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Survive a festival and come out with your hair intact? (And no, I’m not talking about getting so drunk you pass out and someone shaves off your hair. I’m talking about not being able to wash it for 5 or 6 days).
Hello,
It all depends on the festival. A large rock or metal fest should have showers on site, so you can still wash your hair. I have been to Rainbow Gatherings, back in the eighties, which have a much different atmosphere than, say a rock or metal fest, and a different crowd. There is a lake or river where one can wash up, and no matter what you do, hygiene is important, whether it is a camping trip, or a festival. You will not have to go five to six days without washing your hair.
It is strongly recommended that no matter what the venue, that you use biodegradable soap or shampoo. At the Rainbow Gathering, typically one had to make do with cold water from the lake or river to wash hair. At one Gathering, a group of people setu up an oil drum to heat water and a hot shower system.... that was a great idea. The drum was heated by fire. Other people brought a black sac with a showerhead, which relies on the sun to heat the water in the sack. That kind of sack can be found at camping supply stores.
I would presume, that large rock festivals where people camp out would have decent sanitation, usually port-a-potties, and hot showers. They may charge, like at campgrounds for hot showers, where you put a dollar for three minutes of hot water.
All in all, you shouldn't have to worry about comming home with unwanted dreadlocks, or an itchy, greasy head. As for idiots shaving people's hair in your sleep, that happens when you are with the wrong crowd. I never saw that happen with my frequentations.
Have a nice day,
Georges in Montreal.
Bring along some cornstarch if your hair is oily - but not if you have dark hair, or you'll look like you've gone prematurely grey. But it does soak up the grease. If your hair is dry, you can probably go for quite a while without washing it, though you may want to bring along a light oil to keep the ends from crisping after so long without conditioning. Go really light on the oil, less is definitely more. Worse comes the worse, just tie or slick your hair back, depending on the length, and pretend like the grease is an intentional styling product.
Hi Hex, I would suggest perhaps just taking a comb instead of a brush and being very gentle with it 'cos your hair will stiffen up, get very dry and break easily with all the dirt and dust that it will accumulate over the days. I don't know how long your hair is, but I would strongly advise wearing it in a ponytail if you can - you don't want to get it caught in a tent zipper, that's for sure! :o)
If you can't get a shower, (or the showers are really, really minging, which is a possibility!) then maybe you should fill up a bottle full of water at the taps and pour it on your hair from time to time.
Are you going to Download festival in June by any chance (I'm going to be there)? I thought that maybe you would be, 'cos I remember reading one of your posts asking about Spiral Direct and of course their clothes are geared more towards the Metal crowd. BTW, in my very belated response to that one, I've ordered some tops and other things from them and they're pretty reliable really. Also, the quality of the clothes that I have received has generally been good too.
Cheers!
-EdgeCrusher-
Sure am, maybe i'll see ya there. Thanks for the response to the Spiral Direct question, i'll probably order some stuff from there now.
Really i think the water suggestion would be good as i dont feel like getting up early to use the showers before they get trashed.
No probs mate, maybe you will see me there at some point (doubt that it'll be the other way around, as I don't know what you look like!) so don't forget to come and say 'hi'!
Have a good time, there's some decent bands playing this year (looking forward to seeing Deftones, Hatebreed, Soulfly, God Forbid and a few others). :-)
-EdgeCrusher-
