Coachella: A Brands Dream Land

By: McKena Pennington

Another Coachella weekend has come and gone—and no, unfortunately I wasn’t there,

but that didn’t stop me from obsessing over every outfit, performance, and brand activation from afar. I seriously love seeing how brands show up during big cultural moments like this, and Coachella? It’s a marketing dream. From celeb beauty pop-ups to lounges that looked like they were taken from luxurious locations, the desert was full of creativity and cool-girl energy. While the music is always fun, I was way more into watching how brands made their mark this year—and let’s just say, the bar has been raised.

818 Tequila: Kendall’s Desert Oasis

If you even payed a small attention scrolling on instagram during the past Coachella weekends, chances are you saw—or at least heard someone rave about—the 818 Outpost. Kendall Jenner really outdid herself in the best way. The whole setup was pure desert glam meets cowboy-core, with spicy margaritas, vibey music, and the kind of effortlessly cool crowd that makes you want to redo your entire wardrobe.

But the real moment? The debut of the dream collab between 818 and Rhode. The bestie

duo, Hailey and Kendall teamed up to give us everything we didn’t know we needed: tequila, dewy skin, and live music—all in one place. The collab offered a photoooth to capture all things outfits, good vibes, and Rhode glowing skin. It was giving major “the desert is the new It Girl” energy… and honestly, I’m so here for it.

Aperol Spritz: Brining a Taste of Summer to the Festival

Aperol Spritz really did their big one this year—and even from just the photos, I was

obsessed. The whole setup was a total showstopper. Perfect pops of orange, citrusy details

everywhere, and that signature sunny vibe that instantly made you feel like you were on

vacation. It seriously looked like a little slice of Italy dropped right into the desert, and I’m so

here for it.

They had beach chairs set up for lounging, the cutest bar area for sipping spritzes, and

just an overall chill atmosphere that felt like the perfect escape from the Coachella chaos. It

wasn’t trying too hard—it was just effortlessly cool, warm, and inviting. Honestly, it looked like the kind of place where you’d want to stay all afternoon, catch your breath, and chat with friends over drinks. Aperol nailed the vibe—simple, stunning, and totally unforgettable.

Sol de Janeiro: Scenting the Festival

One word: Cheirosa. Sol de Janeiro turned the desert into a Brazilian beach club with a

colorful, tropical-inspired lounge that smelled amazing even from my Insatgram feed. Their

viral body mists and butters were everywhere—keeping the sweaty desert smelling like a

tropical oasis. It was all about self-love, sunshine, and smelling like summer. The brand

checked all the boxes for vibes and scent memory.

Pinterest: IRL Mood Board

Pinterest’s Coachella space felt like walking straight into your dream aesthetic—and I

mean, mine was practically built on this app. With curated corners made for outfit pics,

dreamy lighting, mood boards, and little touches that felt straight out of your Saved folder, it

was a content girlie’s paradise. They had panels, DIY stations, and hands-on experiences that

made you want to stop scrolling and actually create. It wasn’t just a brand activation—it was a full-on Pinterest board come to life. Pinterest has always been my favorite app but seeing it

exist in real life made me fall in love with it all over again.

Coachella might technically be a music festival, but let’s be real—it’s also a full-on

beauty, fashion, and content playground. From spicy margs at 818 to manifestation rooms withPinterest, every inch of the desert looked like it was designed for the perfect photo dump. I may not have been there physically, but I will admit I was consmed by the constant flowing content on Instgram and was easily influenced by the brands creativity. I’m already excited for next year—because if there’s one thing we all know by now, it’s that Coachella isn’t just about the music… it’s about the moment. And the brands? They understood the assignment.