Despite struggling with postponements and cancellations during the infamous global health crisis, there’s no denying that concerts and live music events are back in full force.
According to concert and event producer Live Nation, concert attendance reached 145 million in 2023, representing a 20% increase from 2022. In North America alone, ticket sales of the top 100 tours increased from $4.77 billion in 2022 to $6.63 billion the following year.
Meanwhile, major music festivals in the US are also booming, with Coachella attracting approximately half a million attendees across two weekends. The same can be said for live events outside of the region. Top European music festivals, such as the Barcelona-based Primavera Sound and the star-studded Glastonbury Festival, recorded attendees of more than 268,000 and 200,000, respectively.
Whether you’re anticipating local acts or planning to travel to different countries to see your favorite artists, concerts and music festivals are more than just a way to enjoy live musical performances. They’re also the perfect opportunity to express your personal style, from your clothes down to your makeup.
If you want an upgrade from your everyday makeup look, here are some tips to make you look and feel your best at your next concert or music festival.
Prep your face with skincare
Regardless of your experience with doing your own makeup, remember to use skincare to prepare your face for makeup application. Start with a gentle cleanser from brands like La Roche-Posay and CeraVe to wash away any dirt or grime on your face. Then, use a toner pad or solution to refresh your complexion, shrink pores, and remove remaining traces of cleanser — thus ensuring a flawless base for your foundation and concealer.
To hydrate your face, choose the right moisturizer suitable for your skin type. Oil-free moisturizers like Tatcha The Water Cream are perfect for those with oily skin, while thick moisturizing creams can provide extra hydration and nourishment for dry skin types. If you’re attending an outdoor music festival like the Texas-based SXSW, consider a moisturizing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to balance skin hydration and sun protection.
Prioritize long-lasting makeup products
Considering the long queues and artist lineups, live music events can take anywhere from a few hours to an entire day. So, choose your products carefully to ensure that your makeup will last a long time with minimal fading and smudging. Fortunately, QVC’s selection of makeup and cosmetics includes face, eye, and lip products built for long-wear.
For instance, the Smashbox Studio Skin Flawless 24-Hour Concealer has a creamy and pigmented formula that lasts on your skin all day while still feeling lightweight and smooth. Meanwhile, the Laura Mercier Waterproof Caviar Stick Eye Shadow’s staying power relies on its waterproof and crease-resistant properties. Top off your face with setting spray or setting powder from trusted beauty brands like Charlotte Tilbury to lock in the products and extend makeup longevity.
Add face glitter and gems
If you truly want to stand out from the crowd day or night, consider embellishing your makeup with glitter and gems. While you can already look glowy by opting for a dewy base and adding highlighter on the highest points of your face, add more shine and shimmer by using glittered eyeshadow, such as the luminous shades from Patrick Ta’s Major Dimension Eyeshadow Palette.
You can further elevate the look by adding gems and rhinestones along the eyelid crease and undereye or on the apples of your cheeks. While gems like the Urban Outfitters Easy Peasy Face Gems already come with adhesive, makeup experts recommend using lash glue to ensure they stay on your face, whether you’re channeling your dance moves on The Eras tour or jamming to the latest pop-rock hits by indie bands.
Ditch the matte lip look
When deciding on your lip combo, it’s best to ditch the matte lipsticks that dry quickly and emphasize lip lines. Despite being long-lasting and transfer-proof, the matte texture can be uncomfortable, especially considering you’ll be wearing it on your lips for hours on end.
Instead, go for lip oils, glosses, and stains that offer a blend of hydration, smoothness, and tint. For instance, Cheekbone Beauty’s new Healing lip oils not only soothe the lips with peppermint oil but are also infused with hyaluronic acids to keep your lips well-nourished and moisturized. These natural oils are available in the translucent gloss Calm, the warm brown tone Connect, and the subtle coral glow of Serenity.
Take inspiration from your favorite artist
Lastly, you can never go wrong with taking inspiration from your favorite artist’s makeup looks to truly feel the concert vibe. Take, for example, how rising star Chappell Roan wows everyone with her signature makeup style for every performance. Whether she’s opening for other artists like Olivia Rodrigo or taking center stage at outdoor music events like the New York City’s Gov Ball, the American singer-songwriter is typically seen wearing dramatic blue eyeshadow for a look that’s as colorful and vibrant as her music.
Whatever makeup look you choose, take lots of photos during the concert or festival to have something to remember the event by.
