Photo by Sofala Knapton
This year marks 10 years of Outside Lands, San Francisco’s three-day music festival, and it has only gotten better with age. This year, headlining acts include Metallica, The Who, Gorillaz, A Tribe Called Quest, Solange, Fleet Foxes, Lorde, Alt-J and lots more. With music from noon until night, a land dedicated to chocolate, and even shopping (!), a good, if exhausting, time is practically guaranteed.
And to not look exhausted even when the eye bags and hair frizz emerge, you may need some help. Even if the fog is thick, which it likely will be, you need sun protection. That fog is also likely to melt off your make-up if you’re not careful. Overindulgence (at Winelands, perhaps?) can lead to wooziness, not to mention dry skin and lips. And just accept the fact that you will get dusty and dirty. I mean look what happened at Treasure Island Music Festival last year.
But if you pack your makeup bag wisely, none of this will ruin your fun. These are some must-haves that will keep you looking and feeling fresh all the way though to the end of The Who’s set on Sunday night.
Aesop Violet Leaf Hair Balm, $35
Even if you’ve never had frizzy hair in your life, SF’s fog just might mark your first experience with unruly hair. It can be that way here. Carry a little tub of this with you and smooth it over the surface of your hair whenever you need to get those locks under control. Bonus: it smells delicious.
Cool Organic Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, $36
This is the first sunscreen I’ve ever actually enjoyed using. The scent is lovely, and the consistency is dense but blends easily.
If the aforementioned overindulgence does indeed occur and you need a little pick-me-up—or something to recalibrate your equilibrium—this stuff will help. Just apply a bit of the roll-on under your nose, behind your ears or at your wrists and you’ll be ready for the next show in no time.
When you’re really freaking tired and your face feels like it’s falling off, this will perk you right up. 
Sam Roberts Hat (if you can get your hands on one! Keep an eye on their Instagram feed for new designs), ~$200
You can’t overdo it when it comes to sun protection. Double up on your skin protection with one of these coolest of hats. If you’re in San Francisco, Reliquary carries them.
The Balm Stainiac in Beauty Queen, $17
This color is perfect every time. It’s more of an “I was just making out with the drummer” look than a perfect red lip look, which is just right for a music festival. It lasts a long time, but days are long at Outside Lands so it can’t hurt to pack some along. Bonus: it doubles as blush.
True Nature Botanicals Pacific Lip Treatment, $72
Between this and the Stainiac, your lips will be pouting perfection. It’s expensive, but mine has lasted forever and it really is luscious.
Naty Baby Wipes, $30 (for a case)
I discovered these when hunting for biodegradable wipes for my baby, and then I discovered that I love them for myself, too. No weird smells, totally biodegradable, and the perfect way to freshen up your face after a few hours of tramping around Golden Gate Park with 60,000 of your closest friends. And you’ll be psyched you brought them if the bathrooms run out of toilet paper, which they will.
Fjallraven Kanken No.2 Laptop Backpack, $110
I have a green one but I love this all-black, rock and roll version.
Jac Vanek Important Makeup Bag, $18
For the littler items. (Me neither.)
Thank you to Credo Beauty for the Coola Sunscreen and Zoe Organics Refresh Oil. Thanks to True Nature Botanicals for the lip balm, and to The Balm for the lip stain!
Also check out my guide re what to wear to Outside Lands!
