In-flight travel beauty essentials

If you’re anything like me, a lot goes into a holiday before even reaching the airport. For one, there’ll have been the obvious attempts at finally getting that bikini body of dreams. I’m not saying I will have achieved it, but I might have incorporated a few extra sit ups and a few less cookies into my regime. Then there’s the hair; a quick trim is always a must before putting my locks up against the sun, salt and sand, as well as a colour check (other dyed blondes will know that those sun kissed highlights everyone covets of are only a 50% given, the other possibility given out to yellowness. No one wants that.) Finally is the hair removal, exfoliation, moisturisation and fake tanning. Seriously key steps for someone of celtic heritage, FYI.

Interestingly I am also one for filling my case with toiletries I probably won’t need. Hair masks, for example, and body oil. Sea salt spray, a round brush, medicine of all kinds. Getting to the scales at check-in has always brought great pains to those I travel with, as I unabashedly unpack the surplus of these items into their reasonably weighing bags.

When it comes to my hand luggage though, I am a pure minimalist: book, phone, and snack of choice. Maybe a hairbrush if I’m feeling particularly adventurous. It has never occurred to me, despite plenty of experts advising otherwise, that my beauty preparations up to getting on a flight can easily be made redundant by the time spent on board. Of course, this does make sense – but you rarely see enough people avidly grooming themselves throughout to ever think of doing it yourself.

Luckily though, we know some women who have the regime down to a tee. If you’re thinking of upping your in-flight beauty, then this is the edit of products you need to know about.


In-flight travel beauty essentials

 

 

 

 

Anita Bhagwandas, Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire Magazine

Neal’s Yard Remedies White Tea Facial Mist – facial sprays are brilliant for travelling to cool your down and refresh your skin, but I find that loads of them are a little too oily for flights when your skin can get congested – or at least mine does, anyway. This natural one smells like a blast of heaven, and very lightly nourishes my skin.

Lanolips Antibacterial Hand Cream – this hand cream meets anti-bac gel is brilliant. Planes and trains are grotty places, but this cream sorts out the germs, and doesn’t smell like a pub when you apply it. I hate the smell of alcohol in any beauty products – it just makes me think of the boozy night before (vom!).

Aromatherapy Associates Inner Strength Oil –  I always take a selection of oils when I travel. Without sounding like a mad hippie, they put you in holiday mode, which is actually really hard to get into when you’re always on the go and thinking about work. This one seems to centre and calm me – even if somebody has pushed in front of me in a queue (not cool.)  I love this brand with a passion – their oils genuinely make the world a happier place and me a nicer, more relaxed person – you can’t really put a price on that.

 

 

 

 

 


 

In-flight travel beauty essentials

 

 

 

 

Hannah Rochelle, Fashion Features Editor at InStyle Magazine and founder of EnBrogue.com

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Lip Balm – I panic a bit if I don’t have lip balm on a flight. The air conditioning really plays havoc with your lips. This is my absolute favourite of all time (I also buy it in packs of three from Duty Free).

Estee Lauder Daywear Sheer Tint Release Moisturiser – With all the sleeping and eye rubbing that takes place with early morning flights, I don’t put on any make-up until the seatbelt sign goes on at the end of the flight. This amazing stuff adapts to match your skin tone – so there’s no need for a mirror, and it has SPF15, too.

Chanel Le Volume De Chanel Mascara – See what I said about no make-up on a flight? I whack on some mascara after that moisturiser but that’s me done. No need for blusher/bronzer/lipstick in warmer climes if you ask me.

A pair of plain black socks – I hate arriving at a hot designation wearing too many clothes, so I’ll often wear my Birkenstocks on the plane. But I also HATE having cold feet, so I either take a pair of socks in my hand luggage or wear them (shock, horror!) with my Birks.

 

 

 

 


 

In-flight travel beauty essentials

 

Kirsty Dale, Executive Fashion & Beauty Director at ELLE

I love a good lip balm. Ren Skincare Vita Mineral Lip Balm (£9) or trusty Carmex are usually in my bag. It always seems to be my lips first that feel the effects of the dry cabin air. My daughter just introduced me to her EOS Organic Lip Balm in Vanilla Mint though which is lovely too.

I always carry cleansing water too. I like the French Klorante products but otherwise I use Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water . I prefer this to cleansing wipes which I find uncomfortable on my skin and like using it to wash my face on a long haul flight.

I love Opi Avoplex Cuticle Oil to Go Pen – flights are the perfect downtime to apply this and leave it on. In fact, I usually try and do a mani if I am flying long haul.

I plan on packing This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray the next time I travel. I was given it some time ago and while I actually haven’t really tested the effectiveness, I just like the fragrance.

I used to always be bare faced but I find a really lightweight tinted moisturizer much more forgiving so I really like Vichy Ideal Soleil Face BB Tinted Velvety Cream SPF50. Oh, and my tiny Bobbi Brown Concealer usually comes too as it’s got a little mirror and hides a multitude of blemishes.

A facial mist always travels with me too – whether it’s from Evian or Elemis, I’m not fussy. I just love the wake-me-up they give you.

I think the cowshed products are great and good value too. I tend to use the quinoa Moisturier or Philosophy Full of Promise Mosturiser on my knees and elbows if I’m on a flight and limited on products.  

Finally, I always travel with eyelash curlers and mascara for pre-disembarking. That’s if I’m not getting off in the sunshine when of course my sunglasses do the trick instead.