With summer in the not too distant future, festival season is finally here.
While there’s no bonanza in the form of Glastonbury this year – 2026 is a fallow year, FYI – there are still plenty of great festivals to attend. From Summertime Ball to Mighty Hoopla and BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend to Wilderness, there’s something for every vibe, genre, location – you name it!
Sure, festivals can be a lot of fun, but the key to doing it right is somehow maintaining an aura of glam despite having limited access to showers and limited sleep after days of back-to-back partying. It’s a tall task, given that you’re probably not going to bring the entirety of your bathroom shelf in the backpack you borrowed from your dad – let alone be able to carry it all. Making fewer products do all the heavy lifting, might leave you scratching your head wondering what to take with you hours before you’re catching the train or bundling your bags into the back of your BFF’s car.
To make things easier for you, we’ve asked 22 of our fave musicians, DJs and certified festival heads to share their must-have beauty buys that always go in their bag to keep them looking fresh-faced and smelling sweet, no matter what day it is. Keep reading to find out what they are…
Lucia Fairfull
“Any time I’m staying over at a festival and sleeping in a tent, I wake up with a face like a puffer fish so having a lymphatic drainage tool is mandatory. Isamaya x FaceGym Sculpt 01 is the best one I’ve ever used! Not only does it look cool, but it has multiple sides for using on different points of your face. I also think it’s important to have something that feels like self care in your routine no matter where you are (especially among the chaos of festival season) and this feels like a really easy way to do that!”
“When playing at a festival you never know just how much that sun is going to be beating down on you, it could be the whole duration of your show so obviously having SPF at a festival is a must, but I’m not into the idea of risking walking on stage with either a greasy face or white cream marks so using a sunscreen stick like Caudalie Vinosun Protect Invisible High Protection Stick SPF50+ that is very easy to apply and doesn’t get your hands all sticky is a godsend!”
“As a curly head my hair has a mind of its own, but even more so at festivals. I do think that part of what’s fun about being at a festival is allowing your hair to be natural and get more wild as the days go on, so I think that the Davines Curl Moisturising Mousse would only be a product that would allow that wildness to thrive even more, but at the same time would lock in a bit more shine and definition to my curls. I’ve yet to use it at a festival, but have been using it for the last few months and what I love about it is that it can be added to wet or dry hair and work wonders either way.”
Chloe Qisha
“Hailey Bieber can take all my money… and she has! Rhode Pocket Blush is one of my ride or die products right now. I almost didn’t want to like it (because everyone and their mum seems to adore it), but it very quickly became one of my favourite blush products – you can get a lot done with blush – so if there’s one thing I’m taking to a festival, it’s this.”
“I wouldn’t necessarily call Merit Beauty Signature Sheer Lip Liner a liner in its truest form – it’s more like a buildable soft crayon – so it’s perfect for a slightly messy makeup-wearer like myself. I think I’m slightly dependent on this product (I have a mini freak out if ever I leave the house without it), so it’s a key ingredient for my festival makeup looks.”
“Call me an old woman (I am), but I have to wear sunscreen if I’m out for more than a couple of hours. Festivals are brutal – hydration is key, body and makeup is tea – but more importantly, please use your sunscreen folks. I love Supergoop! (Re)setting 100% Mineral Sunscreen Powder SPF 30 for my face and neck. It not only sets your makeup, but it’s great for reapplication throughout the day.”
Jayda G
“Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Blush Stick gives a soft glowy natural look that blends well into the skin, instead of sitting on top – the best for dancing.”
“Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray honestly makes your makeup survive a long day out at a festival and keeps your skin fresh and glowing while setting everything so you look good from day to night – it’s a must.”
“You always need a good SPF and I love La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+ because it’s light on the skin and doesn’t make you feel oily as you’re out dancing it up.”
Arielle Free
“Despite all the shenanigans you may have got up to the night before running riot, Boddy Laundry Night Oil is an absolute diamond and will have you waking up looking refreshed, glowing and ready to tear into the next round of debauchery. Buy the box, nick the night oil and give the rest to your favourite boys in your life.”
“Even if you’re in the UK, the sun can always creep out and Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice+Probiotics SPF50+ is a godsend of an SPF. It’s light, doesn’t chalk and makes your skin glisten under your makeup – perfect for avoiding all lobster situations. Silky, super strong, long-lasting and delicious!”
“Rule 101 if you’re having to glamp or camp; you don’t want to be the pal that everyone steers clear from. Le Labo Thé Matcha 26 travel refill set gives you three little ones that are perfect for traveling, take up minimal space (so more room for fab festival outfits) and you’ll smell delicious the whole Weeknd! Let’s be real, no one actually likes the taste of matcha but this fragrance is divine! Top tip: You don’t need to buy the canister to protect it as they come in thick cardboard protectors which will keep your bottles safe on all occasions and are also small enough to fit in your fanny pack.”
su, i think
Starting off with SPF, girls it’s a classic. You can’t be going in the sun all day without protecting your skin. La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+, for all the sensitive skin angels. Leaves you looking gorgeous and dewy, like a moisturised grape.
Then we have hayfever tablets, Allevia to be exact. You may be thinking how this has anything to do with beauty, but my love, you won’t look cute with red eyes and snot dribbling out of every crevice. Finally, a simple deodorant of any kind! Whether you’ll be rocking out or sunbathing, you’re bound to sweat and I cannot bear smelling another person’s bad behaviour this summer – mwah.
Flowerovlove
“Dior Hydrating Eye Patches help ground me and my aura for shows.” You can shop more eye patches we love here. “I need Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil daily to keep my lips plump and shiny. It makes me feel even more beautiful than I already am.”
“My Afro comb is custom to my curls and I always have them on hand in my handbag. It’s perfect for shaping my fro and brushing it out.”
Eliza Rose
“Medik8 Ultimate Recovery Bio-Cellulose Mask is my go-to, needed and necessary for a boost, refresh and revitalise on day 2/3 of the festival. It really tightens and plumps up the skin after one too many late nights.”
“A good primer, ideally with some SPF. Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer is my fave, great for blurring out those imperfections and also keeps you protected from those rays. It honestly makes the world of difference to keep the beat sturdy too.”
“I have really gotten into Tatcha The Kissu Lip Mask lately. It’s a night lip mask, but I wear it all day as well as it’s got a gorgeous tint on it and is super glossy so it looks gorgeous on. Honestly, I would even slick on my lids or skin if I wanted an extra level of sheen – it’s perfect for low maintenance but high impact girlies.”
Nia Smith
“Festival season = chaos, heat, long days… and somehow still needing to look cute, so my makeup bag has to work. And honestly, feeling my best before I step on stage is everything! Look good, feel good, perform good… always.”
“Here are my ride-or-dies. First up, the Prada Touch Blush in Mauve, she never misses. The perfect shade, super easy to throw on, and I can literally tap it in with my fingers if I’m running between sets.”
“Then my holy grail is Fenty Beauty Invisimatte 2.0 Instant Setting & Blotting Powder. This one saves me every time! It takes away all the shine right before backstage pics and keeps me fresh all day.”
“For lips, Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Contour Duo. The shades are so perfect for shaping and defining and I always finish with Refy Clear Lip Gloss. It lasts my whole set which is exactly what I need.”
Kaylee Golding
“Getting your make up to stay put for hours of sunshine and dancing can be hard work. I really do dance the day away, so staying power is everything. L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist is my ultimate lifesaver, it locks my makeup in place for hours without feeling heavy or sticky. I can go from midday sunshine to late-night sets without needing constant touch-ups. This really is my summer festival go-to, I can’t live without it!”
“SPF is non-negotiable, especially when you’re out in an open field all day in the sun. You really have to be careful with your skin! I love this Garnier Vitamin C Daily UV Brightening Fluid Glow SPF50+ particularly because it sits beautifully under makeup while giving my skin a fresh, radiant glow.”
“I’m a lip gloss addict and Ms Lorde Beauty Moisturising Lip Gloss in Forever never leaves my bag. When I’m out at a festival, especially when I’m DJing or hosting, I want my lips to look popping! It gives that high-shine, plumped look that instantly upgrades any festival makeup. I also love that it holds so I don’t have to keep topping it up every 10 minutes!”
Nadine Noor
“I always pack a hypochlorous acid spray, I use Clinisoothe Skin Purifier. It works like an antibacterial mist for your face, gentle, non-drying and perfect for keeping skin fresh through dust, sweat and long days. It doubles as a quick cool-down in the heat.”
“I’ve also been carrying the Kiko Milano 3D Hydra Lipgloss, the shimmer is unreal and it pulls a look together without trying too hard.”
“I always have the Hello Sunday The One For Your Hands SPF30 Hand Cream in my bag. It sinks in fast with no stickiness and keeps your hands protected without interrupting everything else you’re doing.”
Ryan Lovell
“My go-to base right now is Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Bubble Serum. It gives me that immediate bounce and glow – especially when you’re running on like zero sleep (lol). It makes my skin look full, calmer, plump!”
“I follow-up with Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice+Probiotics SPF50+. It melts in like moisturiser and leaves no white cast. Just full protection.”
“Last but not least, Malin + Goetz Lip Moisturiser. Low effort – high reward. Who doesn’t love a plump lip at a festival?”
Mya Mehmi
“First and foremost I need my Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm Cherry flavour please. It’s simple but the tingling grounds me and it keeps my lips hydrated and kissable at all times, which is important at these things.”
“Then I have to make sure I have my Refy Lip Sculpt liner because it actually stays on no matter how many drinks I sip and how sweaty my upper lip gets on the dancefloor.”
“Lastly, you will find me spraying my face with the Evian Brumisateur Facial Spray throughout the day because it’s so refreshing, hydrating and gives me that ‘alive’ look, even at the afters when its way past my bed time.”
Aisha Asunramu
“Reapplying SPF is a must during festival season. I love how lightweight and easy it is to apply Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF50 Reapplication Mist to my face – especially if I have makeup on – without ruining it.”
“This one is biassed because it's my own product, but I quite literally have everything I need for the perfect lip combo as a dark skin girl in the Aisha x The Beauty Crop Lip Kit – long-lasting lip liner(s), the perfect nude lipstick and the most gorgeous glittery lip oil to top it off!”
“As a dry skin babe, Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Moisture Repair Balm Serum is a must in my makeup skin prep routine! It ensures my skin is hydrated enough before applying product and setting, I’ll even throw in the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Liquid Blurring Balm Setting Spray as it gives that airbrush finish without the need for using powder. 10/10.”
Mollie Burdell
“I love me a festival, which is why I was back in the beautiful fields of Glastonbury when my daughter was four months old – safely at home with her grandparents may I add. Alexa, play “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John.”
“As a loyal lip combo kinda girl, this is the only element of my makeup I’ll entertain allowing a few top ups throughout the day but with the Wonderskin Wonder Blading All-Day Lip Stain (I love pairing shade Whimsical with a browny-toned liner) it’s few and far between, even after multiple pints and pizza slices. The formula really stays put and I’ve found it makes your liner last longer too.
I actually like to level up with my Body care as, weather permitting, I’ll be baring more skin than my general day-to-day. Funnily enough, I haven’t worn the cow print shorts (above) on one of my QVC shows. After slathering myself in SPF head to toe, I’ll go in with a body oil like The Ciroa Cocoa For You Shimmer Body Oil which smells absolutely banging but also contains a load of skin loving ingredients like jojoba oil and vitamin E as well.
Prinny Rae
“One/Size On ‘Til Dawn Glitter Setting Spray Looking in my makeup with my trusted fave that makes my makeup unshakeable, now infused with glitter to bring that festival glam.”
“Smelling unreal while cooling down with Hawaiian Tropic Paradise Dreams Cooling Fragrance Mist.”
“Huda Beauty Cheek and Lip Duo is a two in one gloss and blush combo which is always good for saving space in my mini festival bag without compromising the glam!”
Amber Leaux
“Truyu Deluxe Powder Puff is my saving grace when I’m feeling a little shiny. It sets my powder amazingly, gives such a gorge blur effect and I use it throughout the day on my T-zone – it instantly matties without making my makeup go patchy.”
“Child’s Farm Roll-On Sun Lotion SPF50+ is perfect for topping up during the day with minimal effort. It doesn’t take up much space and can be applied really easily – great for festivals without much shade or coverage. Also it’s Black skin friendly, doesn’t leave a white cast, is super moisturising to leave you glowing and sensitive skin friendly!”
“Refy Lip Sculpt in Sepia and Refy Tinted Lip Gloss in Dusk. Honestly I don’t really need the lip liner because that girl stays on all day long. I was so impressed with the longevity of the lip liner, even after drinking and eating, that liner is there. The lip gloss also needs topping up rarely because it also lasts so long, again after drinking too. I feel like I’m always having to reach for a lip gloss and top up, but I don’t have to so often with this one. Cost per wear is 10/10 with these!”
Fopé Ajanaku
“Clubbing is my job, so naturally festival season is the best time of year to look and feel stunning, or at the very least, like you planned to look stunning. I love to gaily frolic and refuse to spend any time I could be gallivanting across a giant field in neon green touching up my face, so my approach is all about locking in what you start your day with and then releasing control entirely by sunset, which, as true party rats know, is when the real party begins and what your makeup looks like becomes none of your business.”
“I’m technically cheating because I think of it less as a beauty essential and more as a life essential, but if you’re heading out without a good moisturiser and lip balm in your fanny pack, you’ve already lost the day and quite possibly your dignity. Feeling ashy on the dancefloor is my personal nightmare so my go-to is Neutrogena Hydro Boost, which is lightweight, doesn’t feel gummy and keeps my skin dewy from first drink to final set, even when your body is exhausted but your face is still catching the light just in the right way and someone cute decides you look like trouble worth knowing. If for some delusional reason, moisturising isn’t your priority, pack a hydrating sheet mask at the very least I beg you.”
“Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray is non-negotiable for me as a sweaty raver (antidepressants contribute to this, if you didn’t already know). I’ve tried cheaper alternatives in moments of financial ruin, but honestly nothing compares. Once it’s on, my makeup does not budge. Not for sweat, not for tears, not for the whole crowd yelling ‘one more song’ when it is very clearly not one more song.
“Finally, beauty supply lip gloss, the cheapest kind. Always and forever! She is glossy, she is dependable and she is perfectly suited to a life where things are constantly being lost, borrowed, or mysteriously absorbed into muddy festival grounds. She catches the light, she catches attention, she leaves a trace on all cups, on all cigarettes and on literally everyone's white T-shirts. Most importantly, she’s easy to replace when she inevitably disappears somewhere between stages or into someone else’s Uniqlo bag. Keep the expensive lip tints and glosses at home, girlies – they are simply not built for festival living!”
Denai Moore
“I’ve been growing out my hair since I shaved it a couple years back and I carry an Afro pick everywhere I go! There’s never enough mirrors at festivals, so I try to keep my styling cute and sweet. You can’t go wrong with an Afro pick!”
“I’ve never really been a full glam person at festivals. Festivals, for me, are more about embracing the smudged mascara from day one on day three, but nothing makes me feel more fab topping up my Rimmel London Thrill Seeker Glassy Lip Gloss. The act in itself is equivalent to that full glam moment.”
“Dancing all day in the sun requires SPF! I love Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice+Probiotics SPF50+ because it’s not too oily and doesn’t leave a white cast.”
Ava Joe
“I don’t ever go anywhere without Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. It’s my favourite lipstick ever and I can use it for blush too for the perfect sunkissed festival look.”
“I’m a vanilla freak, so I have to have some kind of vanilla perfume. Whether it’s Victoria's Secret Bare Vanilla Body Mist or Lattafa Eclaire eau de parfum.”
“Lastly, Uklash Volume Boost Mascara which is the best mascara I’ve used in a while.”
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Caity Baser
“I sweat a lot on stage and one thing I hate is when my makeup runs down my face – Elf Power Grip Primer kicks everything in from the get go! No matter how hot I get.”
“To achieve my signature eye looks I always use Glisten Cosmetics Wet Liners, the colours are bold and create super fun eyes for me on stage.”
“One thing I cannot stand is when liner separates from my lip gloss and I’ve had this problem forever until I started using Nyx Professional Makeup Lip Lingerie. It stays on all day no matter how much drinking/singing/laughing I do!”
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Zooey Gleaves
“Out of all the under eye patches I’ve used over the years, Horace Anti Fatigue Under Eye Patches really feel like they work. They have a comforting smell and they’re light but they also stick, meaning that you're not always readjusting them. I might have even slept with them still on once and they stayed put. The results speak for themselves though, my eyes always feel stronger and smoother!”
“Every time I use Horace Healthy Glow Fluid I get compliments on my skin. I mix it with my SPF or serum and it gives my face a natural radiance. At a festival where the idea of doing anything high maintenance or too intensive feels like a stretch, to know that I have glowing skin in a bottle puts me at ease, especially in a festival environment where you’re literally battling against the elements to look hot.”
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Shereen Cutkelvin
“I use Benefit Benetint Cheek & Lip Tint as a lip stain, but also as a tint on my cheeks and nose. It gives a fresh sunkissed look so it’s a must in my handbag!”
“Rituals The Ritual of Karma Shimmering Body Oil, again for that golden sunkissed look. It smells lush – being so close to people, I want to make sure I'm smelling good!”
“Talking about smelling good, a strong perfume that will last day to night is a must! I’ve been loving Electimuss Astrum Nova extrait de parfum. This scent does not budge and if you’re up close and personal at a festival then smelling good is at the top of the list for me!”
