If youve been following team ELLEuk on Twitter this weekend, youll know weve been hanging out backstage at the Isle of Wight festival.
In the MAC make-up tent, which was filled to the brim with musicians and celebrities all looking forward to a little pre-stage preening, we spent the weekend stealing tips and tricks to create some pretty perfect festival looks, and watched Tim Burgess (of the Charlatans) having his eye brows trimmed, The Noisettes singer, Shingai being dusted in gold and the entire MAC team applying false lashes to girls (and boys) till the weekend supply completely ran out.
'Everyone has been asking for them' said make-up artist Dean Rudd, ' the fluttery, kittenish ones have been the most popular because they just look so effortlessly sexy. As he applied a set of MAC number 12s, £8.32, to my own eyes, I asked Dean for his top lash tips.
'Once you've removed the lashes from the pack, bend the strips first with your fingers. They'll fit your eyes better if they're slightly curved. Then when you stick them down, look down but don't close your eye - the skin on your lid is more taut when it's open a little so you'll get a more snug fit'.
And it wasn't just false lashes that were in demand. Nearly everyone who paid a visit to the make-up tent walked out sporting sexy, smoky eyes, a festival look that wasnt just reserved for night time.
'Smoky eyes are a great antidote to tired, red eyes so they're perfect for festivals,' said make-up artist Neil Young who had spent the day creating a 'ghetto fabulous' face for Charlene from Basement Jaxx. Dark eyes require hardly any touch ups and look sexier the more worn in they get'. He recommends you get this effect instantly by patting a little MAC Lip Conditioner, £8.81, over an eye shadow base of burnt brown tones. 'Bronze and brown shades are summers take on classic smoky eyes because they're softer than solid black. Start by lining your eyes with a black pencil for definition (try Smoulder, £10.77, by MAC), then build up different colours on your lids and smudge them in for a hazy effect'.
If you are heading to a festival this summer but aren't lucky enough to get the VIP treatment then you'll need to pack a compact, multi-tasking beauty bag along side your wellies and Factor 30.
'Strobe cream, £20.06 by MAC is my festival essential,' make-up artist Martina Luisetti told us, 'I use it to fake a dewy, glowing complexion and add sheen to legs, shoulders and decollote. I also can't go anywhere without MAC's Fix +, £10.77. Not only does it set your make-up so it doesn't move, but it's instantly refreshing if you're hot from dancing all day'.
If, like me, youre always striving to create that perfect rosy glow (even when you're slumming it in a muddy field) then I urge you to try MAC's new Just a Pinch gel blush, £15.17. The cherry-coloured stain suits everyone and gives cheeks the prettiest hint of colour. Stock up now, there's a long summer of festivals ahead.
