Festival survival guide
Ever wondered how some people manage to keep their cool all festival season, while others come back drenched and knee deep in mud? As a regular festival goer since childhood my tried and tested tricks of the trade can be very cheap and walked past in your regular boots chemist.
Hair and Beauty:
-Dry shampoo has been a must keep secret for years, but the popularization in festivals meant the sales started rocketing for this product. Brands like batiste, sell many varieties, I particularly like their tropical scented one- good for keeping that distinctive festival B.O away!
-Waterproof makeup: with sleeping in tents full off people a big possibility, dancing in hot tents for hours and taking make up off before bed unrealistic waterproof make up will be your best friend. If you can’t get a full collection of waterproof make up before the festival season, then at least try the mascara, cheepy ones do work well, but tend to flake- not a good look! So you may have to spend an hour in the shower getting off the caked on makeup, but no one feels good if they look bad!
- Painting your nails is also a good idea because grotty nails are pretty much guaranteed; try using a darker colour to conceal the grime, but keep it bright and summery too.
-Placing face wipes on your pillow before you go out can help collect the flaked make up while you sleep, without smearing it all over your face; but avoid this if contemplating dancing the night away because they will dry out and help the makeup collect it in pools.. Yuck!!
-Try a foundation with a built in SPF, these are normally lighter than full foundations and will avoid your skin looking greasy if you’re in a rush!
- If by the second day the festival beasties are taking its toll on your skin then face paint is a great excuse to cover up and embrace the creative sprit dude!
Fashion
-Many people make the mistake of wearing long skirts and dresses to cover all weather bases, but it’s really not fun traipsing around if the bottom of your skirt had dragged in the mud and is creeping its way up your legs- not good to fall asleep in either. To avoid this pack a shorter length, above the knee and put a pair of jeans on underneath to keep prepared.
-Shirts are also good to put over a vest top if the weather turns or in the evening, keep them big and floaty to rock the festival trends!
-Whilst going to a festival wellies are good, but walking for often many miles is a possibility in the mud and rain, so stout shoes are better, dress them up or change the laces to keep them stylish and practical!
-Although rain macs don’t look great they can be the difference from looking and feeling ill-.You could even dress it up with coloured pieces of netting or fabric, as a belt, or weave it through the thin plastic with your hands.
- Floral hair garlands are bang on trend, they can be expensive to buy so to save money a disposable hand made daisy chain is quick and easy!
Common sense:
-Baby wipes, hand sanitizer and tonnes of changes of socks is just essential.
-Pack light, you won’t be able to park near you tent, so a normal sized rucksack is best.
-Food is expensive also, but very perishable under the heat of tents, so starchy carbs in sealed packets are good, crisps and chocolate maybe unhealthy, but is good for a sugar boost.
- Torches can be handy for getting to the loo in the night, and so can a roll of toilet paper- they run out within hours, particularly at the big festivals.
Thanks for reading my festival guide, hopefully it will be helpful, follow these tips and happy camping!! J
By Sally Trivett
Freefall fashion grilling: Georgie
Georgie Daltrey, who is a member of the freefall group, I feel, has a very distinctive style. Her individuality and intense colourful clothes really make her stand out, and her makeup tops it off. But, what does she think?
I got Georgie to talk about what she wears and why, so you could find out more…
“I like bright tutus, especially bright green; they have to be fluffy too!” Georgie says with confidence, “stripy tights are great, I have, at least umm, (counts them!), 8 pairs; I’m trying to collect them all- the different colours.” She said this with a grin on her face; I think her clothes do really reflect her personality, bright and bubbly. She also mentions her love for hoodies, particularly the types with ‘cat ears’.
Not only do her clothes make a statement, but it’s as much about her accessories and makeup “I love those really big boots, the really chunky ones… I’ve wanted some for a while now!” intrigued about her makeup, which she wears with thick, one again colourful kitty flicks, Georgie agrees that she likes it with ‘big wings’ at the sides, to show ore of the colour, and also likes to line all the way to her tear ducts, “they make it look more cat-like”, she says.
The way girls dress, can, typically reflect their mood and personality… In Georgies case, she has no style icon, “I wear what I like, not what’s in fashion, just what I want. People think I’m ‘emo’, but I’m not, I change my style all the time; I love fashion, especially if I see someone wearing bright colours, not just what’s on trend”.
This approach is brave, but I think Georgie really pulls it off, and is proud to wear different clothes. It’s great to see young people develop their own, unique and diverse way of dressing, not to mention worrying ‘does my bum look big in this’!
By Sally Trivett
