Surviving Glastonbury in Style: Beauty Essentials to Pack
Disclaimer: Myself and my website are not connected to or have any other commercial or other association with Glastonbury festival. All advice is based on my own personal experience.
Festival season is well and truly in full-swing and there’s nothing more I love than a festival as long as I’m glamping and not camping. You’ll be seeing me, yes, in a tent, but one with a double bed and power sockets meaning I can pack a mini fridge for my champs and cans of Margs!
Next up is Glasto, the legendary music festival that combines mud, music, and magical moments. Not for the faint-hearted, it's a place where music lovers unite, dance like no one's watching, and embrace the chaos that comes with it.
Diving headfirst into five days of mud-filled adventure brings its own challenges, amongst others, packing to maintain some sort of beauty routine. We all know the usual essentials: wellies, a raincoat, 400 fancy dress outfits etc, so I thought I’d put together the beauty essentials I’ll be taking with me, because what’s a festival without a ton of eco-glitter? Let’s go!
HAIR
Ok, I’m starting with hair because if you’ve got a mane like mine, you need all the help you can get. I’m not going to lie, I’m having a blow dry the day before I got to Glasto. I mean I’m not going to be washing my hair for five days straight, so I might as well get a pre-G deep clean. I’m also going to be asking my lovely hairdresser to curl my hair in the tightest curls EVER with my beloved GHD thin curve wand. I’m then hoping that it will just drop each day until it becomes the most gorgeous beach waves. I’m completely ignoring the fact that I will probably have beer, burgers and glitter in my hair after an hour of arrival. Let’s try and stay positive.
This is an absolute essential. I mean it’s proven to clean your hair as well as shampoo but guess what, you don’t need water. Total no-brainer!
If all else fails, my hair’s going into braids or, LBH, some sort of top knot, and these are my favourite hair bobbles as they don’t get knotted in the hair. Result.
Who knows what the weather is going to be like? But if it does pour with rain, nobody’s going to notice your soggy hair if it’s covered in tinsel!
If all else fails, think hats. Whether you choose a wide-brimmed hat or a quirky bucket hat, Glasto is the perfect excuse to go hat crazy.
MAKEUP
People go all out at Glasto so glitter is ESSENTIAL. But let’s make it eco-glitter please. Glitter glue is also a must, nobody wants their mate to be using a bit of Apple sours to stick on that glittery lip - or do they?
Eco Glitter Brands
Coloured Mascara
On day three when you can barely get dressed, let alone do a smokey eye, just chuck on a bright mascara. Genius.
Foundation
Do you need it? Should you bother? Probs not. Personally, I’ll be using my Isle of Paradise self-tanning drops a few days before so I don’t have to wear a base. But if you do want a foundation, go long-wear for the best chance of it staying put.
It stays put but leaves your skin looking glowy.
This will not budge. That’s why she’s an icon.
It says 24-hour wear… let’s test it.
Concealer
Looking for the perfect concealer for Glasto? Well, you want something that can handle the sweat, tears of joy, and potential mosh pit mishaps without budging. It needs to be more reliable than that friend who always says they'll meet you at the front but ends up disappearing into the crowd. Besides, what else is going to be hiding those sleepless nights?
The old faithful that brightens for days.
If all else fails, just chuck this all over your face.
This brightens as well as awakening your eyes with a boost of caffeine. Perfect.
Blusher
Blush just makes everything better. Use it on your cheeks and lips to save time.
The colours are as vibrant at Elton John’s outfits. Chuck on with abundance.
These add colour and highlight.
This is your bronze, your blush and your highlight in one. It also has a massive mirror so you can actually see what you’re doing.
Lipstick
Everyone needs a bright lip to slap on minutes before you crowd surf, right?! Here are some of the best:
If I have to pick two, I’m gonna say Velvet Morning (surprise, I know), and Rainbow spill. Try wearing one on the top lip and the other on the bottom and then blend. Yum.
It comes everywhere with me. It’s just the best.
Eyeshadow
You don’t need eyeshadow, you’ve got glitter, so cake yourself in it. If you want to add a lil something extra, try some face gems. Even Zara sell them now.
Skincare
Listen, wet wipes are not the one. They do sweet F-all. If you are insistent are packing them, go for eco ones that won’t block the drains. These are also good to use as disposable flannels to use side by side with your real-life cleanser.
Cleanser
You may be laughing at me right now but at least try and take off your makeup. Even if it’s just one brow, I’ll appreciate the effort. And if you need some recommendations for your whole face, here are some faves:
Get the travel size. Festival cleansing sorted.
This is proven to take your makeup off with one cleanse.
This conditions your skin as well as cleansers, and gawd knows your skin will need all the conditioning it can get
No need for water with this baby.
Moisturiser
I’m not going to pretend you’re going to be doing your seven-step skincare routine in a tent. So I’m going back to the old school, cleanse and moisturise routine of 1976. No excuses. And how lovely will it be to wake up with soft, silky skin to the sound of some dude singing Wonderwall on full blast?!
It’s rich, it’s glorious and it leaves your skin glowing.
This is going to work wonders through the night so cake it on.
This is a great one for added hydration. Ps: don’t drink it.
SPF
Whatever the weather, you’re going to be outside all day every day so wear it. Here are some of my faves:
Keep this on you in the day for top ups.
This smells amazing (you probs won’t) so use it.
Bondi Sands SPF50 balm is fragrance free and great for sensitive skin.
If you have the energy to put this on in the evenings, you’ll thank me later. I mean it’s unlikely you will, but anyway.
Lip Balms
Excessive partying, late nights, sun and booze all cause dry lips. So remember your lip balm, people!
For the day:
You can’t go wrong with Ultra Violette, end of.
This is a festival essential. It does so many things. Pack it.
For lips that scream: Kiss me, I’m moisturised!
Restores dry, sore lips overnight as if by magic.
Miscellaneous Must-Haves:
· A disposable camera - to capture the memories you forget about.
· A torch so you can find your way back to your tent.
· A phone battery pack. Obvs.
· Plasters because you walk 30k steps on average a day at Glasto.
· Hydration tablets to counteract the pints.
· A fan… just manifesting the sun here.
· Waterproof socks because come rain or shine your feet will either be soaked in water or sweat. I recommend Seal socks because, even though at £30 they are pricey, it’s a great investment for comfy feet.
· THAT Mary Poppins-esque Uniqlo bumbag.
· Why hayfever tablets and nose spray? Because a giant field for five days.
· Painkillers because the music is loud and drinks are plentiful.
· A sleeping mask because it’s never dark at Glasto.
· Ear plug because it’s never quiet at Glasto.
· Lastly, a few travel perfumes… we can all at least try to smell nice (ish).
When it comes to packing beauty essentials for Glastonbury, it's all about finding that magical balance between looking fierce and surviving the elements. A big ask, I know, but try to prioritise skincare amidst the festival chaos. Opt for lightweight, long-lasting, effortless products that last from sunrise to sunset. Your skin (and the IG pics) will look better for it.
Love,
Lisa