Important makeup tips for your next concert or music festival – 360 MAGAZINE – GREEN | DESIGN | POP

Although we have struggled with postponements and cancellations during the infamous global health crisis, there is no denying that concerts and live music events are back in full force.

According to concert and event producer Live Nation, concert attendance reached 145 million in 2023, a 20% increase over 2022. In North America alone, ticket sales for the top 100 tours rose from $4.77 billion in 2022 to $6.63 billion the following year.

At the same time, major music festivals in the US are also booming. The Coachella Festival attracted around half a million visitors over two weekends. The same goes for live events outside the region. Top music festivals in Europe such as Primavera Sound in Barcelona and the star-studded Glastonbury Festival recorded visitor numbers of more than 268,000 and 200,000 respectively.

Whether you’re looking forward to local gigs or traveling to other countries to see your favorite artists, concerts and music festivals are more than just a way to enjoy live music performances, they’re also the perfect opportunity to express your personal style, from clothing to makeup.

If you’re looking to upgrade your everyday makeup, here are some tips to help you look and feel great at your next concert or music festival.

Prepare your face with skin care

Regardless of whether you have experience with applying makeup, remember to prep your face for makeup with skincare products. Start with a gentle cleanser from brands like La Roche-Posay and CeraVe to remove dirt and debris from your face. Then use a toner pad or solution to refresh your complexion, shrink pores, and remove any remaining traces of cleanser—creating a flawless base for your foundation and concealer.

To hydrate your face, choose the right moisturizer that suits your skin type. Oil-free moisturizers like Tatcha The Water Cream are perfect for those with oily skin, while thick moisturizers can provide extra hydration and nourishment for dry skin. If you’re attending an outdoor music festival like SXSW in Texas, consider a moisturizing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to balance skin hydration and sun protection.

Prioritize long-lasting makeup products

Given the long lines and artist lineups, live music events can last anywhere from a few hours to a full day, so choose your products carefully to ensure your makeup lasts with minimal fading and smudging. Luckily, QVC’s selection of makeup and cosmetics includes face, eye, and lip products that are designed to last.

The Smashbox Studio Skin Flawless 24-Hour Concealer, for example, has a creamy and pigmented formula that stays on the skin all day, feeling light and smooth. The Laura Mercier Waterproof Caviar Stick Eye Shadow, on the other hand, is waterproof and crease-resistant, which confirms its durability. Complete your face with setting spray or setting powder from trusted beauty brands like Charlotte Tilbury to set the products and extend the durability of the makeup.

Add glitter and gems for the face

If you really want to stand out from the crowd, day or night, consider embellishing your makeup with glitter and gems. You can look radiant with just a dewy foundation and highlighter on the high points of your face, but you can add even more shine and shimmer with glitter eyeshadows, like the vibrant shades from Patrick Ta’s Major Dimension Eyeshadow Palette.

You can enhance the look even further by adding gems and rhinestones along the crease and under the eyes or on the cheeks. While gems like Urban Outfitters’ Easy Peasy Face Gems come with adhesive, makeup experts recommend using eyelash glue to ensure they stay on your face, whether you’re mimicking your dance moves on The Eras tour or rocking out to the latest pop-rock hits from indie bands.

No more matte lip look

If you choose a lip combination, it is best to avoid matte lipsticks, which dry quickly and emphasize the lip contours. Although they are long-lasting and smudge-proof, the matte texture can be uncomfortable, especially considering that you will be wearing it on your lips for hours.

Instead, reach for lip oils, glosses and colours that offer a mix of hydration, softness and tint. For example, Cheekbone Beauty’s new Healing lip oils not only soothe lips with peppermint oil, but are also enriched with hyaluronic acid to keep your lips well-nourished and moisturised. These natural oils are available in the translucent Gloss Calm, the warm brown Connect and the subtle coral gloss Serenity.

Get inspired by your favorite artist

Finally, you can’t go wrong with taking inspiration from your favorite artist’s makeup to get in the right concert mood. Take rising star Chappell Roan, for example, who wows everyone with her signature makeup style at every gig. Whether she’s opening for other artists like Olivia Rodrigo or taking center stage at outdoor music events like New York’s Gov Ball, the American singer-songwriter typically wears dramatic blue eyeshadow for a look that’s as colorful and vibrant as her music.

No matter what makeup look you choose, take plenty of photos during the concert or festival to have a memory of the event.