I Tested 3 Makeup Primers Over a 3-Day Music Festival: Insights from Coachella, One of the World’s Biggest Events.
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Every music enthusiast and festival lover knows that April heralds one of the most iconic festivals worldwide: Coachella. As a fan of both music and festivals, you’ll likely spot me there every year, braving the desert heat.
This year marked my seventh visit to Coachella (yes, I’m that person), and one important lesson I’ve learned through countless visits is that making my makeup endure the lengthy duration of sun and fun is quite a challenge. The heat during the day and the drastic temperature drop at night complicate things.
For those who haven’t experienced it yet, let me explain: unless you’re lucky enough to have an Airbnb near the Empire Polo Fields (the festival’s venue) or you’re camping, expect a hotel stay quite a distance away. With the festival kicking off around 1 PM, any makeup applied in the morning or early afternoon needs to withstand at least an hour-long car ride, followed by a 20-25 minute walk to the entrance.
Inside the festival, there are ten stages and tents featuring various performances spread across the polo grounds. If you plan to spend the entire day hopping between stages, you could easily rack up 10 to 15 miles of walking — or more. When you mix in the factors of wind, heat, and dust, it’s a recipe for makeup catastrophe.
Hence, having reliable products is essential, which is why I decided to test three different primers during the first weekend. Keep scrolling to see how each performed and to check out some (not-so-flattering) pictures of me after a full day at the festival.
(P.S. If you’re in need of festival-worthy setting spray recommendations, we have those too.)
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Neutrogena Invisibly Radiant UV Primer
Neutrogena Invisibly Radiant UV Primer ($12)
I truly appreciate that this primer includes SPF 30, saving me the step of applying sunscreen before my makeup. It’s a water-based primer, so to prevent pilling, it should be paired with other water-based makeup products. It comes out as a light beige tint, blending without an unwanted white cast, though I’m unsure how it would fare on darker skin tones.
It initially felt slightly greasy, but it smoothed out nicely, finishing with a soft, velvety texture once dried.
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My Makeup After 10 Hours Using Neutrogena Invisibly Radiant UV Primer
I applied this primer on Friday and spent about ten hours at the festival, and it managed to keep most of my makeup intact. As someone with sensitive, acne-prone skin, it didn’t cause any breakouts, which is a huge plus.
I’ll definitely reach for this primer while using water-based products and when I need a primer with SPF for long days in the sun.
Rating:★★★★☆
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One/Size Secure the Sweat Waterproof Primer
One/Size Secure the Sweat Waterproof Primer ($15)
This was my first time trying the One/Size Secure the Sweat Waterproof Primer, and given my familiarity with the popular One/Size Setting Spray, I expected great things from this product. It’s water-based and aluminum-free, designed to absorb perspiration and tighten pores. Its inclusion of squalane is a big plus for those battling dryness.
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My Makeup After 11 Hours Using One/Size Secure the Sweat Waterproof Primer
I decided to wear it on Saturday, which is always my longest day at the festival. I ended up spending ten hours there, trekking 21.3 miles, navigating both the intense heat and the dusty evenings.
I did experience some peeling around my nose, but that might have been due to constant wiping from dust and grime. Overall, I noticed slight fading in the middle of my forehead and cheeks, though with such lengthy hours, I doubt any primer could fully prevent that. One thing worth mentioning is that this primer is mattifying, so it didn’t provide much of a glow. I’ll likely use it when I aim for a matte finish, especially in nighttime looks.
Rating:★★★★☆
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Refy Glow and Sculpt Face Serum Primer
Refy Glow and Sculpt Face Serum Primer ($34)
Sunday was particularly tough for me health-wise, so I resorted to my favorite primer, the Refy Glow and Sculpt Face Serum Primer. Like the others, it’s water-based and contains niacinamide, giving the skin a beautiful glowy finish.
I’m genuinely in love with how this product rolls onto the skin. It applies a bit tackily but pairs well with my makeup, ensuring lasting wear. Plus, the hydration it provides was exactly what I needed given the desert’s dryness over the weekend.
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My Makeup After 8 Hours Using Refy Glow and Sculpt Face Serum Primer
Now, don’t let my midnight selfie mislead you — I might look worn out, but I had constant runny eyes and was frequently wiping my nose, resulting in redness. I assure you this primer delivers excellent results, and without it, I can only imagine how much worse I would have looked by the end of the night.
Rating:★★★★★
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Renee Rodriguez (she/her) serves as a staff writer and social producer for PS. She’s experienced across various topics, with a primary focus on fashion and beauty content, including reviews and editor experiments. Additionally, she produces social content for both the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.
