Int'l Flight Beauty Essentials {Skin Care + Makeup}

The more international travel I do as an adult, the better I’m getting at it. Of course, I don’t remember dry skin and breakouts when we traveled as a kid, so I guess it all just comes with the territory! In the last few years, our international trips have become more regular as has my routine. I feel as though I finally have the products and rigamarole down pat. Our flights to and from London are 10-11 hours, but these long haul flight beauty essentials are fine on any length of plane trip. And I will make one note that’s more important than ANY of these items and routines. You MUST drink an insane amount of water before, during, and after your flight! You can avoid dry skin, lips, and hands without it.

long haul flight beauty essentials

My long haul flight beauty essentials are two fold. One half of it is my makeup routine (limited) while the other is working on my skin in-flight. For my makeup, I pack everything in my checked bag except a tinted moisturizer, eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, and mascara. I like to apply these about an hour before landing. Then I can get out of the airport and to our flat or hotel feeling human!

in flight beauty routine

So my in-flight beauty routine isn’t that far off from my normal beauty routine, but it’s certainly simplified. You can see my international flight skin care essentials here. I’m wildly dependent on face wipes to get the makeup off my face before I fall asleep as well as my usual teeth cleaning routine.

Past that, TONS OF WATER (you really can’t drink enough on planes), lotion, chapstick, and whatever it takes to keep me calm! Many companies make mini sizes of their products. Get the best travel-sized toiletries and containers.

best face mask for flights

Last year before our trip to Scotland, I asked my facialist about the best face mask and face routine for long haul flights. I shared that whole routine with the best clear face mask then. If you only take one thing away from that rather involved routine, which is totally fabulous by the way, it’s that clear face mask.

I’m more than happy to do some skincare and a little makeup on the plane, but you’re high if you think I would wear an opaque or dark mask that people can see. This also means sheet masks are off the table. This clear face mask works wonders, smells lightly of cucumber, and is totally clear. It get the gold medal for the best face mask for all my flights!

best face mist for flying

The best face mist for flying is a personal decision I think. I love Dermalogica’s multi active toner spray. It works well and it comes in a travel size, so I’m sold. And here and a few other great brands that offer travel sizes as well…