Tired of arriving for vacation looking like a hot mess? Upgrade your flight experience and get fresh-faced for your travels with 20 beauty secrets that your favourite jet-setting celebrities swear by!
Naturally hypoallergenic and designed to help your skin retain its moisture balance; a silk pillowcase is the in-flight beauty hack to beat. Not only does the long-term use of these slinky pillowcases help in preventing wrinkles, but it also helps to protect hair by preventing breakage typically caused by sleeping on rougher fabrics.
Celebs who swear by it: Supermodel Gisele is definitely a fan, often spotted toting her favourite silk pillowcase from celeb-loved brand ShhSilk through the airport when travelling.
ShhhSilk Black Marble Travel Set, US $179.
At high altitudes, your skin just isn’t able to retain moisture as well as it can on solid ground. Avoid the after-effects of parched skin by applying a rich moisturizer during your flight.
Celebs who swear by it: In a blog post on her website Goop, actress Paltrow notes a good facial cream as “the first thing” she packs for flights. Paltrow also makes our list of celebrities that swear by these 10 health-conscious foods!
Goop Revitalizing Day Moisturizer, US $100.
There’s no denying the benefit of a weekly facial — but would you be willing to sport a mask at 30,000 feet? If you’re undecided, consider this: experts will tell you that skin is at its best when humidity lands somewhere between 40 per cent to 70 per cent. Airplane cabins typically operate at about 20 per cent. This means dry skin, which in turn translates to a greasy surface as your skin tries to combat the loss of moisture. Grossed out yet? You will be once you add the effects of altitude into the mix. The higher you fly, the less you glow as the blood flow to the skin become restricted, leaving your skin dull and flat. So to recap: all of the above or a 15-minute mask session? This one’s a no-brainer.
Celebs who swear by it: With no shame in her beauty game, model, cookbook author and reigning Twitter queen Chrissy Teigen is on board with this travel beauty hack in a big way. Don’t believe us? Check out this Instagram post from the brazen – and fresh-faced – beauty!
Dr. Jart+ Dermask Water Jet Soothing Hyrda Solution, $8.
Airplane bathrooms are likely the last place you want to spend time during your flight. Instead of huddling over the tiny sink as someone knocks at the door to rush you along, cleanse your skin from the comfort of your seat with refreshing — and super travel-friendly — facial wipes.
Bioderma Sensibio H20 Wipes, US $10.
True beauty may not be skin deep, but it doesn’t hurt to start with a clean and sanitized base. All those pollutants and recycled air trapped in your flight cabin is wreaking havoc on your skin — and every surface you touch has likely seen more than a few dirty hands — so keep it clean with a travel-sized sanitizer. Ever wondered what the filthiest spot in an airplane is? You’re guaranteed to be surprised!
Celebs who swear by it: In a resurfaced blog post from her former website The Tig, the royal newlywed noted that she liked to carry hand sanitizer while travelling, using it not only on her hands but also to wipe down the surfaces around her to avoid getting sick from any lingering germs.
Babyganics Alcohol-Free Plant-Based Mandarin Sanitizing Wipes, $6.
Another hydration hack for your skin, rose hip seed oil is an easy and effective way to inject a lasting shot of moisture into your skin mid-flight.
The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Rosehip Oil, $10.
This one may be more of an indulgence than a hack, but what better way to make economy feel like first class than by stowing away a few luxury beauty goods in your carry-on? Upgrade your in-seat experience with some top-shelf beauty products and get started on those vacay vibes before you land.
La Mer The Tonic (travel size), US $45.
While you should be removing your makeup for the duration of the flight and focusing instead on hydrating cleansed skin, there’s no shame in wanting to spruce yourself up a bit pre-landing.
Celebs who swear by it: Makeup guru to the stars Patrick Ta spoke to Elle Australia dishing the goods on all things celebrity beauty. His in-flight makeup essentials? Red lipstick, mascara and a pencil for brows. What says ready-for-vacay more than a bold lip and fierce brows?
Mac Cosmetics Proud to be Canadian Lipstick, $23.
If sheet masks aren’t your thing, why not try a cream mask? Less mess and just as effective, it’s the facial on-the-go you never knew you needed.
Celebs who swear by it: Glee alum Lea Michelle and actress Jessica Alba are just a few of the stars who’ve taken to Instagram to profess their love for blogger Marianna Hewitt’s Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask. A new take on an old favourite, this masking cream promises to apply as easily as your favourite moisturizer while packing all the punch of a super hydrating sheet mask.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, US $48.
A well-known cure-all, tea tree oil makes the list for basic beauty essentials time and time again. With its anti-inflammatory properties, it can help to sooth redness, irritation, swelling and even help in the treatment and prevention of acne scars.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil, $8.
Loss of hydration being one of the most common issues for skin while travelling, nutrient-rich serums have quickly become a popular go-to for jet-setting celebrities who want to protect their skin and ensure a dewy glow on landing.
Celebs who swear by it: Model-turned-actress Cara Delevingne told InStyle online, “Since I’m on planes so often, I’m always thinking about how to keep my skin healthy and hydrated.” Her pick to maintaining that signature fresh-faced glow? Dior Glow Booster Serum.
Dior Capture Youth Glow Booster Serum, US $95.
See more: The truth about facial serums.
Your skin isn’t the only thing that congested cabin air is wreaking havoc on. Show your lips some love and protect that pout with a hydrating lip balm.
Elizabeth Arden Cream Lip Protectant Stick with SPF 15, $26.
We’re all about conscious and eco-friendly beauty, and luckily, clean beauty brands have gotten on board with making their products as travel-friendly as possible. Because let’s face it: a vacation from life shouldn’t mean a vacation from your non-toxic beauty regimen.
Celebs who swear by it: Organic hand cream is a good place to start. Once you’ve sanitized, those mitts are going to need all the in-flight love they can get. Beauty brand Jurlique uses biodynamic ingredients sourced from their organic farm in Australia. Eco-conscious fans of the brand include Adele, Claire Danes and Scarlett Johansson.
Jurlique Limited Edition Rose Hand Cream, US $39.
Dry air means dry skin, parched lips and sometimes, dry, itchy red eyes. Beat the bloodshot peepers with a beauty carry-on prescribed by actress and singer Vanessa Williams.
Celebs who swear by it: Always happy to share her personal beauty tips, Williams has taken to her Instagram on several occasions to dish on travel hacks she swears by while on the road or in-flight. Her solution for itchy and bloodshot eyes? Eye drops!
Clear Eyes Redness Relief, $14.
Speaking of eye-issues while travelling — it’s not just your inner eyes you need to worry about. Long flights can leave you with little rest and that cabin lighting can have you arriving for your vacation with some pretty unwelcome under-eye bags in tow. Avoid the dark circles and pack some cooling-effect eye patches in your purse for the flight!
Patchology Anytime Perk-Me-Up Eye Gels, US $50.
Superfoods like avocados, blueberries, lemon, turmeric – the list goes on – are fabulous in-flight snacks to keep salty cravings at bay, nourish your skin and avoid any mid-flight bloat. A popular alternative to getting these superfood benefits have recently become available in the form of powders, masks and mix-formulas designed for busy on-the-go lifestyles.
Celebs who swear by it: In an online post for BeautyEditor.ca fashion icon and designer Alexa Chung revealed that when it comes to beauty routines, she believes less is more. When it comes to travel, however, the street style star does have her trade secrets. She’s a fan of certified-natural Weleda Skin Food, which she applies directly to her face. Another celebrity fan of “skin food” products is model Miranda Kerr, who took to her Instagram to profess her love for travel-sized Skinfood supplement sachets from brand Kora Organics.
Skin aside, long flights can make for dull and flat hair. Keep your strands manageable and in-check on your flight by pulling them into a low ponytail and using a balm to smooth and slick back any strays. Use that same balm to add a dewy transparent glow to cheeks, moisturize lips and, with a small brow brush, to tame any unruly hairs.
Celebs who swear by it: Actress and founder of The Honest Company, Jessica Alba is such a fan of simple, clean beauty that she’s created her own line of products to work for any lifestyle, at home or on-the-go. Included in her list of summer must-have’s is the Magic Balm, an all-purpose product made from organic fruits and essential oils.
The Honest Company Magic Balm, US $13.
Essential oils are becoming more and more popular with celebrities and seasoned travellers who are looking to secure their comfort and maintain their skin while on the move.
ArtNaturals Peppermint Essential Oil, US $5.
Have some fun with your in-seat situation and give your nails a fresh coat of something vacay-worthy. Worried about any strong scent your polish may give off in the cabin? Victoria’s Secret model Karlie Kloss has the solution.
Alloya Natural, Non Toxic, Floral Scented Nail Polish, $17.
If you’re looking to go the whole nine yards with your in-flight beauty program, try this: just after cleansing your face with wipes – but before applying any moisturizer or serum, use a toning pad (or dab a bit of toner on a cotton circle pad) to gently pick up any oils or general grime (gross!) that you might have missed with the wipes.
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, $37.