Festival Makeup Ideas For Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Beyond

Published on 3/25/2022 at 9:25 AM

Planning your festival makeup can be just as fun as planning your outfit.

From loads of glitter to crystal eye makeup, there are countless ways to stand out.

We're sharing the best makeup for Coachella, Lollapalooza, and any other music festival.

After a two-year hiatus, festival season is back — and right around the corner. The most important accessory you can bring (besides your sunscreen and a water bottle) is your makeup. That means now is the time to start scouring Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest for inspiration on what fun festival hair and sweat-proof makeup to wear while we jump around in the crowd during our favorite artists' sets. (You can find us front and center at Harry Styles's stage at Coachella.)

Between all the unforgettable performances at past years' Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Lollapalooza shows, we were struck by the lineup of creative beauty looks, which included neon eyeshadow, bold lips, and faux freckles. We've tried to re-create Lori Harvey's "floating" eyeliner look, and we can't stop staring at all the reverse eye makeup looks that have made it onto our feeds of late.

This season, plan your festival makeup around those same themes: electric eyeshadows (luckily, our favorite makeup brands have already come out with the tools to create striking shocks of color on our eyes and cheeks to make it easy), updated versions of "freckles" (they are made from sequins and chunky glitters now), ornate brows, and floral designs painted across faces in the crowd. Don't be afraid to sport rhinestone decals and bright lips in a classic red or bright blue, or doused in glitter. . . and more glitter.

Whether you are going for a galactic and glittery look or something more subtle, you need makeup that will last all day. Ahead, we've rounded up some of our favorite festival makeup ideas for Coachella, Lollapalooza, and every summer music show in between.

Rhinestone Makeup

In the world of festivals, you can't go wrong with glitter — so why not go all out? Try it along the upper edge of your eyebrow, down the right or left side of your face, or on the bridge of your nose (or if you're feeling wild, all three).

Cobalt Eyeliner

We're calling it: bright, near-neon eyeliner will rule festival grounds, and we can only imagine how much the saturated pigment will pop when you're wearing it poolside. Consider every other eye look during the warmer months child's play.

Colorblock Eyeshadow

Bright eyeshadow always has a home in spring and summer, but don't feel limited to just one. Try two vibrant shades (like the neon green and sky blue here) and apply them on opposite sides of the eyelid.

Glitter Tears

Think of it as bringing "Euphoria" to the music-festival scene, only you should feel free to pack on the glitter tears even more so than Rue.

Blue Lipstick

Why limit glitter to just your eyes or cheeks? As you can see here, it looks just as otherworldly when applied on the lips.

Accent Pink Eyeshadow

Everybody knows that adding an accent nail can instantly elevate your manicure, and the same applies to your makeup. On one eye, smear on a bright, highly saturated eyeshadow color like pink, purple, or green.

Starry Face Decals

The next-best thing to glitter? Star decals. We love them as a way to frame your brows or accentuate cheekbones — or better yet, do both.

Monochromatic Makeup

Nobody wants to look too matchy-matchy, but hints of monochromatic makeup that bring your lipstick (or eyeshadow or blush . . .) together with your outfit is the perfect way to coordinate your warm-weather beauty look.

Floral Makeup Details

Spring brings fresh blooms, so why not translate that to your makeup with a bouquet of greens and yellows as your eye makeup?

Eyebrow Glitter

Glittery hair and eyes are to be expected at any summer music festival, but glittery eyebrows are a whole other story. Use a clear brow gel and a disposable spoolie dipped in glitter to apply.

Terra Cotta Eyeshadow

Just because it's a music festival doesn't mean you have to go all out with your makeup. If you want to let your outfit or accessories take center stage, try subtler (but not boring) eyeshadow hues like burnt orange.

Inner-Corner Pops of Shimmer

The "inner-corner pop" eye makeup trend is a summer staple, but to take it up a notch for a festival, try swapping your bright eyeshadow for specks of glitter or sparkle.

Outline Eyeliner

Graphic eyeliner looks have been on the up and up for years, but there's no bigger standout than the carefully sketched outline eyeliner. The best part: you can go as thin or thick with your liner line as you'd like, and the result will still be bold.

Glitter Freckles

Fake freckles are cool and all, but have you ever tried glitter freckles? Don't worry: music festivals are the perfect time to try out the look.