Music festivals. You can feel it before you step onto the field: the pulse of the bass and that extra layer of setting spray on your cheekbones marking the start of festival season. However you spend the weekend, your makeup plays a role in how it all feels. This month, Bonnaroo and the Electric Daisy Carnival are two prime examples of how much the setting can shape your makeup. Before you start packing products, it helps to know what each event demands.
Festival Makeup for Two Worlds
Bonnaroo takes place in wide, grassy fields where the heat builds early and sticks around well into the evening. Meanwhile, EDC happens at night in the desert, where dry air makes skin feel tight and bright lights amplify every detail of your makeup. What works at one festival won’t always hold up at the other, so let’s break down exactly how to get your look right for each event.
The Earth Angel: Bonnaroo’s Boho Glow-Up
Bonnaroo is a four-day music and camping festival in Tennessee. You’ll be dealing with direct sun exposure during the day and dusty terrain underfoot. Throughout the events, you won’t have access to air conditioning or even a full bathroom. This makes low-maintenance, sweat-resistant makeup products more practical.
Start with a hydrating primer that grips makeup but won’t feel sticky. Look for one with glycerin or aloe. Use a skin tint with SPF 30 or higher to even out your complexion. Avoid thick foundations because these can break apart in the heat. Spot-conceal with a lightweight cream concealer only where needed like around the nose or under the eyes.
For cheeks, use a cream blush in a warm tone like terracotta, which blends well with sunlit skin and gives a natural-looking flush. A stick formula makes it easier to apply without brushes. Tap it onto your cheeks and blend toward your temples for a lifted look. For eyes, use a copper cream shadow with subtle gold shimmer, which reflects light without looking overly metallic in daylight. A shade like burnt sienna gives definition without appearing too bold in outdoor settings. Finish with waterproof brown mascara and brushed-up brows.
For lips, a tinted balm in rosewood gives you a hint of color while keeping your lips moisturized throughout the day. Finally, lock everything in with a dewy setting spray and bring blotting sheets to manage shine mid-day.
⚡ The Neon Queen: EDC’s Cyber Babe Fantasy
EDC Las Vegas is a massive electronic music festival that takes place in the Nevada desert. It’s dry and hot throughout. There’ll also be flashing lights throughout and a dancing crowd that will keep you on your feet for hours. You’ll be moving non-stop under bright lights that make every detail of your makeup stand out. This is the place to wear bold, statement makeup that doesn’t move.
Start with a mattifying primer that contains silica or clay to absorb oil. Use a long-wear foundation or matte skin tint and blend with a sponge. Then, set your base with a translucent powder that blurs shine but won’t add texture. Use a setting spray with a strong hold to keep everything in place before you start your eyes.
For your eye look, try a gel liner in electric pink to create sharp, colorful lines that hold up through long nights. Apply a white base or primer first to make the color pop. Then, add a silver shimmer shadow to the inner corners of your eyes to make them appear more open in low-light settings. Use waterproof mascara and secure any falsies with a clear, strong lash glue. Face decals or stick-on gems hold up better than loose glitter. Place them above your brows or along your cheekbones.
For lips, choose a matte liquid lipstick in fire-engine red, which photographs well and resists fading. Avoid glosses as they fade quickly in heat. Finish with a long-lasting setting spray meant for 12-hour wear.
✨ Your Makeup, Your Rules
Festival makeup works best when it feels right for you. Use products that suit your skin and make you feel comfortable in the crowd. And most importantly, go with a look you’ll enjoy wearing from the first set to the last. What kind of makeup would make you want to dance longer?
FAQs: Festival Makeup
- What kind of makeup should I wear to Bonnaroo?
Stick to lightweight, sweat-resistant products like cream blush, tinted SPF, and waterproof mascara.
- How do I make my festival makeup last in heat?
Use a gripping primer, minimal base layers, and a strong setting spray to lock everything in.
- What makeup holds up best at EDC?
Matte finishes, waterproof formulas, and neon pigments are ideal for dry desert nights.
- Is full glam too much for Bonnaroo?
Yes—opt for breathable, soft glam looks that won’t melt in the sun.
- Can I wear glitter to a music festival?
Absolutely—stick to biodegradable or gel-based glitter for easy application and better hold.
