How to do neon festival make-up without harming your skin
Neon is on trend, but some make-up products pose a serious risk to your health. Here’s what to check for, and how to dazzle.
Festival season’s here and neon make-up is everywhere.
Bright graphic eyeliner, vampy lips and holographic highlighter are some of this year’s biggest beauty trends for the main stage.
But some of these make-up products, which are being sold by third-party sellers on online marketplaces such as TikTok Shop, can contain a host of toxic chemicals, warns the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.
So here’s what to look out for – and how to stay safe while serving festival glam.
Make eyes ‘pop’
How to get the look: Dominic Skinner, make-up artist and judge on the hit BBC show Glow Up, came into the BBC’s London offices to show us how to achieve the perfect festival look and make it dance and party-proof.
If you want colours to “pop”, he says use a white eye pencil on the skin first and then press bright eyeshadows on top.
“It will make bold colours more intense, and last all night.”
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What to be aware of: Banned ingredients can cause bad rashes and allergic reactions, so check the label and avoid products that say they’re “not for cosmetic use” – even if they say they’re for the skin.
Also look out for banned colourants, like Solvent Yellow 172, CI 45161 (Basic Red 1:1) and CI 45174 (Basic Violet 11:1).
Be cautious of cheap products or sellers you’ve never heard of, says Skinner.
“There are some items that are UV reflective, glow-in-the-dark or neon that are made by cosmetics brands but are quietly labelled as a ‘non-cosmetic paint’,” he adds.
Go for glitter
How to get the look: Fairycore-inspired make-up is in, which means sparkles, face gems and glitter.
Don’t go for subtle, says Skinner. “The ‘no make-up look’ is gone. Clean girl is out!”
There’s a child-like quality to festival make-up, he says, so embrace it – think playful colour and crystals.
To stand out, he suggests using glitter in hair partings or your shoulders.
“Personally, I say use gems as they’re bigger and more impactful, plus you can peel them off at the end of night and reuse them in the morning.”
What to be aware of: Skip near the eyes to avoid nasty scratches on your cornea, says the British Skin Foundation’s Dr Emma Wedgeworth, and never use craft glitter.
Use biodegradable, eco-friendly products that are better for the environment and softer on the skin. Safe adhesives, like lash glue, will keep it in place.
Give lips a vampy spin
How to get the look: Vogue says 2026 is all about juicy and blurred lips that play with texture more than colour. Think “your-lips-but-better”, using stains and glosses.
InStyle magazine recommends dramatic, dark red vampy lips as a breakaway from summer-friendly pinks and peaches.
Use a liquid lip product, Skinner says, because it won’t budge.
“You can do some drinking, you can do some snogging.”
And he says leave that lip liner until last – it’ll just “highlight how wonky your drawing skills are”. Colour first, liner later.
What to be aware of: Whatever your look, don’t share your balm or lipstick. That can spread nasty infections like cold sores.
Cross-contamination is real, and why make-up artists sanitise everything in between clients.
Don’t forget to apply sunscreen
Use high-protection sunscreen – at least SPF 30 – as a base before the make-up and let it soak in like any primer, says Wedgeworth.
Skinner recommends matte or sweat-proof SPF to help your make-up last longer.
Reapply throughout the day, at least every two hours. Don’t forget your hairline and any partings to protect your scalp.
Sprays let you layer over make-up, but can be difficult to apply thickly enough, so take shade breaks and bring a big hat for extra protection, says Wedgeworth.
Hair styles that last all night
How to get the look: Who, What, Wear says think about accessories – scarfs, crochet beanie caps or eye-catching hair clips, charms or cuffs.
InStyle suggests Mermaid waves or thin Baby Braids if your hair is long enough.
What to be aware of: If you want a colour change with a spray or dye, do a patch test first to check you are not allergic.
Put a small amount behind your ear or on your arm and wait 24 to 48 hours to check for a reaction, says Wedgeworth.
Skinner says you probably already own products that can give you a festival look.
“You just have to think creatively about how to play with it.”
