I’ll admit it. I’m a hippie at heart. Not a “mother nature let’s go camping” hippie… but a “damn right I’d love to go to another music festival” hippie.

I love live music, and I LOVE the vibe you get at big fests. So far I’ve done Langerado, Rock the Bells, and the photo you see here is me on the hottest day of Lollapalooza. What’s next on my festival calendar? Hopefully Austin City Limits, Coachella, and the big one – Bonnaroo! I dare to dream.

In the few fests I’ve attended, I’ve picked up some tips for beauty loving bellas. Things can get pretty grody pretty fast. Here are my top 5 tips for surviving with your swag in tact.

1 — SUNSCREEN is a MUST. Festivals are always in the summertime, when the sun’s at its most scorching. If you don’t slather on the SPF you’re just ruining your skin. I saw so many beet red OMG you’re so gonna peel faces at Lolla, it wasn’t even funny. I came armed with Coppertone Nutrashield Faces in SPF 70 +, and emerged on the other side of these three scalding days relatively unscathed.

2 — Stay hydrated. Sure, the temptation at fests is to get inebriated, sure you’re gonna slurp down some cocktails before, during, and after the music is played. But it’s so important to drink non-intoxicants throughout.

I’ve seen people pass out before, and it doesn’t look like fun. Don’t let that be you! Lollapalooza was partially sponsored by Sweet Leaf tea, and the mint and honey blend kept me sustained. When I wasn’t guzzling iced tea, I was drinking water. Sure that means you’ll eventually have to experience the horrors of a portapotty, but that was already in the cards anyway. Hold your breath, it’ll be over soon.

3 — Don’t dress to be cute, dress to get down! Wear light, breathable fabrics. Pair those with shoes that make sense. I can’t tell you HOW many lonely, abandoned flip flops I saw mired in the muck caused by Friday’s all day rain at Lollapalooza. In crowds of that magnitude and heat of that temperature, sandals just aren’t smart anyway — your poor feet are going to get sunburned and possibly crushed by the madding crowd. Sneakers and socks are best. And take it from me, wear thick socks that come up high enough to protect your feet. I got quite the nasty achilles heel blister at Lollapalooza. Took days to heal.

I prefer to wear a dress or long skirt (doubles as a kind of blanket when you want to sit on the grass. I was comfy in a dirty skirt by night’s end, while my friends in shorts wound up covered in grass, mud, and crud).

4 — Think about your thighs. A friend of mine had to deal with the dreaded “chub rub.” You know, when you’re walking all day and your thighs rub together. Prolonged chub rub can lead to a vicious rash, and nobody wants that. I chose to wear spandex tights under my dress, but under those circumstances a little Gold Bond powder can be your best friend. Via the Plain Dealer I’ve learned about a product called Bodyglide, but I haven’t actually tried it myself. It’s not a fun topic, but it’s better to think about this before you feel the burn (so to speak).

5 — Wear makeup and beauty products that last. I am a big, big fan of Dove Clinical Protection — it lasts forever, and the wild rose scent is soft, subtle and pretty. And for makeup, I used all my make my makeup last tricks. Primer galore, followed by gel eyeliner, and lipliner. Finish it up with the score of all scores — in the kit for my latest Beautyfix, there was Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray, which made my look last all day long. I highly recommend it.

Have you done the all day music fest thang before? How have you survived? What’s the next thing-to-do on your concert schedule!

COMMENTS

EclecticJam says:

August 21, 2009, 3:39 am

iHEART music too!! I really wanna want to attend a music festival before the year is over. will see wit this college budget!! lol but im lovin the yellow outfit n may i say the chub rub is SO real!! lol

pets says:

August 21, 2009, 7:19 am

Is that a Msquared dress from Meiling/Micles? looks fab..the colour is amazing and you look so happy and relaxed. In this the 40th anniversary of the original Woodstock you look very much the free spirit.

warrior11209 says:

August 21, 2009, 8:22 am

You look fabulous in that dress- create color and it has a festival look. I use Body Glide on my feet and thighs when I run and I can tell you it WORKS! Light, no fragrance and lasts.

Niki says:

August 21, 2009, 9:52 am

I love that dress! You are a little spot of sunshine in the crowd!

OnceUponaTime says:

August 21, 2009, 9:58 am

YES to wearing a long dress or skirt to music festivals! They come in handy when you have to hit the porta-potties because you may not wanna sit on the seat, and I am not a hoverer myself-- so I stand on top of the seat and let 'er rip (of course while holding my skirt out of the way)! lol I know that sounds terrible, but hey.. if the seat is already coated in splashes your extra drops won't matter anyways.

Purple says:

August 21, 2009, 1:52 pm

You're beautiful in yellow. And I so agree that long skirts/dresses double up as blankets. I think most people assume pants or jeans are most convenient, but long skirts are the best!

Katherine says:

August 21, 2009, 2:02 pm

Thanks for the tips! I've never gone to a festival (only to concerts for a few hours) and part of the reason is the situations you mentioned:heat, mud, people pushing, the dreaded nasty toilet,etc. But whenever i decided to stop being a wuss, your tips will come handy. By the way, you look gorgeous in that dress.

nichole says:

August 21, 2009, 2:26 pm

I can recommend BodyGlide. It's great for any chafing anywhere on the body. I bought it for new shoes, a particularly cute pair of sandels that needed some forgiveness during the "breaking in" time.

ceecee says:

August 21, 2009, 3:53 pm

I *heart* you Bella! You inspired me to attend my very first music festival come labor day weekend in seattle -> bumbershoot, and this post comes just in time cos I've been trying to figure out what to pack for my trip. I am sooo excited!

nolagirl says:

August 21, 2009, 5:42 pm

As a yearly jazz fest participant I love a maxi dress and flip flops ( or rain boots ) sun block bottled water and money for food. also a small back pack with baby wipes, charmin toilet paper with out the roll, a poncho and a free spirit also helps. I think that picture shows that you can be super cute and functional too! I love the yellow its like a little ray of sunshine.... I love a bright color.

nonfictions says:

August 23, 2009, 9:21 pm

i went to bonnaroo a few years ago and a few tips that i have include: bring rainboots and a cheap poncho. it rains and wearing flip flops on muddy ground is annoying and unhygenic. also make sure you bring warm sleeping bags b/c it gets cold at night. ALSO, don't buy the official t-shirts. they'll cost you an arm and a leg. buy the ones that people are selling. those are cheaper and they're hell of a lot more creative.

Brandi says:

August 24, 2009, 11:32 am

I am a huge fan of Monistat Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder Gel. It leaves a silky finish and lasts all day, even after sweating. I've heard about Body Glide. Might have to try that as a backup.

LaJane Galt says:

August 24, 2009, 5:32 pm

I always bring a hat & something to tie my hair up/back. make a note of/take picture of where you park easy on the booze wear layers b/c the temp may drop at night *** I'd love to go to Coachella or Burning Man!

The Style and Beauty Doctor says:

August 25, 2009, 1:06 pm

Girl, you look BEAUTIFUL! Your hair, your skin, your dress---omg---I don't know where to begin...lol. Stunning :)

letinstar says:

August 27, 2009, 11:42 pm

i love music festivals also...i went to lollapolooza back in the 90's and it was still one of the best musical experiences ever...