Festival Checklist

Love a bit of Beni 2011 (I'm in blue)

One part of the summer that we all look forward to is probably the myriad of different festivals we now host and attend. Personally, the logistical and meteorological disaster that was Creamfields 2012 is still too fresh in my mind and it will be a good few years before I can physically bring myself to attend one again. However, most people are far more dedicated and mud-hardy than I am (i.e. most people are not as big a pussy as I am) What to pack is usually a dilemma faced by festival-goers, so I have put together a little beauty checklist to get you through your (wet and) wild weekend.

1)      Suncream with UVA and UVB protection

This is so essential. Whether the sun does makes an appearance or not, think of all the exposure you’re getting. Damaging UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays can travel through clouds and any weather. Aging from the sun and environment accounts for 90% of the environmental aging of the skin; this is not a statistic to be sneered at if you are spending solid days and nights outdoors. Kiehl’s sunscreen is my favourite, but most of us have spent our student loans by this stage and Boots have a great sun protection range for a smaller budget.

2)      Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Cream

8 Hour Cream is a fantastic cosmetic for lips, eyes and brows, but its herbal healing properties are also amazing on minor ailments such as cuts, bruises, insect bites, grazes, chapped skin and sunburn making it a good first aid item. Great for applying loose glitter to the skin with as well, because its a festival and you’re allowed

3)      Batiste Dry Shampoo

I probably don’t even need to write this one as it is such a well know favourite but Batiste really is a lifesaver for greasy, lank hair as it mattifies all the oiliness and gives you a bit of volume. Owners of a fringe will appreciate this more than most as it stops the dreaded split-and-clump situation.

4)      A Good Base

Have you ever spent hours on the perfect makeup base to have it all sweated/rained/smeared off in a drunken haze? Save your money and your time by going for an easy and simple combination that you can top up on the go. I would recommend a primer, BB cream or tinted moisturiser followed up by a powder which gives coverage, which you can also take out and about with you. My perfect combination would probably be Kiehl’s new BB Cream with SPF 50 followed up by MAC’s Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder, which I can safely say is the nicest powder I have ever used.

5)      Forget the Lipstick

Like the perfect base, the perfect lip might not be maintainable through out the day. I would go for something sheer like Revlon’s Lip Butters which give moisturising colour, and can be applied relatively mirror free (if you’re careful). If your lips have a tendency to get dry, keep some clear gloss on hand to top up the colour and keep your lips moisturised.

6)      Water Resistant Eye Makeup

As most people know, waterproof mascara is a bit rubbish, but get a water resistant one and it will still survive a day in the elements AND still be an effective product. Plus, but the end of the day it should go a little bit smudgy in a sexy, smoky way. I would probably pair this with a gel liner rather than a kohl one, as they have more staying power but can still be blended and used on the waterline of your eye .

7)      Something Fun

Whether it’s jewels, glitter, transfers, the blue eyeliner you bought and never used, neon pigment, or none of the above, treat yourself to something a bit quirky and try it out, I dare you.