My festival faves
Festival season is in full swing, and while the music and magic might take centre stage, let’s be honest — your beauty bag is the true unsung hero of the weekend.
Between long days, late nights, questionable weather and the odd glitter overload, the right mix of skincare, scent and hydration can make all the difference. These are my festival besties, the products I’ll be packing to keep me glowing, gorgeous and good to go from sunrise to starlight.
No festival line-up is complete without a signature scent, and Rituals Nuit de l’Himalaya is pure untamed allure. With pink pepper, rose and Himalayan peony, it settles into a musky cedarwood base that lingers long after the encore. It’s mysterious enough for midnight but fresh enough for all-day wear, the kind of fragrance that earns its place in your rucksack even when space is tight.
SPF is non-negotiable, even if the Irish skies don’t always deliver sunshine on demand, and Glow Recipe’s daily SPF is a multitasking gem. It shields from UV rays while giving that signature glass-skin glow, with watermelon seed oil and niacinamide working to keep skin fresh, plump and never oily. It’s perfect worn solo with just a slick of mascara, or under your festival makeup when you’re chasing headliner glam.
Festivals can be brutal on the lips, which is why Glow Recipe’s Lip Glass Balm in Strawberry Bingsoo has earned a permanent spot in my pocket. This glossy balm nourishes while delivering a sheer strawberry tint and mirror-like shine, ideal for quick touch-ups mid-set — even in the port-a-loo mirror. It’s a statement lip without the fuss, and comes in other shades if you want to switch it up across the weekend.
Every seasoned festival-goer has a secret weapon, and mine is the cult classic Nivea Soft. This little tub is endlessly versatile, hydrating face, hands, elbows and knees without a greasy finish. Its fresh scent is instantly uplifting, and its handbag-friendly size makes it perfect for tent touch-ups when your skin feels like it’s been camping harder than you. Affordable, effective and iconic, it’s the kind of essential that quietly saves the day.
Of course, none of the above matters if you don’t stay hydrated. Between the dancing, the sunshine (if you’re lucky) and perhaps one too many trips to the bar, hydration can slip way down the setlist. O.R.S Hydration Tablets are my final festival bestie, replacing the electrolytes and minerals lost through sweat and fun. Drop them into your water bottle and you’re not just drinking — you’re reviving. They’re the secret to waking up on day three still ready to rave. Festivals are about joy, freedom and making memories, but that doesn’t mean your beauty routine has to take a back seat.
From the luxe spritz of Rituals to the budget brilliance of Nivea Soft, these little heroes will see you through every beat drop, glitter bomb and sunrise encore. Think of them as your backstage pass to feeling fabulous — no matter what the weekend throws your way.