Saturday, May 15, 2010

Makeup for music festivals and other style tips.

Here is a fun little write up I did for georgie magazine www.heygeorgie.com
Check it out!


Festival season is upon us. Fashionistas everywhere have carefully packed their wardrobe to complement the summer heat. Here are some tips to help you look great and prevent a style meltdown at your next music festival.

It’s hard work being a girl at a music festival; it takes skill to deftly apply your makeup outside of your tent with your vision left hazy from the night before.

First Rule: Keep it simple. Start with a quality moisturizer such as Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector SPF 20 in gold for a luminous finish. Can’t live without your tan? Try Bliss A Tan For All Seasons, it will give you that all over sun kissed glow, just be sure to exfoliate first for a streak free application. Use a touch of concealer to cover a multitude of sins, follow with a light dusting of powder foundation. MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Loose Foundation will even out your skin, last through the heat and it comes with its own built in applicator. Think double duty products such as Stilla Convertible Colour that can be tapped onto cheeks or pressed into lips for a sheer pop of colour. Finish off your look with a coat of Kiss Me Mascara, a long lasting formula that will wash off easily at the end of the night…..as if that is going to happen.

Boys can happily recycle the same pants for days on end, but that doesn’t mean you should.

Second Rule: Change your outfit, change your face. Sometimes if you sleep in your makeup it can look pretty cool, though more often than not you just end up looking like a dirty slag. Remember it is very likely you still may be drunk when you are checking yourself out in your tiny compact mirror and thinking you look pretty damn hot. Pack MAC Wipes to cleanse your skin, they will quickly wipe away the day’s dirt and grime (they come with a built in toner too). Use a dry shampoo to rid your hair of grease and unwanted odours, Cake Satin Sugar Refreshing Body and Hair Powder smells like baked lemon sugar cookies and doubles as a body powder. Do you spend a lot of money up keeping an expensive colour? Make sure you protect your investment from the suns harsh rays with Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil. Let your natural hair texture shine thru, this is not the time for flat irons or curlers, use Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray for a sexy, salty and windswept look. Throw your hair into carefree braids, toss it up into a messy bun or use a hair accessory to keep it tamed. An oversized hat can be a stylish alternative to combing your hair. Not only does it provide protection from the sun but offers discretion while you are checking out fellow festival goers.

As much as this is your opportunity show off your truly unique style, remember you are there for the music.

Third Rule: Don’t be a festival faux pas! Leave the over-coiffed hair, artfully applied makeup and killer heels for the Club. Lobster-esque skin, sunburns and heat stroke are a definite buzz kill, so remember to take in some shade, stay hydrated and wear sunscreen (boys this means you too). Coola Organic Sport SPF 45 in Mango is one that you will want to re-apply over and over again. Sunglasses are a must, besides, won’t you will look super cute wandering around in your oversized sunnies, clutching your broken sandals to your chest, wailing “Where are my friends?” Don’t treat festivals as an excuse to go all hippy boho tribal; beads, tutus, tie-dye, fairy wings and anything pagan should only be worn if they are incorporated into your daily life. Rompers and leotards are awesome hipster fodder, but you might re-think your fashion choice once you are pulling one off in an overflowing, overheated ripe port-a-potty. Two words: Hand Sanitizer.

Then again, who am I to judge? Channel your inner “Penny Lane”, play around with your style and most importantly have fun! If you want to pull out your best Chloe Sevigny orange-red lip go for it, maybe it will help you bag that hot keyboardist you’ve had your eye on all weekend.