The Mother-Daughter Festival Trend: How Do Coachella Cougars Keep Up?

The second weekend of Coachella is about to start and the dusty boho photos are rolling in, but there’s a fascinating new development this year. Here’s a hint: both Cindy Crawford and her daughter Kaia Gerber are taking selfies in the desert.

The classic festival look—a crop top and cut-offs—is usually reserved for young, super-skinny things. In general, they’re the ones willing to suffer the dust, the porta-potties, and the traffic to see the newest bands. But this year, with groups like Guns N’ Roses and LCD Soundsystem headlining, a new festival fanatic is emerging: the Coachella Cougar.

The New York Post coined the term and interviewed several women spending thousands on festival prep—including Botox, lip plumping, liposuction, and more—to look their “blog-ready” best. These women are willing to spring for VIP passes (real toilets) and some are even flying in on private jets.

Sarah Mirmelli, a 33-year-old divorced mother of two, spent $20,0000. “[Getting ready for it] doesn’t have to be a full-time job,” she says. “But I’m making it one.” Sarah got Botox, lip injections, and hired a personal trainer for the occasion.

Dr. Norman Rowe, a plastic surgeon working on the Upper East Side, noticed a trend in older women asking for pre-Coachella procedures: “About two months ago, when Guns N’ Roses mentioned they would [play], more women in their 40s started coming in. They’re reliving their teen years.”

Erin Crowley, 33, spent $8,000 to remove fat from her stomach and inner thighs. She also dyed her hair, got fake eyelashes and had her lips plumped. After buying her Coachella tickets, she called her plastic surgeon and said, “What can I do that’s going to show right now? I need something strong.”

Our advice? If you’re heading to a festival this summer, there’s never any harm in looking your best—but do yourself a favor and book your procedure with a Charlotte’s Book-approved cosmetic doctor.

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