18 Products You'll Need to Survive Coachella (and Look Good Doing It)

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For the seasoned veterans heading to Coachella in April, you know the festival leads two separate lives: the casual daytime concert and the boisterous nighttime party. Both are brimming with opportunities for dancing, sweating, and front-of-Ferris-wheel-picture-taking, and if you're headed to Palm Springs for the occasion, you'll want to come equipped with everything you need for any and all of them.

If you're a first-timer who has spent the last few days Googling "Coachella packing list" over and over, trust me — you aren't alone. Although this will mark my seventh year in the desert for Coachella, every year, without fail, I always end up needing to make a pit stop at the local drugstore for an item I forgot to bring with me. So, in an effort to bring everything I need the first time around and to help you do the same, I've compiled a list of 18 must-haves that should be in your bag with you when you head down to the desert.

Yes, you'll need to bring your regular skin-care products, your favorite makeup items, your outfits, and, of course, your wristbands (seriously, don't forget those), but there are a few other key things I promise you won't want to be without (sunscreen is a big one). Keep scrolling to check out the full Coachella packing list.

Sunscreen
koparibeauty.com

Sunscreen

Kopari Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen SPF 42 ($39)

The sun in the desert is no joke. You must wear SPF if you're going to be frolicking around the festival for hours. I'm obsessed with this Kopari Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen because it's made with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and it dries down quickly. Plus, it's got a pretty, rose-gold shade to it, so if you want your body to look extra glowy for the festivities, this product is a one and done option.

Hairspray
Sephora

Hairspray

Oribe Mini Superfine Hair Spray ($24)

Last year, I made a huge mistake when I forgot to pack hairspray for my Coachella trip, and I will not be making that mistake again. The Oribe Mini Superfine Hair Spray is perfect because it's tiny so it doesn't take up a lot of room in my bag, but it packs a big punch. Plus, it doesn't leave my hair feeling crunchy and instead makes it smell like I just had a salon blowout. The best part? It offers UV protection, so I can feel good about spending hours under the sun without frying my hair.

Lip Treatment
evolutionofsmooth.com

Lip Treatment

Eos Dry Lip Repair Treatment ($5)

If I wasn't allowed to bring a bag into the festival grounds and I had to only use the space offered in my pockets, I wouldn't think twice about packing the Eos Dry Lip Repair Treatment. My skin always gets dry throughout the day, and that extends to my lips. This treatment is made with shea butter, and it has a yummy strawberry flavor, which means I'm always kissable AF, no matter what.

Setting Spray
Sephora

Setting Spray

One/Size On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray ($32)

You're allowed to go in and out of the Coachella festival, but if you plan on staying there from dawn until dusk, you'll want to make sure you set your makeup with a setting spray. I don't know what kind of magic they put into the One/Size On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray, but whenever I use it, my makeup does not move. There's no chance you'll catch me packing for the desert without this baby.

Dry Shampoo
moroccanoil.com

Dry Shampoo

Moroccan Oil Dry Shampoo ($12)

Unless you plan on washing your hair three days in a row, you'll need to pack dry shampoo. The Moroccan Oil Dry Shampoo is my favorite pick because it gives my hair the boost it needs to make my blowout last for days, and it smells like a million bucks. I bring the travel size in dark tones since I have brown hair, but they also have a light-tone version for blonds.

Deodorant
nezcare.com

Deodorant

Nez Match Your Mood Mini Travel Deodorant Set ($15 for a pack of 2)

My love for Nez deodorant has been well-documented, especially when it comes to festivals. Last year, I had strangers sniff my armpits to gauge whether or not my deodorant was actually working, and Nez earned a five-star rating. I love that they come in mini sizes, so I can easily fit one inside whatever bag I decide to bring with me to the festival.

Hand Sanitizer
sephora.com

Hand Sanitizer

Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer ($10)

The bathroom situation can be pretty grim at festivals, especially Coachella. It's a porta-potty setup, which isn't terrible, but the hand washing situation is usually non-existent. I like to pack a hand sanitizer like this one from Touchland to make sure I'm all good to go after I've, well, gone. This one is hydrating, so you don't have to worry about dryness once you've applied it.

Face Covering
gxvebeauty.com

Face Covering

GXVE Bandana ($20)

The dust in the desert is no joke, and when the wind starts to pick up, you're going to want either a bandana or a face mask to keep your makeup looking flawless and your mouth free of gross dust. This GXVE Bandana is super cute, and you can wear it as a neck scarf or a headband during the day and then use it for protection from dirt and dust at night.

Anti-Friction Stick
megababebeauty.com

Anti-Friction Stick

Megababe Thigh Rescue Mini ($10)

Thigh chafing sucks, but the Megababe Thigh Rescue Mini makes it much easier to manage. I like to apply this stuff wherever I think I might have friction, especially on my feet. It prevents irritation and leaves my skin in tip-top shape.

Blister Band-Aids
amazon.com

Blister Band-Aids

Dr. Scholl's Blister Cushion Bandaids ($10)

Sometimes, no matter how comfortable my shoes are, after I've worn them for eight hours nonstop, they can start to hurt. The worst case scenario? Getting blisters on my feet and needing to wear the same shoes the following day. I like to pack blister bandaids (and honestly, sometimes even medical tape) just in case things get dire. Pro tip: If I'm worried I might get blisters, sometimes I put the bandaids on ahead of time just to be proactive.

Body Care

Body Care

Fount Society Body Glow Duo ($105)

The first time I went to Coachella, the thing that surprised me the most was how freaking dry my skin was. When I got home Friday night after running around and listening to music all day, after I showered off all the dirt and grime, I couldn't believe how parched my skin felt. I've since learned that post-shower, I need to hydrate my skin a lot, and the Fount Society Body Glow Duo is the perfect way for me to do that. After getting out of the shower, I layer on the body serum while my skin is still damp, and then I put the body oil on top of it. I always wake up feeling refreshed and my skin looks and feels softer than a baby's bottom.

Eye Paint
aboutface.com

Eye Paint

About-Face Fractal Glitter Eye Paint ($16)

If you want to go all out this festival season with a fun eye look (like many of our favorite celebs who attended weekend one of Coachella), allow me to introduce you to your new best friend: the About-Face Fractal Glitter Eye Paint. It's easy AF to swipe on, it lasts all night, and it makes it look like you actually know how to do your makeup. (Even if you don't, like me.) It's shimmery, it's pigmented, and it's the perfect festival accessory.

Sunglasses
vehlaeyewear.com

Sunglasses

Vehla Bowie Sunglasses ($200)

If you haven't added a pair of sunglasses to your packing list, please do so ASAP. The temperature in the desert is usually in the high 90s during the day, and the sun is bright AF. These Vehla Bowie sunglasses are the perfect combination of functional and chic. They'll protect your eyes from the sun's rays, and you can look like a badass in the process.

Lightweight Sweater
Getty

Lightweight Sweater

Cozy Earth Women's AirKnit Crewneck Sweater ($195)

As mentioned, it gets hot as hell during the day in the desert, but in case you weren't aware, it's chilly at night. I always like to pack something super light, like this Cozy Earth Women's AirKnit Crewneck Sweater, in my backpack for after the sun sets. If I don't, I always end up buying something at the festival, and the charges rack up quickly. This sweater is lightweight and folds down small, but it's made from 100 percent space wool, so it keeps me super warm.

Fitness Tracker
ouraring.com

Fitness Tracker

Oura Ring Horizon ($499)

I don't go anywhere without my Oura ring, but it's one of my must-have items for music festivals. It tracks my heart rate, my steps, and even my stress levels, so I know when I need to slow down and take a deep breath in between sets. I have the gold version, which looks exactly like my other rings and works well with any outfit. Plus, it's absolutely necessary for tracking my sleep at night so I know how much REM and deep sleep I'm getting — that way I can plan my activities the following day accordingly.

Energy Shot
Getty

Energy Shot

Suja Energy Shot ($80 for a pack of 20)

A fun fact about me is that I don't drink coffee, mostly because I'm pretty high-energy without it. However, on festival weekends, I dabble with a little caffeine, but I've found that coffee usually gives me a quick high and an even faster crash. These Suja energy shots are organic, have 100 mg of caffeine, and keep me going all night long.

Portable Charger
amazon.com

Portable Charger

Amazon Portable Charger ($18)

Let's be real: you most likely won't have service on the festival grounds, but if you plan on taking tons of photos or if you need to call an Uber back to your hotel at the end of the night, having a portable charger is a game-changer. This one is small and fits easily in a backpack or fanny pack.

Weekender Bag
beistravel.com

Weekender Bag

Béis Weekender in Slate ($108)

Obviously, I need somewhere to put everything I'm packing, and the Béis Weekender back is my go-to product for any weekend trip. It fits all of my outfits in the main pocket and even my laptop if I need to get some work done (which I definitely will not be doing Coachella weekend). The bottom has space for my shoes and toiletries, and the trolley sleeve makes it easy to slip over a roller bag if I plan on packing heavy.

Getty | sbayram Jordan Lye vehlaeyewear.com beistravel.com koparibeauty.com sujaorganic.com and Photo Illustration: Becky Jiras


Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for POPSUGAR. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for POPSUGAR's TikTok and Instagram accounts.