With Covid in its Delta-Phase, this summer, even though many do not see the problem anymore looming on the Mutant horizon, a certain form on normality has returned. Most festivals had to be cancelled in 2020 which truly broke my heart, but I knew it was for the best. So yes, I am really excited for Olala to be back. This year, with many of the Covid restrictions lifted (but the Covid Law however being extended without much public rumblings to the fact) this new normality ist what we have at the moment. So we get to enjoy everything from Soccer Championships to F1 races, Weddings, everything in-between and also my beloved Olala festival.
Do not get me wrong, I love having a certain amount of normality back, but I think, in the long run, we are gong to pay the price for this new normality. But till then, let us try and enjoy what the government has allowed us to enjoy.
FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS
I have been a long time seasoned Olala festival attendee. We are talking decades here. So, I kinda have perfected my Olala festival experience somewhat. And I would like to share this expertise with you as much as I can. Because Lord knows, it was not always a walk in the park.
LET’S TALK SPF
When I tell you, I have burned my scalp from sun exposure often, it is not an exaggeration. As you might know, just sitting and doing nothing but watch something can and will still burn you to a crisp.
So, I picked, and test drived several Hair SPFs (yes, they do exist) and have come to find these 3 to be particularly effective and non-irritating on my easily irritated scalp:
- Aveda – Treatment Sun Care Protective Hair Veil
- Kerastase – Soleil Huile Sirène
- Clarins – Huile-en-Brume Solaire Corps & Cheveux LSF 30
But hair is not the only exposed part of our bodies. So, a really good face and body SPF is key to surviving excruciating heat and potential sun damage. If you are the one size fits all kind person, then here are my Top 3 face & body SPFs:
- Vichy – Capital Soleil Sonnenspray + Hyaluron LSF 50
- Bioderma – Photoderm Max Sonnenspray SPF 50+
- Clarins – Lait-en-Spray Solaire Corps LSF 50+
If however you, like me are very finicky with your face and what you put on, or as prone to break outs like me than I here are is my secret weapon face SPFs:
HYDRATION PEOPLE, HYDRATION
For those who know me, know that I plan my Olala festival meticulously. I practically inhale festival programs to work out the ideal schedule to see absolute every single act possible. I wish I were joking but I have years of schedule in my drawer tucked about with the programs (yes, I keep those and tickets for memories sake). One thing that I thoroughly lacked for years was keeping myself hydrated. By the end of a festival day, I was more often than not parged. It felt as if I had walked through the desert without the assistance of Bear Grills.
So having a thermo flask filled with water is basically a true life safer. You can practically fill it with anything you fancy but for me, it is always water and I always keep the 500ml flask.
THE BITS THAT MAKE IT ALL WORTH IT
So, you may or may not ask ourselves “but how to lug all these things around?” – because in our day and age we also carry our keys, phones potential livestock, the weight of the world… you name it.
Over the years, I learned that handbags of any kind are a bit tricky and found mini backpacks to be my thing. They store everything neatly, you have them secure on both shoulders and most importantly, they do not impair you as a normal handbag would. I do however don’t particularly enjoy those big school type ones and am more the delicate tiny kind of a person when it comes to festival backpacks.
Something else I always have with me is a foldable sitting cushion. Because no one want a wet or dirty bottom half, at least not me. And in years prior sitting on the ground or even the stand is much nicer with a cushion. Let us face it people, I am getting old, I need comfort. And while we are talking about comfort, I am also not particularly keen on getting soaked via a sudden rain shower and have a rain cover with me (neatly folded up) always at the ready.
THAT’S THE MAGIC
Well, the magic happens on stage but that is my survival kit without dying of dehydration or being sunburned till there is no tomorrow. These are my essentials. Apart from a pair of cheap but polarized sunnies (because espensive ones might get lost or stolen) and the festival tickets, which are available on the OLALA FESTIVAL website already so go ahead and book them before everything sells out.
