Festival Makeup Ideas You Need This Summer

The festivals are starting again, and with over 34.1 thousand posts for the hashtag #festivalmakeup, it looks like you’re just as excited as we are. Whether you’re dancing all night under disco lights, bopping along to Indie tunes in your favourite wellies or bringing out *all* the colour for Mighty Hoopla, there’s a festival makeup look for every playlist and personality. We’ve tried it all - so you don’t have to - and compiled the best products to feel like the headline act all festival season long.

Best festival makeup looks at a glance - our top picks:

Kiss-proof glam at Lovebox: HAUS LABS Le Monster Lip Crayon, £23

Serious sparkle at Glastonbury: Sephora Collection Self-adhesive Face Gems, £6.99

Blurred blush at Lost Village: Glow Recipe Flush Blush, £22

Holographic highlights at Boomtown: Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Highlighter, £24

Fly your flag at Mighty Hoopla: Sephora Collection Size Up Mascara, £14.99

By Sephora UK Editorial Team

Writers and experts

Updated: 4th June 2025

Shop all Festival Beauty Essentials at SEPHORA UK. 

Q: What is festival makeup?

A: Festival makeup is all about going extra. Think bright and bold colors, sparkles, rhinestones, graphic liner and basically the bigger the better. The perfect opportunity to try out something new, let your face become your canvas as there are zero rules here. From glittery and glowy to full-blown disco ball, nothing is off limits. Consider this the time to play with looks you wouldn’t usually and fully embrace your inner main character. 

Q: So, how do you do makeup for a festival?

A: As with all outlets for expression, there is no right or wrong answer to how you wear your makeup for a festival. Some might choose to amp up their usual night out looks for an extra celebration hit, while others might strip it back to embrace partying in the Great British countryside. Wherever you’re letting loose, every look starts with a base as steady as the beat to our favourite tune.

We might go for full beat bases to lend longevity to our looks, while barely-there glows suit hotter climates. But wherever you are, we suggest picking a feature you love and rolling with it. From loud glitter lips or a pearly shimmer on your cheekbones, to the bold and beautiful eye looks that are their very own work of art, festivals are your safe space to experiment your way - and we can’t wait to see where you end up.

Q: How to make festival makeup last?

A: Festival weather can be pretty unpredictable, so rain or shine, your makeup needs to be weatherproof. Start with a good primer and use long-wear or waterproof products before locking everything in with a strong setting spray. We’re all about layering cream textures under powders to also help keep everything in place. Top tip? Definitely back some blotting papers so you can stay fresh from the opening act to the main headliner. 

Q: Should I wear foundation to a festival? 

A: Yes you totally can and should but definitely invest in a long-wear one and ideally with SPF. Dancing all day (in hopefully plenty of sunshine) definitely calls for an extra layer of protection. If you’re after a more natural, lightweight look, skin tints can keep things lighter and more breathable. Festivals can get hot so less is often more. Whatever you decide, a few spritz of setting spray will stop things from sliding.

Q: How do you stick glitter to your face?

A: There’s a bit of an art to this and it goes way above just slapping it on and hoping for the best. Use a proper glitter adhesive or cosmetic glue (not lip balm as we’ve heard some do) as this will hold everything in place. For a more subtle but equally glittery look, try applying with a flat brush or your fingertips. Again, seal this with a good setting spray to stop it from transferring or falling down your face.