Festival season is upon us, and whether you’re going to Coachella, Burning Man, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, or one of the plethora of other weekend-long music events across the US, there’s one key to having a good time: be prepared. From rocking some super cute (and comfortable) vegan leather booties to wearing and sharing all of the eco-friendly glitter, we’ve compiled the 14 must-have essentials for this festival season.
@glotatts/Instagram
1 Biodegradable Glitter
Glitter, glitter, and more glitter! Music festival attendees practically leave a trail of the shimmery stuff behind them, but did you know that normal glitter can take up to 500 years to biodegrade and often ends up in the ocean? Well, no worries! Bio Glo is coming to the rescue with 100-percent biodegradable and cruelty-free glitter so you can shine on!
@brinn_bags/Instagram
2 Brinn Bag’s Honeypie Bum Bag
Trust us: you’ll regret carrying around that backpack or bulky purse when you’re packed into a crowd of dancing people. Minimal, hands-free bags are the way to go, and this handcrafted vegan leather waist or shoulder sling bag is so chic that it also serves as a fashionable addition to your look. Strap it around your waist or use it as a cross body bag to store your essentials for the day.
@projectreefhawaii/Instagram
3 Project Reef’s Mineral Sunscreen
If there’s one thing you don’t want to forget for a festival weekend, it’s sunscreen! Nothing is worse than suffering through a sunburn while trying to have a good time. So shake up this non-nano zinc formula with soothing aloe and antioxidants and apply liberally. We love that it’s a mineral sunscreen that is free from environmentally damaging ingredients and that each bottle removes 1 pound of plastic waste from the oceans.
@shopmiashoes/Instagram
4 Mia Shoe’s Vegan Ivory Python Boots
It may be oh-so-tempting to opt for a strappy pair of sandals or gorgeous heels to complete your festival look, but many of these festivals take place in dusty, hot, and dry places and open-toed shoes + crowds = no thanks. Instead, rock these trendy vegan leather booties that come with an anatomically contoured footbed. Your feet will thank you!
@fluidebeauty/Instagram
5 We Are Fluide’s Glitter Eyeliner
If you’re mapping out the perfect festival look, makeup will certianly have to play a part. This incredibly pigmented glitter liner comes in a rainbow of shades (emerald green, electric blue, retro orange, baby pink, and more) and is made to last throughout the day. No amount of dancing will smudge this shimmery look away!
@urbandecaycosmetics/Instagram
6 Urban Decay’s Setting Spray
Since festivals are a full-day experience (often lasting long into the night), you’ll want to keep your makeup and glitter locked in place. No smudging eyeshadow or trails of glitter here! This cruelty-free setting spray is ideal for humid climates and long days and will keep your look in place through hours of dancing and walking in the heat.
@lovebeautyandplanet/Instagram
7 Love Beauty and Planet’s Dry Shampoo
Weekend long festivals mean you have to keep your hygiene routine as simple and quick as possible. Chances are, you won’t be staying in an upscale hotel or trendy Airbnb, so you may have limited access to showers. That’s where dry shampoo comes in as an absolute lifesaver. This super affordable, rosehip-scented spray is meant to keep your locks looking flowy and hydrated for days.
8 Dr. Marten’s Metallic Vegan Leather Boots
If Western style boots aren’t your thing, reach for these tough-as-nails, but still feminine pink metallic leather boots from this iconic shoe company. The embossed exterior adds a touch of chic fashion and once broken in, these boots will be comfy as can be for dancing the day (and night) away.
@lifedevivi/Instagram
9Olika’s Hydrating Hand Sanitizer
It’s no secret that the bathroom situation at large events is less than desirable. And when you’re surrounded by tons of people, plus eating greasy food throughout the day, you’ll want to keep your hands as clean as possible. We love how eco-friendly Olika is, with this refillable, non-toxic sanitizing spray that’s made from simple ingredients, clips onto your bag, and offers 24-hour hydration via hyaluronic acid, so you can feel good about what you’re putting on your skin.
@hurrawbalm/Instagran
10 Hurraw’s Sun Lip Balm
Even your lips need protection from the harsh sun’s UVA and UVB rays (yes, lips can get sunburnt!). This mineral-based, protective balm has a fresh tangerine-chamomile scent and glides on super smooth and clear so you can wear it over or under your lip color. Plus, superfood oils keep your pouts moisturized and hydrated for hours on end.
@hatsmithe/Instagram
11 Hatsmithe’s Vegan Wide Brim Hats
Make a statement while keeping your face shaded from the sun with this wide-brimmed, 100-percent polyester hat. Its gorgeous, handcrafted brim will keep your head from getting sweaty and adds an extra level of protection that you’ll surely be grateful for when the heat soars above 90 degrees.
12 IGK Hair’s Strobing Glitter Spray
Glitter isn’t just for skin! Pack on that shine with this luminous and hypnotizing spray made specifically for your locks. This fun spray is made to work for every hair type and gives you a shimmering look that will catch the strobing lights near the stage with every twist and turn so you can stand out in the crowd.
@larklysuncare/Instagram
13 Larkly’s Mineral Powder Face Sunscreen
If your makeup is already applied and set to perfection, nothing is worse than realizing you forgot your SPF. This vegan and cruelty-free, no-grease, no-mess, and no-white tint brush-on sunscreen saves the day and is super travel-friendly if you happen to be car camping at the festival. Even better? It’s sustainable, with the option to re-fill your container versus buying a new one.
@bandabags/Instagram
14 Banda Bag’s Weekender Bag
Pack for your fun weekend away in style! Stuff your festival outfits (plus all of these other essentials) inside this beautiful, spacious, handcrafted, vegan leather bag and you’ll be ready to head out the door! It’s sturdy nature, gorg embroidery, and dual-strap situation make it a must for us.
@yunibeautybrand/Instagram
15 Yuni Shower Sheets
After a day in the desert dust or a crowd of sweaty people, these cruelty-free, portable shower sheets that cleanse and remove funky smells are a life saver. Fresh rose and cucumber extract are hydrating for thirsty skin, while you wipe away all of the grime of the day.
Sarah McLaughlin (@sarahmclaughlin) is the New Products Editor at VegNews and is always on the search for the newest innovations in plant-based food.
