A Cheater’s Guide to Pulling Off Festival Girl Makeup in the City

Chances are, your social media feeds have recently been flooded with all things Coachella. If you missed it (and have been living under a rock), the festival kicked off last weekend. And while there were plenty of desert-dancing Snapchats and swan float–fueled pool parties to take in, we couldn’t ignore the standout makeup statements from our favorite free-spirited beauties taking over our Instagram. Of course, even if you’re not headed to Indio, California, for the second weekend of shows, there’s plenty of inspiration to be drawn from the season’s sunny beauty looks. To learn how to adopt a more playful approach for the city, we called on editorial pro Lisa Houghton, who insists that a dash of high-impact blue pigment or a wash of twinkling glitter can be thoroughly office-appropriate, flower crown not required.

“Festival makeup can work for everyday when done right,” says Houghton, who suggests dipping into the trend with baby steps first, like swiping on a tinted mascara for a hint of color. “Blue, plum, and emerald work best” when paired against a backdrop of rich, black eyeliner. If a row of whimsical gold dots along the brow bone understandably seems like overkill for an afternoon outing, she suggests switching to a painterly wash of gilded shadow instead. “Blend up to the crease and shade beneath the eye for a subtle but gleaming effect.”

Beauty risk-takers, pay close attention. Glitter can, in fact, work in smaller doses. Houghton suggests choosing fine-grade pigments in a pale shade like silver or pink and applying only on the eyes (as opposed to the cheekbone). After dabbing a bit onto the lid with your ring finger, gently place a piece of Scotch tape overtop and then carefully lift it away to remove excess pigment. Only the subtlest hint of sparkle will remain behind. To make the look that much more “day” appropriate, keep your skin and lips simple, and swap out foundation for a tinted moisturizer. “When using bold colors on the eyes, it’s important to balance the face with a hint of blush,” says Houghton.

Of course, the healthy, sun-kissed skin of days spent lounging outdoors by the Main Stage is a universally flattering staple. Houghton recommends swirling on bronzer and adding a pop of highlighter on the cheekbones for a luminous effect. Because whether you’re headed back to Indio or watching from the air-conditioned sidelines, there’s no reason that a supernatural glow can’t work in your favor year-round.

 

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