How NOT to smell like you’re at Lowlands, while you’re at Lowlands
Glamcult has landed on Lowlands territory, and we’re ready to report for duty. It’s intense out here. It’s hot, humid, and dusty all at once – and our makeup area a.k.a. that tropically warm tent smells like a thrift store in July. The line for the showers is two hours, the toilets are worse, and most of us are still reeling from last night’s lineup (FKA Twigs, Batu, Encore… say less). And somehow, people are still serving looks.
We took to the festival grounds to speak to the people that still looked and smelled fresh, asking them about their ride-or-die beauty staples for when packing space is limited, power sockets are non-existent, and circumstances will have your products fighting for their life. Read along to find out what perfumes drown out the smell of that lukewarm beer you just downed, what products bring a faint memory of home, cleanliness, or even luxury to the campsite, and which concealer hides three days of dancing and dehydration. No mirror? No problem. These are the beauty habits working overtime during the festival season.
Lana Rae, 22, tour guide
What do you currently smell like?
Prada Paradox
What’s your beauty habit while camping?
Bum out a bit.
Which habit do you never skip, no matter the chaos?
Brushing my hair <3
Roxanne Maria Charbel, 24, creative
What do you currently smell like?
Idk babes — I literally can’t smell, but fresh, fruity, and CUNT.
Which beauty habit do you totally drop when you’re camping?
Pimple skincare bc my acne is gonna be popping either way
Glitter’s out. What’s in instead?
Eyeliner, colourful eyeshadow but most of all: BROWN LIPLINER FOR MY LATINAS!
Eze, 29, civil servant arts & culture
Which beauty habit do you totally drop when you’re camping?
Eyeliner because that bitch melts away.
Which one do you never skip — no matter the chaos?
Hydration hunny!
What feels literally impossible to do at a festival campsite?
Douche (not a shower if you know what I mean).
Elisabeth, 24, student
What do you currently smell like?
Joe Malone’s Blueberry Barn
What scent do you most associate with Lowlands?
Sweat and sand
Which scent makes you instantly nostalgic?
Fucking diptyque.
What’s your ride-or-die, sweat-proof foundation or concealer?
Dior baby.
Zilvie, 22, student
What do you currently smell like?
Cotton candy & marshmellows
What scent do you most associate with Lowlands?
Warm tequila and hotdogs
Best scent to seduce someone in a festival crowd?
The scent of free drinks
Your go-to perfume for festivals?
Kayali
Sophie, 26, sommelier
What do you currently smell like?
Guerlain’s Eau de Verveine
Which scent makes you instantly nostalgic?
Noa Noa, my mum used to wear it when I was a child
What scent do you most associate with Lowlands?
Grass soaked in beer
Jules, 25, Heineken museum coordinator
What scent do you most associate with Lowlands?
Incense, dust before rain
Sexiest scent in a crowd?
Any woman that’s 40+
What do you think your favourite artist smells like?
Chappell smells like strawberries
Which scent makes you instantly nostalgic
Si by Giorgio Armani, reminds me of my first girlfriend
Riva and Sterre, 25 and 24
Sexiest scent in a crowd?
Cigarettes and wine
Which beauty ritual do you never skip – no matter the chaos?
Lips!!! + sunscreen!
What’s a beauty trick for a festival you can’t gatekeep?
Over make-up super UV spray by Garnier
Marta, 33, music enthusiast working at Spotify
What do you currently smell like?
Montale Arabian Night & oils from Dubai
Which beauty habit do you totally drop when you’re camping?
I don’t camp babe.
Which beauty look gives you the ick?
Runny mascara, I can’t. Lashes forever
Best water and sweat proof concealer?
Nars!
Yzette, 23, student
What do you currently smell like?
A mix of mandarin, cheap deodorant and sweat
Sexiest scent in a crowd?
Enthusiasm
Best scent to seduce someone in a festival crowd?
Confidence
Ilayda, 29, project manager
What do you currently smell like?
Coconut and sweat
Which mascara never lets you down — even when you’re down?
YSL Blue for when I feel blue
Glitter’s out. What’s in instead?
Standing up for what’s right. Free Palestine, free Sudan, free Congo! If you’re on the side of justice you’re always glowing <3
