Global - Technology - Review

As summer storms batter British festivals, Vanity Van comes to the rescue!

Vanity Van (www.vanityvan.co.uk) offers behind-the-scenes backstage beauty secrets
from this summer's biggest festivals

- Stars including Mumford and Sons, Maverick Sabre, Ben Howard and Friendly Fires have on-site beauty treatments     

- Vanity Van team filmed for Channel 4 and BBC3, and interviewed live on BBC Radio One and BBC 1xtra
- Press review slots AND brand partner deals available for 2013

Festival season has been blighted by high winds and heavy rain so far this year - but an innovative, on-site beauty service has been keeping celebrities and music-lovers looking their best.

Vanity Van has already tended to the likes of the Maccabees, DJ Fresh, Taio Cruz and Flo Rida this summer in their festival beauty parlour. The team offers hair, make-up, face and body art, nails and massage treatments to festival goers, as well as the artists and their entourages backstage. Even David Guetta and Kasbian's children have stopped by for some fun festival face art and funky nails.

"We have beautified more than 250 celebrities and their crew already this summer," said Vanity Van owner Alix Soame. "The unpredictable British weather has made our services even more popular, especially hair styling and make up."

Vanity Van stylists are experienced in providing pampering at the highest level. The team provide haircuts and styling using Paul Mitchell products and Cloud Nine irons and wands; Nubar and Gelicure manicures; eyelashes, makeovers and creative face and body art. The salon is also a popular chill-out area with celebrities and frazzled festival-goers who are offered Fatboy bean bags and comfy furniture to relax on, games to play and Haribo sweets to eat, as well as relaxing treatments, such as massage, to enjoy.

Last weekend's Radio One Hackney Weekender was the Vanity Van's biggest ever backstage set up to-date and fantastic in terms of exposure. Fearne Cotton popped in for a massage and mani combo, while being filmed for BBC3, and Adele interviewed the team live on 1xtra whilst having a Vanity Van festival makeover.

In terms of artists, Stacey from Flo Rida visited for hair, make-up and face art. The Vanity Van team used Paul Mitchell Express style Round Trip spray and Cloud Nine hair wands to create those eye-catching curls that look so good on camera. Emily Sande's make up artist came in for emergency eyelashes and Jessie J and Rhianna's dancers and stage crew whilst battling the elements came in for make up and hair spruce ups before they hit the stage. Tinie Tempah had a massage, and Dappy swung by on Saturday to say hi to the girls, while the lovely Trevor Nelson and Kano received massages while they carried out a live BBC Radio One interview! Excellent exposure both for Vanity Van and the brands they represent.

Earlier this summer, at Rockness, Vanity Van was a beauty bonus for more than 40,000 music fans and artists. The Vanity Van team tended to the likes of Mumford and Sons, Noah and the Whale, Biffy Clyro and The View. Channel 4 filmed the salon in action and, while hair treatments were most popular with the general public, it was make-up and eyelashes that were in-demand backstage.

Vanity Van also covers Beach Break Live and this summer was once again filmed for Channel 4. Dizzee Rascal, Wretch 32 and Labrinth all had large entourages to keep the team busy and a number of treatments were carried out just prior to their artists' on-stage sets - so you can see the Vanity Van handiwork in the TV coverage.
 
India Bourne from Ben Howard is a Vanity Van fan and was styled both at Beach Break Live and Radio One Hackney Weekender. She looked amazing after her hair makeover using the extra body
range from Paul Mitchell and the Cloud Nine Hair wand. She also had a full natural look makeover and Lash Boutique lashes.

Chantelle from Maverick Sabre was another repeat customer and at Beach Break Live had Lash Boutique lashes, Face Lace and Gelicure nails. Fleur from DJ Fresh also knows where to go for all her beauty needs. At Rockness, she had a massage, while at Beach Break Live she had a makeover before a Channel 4 interview, popping in once again at Hackney to get her nails done.

Vanity Van is now making plans for 2013 festival season. "We had amazing feedback from the artists and from the promoters, who have invited us back again next year," said Alix.