A long-haul flight can take a lot out of you. The A/C is blasted sky-high and drying out your skin; you’re stuck in the same clothes for hours upon hours. Let’s be honest—you barely got sleep last night and refreshed is the last word anyone would use to describe you.
But don’t fear! There are a few easy steps you can take to refresh your skin and sanity during and after a flight. These can go a long way to perk you up and get you ready to face your destination (and jet lag).
Here are my tips for feeling fresh on a long-haul flight!
Moisturize
Keep your face and skin moisturized by packing a small bottle of lotion. (Be sure it’s travel-sized so it passes security.) Apply the lotion liberally whenever you feel that your skin is getting dry.
Try to keep your makeup to a minimum, or opt out of it altogether—your skin wants to breathe. And stay away from alcohol—it will dehydrate you faster than anything.
Pack Liners and Wipes
The Honest Company brand makes these amazing Organic Cotton Liners to cancel out odors you’d rather not be stuck with. They’re really absorbent and keep you smelling clean all day.
Be sure to opt for liners instead of pads—liners are usually small and light enough that you don’t notice even them. Also be sure to grab some all-natural feminine wipes from The Honey Pot Company. The wipes are handy to keep around when you want a quick pick-me-up. They are small enough to take on the go, are individually wrapped, and have a light fragrance.
Drink Lots of Water!
Staying hydrated is the number one way to keep refreshed on the plane. Though airplanes usually offer water on board, it’s never enough! Take an empty stainless steel water bottle with you and fill it up just before boarding the plane.
Get Some Rest
I know, sometimes it’s impossible, but try to sleep a full eight hours the night before your flight. You’ll be able to handle the stress and foreign environment of air travel with greater ease.
If you can, try to sleep on the plane too—after a long-haul flight, you’ll probably be dealing with jet lag. If you’re traveling to Europe, red-eye flights are quite common, and they can mess up your body’s schedule. More sleep means more sanity when you’re on the ground!
Pack a Change of Clothes in your Carry On
Sometimes you just want to get out of the same old clothes you’ve been in all day from airport to airport. Dress yourself in comfy and loose-fitting clothes before you board. Then you can swap back into your dress or whatnot when you land.
Keep the Essentials Handy
There’s something magical about items like the toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wipes, and hand sanitizer after a long flight. Clean skin and teeth can keep you feeling refreshed.
While on the plane (or right after it lands) be sure to brush your teeth, apply deodorant, and wash your face and hands. If you’re prone to bad breath, bring along some mints or a breath spray. This will also help to minimize germs you’re exposed to on the plane.
Be careful not to overdo it with the wipes and hand sanitizer; they can dry out your skin.
Drinking a lot of water is a great deal for long journeys. For a feeling of freshness in flight, I often take a dry shampoo, I hate when my head is fat.