Look fresh as a daisy at this summer's festivals with our how-to guide.
By Lisa Haynes
The things we do for the love of music... filthy toilets, forgoing our bathroom pampering and even greasy hair. These pitfalls make up our top 10 festival frustrations, according to research for the o2 Wireless Festival.
At this year's July event, o2 are handing out 200 guest passes each day for 'VIpee' luxury loos where lucky recipients can freshen up to their heart's content.
But for the rest of us mere mortals, keeping clean and looking good is no mean feat during a festival stopover when portaloos and compact mirrors are our only option.
We can't all make like the celebs in Winnebagos with all the trimmings. Some die-hard campers will be sleeping under the stars at Glastonbury Festival for up to five nights making do with the bare minimum in beautifying routines.
Fortunately, an SOS kit for the festival season could be your saviour. Even if you're swerving festival stopovers this summer, the same know-how applies if you're going camping or travelling light.
:: CLEAN UP YOUR ACT
Boys can just about get away with the scruffy and smelly vibe - Pete Doherty, we mean you - but it's a look that won't wash on ladies. Use multi-purpose products like wipes that double up as both face cleansers and an instant shower to keep you feeling fresh and clean.
FESTIVAL PACK-UP: Johnson's Baby Skincare Travel Wipes, £1.39 (Boots nationwide); Cuticura Hand Hygiene Gel, £1.29 (Boots nationwide); Champneys Super Calm Rescue Balm, £5 (www.champneys.com); Korres Watermelon Tinted Moisturiser with SPF30, £18 (020 7581 6455/www.korres.com); Ms Manicure 4-in-1 File n Buff Keychain, £1.99 (Boots nationwide).
:: SMELL SWEET
Sometimes daily showering is just not an option at festivals. But there's no excuse for letting your natural body odour go overboard even if thousands of others around you are getting a little 'fragrant'. You never know when you might bump into your favourite rock star!
FESTIVAL PACK-UP: Hed Kandi Twisted Disco Body Fragrance, £2.49 (Boots nationwide); Dove Go Fresh Fresh Touch Cucumber & Green Tea Roll-on, £1.69 (Boots/Superdrug nationwide); Apothia Velvet Rope pure perfume oil roll-on 9ml, £32 (0207 201 8588); Clean Shower Fresh EDP 30ml, £26 (Harvey Nichols nationwide).
:: SUPER-CHARGED SOS
When you're starting to dream about bubble baths and blow drys, now is the time to really pull out all the emergency beauty stops. If you haven't washed your bod or hair for what feels like weeks, you can rely on these rescue products to leave you looking fresh as a festival daisy.
FESTIVAL PACK-UP: Batiste Blush Dry Shampoo, £1.99 (01695 651112); Origins No Puffery Cooling mask for eyes, £16.50 (www.origins.co.uk); Andrew Barton Shiny Happy Hair Gloss Boss, £4.95 (Asda nationwide); Jemma Kidd Rosy Glow Lip & Cheek Tint, £14 (Boots nationwide).
:: MINI MARVELS
Festivals are a time for fun and frolics - not nursing a bad back. Lose the heavyweight rucksacks and invest in miniature versions of your favourite beauty and make-up products that should see you through your festival weekend - minus the excess baggage.
FESTIVAL PACK-UP: Benefit Justine make-up case, £22.50 (www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk); Eyeko Manga Make-up Book, available in three palettes, £5 (Superdrug nationwide); Aromatherapy Associates Weekender Kit, £12 (www.aromatherapyassociates.com); AGERA Travel Kit, £60 (www.ageraonline.co.uk); Malin+Goetz Travel Set, £18 (selected House of Frasers).
:: TRIED AND TESTED
Feeling the heat? Keep your cool when temperatures are rising with a refreshing facial spritz. We test three mists on the beauty market so you don't have to get hot and bothered:-
:: REN PHYTO DYNAMIC INSTANT LIFT FACIAL SPRAY, £18 (www.lookfantastic.com)
This refreshing spray claims to be able to both tighten the skin and smooth away fine lines. I can't claim that it did - although perhaps would with repeated use - but it's a wonderful revitaliser on a hot day. Gently scented with an uplifting aroma that includes fig, it certainly hydrates and cools.
3/5
:: NEAL'S YARD FRANKINCENSE HYDRATING FACIAL MIST, £9 (www.nealsyardremedies.com)
Powerfully scented with the smell of frankincense, this new facial spritzer is an exotic experience. Rejuvenating rather than refreshing, the spray leaves your skin feeling a little smoother and slightly perfumed. A lovely handbag filler for hot nights.
4/5
:: BOOTS EXPERT SENSITIVE REFRESHING FACIAL SPRITZ, £1.99 (Boots nationwide)
Looking more like a deodorant than a cute summer handbag accessory, this bulky water spray is intended to refresh and hydrate the face. But while the product claims to relief the effects of skin dryness, its effects are minimal and short-lived and this reviewer will be sticking to moisturiser to keep her face fresh.
1/5
:: BUY IT NOW
No need to rely on the British summertime for a golden glow. Brush on The Body Shop's new limited edition Sun Lustre Bronzer, £16, available in two shades, Bronze Gleam or Radiant Blush (www.thebodyshop.com).
BEAUTY BULLETIN
:: YOUNG BEAUTY
Teenager often found rummaging through your make-up bag? Let her embark on fresh-faced beauty the right way with Jemma Kidd Make Up School's new 'Coming of Age' course, in association with Face Boutique. Ideal for young women to learn easy skincare regimes and find make-up to suit their face and age. The workshop includes complimentary gift bag of Jemma Kidd make-up and Face Boutique goodies. A two hour course is £200 for two friends. Call 0207 243 0357 to book.
:: CULT FOLLOWING
Beauty addicts can get their daily fix of products at brand new website Cult Beauty. The site champions must-have beauty buys from around the world that stand out as hero products in their field. An expert panel including the likes of Ruby Hammer and Charles Worthington reveal their very own super-products. Visit www.cultbeauty.co.uk
:: UPCOMING
:: June 27: BEAUTY Hair Removal: Keep your skin smooth and silky with the best in hair removal techniques.
:: July 4: BEAUTY Suncare: Stay safe in the sun with beauty's SPF offerings.
:: July 11: BEAUTY Summer Scent: Spritz your way through the summer with this season's fresh new fragrances.