Beauty on board

These simple beauty regimes can give you a quick fix after a long flight

It may be difficult to look good after a long plane journey but these simple beauty regimes can give you a quick fix

It’s natural to end up looking like a zombie by the end of a long-haul flight. The sporadic sleeping pattern and recycled air in the plane can make anyone feel exhausted. Add to that, being cramped in a miniscule seat for the entire time and it becomes virtually impossible for you to look and feel fresh upon reaching your destination. Fortunately, there is a way to beat the cabin fever! Get ready for your coming summer vacation with these amazingly simple tips on how to look fresh during the tedious flight and after.

If you are travelling for four hours or less

Keeping away from too much make-up is the way to go while on board. It is best to just put on some lip gloss and dab a little gloss on your eye-lids too. This will help to give you a healthy looking glow till you reach your destination.

Use the tried and tested spritz bottle technique, popularised by models and celebrities. Simply carry a spritz bottle filled with water and a few drops of lavender oil. Spray it on your face halfway through the flight to rejuvenate.

The more stress you take while travelling, the more exhausted you will look so keep yourself calm. Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated and apply a moisturising hand cream with a soothing scent that you can enjoy during your journey. The familiarity of the smell will calm you when you feel restless.

If you are traveling for long hours

Long hours with too much make-up are always bad idea, regardless of whether you are travelling or not. The cosmetics seep into your skin and damage it from the inside. So if you are scheduled for a long flight but want to look your best, try replacing your base with a tinted moisturiser or BB or CC creams. Most of these come with a variety of tints to suit all skin tones and are great for hydrating your skin while masking the discolourations.

Balms are your best friends as they can repair skin vulnerable to cabin air. Dryness and flaking are some of the various skin problems that arise during flights. If your skin is prone to irritation, apply rose or carrot oil balms —  both recommended by top beauty experts —  on your lips to protect them from cracking, peeling or general discomfort.

Your skin isn’t the only thing that requires maintenance. It is equally important to keep your hair in check. Thanks to all the struggle of having to rest your head on a tiny seat, hair tends to become really static and wild. The air-conditioning in the aircraft also flattens your strands and spurs oil production. But you can give your hair a smooth and shiny look by investing in invisible oil products. They are not only flight-friendly but are also easy to carry as they come in small bottles that can be stacked inside your hand-carry.

Jet, set, glam! 

Experts from the beauty industry share some advice to help you look glamorous in the air!

Nadia Hussain of Nadia Hussain Salon and Clinic:



“It’s ideal to wear less make-up on board to give your skin the much needed breathing space. Instead of a heavy base, apply cream and use products that are not easy to come off as people end up sleeping on long flights. Matt lipsticks and a waterproof kajal are great options.” 

Rukaiya Adamjee of Rukaiya’s Salon:



“Keeping it light is the key. Just apply a lipstick, kajal, mascara and a blush and you are good to go.”

A page from the diary of a stewardess 

Who would know better about flight-friendly beauty regimes than an actual flight attendant? Poly Sharifa, a senior inflight supervisor with Oman Air, lends us a peak into her personal flight fashion to help us look our best.

Poly Sharifa:

“One of the most important things is to drink a lot of water at adequate intervals. You may not realise it but your body needs more water than usual while on board. Secondly, you should be able to manage stress as constant anxiety makes you look tired and exhausted.  Some people stress about travelling in aircrafts. They should try to relieve it by diverting their attention towards something constructive, such as reading a book. You should also make sure your carry-on luggage contains a toothbrush, toothpaste, perfume (maximum 100ml), cream and a nude or bronze tinted moisturiser. Also, oil-control facial wipes are a must if you wish to clean your face quickly upon landing. This will help get rid of the excess oil and impurities that may have germinated under your skin during the journey and also remove make-up. Once your face is clean, you can hit the airport bathroom and put the items in your carry-on to good use or even re-apply your make-up completely.

Neha Javed is a textile designer. She likes to write about fashion and beauty in her free time.

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, May 24^th, 2015.