It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year: music festival season. Group chats are popping off, lookbooks are (finally) coming to life, and photo dump captions are being carefully curated. While the highlight of the weekend is obviously seeing your favorite artists perform live, seasoned festival-goers know that the most legendary experiences happen when you put a little bit of extra strategy into the pre-fest planning process.
Long days, unpredictable weather, and hours on your feet can quickly turn your dream scenario into a nightmare if you’re not prepared (trust me, I know.) That’s why arriving in the desert with a game plan in place is key. But if you’ve landed here, you’re already on the right track — because I know a thing or two about doing festival season right. Ahead, find my essential tips for staying comfortable and fully in the moment all weekend long.
1. Pack Essentials You Can Trust
There’s truly nothing worse than being blindsided by your period — especially in the desert with only a collection of questionable porta potties at your disposal. That’s why, whether or not it’s that time of the month for me, I come prepared with Always Pocket FlexFoam. They have bunch-resistant foam that helps prevent leaks, so I can move freely without worrying about any mishaps or discomfort ruining my perfectly planned outfit. Plus, the compact design makes packing them a breeze, no matter what bag I’m wearing that day. Full-size protection in a tiny pack? Yes, please.
2. Stay Powered Up No Matter How Late The Encore Goes
Picture this: you’re at a music festival, and your phone is dead. Which means no ‘fit pic, no recording of your favorite artist’s set (even though you won’t watch those videos later anyway), and you’re lost from your friends with no way to find them. No, thanks.
Because I’d rather not lose power in the middle of a crowd of 100,000 partiers, a portable charger is always worth the extra space in my bag. Just make sure it’s charged ahead of time (I may or may not be speaking from experience), and if you’re feeling generous, double up to instantly become the most popular person at the food tent.
3. Keep It Fresh Through Every Set
Festival season is hot — and as a naturally sweaty girl, carrying deodorant is non-negotiable for me. But not just any deodorant: it has to actually survive the chaos — and the longevity — of a full festival day. For me, that’s Secret’s Mocktails Collection. It fights sweat and odor to provide 72-hour protection and freshness on the rocks, so it can keep up with my rigorous festival schedule. It’s available in both a solid and clear gel form, plus comes in four yummy tropical scents — Berry Passionate (my fave!), Mango Tango, Lime It Up, and Pineapple Paradise. Pro tip: stock up on them all and rotate based on your vibe.
4. Beat The Heat With One Mini Must-Have
Continuing the conversation of being a naturally sweaty girl… embracing portable fan life is a seriously underrated way to stay feeling amazing when temperatures start to tick up. Festival season or not, mine lives in my bag at all times. Don’t let its size fool you — these little numbers are absolute game changers for surviving the unrelenting sun and dusty air on those endless desert days. It’s tiny, but mighty. Plus, nothing beats a little personal breeze while watching (and rocking out to) a set — it makes me feel like a total popstar. Thank me later.
