Your last year at school is undoubtedly the most stressful year you will ever go through, if you - like me - are planning on attending University the next year. For almost the entire school year I found myself working flatout; studying for my exams, completing homework and essays and somehow managing to finde time to explore outside interests and earn some money. What with all of this hard work, I needed something to look forward to - so I booked tickets to Leeds Festival, thinking that it would be a great opportunity to spend time with one of my best girl friends before leaving to Uni.
If you know me, then you'll know how much I adore music and live gigs. The Leeds 2014 lineup is amazing! My favorite band - Arctic Monkeys - are headlining, as well as a band that I've adored for 7 years now and already seen 3 times, Paramore. However, as much as it sounds ironic, festivals aren't all about the music. No, festivals are a time to showcase your individual style - and personally I have always been jealous of girls I have seen walking through festival campsites looking effortlessly amazing. This year I decided to attempt to make an effort. No, I'm not going to be able to bring all of the products that I use in my extensive beauty regime with me in the tiny two man tent I'm sharing with my best friend, but these are the products that will be in my bag during next weekend!
Cleansing Wipes are an absolute Godsend during Festivals. Who's going to take the time and the effort to Cleanse, Tone and Moisturise fully after a heavy night watching bands? Using Cleansing Wipes on your face doesn't take too much effort, but it leaves you feeling fresh faced and clean the next morning. Quick, effective and cheap? Count me in.
The last thing that I want to be dealing with in the morning is putting on a heavy face of makeup. The key to festival beauty is to keep your makeup light, as if not it'll just start to run when you inevitably get in the middle of a big crowd. I've never really used Tinted Moisturisers before, but my best friend swears by them. The Moisturiser adds to your beauty regime, keeps your skin soft, protects your skin from harmful, aging sun rays and offers you a light coverage.
A makeup staple of mine has to be a slick line of liquid eyeliner. I have become somewhat of a pro at using it, after putting it on my face almost daily for the past 7 years. This waterproof eyeliner should stay on your face even as you are sleeping, and will hopefully protect you from coming out of a crowd with panda eyes - never a good look, unless you're Taylor Momsen.
I always enjoying making a statement with my lips, and my skin is so pale that I can look washed out without a hint of bronzer or blusher. Using a combination product will help me save space in my bag, and also help me to co-ordinate my look so that I know for certain the colours match and don't have to waste time in the morning searching for separate shades. The product will be in a neutral shade; my aim is to accentuate my natural features, not to go for a heavy look with contouring etc. Who has time for that when they could be out checking out some upcoming new band?
I am a massive fan of Lush products, but I'll admit that I haven't had much experience with their makeup range. Whilst I prefer Barry M Mascaras for general use, Lush's Mascara comes in a handy small packaging which will be perfect for carrying around with me in a small makeup bag. My lined eyes would simply look awful without a thin coat of black on my lashes.
Lush's Toothy Tabs are a solid alternative to toothpaste. You merely chew the tab until it turns into a paste, and then scrub your teeth with a toothbrush like usual. The tabs will be far less messy for me to risk bringing in a bag with me than conventional toothpaste, and they also come in a range of flavours - one especially tempting product, 'Chou Chou I Love You', even claims to taste like Turkish Delight! I'm definitely looking forward to trying it out.
8. Small cartons of Deodorant and Mouthwash.
Just because you're expected to get sweaty and smelly at festivals doesn't mean to say that you should actively encourage it. Superdrug do an efficient range of travel size Deodorants and Mouthwashes that I'll be fitting into my handbag in an attempt to tame smelly pits and bad breath.
I can't go without dabbing Perfume on the back of my neck, insides of my arms, wrists and the backs of my knees. I always like to feel absolutely certain that I smell sweet and feminine, and I simply don't feel complete without my signature scent. However, dragging Perfumes along to a festival definitely doesn't seem like a good idea. Instead, I'll bring with me some tiny bottles of Perfume samples that I find in the Avon Catalogue. I'll smell great, have enough Perfume to use in a day and save space.
Festival toilets are a nightmare. There's no telling whether you're going to be able to find one that is bearable to use, so you might as well prepare yourself for the worst. Always keep tissues on hand, as there is no guaranteeing the toilets will be stacked with loo roll. This isn't exactly the most glamorous of things to think about, but tissues have a tonne of uses when it comes to festivals. You can use them to hold food, to wipe dirt/make-up stains and also if anyone suffers from any sudden nose bleeds.
Festivals can be dirty places. I'm not strictly a clean freak, but the thought of all of the germs accumulating on my hands throughout the weekend is absolutely repulsive, especially through using the toilets. I'll be keeping a small carton with me at all times to help me feel more hygienic, and able to eat food more comfortably.
Not being able to shower regularly will wreck havoc on me mentally. I love feeling fresh and clean, and my skin can even break out in rashes if it starts to feel uncomfortably hot, sweaty and dirty. I'll be keeping a pack of Baby Wipes - perfect for my sensitive skin - handy and forcing my best friend to stand guard outside of my tent so that I can start feeling hygienic again!
13. Dry Shampoo and Moroccan Oil.
My hair gets greasy after I haven't washed it for a few days, and once that happens it's almost impossible to tame. Dry Shampoo is a quick and easy solution to cleaner hair, making it easier to brush through and style. Moroccan Oil is another miracle worker. After running a coin like amount through my hair, it feels softer and sleek - much easier to manage. Rub some Moroccan Oil onto your hair before you sleep and the next morning you'll wake up with hair as smooth as silk.
Going to a Festival doesn't mean abandoning your regime. You just have to cheat a little, to achieve a look which is effortless but makes you feel prepared to face the world! Now I just have to go shopping in preparation for leaving on Thursday, my favorite hobby...
Have I missed any essential items on my list? Are you heading to any Festivals over the next few weeks? Be sure to let me know, and keep smiling.
Lots of love, Georgie Rose :) xx
Never seen anything like those Toothy Tabs before, will have to get some!
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