My Top Travel Beauty Tips
Travelling is amazing, but the toll flying takes on your face and body is seriously annoying. From jet lag to dehydrated skin and swollen limbs, sometimes you arrive feeling like you need a holiday from your holiday! With some forward planning and pampering you can reverse that travel trauma. Touching down looking fab and feeling ready to explore your destination.
Pre- Flight Pampering
A lot of people don’t know that you can get lots of spa and beauty treatments when you’re at the airport. Most airport lounges now have beauty treatments available from hand massages to full on facial and massage treatments. You can look up the different lounge availability here Executive Lounges or here PriorityPass British Airways have Elemis spa treatments available in some lounges as well. World Duty-Free offer free treatments at 21 UK airport stores Info can be found here for Heathrow.
What Should I Get Done?
If my skin is particularly dry and dehydrated I book in for a facial to help prepare it for the dry plane air conditioning. If you suffer with flaky skin try an oxygen facial. Not only will it make you look fresh but they have antibacterial properties to help kill nasty bacteria that can build up on a stuffy flight.
My main issues are trouble sleeping and swollen legs. So if I don’t get a facial I will have a massage, this works wonders to stop swelling. The discomfort and swelling is caused by a lack of movement, which can result in a build-up of fluid. This normally shows in my face, hands and feet. I suggest a Swedish, lymphatic drainage or sports massage where possible. The firm strokes will improve your circulation and help your body remove toxins meaning you are far less likely to arrive at your destination completely swollen. A relaxing massage before your flight will also usually leave you fairly sleepy, great if you have an overnight flight.
In-Flight Beauty Favourites
Skin Cleansing
I rarely wear makeup to fly but I like to freshen up my skin on the plane and apply some minimal makeup before I land. Pixi Beauty are launching their famous Glow Tonic which are convenient pre-soaked pads. They will be available from 29th July RRP £20. Called Pixi Glow Tonic To-Go, these are perfect for travelling so you can just swipe, and go (or glow)!
Facial Mists
I’m a big fan of face misting during flight, especially on long international trips. I have quite a few that fit the bill of 100ml or less but my current favourites are Kiehls Cactus Flower Mist £18 for 75ml which is really refreshing . This Works In Transit Spray On Moisture £18 for 100ml as it’s really hydrating and soothing. 001 Skincare Rosa Damascena Essence Mist £31 for 30ml which is not only great for its hydrating properties, it also smells gorgeous, which helps as planes are not very sweet smelling!
Spritzing your face with a facial mist is a way to keep skin hydrated in the dry cabin environment. Pack a spray in your bag, and mist regularly to combat the dry air in the plane frazzling your skin.
Face Mask
For long-haul flights I use a sheet mask. I don’t have the time for using 3 separate moisturisers and different liquid face masks on a plane. I love the new Su Man Facial Glow Rejuventating Masks, £42 for 4. They are extremely high quality and leave your skin smooth, soft and looking plumped up. They are portable and easy to pop in your hand luggage. Su-Man masks are thicker and more sturdy than the cheaper cloth masks so they’re easy to apply and not over saturated and sloppy. When you remove the mask rub the excess serum into you neck and the backs of your hands.
Lips
Kiehls #1 Lipbalm £9.50 is one of my favourite lip balms to reapply on a plane. It’s packed with Lanolin which gives a barrier to lock in moisture. It also contains Sweet Almond Oil to moisturise, as well as Vitamins A and E. Reapply as much as possible.
Common Sense
Drink
I have no idea what those tiny eggcups of water they give you on some planes are supposed to achieve. During your flight, try to avoid alcohol as it can leave you very dehydrated. Buy a 750ml water bottle in duty free to take on the plane. Once your bottle is finished go to the back where the kitchen is and politely ask them to fill it up, nobody’s ever said no to me so far.
Eat
Pre-book a vegetarian or vegan meal with the airline before flying. The meat in plane food always looks and tastes bizarre, and their regular meals are full of salt and stodge leaving you feeling bloated and lethargic. Veggie meals taste much better and are often distributed first, before all other meals !
Touch Down Like an A-lister
About 45 minutes before landing time I go and put on some light makeup, especially if I am going straight to work when I land.
I go for a light base such as a BB Cream, to give a natural glowing finish, right now I am loving the Embryolisse BB Cream Perfection Illuminating Veil £26.99
Then I apply some waterproof mascara, the best I’ve tried is Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara £19 as this stuff really does not budge at all. This is a fibre mascara, so when you first remove the brush from the tube, wipe with a tissue to remove any clumping. Problem solved. I then reapply some lip balm and I’m good to go.
In case you wondered where the super cute makeup bag pictured is from, it’s a Loqi Accessories bag, which you can find in the UK in Selfridges, John Lewis or Stone Gift. 3 Pouches are just £10.95!
I hope you enjoyed My Top Travel Beauty Tips!