Essential Beauty Tips For Surviving a Long-Haul Flight

It's best not to board that airplane wearing makeup and if you must, remove it right after take off with a gentle cleansing cloth. Your skin needs a break from makeup, especially up in the sky where cabin air is dry and dehydrating. Cleansing cloths are brilliant and remove makeup, dirt and oils gently and without water. Going makeup-free will let your skin breathe and soak up the goodness of a hydrating moisturizer while you try to sleep away the hours. 

Kaia Naturals Juicy Bamboo Travel Size Sachets, $20.

Air travel not only transports you across the planet but it inflicts the most drastic temperature and humidity changes on your skin. One minute you’re hot, the next you’re chilled to the bone, all while losing moisture from the dry cabin atmosphere. A hydrating spritzer is a life-saver on long-haul flights--an anytime instant refresher. Infuse moisture back into the skin before you sleep, when you wake and before exiting the aircraft. 

Pure+simple Rose Hydrosol Toner, $15. 

Considering how dry the air is up there, bringing a moisturizer on board is non-negotiable. Hyaluronic acid holds 1000 times its weight in water, making it a miracle ingredient to store under the seat in front of you. Once you remove your makeup and spritz with hydrating toner, apply a generous amount of moisturizer to your face and neck, rubbing any excess into your hands. Reapply as necessary throughout the flight and definitely before landing. (You can also use this as emergency hand cream when necessary.) 

Derma E Hydrating Day Crème, US $30. 

Not only are dry, red eyes incredibly uncomfortable, they are a telltale sign of travel-induced exhaustion. Have natural tears handy during your flight for anytime relief of that chargrilled-eyeball sensation. 

Systane Ultra Preservative Free Eye Drops, $16.

Lips suffer immensely in-flight. Protect your pout with a vitamin E-enriched lip balm for instant relief. It’s one thing you’ll need to reapply more often than you think!

Evolution of Smooth, A Ray Of Holiday Sunshine in Barbados Heat Wildberry, $4.

On-board static is distracting and uncomfortable...and almost always guaranteed! After take off, hydrate your locks with a dollop of moisturising hair cream and throw it into a high bun or low pony for easy to manage in-flight hair.

Phyto 7 Dry Hair Hydrating Day Cream, $29.

Nothing will make you feel lousier than transiting through airports and sitting for hours on end without a deodorant spray. A spritz is more hygienic than a stick or roll-on that picks up perspiration from your armpits. Choose something lightly scented, so as not to be that person giving others a headache with their overpowering fragrance. Look for something with essential oils like lavender, for both freshening up those pits and getting your zen on.

Dr. Mist Scented Deodorant Spray, $9. 

Sleeping on a plane is one of those elusive things that some achieve and many yearn for. Getting some Zs will help with cell turnover and boost energy. A sleep mask blocks out your neighbour's reading lamp and the light from open window shades, and earplugs tune out crying babies, conversation and a snoring partner. 

Samsonite Eye Mask with Ear Plugs, $8.

You may see this as unnecessary at first, but have you ever chipped a nail on a 12-hour flight only to have it snag on everything from your blanket to your pants to your face? (Ow.) Needless to say, having a cushioned file on hand can really save the day. 

Tweezerman Filemate, $6.

You'll definitely be needing a colour pick-me-up before you land, but don’t need to carry a bunch of brushes in your hand luggage to achieve it. A two-in-one cream cheek and lip colour can be applied with your fingers and doesn’t take up much room. Oh, and the cream formula will give your skin a much-needed glow. 

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks, $32.

A depuffing and soothing concealer with a cooling slanted metal tip applicator will cover dark circles and help massage away the under-eye congestion that causes shadows. Gently squeeze the tube and, using the cooling metal tip, massage a small amount of concealer under eyes and on any other areas of the face that need a little brightening.

Covergirl and Olay The De-Puffer Eye Concealer, $14.

Traditional eyelash curlers are awkwardly shaped for a travel bag. Luckily beauty mavens have solved this conundrum and created sleek curlers that fit into the palm of your hand, or hide nicely down the side of your toiletries bag. On-the-go curlers are perfect for flights and act as easy no-makeup makeup, anytime you need a refresher especially if you aren’t used to going without mascara. 

Sephora Collection Ultimate Curler To Go, $14.