What to Bring to Coachella: Beauty Packing List
10 Beauty Products You'll Need to Survive Coachella (and Look Good Doing It)
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
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 10 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
