Next-Level Festival Beauty: Get the Perfect Makeup Look for Coachella

Music fest makeup looks

By Erika Stalder Apr 08, 2015 9:34 PMTags
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Wakeup call: Coachella has been rocking for a solid 16 years now. That's nearly two decades of flower crowns, face paint and boho braids. And while we love these accoutrements as much as the next part-time hippie, we're ready to tighten the reins on the funky kaleidoscope of more-is-more beauty looks and push festival beauty to the next level.

So this year, won't you come with us on a sonic journey of a more refined type?

E! Style Collective member and Fabulatina blogger Nash Messina is on board. "Flower crowns either need to be reinvented or put away," she declared. "Ditto for face painting of any kind."

Premiere/CPR/Rocstar/FAMEFLYNET

The style blogger looks to Solange Knowles as a poster girl for how to refine our beauty game plans this festival season.

"She goes with a fresh approach with makeup, then throws in a bright pop of color on the lips. It's a winning look time and time again," Messina said.

To achieve a timeless look for yourself, focus on accentuating just one part of the face with statement makeup. Commit to a bold lip (like MAC Lipstick in Mia Moretti—a rich red) or graphic eye. Notice how Solange lets her strong lip color do the talking, while the rest of the makeup look is muted. (It's a trick that's echoed with the color scheme of her outfits as well.)

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Melissa Hebeler/E!

After you pick a feature to play up, fill in the spaces with complexion-warming basics. Post skin care, apply a primer to stretch the wear of foundation (like colorescience Skin Bronzing Face Primer, which delivers tint and SPF protection). Set and refresh makeup with a hydrating spray, such as Farmaesthetics Classic Waters.

"A sun-kissed glow on your cheeks is perfect for any festival look; go with bronze peachy shades," offered Nash. Sonia Kashuk Sahara Sunset Blusher in Casablanca is not only portable, but provides luminescent color payoff as well.

Finally, no matter what look you commit to for festival season this year, don't forget to pack broad-spectrum SPF. Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection Sunscreen is oil-free and more liquid than lotion, making it perfect for layering under makeup.

"Often forgotten, sunscreen is so critical for all day, outdoor partying and hanging," Nash said.

No matter how lost in the music you may become, remember to reapply sunscreen every two to three hours.

Because nothing obliterates the impact of a strong beauty look more than a sun-scorched face.

Make Solstice Bronzer, $25; Laneige BB Cushion, $34; Topshop Brow Palette, $18;  Sonia Kashuk Sahara Sunset Blusher, $12; Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection Sunscreen, $90; colorescience Skin Bronzing Face Primer, $50; Farmaesthetics Classic Waters, $26; MAC Lipstick in Mia Moretti, $16; Rouge Bunny Rouge Witchery Modelling Mascara, $33; Hard Candy Top Ten Trendsetters Eyeshadow Collection in Birthday Suit, $6

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