Beauty Essentials: Travel

Over my years of traveling long haul flights, I’ve gone back and forth on my plane beauty routine. There was a period where I just wore my normal makeup – only to land at my destination with raccoon eyes and gross feeling skin. Then I started going makeup free entirely – but to be honest, I generally like to have at least a little bit on for confidence. Plus, during my single periods, there was always the chance that you’d end up sitting next to someone really good looking (which over my hundreds of flights…has yet to happen).

Over the years I’ve perfected a stash of products that I have ready in a little Kate Spade pouch to be dropped into whatever handbag I happen to be traveling with. Here are some of the favorites in my plane travel kit!

Evian Facial Spray. Despite several attempts of mine to substitute some water in a spray bottle and save some money, nothing beats these little sprays. They are the perfect size to tuck into your bag, never spill or spray accidentally and are great for hydrating your face. I use one of these whenever we’re about to land – the cool spray wakes you right up. Plus, they’re also great on the ground to help keep you awake when jetlag hits!

YSL Touche Eclat. For years I’ve been looking for the perfect dupe for this fairly pricey highlighter. I’ve tried quite a few, yet keep coming back to the original (I love #1 and #1.5). I never wear foundations/heavy powders when flying and try to keep my skin as bare as possible so it can breathe. I dab Touche Eclat around my eyes before landing to brighten my face and it always does the trick. By the way, if you are looking for a cheaper version – make sure to check the quantity! YSL’s pen comes with a fair amount of product while the drugstore versions often have half the amount.

Tarte Cheek Stain: I’m a bit of a blush addict and loved it so much when I first discovered it back in high school that I definitely had a few clownish days freshman year (all captured in the yearbook). I love Tarte’s blushes and their Cheek Stain is super easy to apply (I just swipe on and use fingers), and it lasts forever. I usually have this on already for flights and just do a light re-application if necessary towards the end.

Fresh Sugar Treatment: I hoard these and vastly prefer them to whatever balm is usually in the amenity kit. These smell great, are super moisturizing and I love the “Rose” color for a hint of pink on the lips while still looking completely natural.

Tarte Maracuja Oil: My skin always gets really dried out on planes, so periodically I’ll put a few drops in my hands and just lightly pat them on my face (usually right after the stewardess brings by the hot towels which I use to wipe down my face and clean my hands). This oil always seeps in very quickly and helps keep a nice dewy look. Also, if my hair is all gnarly after sleeping on the flight, a few drops run through the ends helps to smooth things out.

Tatcha Aburatorigami Papers: As someone with classic combination skin, I always, always have a set of oil papers on me at all times. Tatcha’s versions are one of my favorites, along with Yojiya’s from Kyoto. I love the smaller size of these papers and for some reason the charcoal versions I find are super absorbant. I use these typically towards the end of a flight after I’ve woken up – it helps keep my face clean and soaks up excess oil.

By the way, while I have the full size versions of all of these products, I always try and snag sample/trial sizes for travel purposes. The Tarte Cheek Stain, Maracuja Oil, and Sugar lip treatment above are all smaller sizes. I usually wait for a Sephora promotion or also often find these in little gift kits like this one, from Fresh.

What are some of your go to beauty essentials?