resistant
• Allergy tested
• Perfume-free
Providing serious and long-lasting UVA and UVB facial sun protection, this non-greasy sunscreen is not only lightweight, but is super-resistant against sand, sweat and water to see you through any summer activity.
The SPF multipack
Try: Soltan Family Essentials Travel Pack
• 4 x 50ml
• Water-resistant
• Vegan
With two packs of SPF50, an SPF30 and an aftersun lotion, this pack is perfect for travelling It includes Soltan's five-star UVA and SPF protection, providing intensive moisturisation whilst being light and easily absorbed.
Hair style & refresh
The dry shampoo
Try: Batiste Naturally Dry Shampoo Coconut Milk & Hemp Seed Oil
• Size: 200ml
• Sulphate-free
"Micro-braids can be teamed with textured waves for the ultimate 'cool girl' vibe," suggests Samantha Cusick, a Batiste ambassador. "Use a waving wand to create movement, then spritz some dry shampoo through the roots for extra volume and texture."
The antiperspirant
Try: Nivea Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Spray, Pearl & Beauty
• Size: 35ml
• Alcohol-free
The perfect size for a couple of days, this alcohol-free spritz deodorises and provides antiperspirant protection for up to 48 hours. Also, the pearl extract helps leave underarm skin feeling velvety smooth and soft.
The breath freshener
Try: UltraDEX Fresh Breath Spray
• Size: 9ml
• Alcohol-free
• Sugar-free
• Vegan
Developed and recommended by dental professionals, a quick spray of this hand-sized mint spritz helps dial down bad breath when you need it most – whether you’re in your tent or in the middle of a field.
Festival make-up kit staples
The waterproof mascara
Try: Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara
• Size: 9.5ml
This mascara brush captures even the tiniest lashes and volumises the look of longer lashes for a layered, multiplied lash look, while the liquid formula, with a low wax count, creates the blackest of black lashes – all while being waterproof!
The multipurpose wonder
Try: 17. High Shine Lip Crayon
• Eight shades
• Vegan
Festival beauty isn’t festival beauty without a cheek and lip crayon. Enter our current fave, which promises high shine and a bright, bold pigment. Simply smooth across your lips and blend across the apples of your cheeks for a healthy flush.
The graphic liner
Try: 17. Eye Flicks Pen
• Vegan
• Ophthalmologically tested
"Graphic liner is proving to be a popular expressive make-up trend this year with extra flicks and shapes making a bold statement on lids," says Hannah Stern, Boots beauty specialist. This quick-drying intense eyeliner is water-based with a subtle, but long-lasting sheen.
The hero highlighter
Try: Revolution Highlight Reloaded
• Four shades
• Vegan
Make way for the ultimate festival glow-up with this dazzling highlighter. We like to apply the silky formula across our cheeks, eyelids, collar bones and shoulders for an all over glow that will last all day and night. Our top tip? Apply with a damp blending brush for a foil-like finish.
The loose glitter
Try: NYX Professional Makeup Metallic Glitter
• Two shades
"Made popular by the hit TV series, Euphoria, glitter tears are a simple, yet effective way to create a grunge festival look with a glam twist," enthuses Hannah. Available in six ultra-reflective shades, from deep bronze to holographic pink and sandy gold, these holographic shades are perfect for a quick glam look.
Find out more about this year’s skincare and make-up looks and launches in our trend report.
