I Had Coachella Makeup Done at Three Different Beauty Counters
Coachella kicks off this weekend and you probably have a million and one things on your to-do list right about now. ????✌️????
You've got outfits to coordinate, shoes to purchase and a flower crown that needs assembling, and in all your planning, you may have overlooked one minor detail: how you will wear your makeup for the festival weekend.
Because I am no makeup guru, I in no way can offer sound advice when it comes to how you should wear your makeup for the three-day fest.
So, instead, I turned to three major beauty counters with one simple request: "Give me your best Coachella-inspired makeup look."
With no limitations and no guidelines, a M.A.C., Nars and Sephora makeup artist each gave me their own interpretation of a "festival look."
Here's what they came up with.
M.A.C.
Look my makeup artist was going for: My M.A.C. artist Mel, who has been to the festival several times, explained to me from the get-go that she wanted to give me a fun, semi-dramatic look that would stay put throughout the day. Because I have dry skin, she noted that she would go for a sun-kissed and dewy look that would really make me sparkle in the Coachella Valley sunlight.
Thoughts on the look: When Mel told me that she was giving me a dewy face, I was a bit skeptical. I don't know about you, but when I hear dewy, I automatically think shiny.
After seeing the final look, I was pleasantly surprised with the glowy outcome—I felt like a bronzed beauty. Adding the fun design above my eyes was a last minute decision that I actually really loved. In my opinion, fun artsy makeup designs are what will really set you apart from the festival crowd.
My second favorite aspect of this look was definitely the lashes. This was the only beauty counter that gave me dramatic falsies and I was obsessed.
Would I have changed anything about this look? Honestly, nope. From the highlight, to the pigmented shadow to the copper lip, I loved it all.
Products used: Prep + Prime Essential Oils Grapefruit & Chamomile, $33; Strobe Cream, $12; Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation, $34; Refined Golden Bronzing Powder, $27; Warm Soul Blush, $28; Soft and Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish, $33; Layin' Low Pro Longwear Paint Pot, $22; Vanilla and Copper Sparkle Pigments, $22; 33 Lash, $17; 3o Lash Individuals, $17; Clear Gloss, $22; Metallic Lipstick, $17; Brown Script Eyeshadow, $16; Sweet Heat Extra Dimension Eye Shadow, $20
Nars
Look my makeup artist was going for: My makeup artist Kate told me before we began that she was aiming for a simple, yet chic look that I could potentially wear everyday. She wanted to focus on loading up on makeup that would give me all-day coverage and wouldn't melt away in the heat.
Thoughts on the look: When I first got a glimpse of the completed look, I was amazed at the simplicity. I loved the fact that this look was so smooth and light and I appreciated that Kate strayed from any products that would make me look cakey or dry—that's the last thing you want at a festival!
Although Kate gave me a pop of color with teal shadow in the center of my eyelid, I was hoping for a little more color.
This look is both practical and adorable, but at a festival I would want my makeup to be a tad bit more experimental.
Products used: Smooth & Protect Primer SPF 50, $36; Finland Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 50, $45; Canelle and Vanilla Radiant Creamy Concealer, $30; Siro Velvet Shadow Stick, $29; Chiang Mai Duo Eyeshadow, $36; Abbey Road Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner, $26; Audacious Mascara, $26; Salzbourg Brow Perfector, $24; Laguna Liquid Bronzer, $40; South Beach Highlighter, $39; Mauritanie Matte Multiple, $39; Playpen Velvet Lip Glide, $26
Sephora
Look my makeup artist was going for: My Sephora artist Steven was very upfront, expressing that he wanted to give me a fun and vibrant face that pushed the boundaries of what I was used to wearing. He stressed that he wanted to use product that would be easy to reapply throughout the day.
Thoughts on the look: Steven definitely delivered a colorful and fun look. I'm happy that he did a design over one eye as opposed to two, because I do think it creates a unique asymmetrical feel.
I was absolutely obsessed with all of the products that he chose to use on my face, but the foundation and copper eyeshadow were what really won me over (I actually ended up purchasing the dewy foundation at the end!).
Although I was happy that Steven had created a really unique look, I couldn't help but wonder how it would hold up (especially the intricate eye design) after a day in the sun. My only wish is that he would have kept the design a tad simpler.
Products used: Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil, $48; Tatcha Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder, $65; Caudalie Grape Water, $22; Tatcha The Essence Plumping Skin Softener, $95; Farmacy Lip Bloom, $16.50; Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30, $42; Milk Makeup Concealer, $24; Peter Thomas Roth Oily Problem Skin Instant Mineral Powder SPF 30, $30; Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer, $29; Urban Decay Naked Skin Highlighting Fluid in Fireball, $28; Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light, $36; Urban Decay Spike Eyeshadow, $19; Urban Decay Liquid Moondust Cream Eyeshadow in Recharged, $22; Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner in M60, $21; Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara, $24; Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick in Venus, $20; Urban Decay Vice Special Effects Long-Lasting Water Resistant LIp Topcoat in Copycat, $18
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think each artist had an amazing take on how makeup should be done for this festival.
They all emphasized that long-lasting and waterproof products will be your best friend at an all-day event like Coachella.
In my opinion, these looks are suitable for three different types of people. M.A.C.'s makeover is perfect for someone who wants to look like a goddess. Everything about this bronzed look is vibrant and pure.
Nars' makeover is ideal for someone who doesn't typically wear a lot of makeup. It's just the right amount of coverage and color, and would seriously look good on anyone.
Sephora's makeover is for someone who really wants to make a statement at the festival. To wear this look is to say, "I'm bold, I'm confident and I'm having fun." ????
I must say, it truly was a unique experience getting to see how three beauty counters had very different interpretations of what Coachella-inspired makeup should look like. Hopefully one of the three makeup counters has inspired you to be creative with your festival look this year!
Do you feel like you're totally Coachella ready?! Find out if you're as prepared as you think you are by going through our 'Chella checklist HERE!