Guess what? festival season is on the horizon, which means dusting off those sequins from last year and reaching for your bumbags and bucket hats.
Just as festivals provide an excuse to don your most outlandish outfits, they also give us the best opportunity to get experimental with our makeup too. Brightly coloured eyeshadow, graphic eyeliners and as much glitter (biodegradable, of course) as you can pack on. Basically if you look like a human disco ball, you’re doing it right.
If you prefer a more natural look, why not take inspiration from the west coast with some sunkissed, super-bronzed Coachella-inspired looks à la Vanessa Hudgens. Whether you’re a committed week-long camper, prefer the short and sweet one-day events or will be dancing down the street Notting Hill Carnival style, there’s a makeup look out there for you, no matter what your festival beauty style.
The most show-stopping festival makeup ideas for 2023
Looking for inspiration to get started? I’ve got you covered with a round-up of 20 of my favourite festival makeup ideas, from glitter-laden eye looks to diamonté-covered faces.
Want more? Read our round-up of the best festival nail art and festival outfits to elevate your next festival look to the max.
Galaxy eyes
Channel the dark beauty of the cosmos with this abstract space-shadow look. Sketch out your shape with an eyeliner pencil before blending in a black eyeshadow and topping it with holographic glitter.
Glitter bomb
Glitter brows are the makeup trend I can’t get enough of, and when is a better excuse to enhance your eyebrows than for a festival? Pull out all the stops with this mixed-metals glitter eye and take it all the way up and into the brows.
Diamonds dancing
Turning yourself into a human disco ball by adding a handful of diamantes to your base is the kind of festival extraness we’re here for.
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Purple reign
Ditch the black eyeliner for berry-inspired purples and pinks, and don’t forget to match with your lip colour to pull the look together.
Frosted out
Short on time but want a high-impact look? Cover your lids with a frosted blue eyeshadow and pack on as much glitter over the top as you can, using a mix of chunky and small pieces for a look that’s sure to grab people’s attention.
Intergalactic pastels
Bought yourself a new palette and can’t decide on which colours to use? Take inspiration from this look and use your eyes as your very own paint palette, with a few gems thrown in for good measure, obvs.
Flower power
Hayfever might be the bane of festival season, but that won’t stop us from loving flowers anyway. Water-activated eyeliners are ideal for getting creative and only require water and a brush.
Under and over
The underliner trend has been everywhere this past year, and it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere anytime soon. Give it a festival upgrade by mixing and matching bold, clashing shades.
Swipe and shop: Festival beauty must-haves
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Head in the clouds
Bare, super glowing skin paired with Euphoria makeup artists Donni Davy’s cloud stickers make for the easiest yet most super ethereal festival look.
Glitter smoke
Give the classic smoky eye a little more sparkle by adding glitter through the crease and down the inner corner of the eye.
Up in flames
Can’t decide on colour or metallics? Why not both!
’60s mod-ern
Get in the retro mood with this ’60s floating liner and colourful shadow combination.
Starry-eyed
Any excuse to wear tiny stars on our face is good with us.
Rainbow wash
Even if it’s forecast for rain, this holographic eyeshadow-highlight hybrid will bring all the joy.
Shine on
Festival season is basically a free pass for sticking on all the face gems, in case you didn’t know.
Sunset blush
Channel the ’80s by bringing a fuchsia-toned blush up through your temples and blending with a bright orange eyeshadow.
Double-liner
What’s better than one wing? Two, obviously.
Pearly placements
If you’re not skilled in the art of detailed eyeshadow designs, this soft rainbow blush is the answer to your woes.
Seaglass shimmer
Queen of Coachella aka Vanessa Hudgens is proof that soft greens look amazing with tangerine blush.
Disco liner
This might take a little time and patience, but the Studio 54 vibes are so worth it.
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