It is no secret that traveling by plane can wreak havoc on one's skin: extremely drying air, direct sunlight (yes, the rays do reach you through the windows), not to mention change of time zones, uncertainty concerning what exactly touched your pillow before you placed your face upon it and overall stress. I like to think I've mastered the art of packing my in-flight essentials. This is what I like to have within reaching distance while on a plane - even if I don't use all of these every flight. I should probably mention that I have dry skin prone to redness and irritation. Keep in mind that everybody's different and what suits my skin might not be right for you.
Left to right, top to bottom: H&M flamingo pouch, The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector, Thalgo Immediate Bio-soothing Mask, Alessandro Hands!Up All-over hand lotion, Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers, The Body Shop Vitamin E LIp Care SPF 15, Bliss No 'Zit' Sherlock Spot Treatment, The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist, H&M tropical pouch, Victoria's Secret "Gorgeous" Fragrance Mist, The Body Shop Lily Cole Lip & Cheek Dome in 20 Pinch Me Pink, The Body Shop Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream, Bliss Fabulous Face Lotion with SPF 15, The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Hand Cleanse Gel, Apple iPod nano, Lee Stafford ArganOil NourisHing Miracle Oil with Pro-Argan complex, The Body Shop Vitamin E Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes, Garnier B.B. Cream in 02-light, MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Lingering.
Hand cream: I have two of these, just in case. One is an everyday kind of cream, lightweight and fast absorbing. It comes in a handy sachet, so I don't have to carry another big package around. And if I decide to go crazy with moisturizing, I can slather on a thick protective cream.
Facial mask: This requires a bit of confidence, but a long flight is perfect for a little DIY SPA. Remember all those times you looked horrendous after a flight? Maybe it's time to change your airplane routine and utilize a comforting mask - this way you would actually look better post-flight. Chances are, nobody would even notice. Mine is a moisturizing, soothing and redness reducing mask.
Nail polish: The one I'm wearing right now - in case it chips.
Lip balm: An über-moisturizing lip balm is a must. I'm reapplying it every hour. This one has an SPF too.
Zit lotion: Even if you abide by every single preventive measure, there still is a chance of breaking out. I had a hideous blemish before leaving, so I made sure to reapply the lotion throughout the flight. You don't want this awful conditions to feed you existing zits.
Face mist: I used to carry a watery mist like the Evan spritz, but those can be really drying, and that is the last thing you want during a flight. Now I use a moisturizing mist, which feels just as refreshing and doubles as a moisturizer, sans the need to touch your face.
Perfume: I prefer the ones that don't contain alcohol - they are less harsh and there is no risk of getting a sunburn when you leave the plane (apparently, alcohol-based ones strip the skin off its natural barrier).
Lip/cheek tint: In case I need a little pick-me-up even after a facial.
Moisturizing face cream: this goes without saying. I use my favorite cream, which is an everyday staple in my skincare routine.
SPF: I've already mentioned sun rays may damage your skin even through those little windows. I'm also applying SPF before leaving the plane.
Hand sanitizer: I can not imagine a place where you don't need it, and you should double your sanitizing efforts during a flight.
Hair product: Anything moisturizing will do. I prefer running a light oil through my hair once or twice a flight.
Face wipes: Remember what I said about sanitizing? Well, don't forget to cleanse your face as well. If you have been wearing makeup, take it off. Trust me, it will clog your pores and suck off moisture. I read somewhere that even Victoria Beckham takes off her make up (and enjoys a nice facial) during a flight, so you can survive it too.
BB cream. I don't know about you, but I only go bare-faced to buy groceries or to take out the trash. I am prone to redness - this is how my blood vessels are, so a dab of a BB cream is a must for the days I don't feel like wearing makeup.
Brow pencil + spoolie. Speaking of no-makeup days, filling in my brows just a bit makes me feel a lot more put together. I'm sure it's the same with most girls who aren't Cara Delevigne or Lily Collins.
These are my personal essentials. Tell me what you think - too many cans, bottles and sachets for one handbag? Or did I leave something out? Please, share your beauty posts, I love learning new tips and tricks!
