These Five Easy Pom-Pom DIYs Are a Must for Your 2017 Festival Style

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream with Hyaluronic Acid ($20)

I cannot say enough good things about Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Gel-Cream. The product is fragrance free for extra-dry skin and includes hyaluronic acid which helps maintain skin hydration. What I loved most about this cream is that it’s cool to the touch when first applied and felt like the perfect water boost. Plus, it’s not at all oily, which is bothersome with similar skincare products. Definitely a desert go-to!

Milk Hydro Grip Hydrating Makeup Primer ($38)

There’s a reason people swear by Milk’s Hydro Grip Hydrating Makeup Primer. It’s meant to be applied before foundation or tinted moisturizer (whichever suits your fancy), and allows the makeup to stick to it while also giving a dewy finish. My makeup lasts hours without having to touch it up since I started using this primer—making it a total game changer for the festival and future concerts.

Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Face Serum SPF 60+ ($16)

Say it with us: sunscreen is important. Neutrogena’s Invisible Daily Defense Face Serum SPF 60+ is a bit oily at first, but feels very lightweight and works incredibly well under makeup. The product contains ginger, Vitamin E, and Feverfew (a plant in the daisy family that has a number of anti-irritant benefits, per Aveeno). The sunscreen totally holds up in the desert sun and does not add any more texture to your skin! Be sure to reapply to get lasting SPF coverage, though!

Milani Make It Last Setting Spray ($10)

I came across Milani’s Make It Last Setting Spray at my local drug store for only $10.99…and I never went back. Like most setting sprays, you just spray it onto your newly applied makeup for a long-lasting wear. They also have a Matte and Sunscreen version depending on what look you are trying to achieve.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($43)

Okay, so this setting powder might be on the pricier side compared to others, but it’s completely worth the splurge. Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder gives you a matte finish that’s perfect for oily skin (especially in that pesky T-zone area). I like to first apply the powder with a beauty blender, then tap it in with a powder brush for maximum results—like this Real Techniques facial powder brush from Ulta.

Still not convinced? I took this photo after HOURS of wear, and my skin still felt fresh (and my makeup looked cute TBH)!

Swipe through to see how all my looks lasted throughout the weekend. 😘

Hydration Is Key

All that dancing under the summer sun will leave you feeling thirsty, especially if you’re indulging in some cocktails. It is quintessential for your inner and outer beauty that you stay hydrated. Up your H2O game by adding slices of fruit and herbs in your bottle — voila, “Spa Water” to go.

Power to the Shimmery SPF

Lather up in SPF; your sunburn-free skin and older self will praise you for this. To take your sunscreen to the next level, mix in a loose shimmer powder. You’ll be glowing all day long.

Fight the Frizz

Keep the frizz at bay by starting your morning right, blowing out your hair with Caviar Anti-Frizz Blowout Butter. Y’all, this stuff is butter in your hands! The lightweight, melting cream-to-oil formula tames even the most defiant, frizzy hair while protecting from heat-styling and humidity. It helps seal in moisture and keep hair smoother for a longer period of time, 80 percent less frizz for up to 72 hours to be exact! AKA, while you dance the weekend away to your all-time fave artists!

Braided Babe

A half-up half-down look is the perfect way to stay cool and keep a polished look. The inside-out waterfall French braid is a festival goer’s BFF. To achieve this look, start with a natural center part for a sophisticated, softer look.

Begin by evenly applying Caviar Anti-Frizz Blowout Butter to damp hair and blow dry. Starting at the left or right section of your part, create three sections. Begin a regular braid, and once you’ve completed your first three over/unders, pick up a small section of the hair above the braid and incorporate it by bringing it under. Work at a downward angle, so that braids from the left and right will meet at the mid back section of your head. Continue adding upper pieces of your hair to the braid. Once you’ve reached the back center of your head, stop adding pieces and finish with a regular braid. Repeat on the other side; you’re almost done!

Separate hair with your fingers to create a thicker, full braid. Using small bobby pins that match your hair color, pin up braids, hiding the ends. Once you’ve completed pinning up your braid, add waves. The bigger the curling iron, the softer the body of your hair will be, creating subtle waves.

Refreshing Face Mist

Spritz your way to a refreshed face with a DIY face mist. To create your own, you’ll need glass spray bottles, rosewater, witch hazel, and tea tree oil. Mix equal parts rosewater and witch hazel and add a drop of oil. You will instantly feel rejuvenated upon applying.

Ingredients for Paleo Christmas Cookies

For the cookies:

• 1/2 cup grass-fed salted butter, softened
• 6 tablespoons raw honey
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 cups almond flour
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

For the frosting:

• 6 tablespoons coconut butter or coconut manna
• 1/4 cup cacao butter
• 1-2 tablespoons honey
• Plant-based food coloring
• Vegetable-dyed sprinkles, for topping*

How to Make Paleo Christmas Cookies

1. Add the softened butter and honey to a large mixing bowl. Cream the mixture together using a handheld mixer until it is smooth. Add in the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract and whisk until they are well combined. Pour in the almond flour, coconut flour, and baking soda, and continue mixing until the batter has come together smoothly.
2. Separate the dough into two, and place each one on top of a piece of plastic wrap. Roll each dough into a ball, then flatten to a thick disk, cover completely with the plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator to firm up for at least 2 hours or overnight.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove one of the dough discs from the refrigerator, unwrap the plastic and place the dough on top of a piece of parchment paper, then top it with another piece of parchment paper. Use a roller to flatten out the dough to about 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch thick. Work quickly with your favorite Christmas cookie cutters, and use a thin spatula to lift the cut cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake the cookies in the oven for 10 minutes. Let them cool for a few minutes, then place on a wire rack for further cooling. Gather the leftover scraps back into a ball in the plastic wrap or parchment paper and place it back in the refrigerator, while working with the other piece of dough. Do this in batches to keep the dough from getting too warm and so you don’t overcrowd the baking sheet.
5. While the batches of cookies are baking, use a small saucepan to lightly melt the coconut butter and cacao butter together over low heat on the stovetop. Remove the pan from the heat when the ingredients have just melted together. Stir in the desired amount of honey, then set aside to cool and thicken up slightly. If you are using food coloring, add in the desired amount into the frosting mixture (1-2 teaspoons of green or red should do the trick). If you plan on only using white frosting, only use a small amount of honey, as it can make the frosting an off-white or light brown color.
6. After the cookies have completely cooled, decorate them with the frosting and sprinkles as desired. If you don’t have any professional piping tools, an easy fix is to place the frosting in a plastic sandwich bag and remove all the air when sealing the top. Cut a tiny tip off one corner of the plastic bag, then gently squeeze and pipe over the cookies. Use one plastic bag or piping bag for each color of frosting. Top with corresponding sprinkles and enjoy!