Since I have family on the other side of the world, I have been traveling on planes since I was very young. As I learned, 13+ hour flights can be brutal. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few good habits – packing better and fewer things (as Reese Witherspoon in Wild can attest, “minimizing your pack” can make a world of difference), eating better, and cultivating some airport in-flight beauty rituals that don’t annoy my fellow seatmates and travelers while also ensuring that I land looking somewhat presentable.
Before I board:
I usually head to the airport without any makeup on. I used to be vigilant about my face looking presentable, but I decided that any time I could eliminate spending in a tiny airport bathroom, or wiping smudgey makeup off in front of my fellow seat passengers, was worth more. (Plus, my default airport outfit used to be sweats, a hoodie, and my Jansport backpack. I don’t think I was fooling anyone.)
Once I’m on the plane, I take the beauty essentials I need for the ride out of my ziploc baggie and put them in my front seat pocket, so I don’t have to riffle through the bag once the plane takes off.
My skin already tends to be very dry under normal conditions, so I have 3 essentials:
1. Eyedrops. When air becomes super dry, your eyes tend to feel it first.
2. Gel face mask. I swear by Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, which in everyday life is meant to be used as a kind of overnight serum. It has a gel consistency and goes on to your face clear, so you don’t look like a crazed Hannibal Lector. (The only sign that your face has changed is that it appears slightly dewier.) It also has a light, fantastic smell that shouldn’t irritate the people around you. I usually wait a couple of hours before rinsing it off in the airplane bathroom. Then I apply a second round. Not only does it make my face feel infinitely better during the ride, but I also leave the plane looking far more refreshed than I actually am.
(Author’s note: I had no idea that this mask is already considered a cult favorite product in Korea. Trust the Koreans! Also note that this product comes in a 2.7 oz tub, which is above the appropriate liquid carry-on size, so you need to spoon some of this into a size-appropriate container.)
3. Chapstick. My favorite is Burt’s Bees (in general as well as on the plane) because the peppermint is invigorating and refreshing after a while of marinating in what I call “airplane smell.”
Other tips: I always wear a hoodie to keep my hair from becoming a rat’s nest when I fall asleep, and because airplane seats can be greasy.
This is probably going to be an unpopular tip, but when I fly, I drink only water, and as much of it as possible (hurray for aisle seats!). There are already so many factors that can make you feel nauseous and awful on a flight: the air, the food, the cramped spaces – caffeine, alcohol, sugary drinks don’t help. (Basically, as this post might’ve revealed by now, I hoard water like a camel.)
After I land:
On my recent trip to Tokyo, the hotel gave me some complimentary face masks when I checked in. I took my travel-battered body up to my room, showered, and applied a mask to feel more zen. It was the best decision I ever made, and I now make it a ritual when I land at a new travel destination to rest for 20 minutes, and apply a face mask.
Since my skin tends to be a bit more stressed and patchy the days after I arrive, I have become a fan of Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. I use this serum sparingly in my everyday life as it’s expensive, but it’s a travel staple as I’ve seen it makes a noticeable difference.
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