The festival make-up looks 5 beauty influencers swear by
Rachael Martin
Beauty & skincare
Reading time: 5 minutes
From neon liner to pink lips & high-impact highlighter, we’ve got all the tips & tricks needed to make a big statement during festival season
Festival make-up is the perfect excuse to indulge in some creativity. Whether you’re all about effortless Glastonbury cool (think bronzed, balmy skin) or a full-glam Coachella Queen (oh hey, glittering eyes), there’s a look to make you feel fabulous during festival season.
With this in mind, we’ve pulled together five of the best beauty influencers in the biz to give you the lowdown on the TikTok-trending, fun festival ideas you’ll want to recreate. From Minnie Faye Rayment’s high-impact highlighter to Vanese Maddix’s neon liner and Kathryn O'Brien's pink pout, here are all the tips and products you’ll need.
Kathryn’s pink pout
“This Barbie enjoys a rave,” says Kathryn O’Brien. “I love this festival look because it mixes edgy with girly. I might have space buns in my hair and a risqué outfit, but I also rock a fuchsia, glossy lip – it definitely makes for a statement. The finishing touch? A few glittering rhinestones or face gems. Because a girl can do both!”
3 steps to achieve Kathryn’s pink pout
Step 1
Lining lips is the first step to a flawless pout. Max Factor Colour Elixir Lip Liner in Pink Princess applies like a treat. Ensure the nib is sharp, then line the shape of your natural lips – paying extra attention to the Cupid’s bow. This will ensure precision and prevent any feathering or smudging when applying lipstick.
Step 2
The trick to the perfect pink hue? Ensuring you choose a magenta-toned lipstick with a hint of purple – this will create depth and vibrancy. Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipstick in Amethyst Shell, has a luxurious texture and glides onto the lips effortlessly. Plus, it really doesn't smudge.
Step 3
Finally, top with a generous layer of MAC Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick in Amped – it’s exclusive to Boots and proving to be a favourite among influencers. The finish? Think high-shine gloss with added nourishment – ingredients including shea butter and avocado oil will help to keep that pout sitting pretty right through to the final encore.
Aisling’s metallic lids
“Festival beauty is my forte,” says Aisling Gallagher. “I love to step outside my comfort zone. Here, I’ve gone for a vibrant yellow eye look with a wash of glittery metallic liner. Mix and match your favourite shades to suit you – I also love emerald greens and cherry reds.”
3 steps to achieve Aisling’s metallic lids
Step 1
Take a fluffy brush and apply the shade ‘Pushing Daisies’, from the Makeup Obsession Take It To The Grave Shadow Palette, all across the lid. It’s the perfect sunny yellow hue for an outdoors gig.
Step 2
Next, it’s time for glitter liner. Urban Decay’s Heavy Metal Glitter Liner in Midnight Cowboy is a certified cult classic. Simply line your upper lash line and leave the formula to set. It’s intense but not drying, thanks to the infusion of soothing peach and cooling cucumber.
Step 3
Lining your waterline with a white or nude liner will make eyes look wide awake – even when you’ve had limited sleep. The Collection Precision Kohl Eyeliner in White boasts an impressively dense pigment payoff for a dramatic finish.
Bianca’s bronzed-up glow
“Dewy, bronzed-up skin is my everyday look,” says Bianca Lawrence. “When heading to a festival, I like to stick to my signature bronzy tanned complexion, but it’s also the perfect excuse to amp things up a notch. More is more. The best part of this look is that anyone can recreate it – it’s so easy. I also like to jazz up my keloid scars to keep in the festival spirit!”
3 steps to achieve Bianca’s bronzed-up glow
Step 1
Firstly, apply a light layer of Iconic London Sheer Bronze, all across the face. Use a fluffy blush and blend until it’s entirely buffed into the skin. It sheers out to create a subtle lit-from-within veil of colour.
Step 2
Next, follow with contouring – the L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24H Longwear Soft Matte Bronzer is the perfect option. Sweep anywhere the sun would naturally hit – under the cheekbones, up into the hairline and around the jaw – for a sculpted finish.
Step 3
Finally, the Rosie For Inglot 365 Skin Perfector in Champagne Bronze will help create the ultimate bronzed-up finish. It’s infused with light-reflecting particles that will glimmer when the sun shines or the disco lights hit. Apply to the high points of the face and don’t be afraid of layering – remember, more is more!
Psst…love Bianca’s use of face gems? Barry M’s Diamond Frost Face Jewels are a fabulous option for recreating her look. Simply pull away the clear backing and apply where you’d like. High impact, guaranteed.
A sweep of neon liner is one of my favourite festival looks to create
Vanese’s neon liner
“A sweep of neon liner is one of my favourite festival looks to create,” says Vanese Maddix. “And it’s much easier than you might expect – you really can just bash out the rest of your make-up around the liner look. The hardest decision? Picking which shade to opt for first!”
3 steps to achieve Vanese’s neon liner
Step 1
Begin by prepping the eye with a layer of 17. Eye Primer. It’s non-greasy and provides a super-matte base – ideal for even the oiliest of lids. Better still, the light, creamy colour will really allow your chosen liner to pop.
Step 2
Choose a neon hue – it’s the colour of the moment. Make like Vanese and opt for a wash of pink – the NYX Professional Makeup Epic Wear Long Lasting Liner Stick in Pink Spirit glides on effortlessly, thanks to its velvety formulation. Begin from the inner corner then sweep out in a sharp, deft flick.
Step 3
Use a fingertip to apply a contrasting shadow to the rest of the lid. Press a metallic purple shade (the Huda Beauty Color Block Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette Orange & Purple is brimming with gorgeous options) into the crease of the eyelid, blending out with gentle pressing movements. The warmth of your fingertips will disperse the pigment beautifully, for a soft, blown-out finish.
Minnie’s high-gloss highlight
“My go-to festival make-up look? I adore a megawatt, glossy glow,” says Minnie Faye Rayment. “For this, it’s all about layering up highlighters across the cheeks, eyes and body. It’s such a quick and easy way to elevate a make-up look. Plus, having glowing skin always gives me confidence.”
3 steps to achieve Minnie’s high-gloss highlight
Step 1
An illuminating primer is a great place to begin. The 17. Base Glow Illuminating Primer is an excellent option. It’s been enhanced with maca root extract, which is a dream for adding luminosity to the skin. Apply with the warmth of the fingertips for a seamless blend.
Step 2
Follow with a generous layer of powder highlighter.NYX Professional Makeup Duo Chromatic Illuminating Highlighter Powder adds the dewiness of dreams , as it’s made with light-catching pearls to deliver a luminous gleam. Sweep across cheekbones, the bridge of the nose and Cupid’s bow.
Step 3
This is where you can really have some fun – it’s all about the layering! A liquid highlighter, such as Fenty Beauty Liquid Killawatt Fluid Freestyle Highlighter, will provide unrivalled results. Take a damp beauty blender and apply to the same areas highlighted previously. Bonus points, as this one is totally transfer-resistant, it’s a sweaty festival must-have.
