There are a few elements for a successful festival experience beyond the obvious essentials of music, friends and good weather. In terms of grooming, an absolute must have is SPF moisturiser – if you can’t be bothered to carry separate sunscreen and moisturiser then you’ll want a product that combines the two. Here are some of our favourites that will allow you to bask in the sunshine listening to your favourite band playing without having to worry about sunburn.
Anthony
Anthony’s Facial Moisturiser SPF 15 has extracts of bilberry, sugarcane, maple sugar, orange and lemon (natural AHAs). This lotion will help to erase fine lines and blotches while panthenol retains moisture and vitamins A, C and E nourish the skin. Sunscreen which helps minimize the signs of aging? Sounds like a no brainer to us.
Green People
Green People’s Skin Guard SPF 15 face defense lotion helps protect against both UVA and UVB rays. It’s perfect for men whose skin may be prone to eczema, psoriasis, acne or skin blemishes. The UV protection comes from natural mineral filters (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide). It also contains powerful, clinically proven age reversing active ingredients and is rich in antioxidants to reduce free radical damage.
Recipe For Men
Recipe For Men’s SPF 15 Facial Moisturiser (available from Selfridges) is a deep hydrating cream that helps defend your skin from the hazards of immediate and long-term sun exposure. Contains olive extract, aloe vera, cinnamon, and Recipe For Men’s cutting edge broad spectrum sun protection filter. Apply liberally 20-30 minutes before heading outside and reapply regularly.
Dermagenics
Dermagenic’s Sun Savvy Sunscreen uses a reverse emulsion process and contains a zinc oxide and titanium dioxide shield to provide 95% UVA/UVB protection. Unlike chemical sunscreens which are absorbed into the skin, causing irritation, dryness and clogged pores, this lotion creates a physical barrier on the surface of the skin with non-soluble natural mineral elements that do not penetrate the skin. For anyone with sensitive skin or allergies it contains no toxins, dyes or fragrances and is 100% PABA free. Available from www.mensphere.com
The Travel Kit
If your festival experience is abroad and you need a whole grooming routine suitable for flying with and one that won’t take up too much room in your luggage, think about buying a travel kit. The MEN-U Matt Refresh & Moisturise Set includes 3 sets of 15ml sachets of ultra concentrated facial wash, matt ‘skin refresh’ gel and matt moisturiser. Sized to comply with flight regulations this will make packing for your trip as easy and stress free as possible. Men have larger sebaceous glands than women which means they have greasier skin. Technically this results in less wrinkles, but excess oil can cause other problems that also need to be dealt with. This MEN-U range will enable you to balance your skin’s own unique composition. The facial wash provides a deep clean for the face, the refresh gel will eradicates the effects of any late nights or excessive partying (a true festival essential) and the moisturiser will provide all the necessary nourishment for the skin. Available from www.mensphere.com
Dry Shampoo
If your chosen festival is the kind where running water is a luxury that you won’t have then you may want to consider dry shampoo. If you haven’t tried it before don’t expect it to be as miraculous as the name might suggest – it’s not really comparable to washing your hair in water but it will help to soak up excess oil and remove styling products enabling you to restyle your hair without looking like you’ve slept in a barn.
Tigi Rockaholic – Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo
Spray at the roots to absorb excess oils and make your hair smell fresh. This product has a colourless formula won’t show on your clothes. After applying wait a minute, then brush or work lightly into hair.
Toni & Guy – Cleansing Dry Shampoo
Spray directly at the roots to create volume and freshness. To add texture to flat, fine hair or to make freshly washed, fly-away hair more manageable spray over dry hair from root to tip and work through with fingers or a brush.
TRESemme – Instant Refresh Dry Shampoo
TRESemme’s dry shampoo removes excess oil and impurities to leave hair looking clean and refreshed. Volumises normal and oily hair giving hair added body. Brush through hair to remove excess, then style as usual.
Going for Gold – Paco Rabanne 1 Million Intense
Paco Rabanne’s sublimely masculine fragrance 1 Million has become a classic scent since it was launched way back in 2008.The famous French fashion house has launched a new version called 1 Million Intense. With a bottle shaped like a gold ingot, this woody, oriental fragrance is intended to be the embodiment of extravagance. Fresh and spicy top notes are blood mandarin, cardamom, black pepper and saffron. Heart notes of rose absolute, neroli and cinnamon give way to base notes of leather, orris root, patchouli and sandalwood. It’s a much stronger and longer lasting version of the original so not one for anyone who’s looking for a subtle summer fragrance. For a festival this scent is strong enough to last all day and well into the night, masking a whole host of sweaty, smelly sins. And really – who doesn’t want to smell like a gold ingot?
- Warren Beckett