One of the downfalls of airplane travel is the toll it can take on your skin and your general sense of wellbeing during and immediately following your flight.
Compared to reducing stress caused by travel preparations, reducing the physical stressors of flying time is a breeze. You can achieve glowing skin and feel great during travel — with the right tools and tricks.
Here are five easy beauty tips that will help you achieve a smooth ride to wherever you’re headed, and get you there looking and feeling good.
Tip 1: Prep Your In-Flight Travel Kit
Bring an in-flight beauty travel kit, either one that’s prepackaged or one you’ve DIY’d.
Preparation is key, and your kit should include everything you need in easy-to-use, security-friendly containers.
A good travel kit (we love this one from Ciel Spa at SLS) should include skin care essentials, like a cleanser, moisturizer, face mist and hair oil. These will keep your skin and hair looking and feeling its best.
Other useful items you may want to consider: lip balm, deodorant, mini toothpaste, toothbrush and comb.
This way, you’ll be prepared to look good whether you are just heading to the hotel or jumping directly into your next business meeting!
Tip 2: Remove Your Makeup
As tempting as it is to board your flight with your makeup in place, doing so can end up clogging your pores and increasing your chances of blemishes, especially if you’re on a long-haul flight.
Instead, focus on adequately prepping your skin for the dry, harsh climate of the airplane cabin.
If you did wear makeup onboard, remove it. You can use waterless body cleansing wipes (like these, from MilkMoney) to wipe your face and sanitize your hands.
Then, follow up with your favorite serum or moisturizer of choice. You may even want to consider applying a double layer to ensure moisture stays locked in.
First thing first — don’t forget disinfectant wipes for your tray table and entertainment system, which are, notably, diiiiirty.
Tip 3: Hydration is Key
Harsh air conditioning and recycled air is a major contributing factor to dry skin on flights. So, try to stay hydrated, which will prevent your skin from looking dull and lackluster once you’ve landed.
Drink plenty of water during the flight. Apart from the skin care benefits won from doing so, it’ll keep you feeling refreshed. It will also keep headaches and fatigue at bay.
Using marula oil (here’s one we recommend) or any of your favorite skin oils during the flight will hydrate, nourish and help balance your skin’s oil production. Gently message a few drops into skin for a soft, more supple feel. Reapply as needed.
Tip 4: Get Some Rest
Resting before you hop on your flight is almost as important as resting during your flight. So, get a good night’s sleep before your trip.
A massage can also be a great way to unwind and prepare. Along with the obvious health benefits that come with a massage, it can lessen the effects of travel on your body. Loosening your muscles before long haul flights can make sitting a breeze. You’ll go into your trip feeling relaxed and refreshed instead of frazzled.
Once you’re comfortable and relaxed, it’s time to get some shut-eye in-air. If you’ve ever struggled to fall (or stay) asleep on an overnight flight, you know the importance of getting rest on a plane. It can be hard to get high-quality sleep in when you’re in-air, but there are a few things you can do to improve your sleep experience.
Make sure you have a pillow and a blanket to keep you warm and comfortable. A high-quality sleep mask is essential. With so many light sources onboard that can disrupt sleep, using a sleep mask allows you to block out all light for some shut-eye.
Tip 5: The Quick In-Flight Makeup Routine
When the flight attendants to make their final rounds it is the perfect time for a quick and simple makeup application.
Products that are compact, multi-purpose, and easy to apply work best in-air.
Instead of a foundation, try a tinted moisturizer and a creamy concealer for blemishes and dark circles. Use a mini brow pencil that’s easy to carry (yahesss) to quickly fill in sparse areas. Finish off with a cheek and lip tint for a beautiful flush of color.