5 Rules for Surviving Your First Beautycon

Once again, Beautycon NY is upon us, and to say we’re excited is nothing short of an understatement. A beauty-filled festival that promises our favorite YouTubers, beauty junkies and lots and lots of makeup will be taking place over two days — April 21st and 22nd — at the Javits Center in Manhattan. This year, we’ll be on the ground fangirling just like everyone else so we’ve put together the ultimate guide to surviving and thriving at your first Beautycon.

Rule 1: Wear Comfortable Shoes

While this goes without saying, comfortable shoes are a must at any festival, and Beautycon is no different. Leave the super thin heels at home, and opt for a comfortable pair of sneakers instead. There’s lots of walking to be done so your feet will thank you — trust us on this one.

Rule 2: Get There Early

With some of the biggest names in beauty — and their fans — expected to attend, things get filled up fast. Getting there early ensures you’ll get a peek at the people you’re there to see, as well as first dibs on the many, many samples.

Rule 3: Read the Rules

Certain events, like meetups, are only for certain ticket holders so read the fine print before buying your tickets. You can expect lots of crowds for ultra-popular influencers so observe number one and two, and you should be good to go.

Rule 4: Pack Light (but Efficiently)!

Beautycon is bound to be an exciting but long day. And there are a few essentials we’ll be packing to survive the day. Go for a bag that’s small but roomy and won’t be a pain to carry all day.

Facial Spray

Even though the festival is indoors, with so many people around it’s bound to get a little hot and sweaty. Pack your favorite facial spray — we recommend the mini La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water for quick refreshing spritzes in between influencer meetups and celeb panels.

Makeup Wipes

Chances are high you’ll be swatching a product or two so makeup wipes are a must. While lots of brands are good about keeping a stack on hand, it never hurts to come prepared. Garnier Micellar Water Makeup Wipes have our vote — they’re portable, great for sensitive skin and remove tough makeup with just a few swipes.

Waterproof Mascara

Now we’re not saying you’re going to burst into spontaneous tears upon seeing the YouTuber you watch while masking in your room, but we wouldn’t blame you if you did. Just in case, keep a waterproof mascara handy — we like Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara — or apply before you arrive to ensure you can cry if you want to.

Lip Balm

Chapped lips are the last thing you want to worry about while you’re walking around the festival grounds or getting up close and personal at a meetup. Keep Maybelline Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm handy, a drugstore standout with SPF 20 and thousands of five-star reviews.

Bobby Pins

Friends don’t let friends ruin a day of perfectly good selfies with flyaways. Keep a few bobby pins on hand just in case your hair has a mind of its own. If you want something with a little more flair, try the Metallic Matchbook Pins from Kitsch, a cute and functional addition to any hairstyle.

Rule 5: Have fun!

It’s rare to get together with thousands of other beauty junkies and bond over your shared love of eyeshadow palettes, Youtubers and glitter so soak up every second of it!

Still don’t have your Beautycon tickets? Here’s how to win Beautycon access for yourself and your BFF.