If you enjoy being creative when it comes to fashion and beauty, then festival season is probably one of your favourite times of year for that reason—it gives us ample opportunity to be bold and experimental with both our outfit choices and our makeup looks.
While laid-back neutrals or classic smokey eye looks might be our go-tos for every day, festival season is the one time of year that gives us a free pass for having fun with colour and texture. From neon brights and shimmering metallics through to glitter eye looks and statement lips, festival makeup is all about being expressive and eye-catching.
Ahead, we've rounded up 11 of the best festival makeup looks that will give you major inspiration for summer 2023.
1. Face Gems
Adding face gems to your festival makeup look will take things to the next level. Place the gems randomly to create dimension, and keep the rest of your makeup minimal (but luminous) so they stand out.
2. Smokey Metallic
Smokey metallic makeup gives major backstage vibes, and since grunge-inspired beauty is big news for 2023, this is right on trend. We love how this look combines a soft brown and cool-toned grey with a pop of gold-flecked green.
3. Blue Stars
Festivals offer a prime opportunity to be creative and have fun with your makeup. If you're feeling really adventurous, take inspiration from this bold and eye-catching look—it sees small stars sketched into the inner corner of each eye (use an eyeliner for ease), with a touch of glitter added for a shooting-star effect.
4. Extended Wings
If colourful eye makeup really isn't your thing, wing it with a dramatic extended liner look in classic black. The perfectly-groomed brows, sculpted contour and glossy lips keep this simple look sleek.
5. Lime Green Lids
Bright, bold eyeshadow is ideal when you want to make a statement or create a festival makeup look that ties in with your outfit. Lime green looks good on everyone.
6. Pastel Ombré
Popular pastel colourways can be easily incorporated into your festival makeup look. Choose two shades and blend them together for a fun contrast.
7. Neon Brights
Neon colours are a go-to for festival season, so if the occasion has you feeling especially creative, go all out with a slick of neon colour across your lids. This look is both quick and easy to achieve, and requires zero makeup skills. Top tip: Keep the rest of your makeup neutral to ensure the neon colour stands out.
8. Bold Lips
Not really an eye makeup kind of person? Don't worry, you can still make a statement with your lips. Go bright and bold with a vibrant red shade and be sure to choose a long-wearing formula.
9. Glitter Lids
No festival makeup roundup would be complete without a touch of glitter. To copy this look, prep lids with a priming base before packing on the glitter in multiple sheer layers. Once complete, frame the outline with a black liner and add false lashes for extra drama.
10. Watercolour Eyes
We love how this look incorporates colour without making a statement—perfect for those who prefer a subtle eye look but still want to experiment for festival season. Don't feel pressure to keep this too neat and tidy—intentionally messy is both fun and (let's face it) easy to achieve.
11. Inner-Corner Colour
Here's proof that you can be creative even if you only have one eyeshadow colour in your makeup bag. Apply the colour to the inner corners of your eyes and blend it softly towards the centre of your lids for a fun take on a monochrome look.
The Best Festival Makeup Products for 2023:
Created specifically for facial application, these tiny gems will last all day (and night).
Victoria Beckham's always-sold-out eyeliner just released shade range extensions with a bright and bold theme—as well as this vibrant emerald green, there's bright pink and cobalt blue to choose from.
Delivering pigment and glitter via a super-nourishing formula, this is exactly the kind of lip product you need in your festival makeup bag.
For bronzed, radiant skin blend this liquid bronzer over the high points of your face, or mix a few drops with your foundation or moisturiser for an all-over glow.
These ultra-pigmented eye paints are perfect for one-wash eye looks—and can also be used as eyeliner, too.
For a grungy look with a metallic finish, look no further than Hourglass's creamy eyeshadow sticks—no blending brushes required.
Our top requirement for festival makeup is that it stays put—which these matte lip pigments from Nars are renowned for.
No one wants to wear thick and heavy foundation at a festival—opt for a skin tint for a lightweight, sheer finish instead.
For complex, intricately blended looks that are about both colour and finish, this eyeshadow compact has everything you need.
The ultimate festival makeup essential. Don't go anywhere without finishing your face with a generous spritz of Urban Decay's legendary setting spray.
Next Up: Cowboy Boots, Crochet, Crystals—Every Fun Festival Trend I'll Wear This Summer
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