One of my favorite things about spring is shopping all the festival fashions that start filling up the boutiques. Festival fashion has gotten a bad rap over the last few years though, and honestly, for good reason. Native American headdresses (come on, now), neon overkill, denim cutoffs that are wayyyyyy too short to be called shorts, and flower crowns have made too many women looking like hippie raver disasters. It's true, music festivals have become an Emerald City for street style photography but it's no reason to pile on every single trend in order to look great and get noticed.
I partnered up with wardrobe stylist Megan Larkin, hairstylist Nikki Verdecchia of NV Salon Collective, and model Sara Crooks to show you how it's done.
First, the makeup. You are going to sweat so go easy. Leave the contouring at home. And as much as I love Drew Barrymore and Florence + The Machine, leave the face paint at home too. I used Chanel CC Cream Complete Correction Broad Spectrum SPF 50 in 30 Beige on Sara, using a damp Beauty Blender to push it into her skin. Next, I used Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in Light Medium to cover up any blemishes and dark spots. After setting her base with NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder, I brushed her brows up and out with Benefit Gimme Brow in Medium/Deep. A light wash of Factory from the Urban Decay Naked 3 Eyeshadow Palette and some Stila brown liquid eyeliner and I was done with her eyes. (Side note: I don't advise wearing waterproof mascara or using an eyelash curler because of how bad they are for your eyelashes. Instead, I always recommend that my clients try out lash extensions.) For Sara's lips, I skipped lipliner altogether and prepped them with some clear lip balm before applying YSL Sheer Volupté in 10 Tangy Mandarine, which is a gorgeous, bright coral color that goes with everything. I have it in my personal kit too.
On to the hair. Nikki created a gorgeous, festival-ready hairstyle for Sara by giving her two Dutch/inverted French braids and braiding all the way to the ends before fastening with a clear rubber band. Pro tip: bring extra bands because the clear ones snap easily. This look is perfect for running around, dancing and sunning because it's so quick and low maintenance. No need for a lot of product; just make sure you're working with second day hair for best results. No need to set it either, but if your hair is very fine, mist some texturing spray throughout before you begin braiding.
Finally, the outfits, Layering is key and the trick to pulling off this season's trends is by picking just one. Also, leave all your designer pieces at home.
The Urban Outfitters one-piece bathing suit that Sara is wearing can be purchased here.
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