festival essentials.

Attending music festivals is definitely one of my favourite summer activities with my obsession for these events starting with my love affair with electronic music. I enjoy music festivals so much because its a place I can go to solely enjoy good music, good people and good vibes. When I'm in the atmosphere I can easily have no care in the world and forget about any insecurities or problems I may have in my life. Attending Stereosonic is a must on my yearly calender but with only having attended 2 other festivals I'm itching to grow my experience and venture into the more chilled out festival scene and explore the international festival atmosphere. 

So with Laneway taking place over the past weekend, the Tomorrowland lineup being announced and Groovin the Moo tickets going on sale today I thought it was the perfect opportunity to share my festival essentials. 

I'm a minimal festival girl and I certainly don't carry around a backpack full of first aid kits, makeup and snacks for all my friends, I much prefer taking a simple over the shoulder bag that I can only fit the bare essentials in and I can keep close to me throughout the day without it getting in the way of my killer dance moves or the view of fellow festival attendees.

WATER

First up and the most obvious and important product that you've gotta have to get through the shortest of music festivals is water. With alcoholic drinks flowing and moshing to your favourite peformer amongst a hot and sweaty crowd (especially at an inside stage) its easy to become dehydrated within a blink of an eye. Having water on your the entire time is essential in keeping your body healthy and allows you to enjoy the day without having to take a trip to the first aid tent. I like to buy a bottle as soon as a get through the gates and refill it throughout the day whenever I come across a bubbler or refill station.

MONEY & PHONE

Having money and your phone on you is definitely the second most important thing to have on you at a music festival. I like to have my cash already withdrawn and on me when I arrive so that I don't have to wait in the RIDICULOUS line for the ATM before I have to wait in the RIDICULOUS line again for food and drink. It is also important to have just in-case myself or someone in my group starts to feel sick as it allows someone to be able to quickly go grab them something or help them get a cab home. Personally I take about $50 and it seems to cover me for something to eat, a bottle of water and about 2-4 drinks depending on what I have (FYI drinks are expensive). 

Your phone is also essential to have because what if you lose your friends? or your friends lose you. Its important to be able to contact them or anyone, especially if an emergency situation arises. 

Alot of festivals also create apps to keep you up-to-date with the days proceedings and set-times for artists performing. I also like to keep my phone handy just in-case of the off chance I run into my current Instagram crush and to take photos of the memories created on the day.

FESTIVAL TIP - create a meeting point with your friends so that if someone does get lost you have a mutual and common place to find them again.

SUNGLASSES, SUNSCREEN AND A HAT.

Most music festivals across the world occur in the summer when the sun is shining and everyone is keen to come out and play so it is important that you protect yourself from those nasty rays. 

Sunscreen is pretty much a given when it comes to sun protection and its a great idea to keep a small roll on bottle in your bag so you can reapply during the day. However if you don't have your own bottle of sunscreen it is usually provided at various points around the venue.

Sunnies and a hat are also a great way to protect you from the sun and the best part is you can incorporare them into your outfit in a fashionable way. Sunglasses come in so many shapes and sizes that you will easily be able to find something to suit your style and the look you are trying to achieve. Hats are also super on trend right now with big floppy hats and bucket hats being seen on the regular at festivals around the world. My favourites are these awesome blue reflector aviators from Sportsgirl and my super rad printed bucket hat from streetwear brand (and my pals) over at Ratlife. 

ENCLOSED SHOES.

Lets be realistic for a second, when you're attending a festival there's alot people, alot of jumping around in the mosh pit and alot of open drinks flowing therefore wearing open toe sandals or thongs is not exactly the smartest idea. Majority of festival goers wear sand shoes such as vans, converses or cheap pairs that they can happily see get ruined however I always opt for combat boots or lately (because im short) my favourite platform boots from Lipstik shoes. I just find these so easy to run about in, I can wear them all day long and they go with every outfit I choose. They are also great at keeping my feet dry and clean from sticky, alcoholic substances, rain and mud.

TAN & BRONZER.

As a beauty lover typically I enjoy fake tanning and looking bronzed, especially for special occasions so having a freshly applied tan and glowing bronzed skin is a personal essential for me. I just think a tan adds to the overall summer lifestyle and makes you not only look slimmer than you already are but makes the colours of your clothes become more vibrant and noticeable 

My all-time favourite tan is the Bondi Sands tanning mousse in medium/dark which I like to apply the night before a festival so its as dark as it can possibly be for the fun day ahead. To ensure my legs are looking super glowy and dark I also like to add a layer of Sugar Baby Bronze Radiance Cream before I leave the house.

 If you are lucky enough to have naturally tanned skin then obviously this doesn't apply to you but personally I love a good tan and believe it adds to creating the ultimate festival look.

ACCESSORIES!

Last but certainly not the least are accessories.

Accessories, in my opinion are the funniest and most exciting essential for festival attending. Flower crowns, flash tattoos and bohemian crystals and gems are trending like crazy at music festivals at the moment and can transform your outfit from simple festival attire to fashion statement mayhem. Now *guilty admission* I'm one of those girls that has their outfit planned out at least 2 weeks before the festival takes place. I like being prepared and not having to stress for hours before about what I'm going to wear. Whilst outfit planning, I like to keep in mind fashionability and functionality and if I'm finding an outfit is looking a bit casual or plain I simply add a belt to my shorts or a flower crown to my hair and I instantly get a festival vibe. 

My favoruite gems at the moment are the two crystal beauties on the right from Shantique Designs. This online store offers a huge variety of unique crystal creations that I constantly get compliments on and is the perfect place to shop for on-trend bohemian jewellery.

For those of you attending Future Music Festival in just a few weeks, I hope my festival essentials has helped you prepare and get excited for the fun-filled, free-spirited day ahead.