Banquets showcased the work of the country’s top chefs; there was a lake-side spa complete with wood burner-powered hot tubs; Jurlique was on hand with facials and massages and Smashbox pitched a giant teepee and ran make-up to get everyone in the party mood.
The message was clear – just because you’re living in a field for a few days, it doesn’t mean you have to go around looking like you’ve been dragged through a hedge. So if you’re planning to join any of this summer’s shenanigans, there’s some essential kit you’ll need to invest in first.
There are certain no-brainers when it comes to creating your perfect (nowhere to) wash bag, as I like to call it. For starters, you’ll need an endless supply of tissues, baby wipes, painkillers and hand sanitiser on standby.
Don’t even think of leaving home without a can of Batiste Dry Shampoo (£2.99; 01303 858700). It’s not by accident that this product has achieved cult status. Shake, spray, brush out – and grease will beat a hasty retreat.
You’ll need to master the art of “undone, done” when it comes to hair. Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion (£19; 0870 034 2380) is great for “second-day hair”, adding texture and volume without the need for a blow-dry, while VO5 Plump It Up Dry Backcomb Spray (£3.79; 0845 070 8090) is a shortcut to sky-high volume and easy undone texture. Just make sure you have a stash of kirby grips for popping your hair up when it gets a little lank.
If you’re trying to hide a hangover and a poor night’s sleep (I’ve certainly never mastered the art of snoozing soundly under canvas), Smashbox Photo Finish Luminizing Foundation Primer (£25; 0845 070 8090) will give skin more luminosity than a thousand glow sticks in the dance tent at midnight. This gives a summer radiance and can be used on the body as well to highlight collarbones and provide shins with a sun-kissed shine.
It’s exactly what you need – something that’s going to work as hard as you did lugging all your kit from the car park to the campsite.
Pack a multitasking marvel like Ole Henriksen Perfect Truth CC Crème (£29; 0845 600 2202) which adds sheer, illuminating coverage as well as bringing skincare benefits, thanks to no less than five types of vitamin C.
Nails should be über-fabulousso add a pop of shocking colour with Revlon Nail Art in Sun Candy (£7.99; 0800 085 2716). Alternatively, if you don’t have a steady hand or time to let the colour dry – or you have a tendency to nibble your nails, why not fake it? There’s something supremely psychedelic about House of Holland Tie Dye For (£7.99; 0845 070 8090).
The range of falsies takes nail art to the next level with these neon wonders and you won’t even have to wield a paint brush. They’re also perfect for hiding any breakages that might have occurred while you were faffing about with tent pegs.
Festivals are a time to be brave with your cosmetics. Pick a feature and play it up to the max – you can get away with so much more in a field in the middle of nowhere than you can in real life. Add a bold slash of colour to lips with the new liquid lipstick, L’Oréal Color Riche L’Extraordinare (£8.99; nationwide), which comes in nine extraordinary shades, each with appropriately music-inspired names, including Tangerine Sonnet and Rose Symphony.
If glitter isn’t your thing (and at festivals there’s a prerequisite to run around looking like you’ve been dipped in a vat of fairy dust), go for gilded highlights to eyes, cheeks and collar bones with Topshop Chameleon Glow (£8; 0844 984 0264). The glistening powder really will enhance and add an ethereal sheen to skin.
Finally, make sure you keep a pot of This Works in Transit No Traces (£17; 0845 070 8090) by your sleeping bag to remove everything at the end of the day when you don’t have access to running water. Two-day-old make-up is never chic.
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