In-flight Travel Essentials

When it comes to packing your holiday beauty essentials, no matter how many times you write a checklist, you always forget something that you need. Remembering that everything has to be under 100ml for the plane, what you actually need on a plane and what you’ll need whilst you’re there can be a bit of a headache. So, to lighten your load, I’ve worked out a list of in-flight essentials which are must-haves that’ll ensure that you feel fine from take off to touch down…

Ear plugs, tooth kit, eye mask: Yes, some airlines offer them, but surprisingly some don’t and it’s a bleeding nightmare if you’re stuck next to a screaming baby or someone who insists on keeping their reading light on. Better to be safe than sorry.

Purchase or fill a big bottle of water. I try to take the advice of a friend who used to fly for Emirates and haze myself into drinking a full liter before takeoff at the gate. Then, I refill it at a drinking fountain and stick it in the seat pocket once I’m on the plane. A study from St. John’s University in Taipei recommends drinking at least one liter of water per five hours in-flight. The typical airplane cabin has a humidity level of about 10 to 20 percent—far lower than the 30-65 percent we’re used to indoors.

Nasal spray, painkillers: The single best traveling trick I know is to use a chemist-bought nasal spray such as Vicks First Defense when flying. Using it when you first get on the plane will significantly reduce the threat of developing bugs from inhaling the air conditioning. If, though, you tend to get a headache from the aircon, bring painkillers. It’s a killer not to have them. But make sure you carry a very little quantity.

 

Pillow spray and muscle cream:  Admittedly, pillow spray is an added luxury but, a little lavender mist can really help to relax you during the flight and don’t forget the muscle cream. It’s not something many people think of but if you wake up with a stiff neck, it’ll be your saving grace. I personally love Elemis muscle relaxing cream- it really does tingle the right spots.

Prepare your skin for cabin air: Hydration will literally be sucked from your skin whilst on a flight so take a thick and nourishing cream such as Uriage Xemose lipid-replenishing anti-irritation cream to lather on when your face feels a little dry. Go for a mild, barely scented yet a thick moisturizer you can easily reapply as needed. Tubes are better than pots for travel.

A pair of soft, thick socks: You don’t want to spend a long haul flight with your boots/trainers/high-heels on; trust me. But you also don’t want to have to grapple under the seat every time you want to walk up and down the aisle. The solution: a cheap pair of comfortable socks. There’s a reason airlines used to include a pair in the amenities kit ‘back in the day’. An extra pair of socks will keep your feet warm and give some sense of protection against the filth of the floor.

Tip: fluffy socks or not, I’d still recommend popping your shoes on to use the bathroom.

Facewash and deodorant: When you get the “breakfast wake-up” having been hunched in the same position for seven hours, there really is no better word than “rough” for how you’re probably feeling. The best quick-fix is a good face wash, a slick of deodorant and a scrub of the old gnashers. Take Clarin’s travel-sized facewash for the best kind of in-flight wake-up. Its creamy formula lathers the skin in a creamy foam, leaving it moisturized and refreshed.

Hand Sanitiser: Have you any idea how filthy an airplane is? If you don’t want to read the gory details, take it form me – the answer is disgustingly filthy. And while you’re unlikely to be allowed onboard a few hours in advance to sanitize the entire plane, you can take your own measures, in the form of hand sanitizer. The rule is simple – put some on your hands every time you’re about to touch something that will go in your mouth and you should be fine.

A Pen:  Chances are, if you’re flying long haul, you’re going to a country that’s not home and you’re going to have to fill in immigration and customs forms ready for landing. These are usually handed out in-flight and if you have them completed before you get off the plane, it’s usually quicker to get through the immigration queue. Advice: If you lend your pen to a stranger on your flight, keep a beady eye on them. The chance of getting a pen back on a flight is less than 10%.

 

A facial mask. On a long-haul flight, apply a facial mask to keep your skin dewy. (I mean a translucent mask that will be barely visible; in-flight sheet masks are only for the very brave.) I would personally recommend Elemis moisturizing face mask or Dermalogica face masks.

A little dropper of eyedrops if you get dry eyes.

 

Reach for a facial wipe once you wake up. No one wants to wash their face with airplane water.

A little under-eye concealer goes a long way. 

What are your favourite in-flight essentials? Share your thoughts in comments below.

Note- The pictures used in this Blog post are not mine. They have been taken from Google for illustrative purposes only.