From skincare saviours to on-the-go body sprays, discover the must-have beauty buys you’ll want to pack this festival season
This article is sponsored by e.l.f., La Roche-Posay, Faith In Nature, WaterWipes, Burt’s Bees, Sure, Lynx, Garnier & Impulse
Great music, glorious sunshine and that buzzing atmosphere we’ve missed so much – festivals are back in full swing this summer and we’re here for it. The secret to looking and feeling your best during the festivities? A well-stocked beauty bag filled with all the essential items you need to keep your hair, skin and hygiene on track.
Let’s face it, festivals aren’t known for being the easiest to navigate when it comes to beauty and wellness. Long hours spent in the sun and limited access to running water require careful planning to manage, but luckily there are plenty of products to shield you from harmful rays and keep you feeling fresh. While you don’t want to overpack and feel weighed down by excess items that you won’t need, you also don’t want to compromise and miss out on having your daily must-haves to hand.
That’s where we can help with our list of festival beauty essentials. From soothing soaps and long-lasting deodorants to refreshing wet wipes and powerful primers, let’s dive into our top product picks to see you through any festival in style.
For keeping make-up in place all day long
Try: e.l.f. Power Grip Primer + Niacinamide
• Size: 24ml
• Suitable for all skin types and tones
Sun, rain, humidity and sweat can all wreak havoc on make-up, so a great primer is top of our beauty packing list for a festival. Make sure your make-up lasts all day long (and all night too!) with this super grippy gel primer from e.l.f. The clear, hydrating formula is enriched with niacinamide to help brighten and even out skin tone, alongside hyaluronic acid to smooth, moisturise and prep skin while giving it a soft-focus finish.
For shielding skin from the sun
Try: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Daily Invisible Fluid SPF 50+
• Size: 50ml
• Suitable for all skin types
Outdoor events call for sunscreen you can really trust to protect your skin. Luckily, this SPF50+ sunscreen from La Roche-Posay ticks every box. The innovative formula includes MEXORYL 400, the most efficient UV filter against the most penetrative UV rays.* It's ultra-resistant to water, as well as sweat and sand resistant, whilst being specially designed not to irritate sensitive skin. Plus, the lightweight texture gives an invisible finish, so you don’t have to worry about it leaving a white cast.
For cleansing hands & body
Try: Faith In Nature Soap Bar Lavender
• Size: 100g
• Cruelty-free & vegan**
When it comes to saving space and minimising leaks in your luggage, bars of soap win every time over bottles of liquid shower gel. This bar from Faith In Nature is blended with 100% natural soothing lavender, making it the perfect choice for a moment of relaxation after an action-packed day. Don’t forget to pack a travel soapbox to store and transport your bar once you’ve used it.
For refreshing & hydrating^
Try: WaterWipes Hydrating Clean
• Size: 60 wipes
Wet wipes are an absolute essential for any festival. They’re ideal for quickly cleansing sticky hands after a bite to eat, or refreshing your face when you wake up first thing in the morning. And for times when a full shower just isn’t possible, wet wipes are the next best thing. Our favourite wipes to pack for a festival? WaterWipes Hydrating Clean. They’re created using a unique seven-stage water purification process, with 99% water and naturally derived Aloe Vera extract, to provide a hydrating gentle cleanse even on delicate skin.
For super-soft, hydrated lips
Try: Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
• Size: 4.25g
• 100% natural origin ingredients
• No petrolatum
After a luxurious balm to nourish and moisturise your lips? This soothing star from Burt’s Bees is sure to hit the spot. It’s packed full of lip-loving goodies, including conditioning beeswax, softening vitamin E and refreshing peppermint oil, so you can kiss dry, chapped lips goodbye for good. The pocket-friendly size makes it easy to re-apply on-the-go, too.
For keeping fresh all day long
Try: Sure Women Pure Melon Aloe Nonstop Protection Antiperspirant Deodorant
• Size: 250ml
Whether you’re walking all day long or busting out your best dance moves, one thing’s for sure at a festival: you’ll want to pack a really good deodorant. Sure's body heat activated formula is designed for round-the-clock dryness and freshness, delivering an impressive 72 hours of protection against odour and sweat. Plus, every spritz is bursting with the fruity melon and fresh aloe vera fragrance.
For a super-fresh fragrance boost
Try: Lynx Bodyspray Deodorant Jungle Fresh
• Size: 250ml
If you like a more adventurously scented deodorant, you’ll love this body spray from Lynx. It’s full of exotic, jungle-inspired fragrances including palm leaves and amber, plus dual-action zinc technology to keep odour at bay for up to 48 hours. That means you can dance the night away with confidence, and still smell fab the next morning.
For clean, smooth, nourished hair
Try: Garnier Ultimate Blends Nourishing Hair Food Banana Shampoo for Dry Hair
• Size: 350ml
• No silicones
This festival season, say goodbye to dry hair and hello to silky locks. With this shine-boosting formula from Garnier, you can nourish and hydrate your hair with every wash. It seals the hair cuticle and prevents frizz for stronger-looking hair that’s up to seven times smoother.^^
For a quick fragrance boost
Try: Impulse Sunkissed Dreamer Body Mist
• Size: 100ml
Pop a body mist in your festival bag for a quick burst of freshness on the go that will leave you feeling fantastic. This holiday-inspired scent blends notes of geranium, cedarwood and sage, and lasts for up to 12 hours, so you can enjoy it as you party.
What else should I pack for a festival?
The items listed above are a great starting point for your festival packing, but there are some other health, wellness and beauty essentials you might also want to consider taking with you.
Although the festival first aid tent should be your first port of call for any emergencies, a small first aid kit can be useful for taking care of minor injuries. Think bandages, dressings and plasters for cuts or grazes, tweezers, for splinters and blister plasters for the inevitable moment when your shoes or wellies start to rub.
If needed, you’ll also want to pack some feminine hygiene basics and sexual wellness items, such as condoms and other contraception methods.
Don’t forget dental hygiene items to keep your pearly whites in tip-top condition, including toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Finish your festival look with a headline-worthy hairstyle. Dry shampoo is great for refreshing one, two or three-day old hair, while accessories such as hair clips and grips or headbands can help tame your locks into a manageable style.
A good wash bag or make-up organiser can make it much easier to find all your essentials right when you need them. Choose a clear plastic option to easily spot products at the bottom of your bag, or go for one with multiple pockets and compartments to organise your items.
So now that you’re all packed, it’s time to get into the spirit! Visit our festival hub for extra inspiration and great value buys.
