With talk of an upcoming trip to London for a family wedding, traveling is on my mind. Although many will disagree, I think airports and plane rides across the Atlantic are nearly as exciting as the journey to follow, and there’s something special about dragging fifty pound suitcases around Logan and Heathrow from terminal to terminal with a keen eye open for a new gossip magazine to enjoy that makes me feel like a true international jet setter.
When traveling internationally, it’s always a good idea to arrive a few hours early, especially with the thorough security checks that must be done. That being said, a three-hours-early arrival is a foolproof way to avoid the stress and headaches that are often associated with airports. Then, if there is time left over before boarding the plane, it can be spent catching a bite to eat or taking advantage of the Duty-Free shopping!
But, if you’re like me, the main thing I worry about is looking smart, keeping comfortable and staying fresh during the entire experience. You never know if there will be a seat open in first class, but you can guarantee that nobody in sweatpants or pajamas will be upgraded. Look good, feel good, right? If the old saying is correct, it is quite important when applied to a seven hour flight.
I’ve put together some tips and necessities that will help make anyone’s travels more enjoyable and more chic!
What to Wear:
Gwyneth Paltrow has it right. Simple, comfortable, and pretty. Wearing all black is a great idea as it makes the outfit a bit more dressy. Leggings keep it comfy while a long sleeved shirt helps fight the airplane chills that the cheap, thin blankets provided simply cannot. Leave the Uggs and heels at home. Slip-on boots like these are smart and also convenient when they have to be taken off and put back on quickly at security. Wearing layers is also smart for possible temperature changes!
Accessorize With a Scarf:
Scarves are a great way to add color to any outfit, but at the airport especially they can have multiple uses. Larger scarves can double as a blanket when the airplane gets chilly or simply when you want to take a nap. There’s nothing more cozy than a cashmere scarf. Or, invest in a silk or chiffon scarf like the one above which is so lovely and flowy that it can be folded up to the size of a credit card, which is perfect for traveling since it doesn’t take up much space.
Prep Your Skin:
Keeping skin looking great on board is vital, especially since it will be hours and hours before you can properly get back into your daily skin routine. When I’m going away, I like to have a bit of a healthy looking tan, but that’s just a personal preference. St. Tropez’s Bronzing Mousse is by far the best self-tan product I have ever used (and I have used PLENTY on my naturally pale skin)! What makes it so perfect is it’s coloring, which is a natural tan color rather than an oompa-loompa orange, and the fact that it goes on brown, so you don’t have to play the guessing game and pray that you applied it evenly. You have a tan the second the luscious mousse meets your skin. Due to its size, I would suggest to leave this at home, but definitely use it before you leave for a perfect fake bake!
The next on-board necessities are the Evian Brumisateur (mineral water spray) and Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. My face would not survive the drying atmosphere of an airplane without these products. First, I apply the moisturizer to my face right when I get seated on-board, and re-apply when necessary. Throughout the flight I lightly spritz the Evian spray all over my face and neck, and each time, it lives up to its “Heaven in a bottle” reputation. As the bottle says, it tones, moisturizes and refreshes, and it reassures me that I will arrive at my destination feeling like “a million bucks”. Or at least my skin will.
Finally, Crabtree and Evelyn’s Rosewater Lotion is perfect because it comes in a mini bottle allowing you to take it on the plane, and has a lovely, not-too-strong scent that can always come in handy when on any form of public transportation. The formula is a life-saver to hands that can become dry during the flight. The thing to remember to refrain from is spritzing perfume while on the plane. It is not only rude but some passengers may even be allergic. Stick to scented lotions such as Crabtree and Evelyn’s, or use a rollerball perfume. My favorite is the Chloe rollerball, only $25 at Sephora!
If you must have a little spritz of perfume during your travels, there is no need to bring along your full-size bottle of fragrance, which will often be too big to get past security, anyway. Instead, get a few samples of your favorite scent from a department store.
To Wear Makeup or Not to Wear Makeup:
Many women are unsure if they should wear makeup while traveling, since they will be applying moisturizer throughout the flight. While it may be okay to wear a full face of makeup for shorter journeys, I would stick to a natural face for international flights. In the dry, (and let’s face it) dirty environment of an airplane, one risks clogged pores and acne breakouts with a face smeared in foundation. There’s also a good chance that eye makeup will just become smudged and flaky, especially if you fall asleep. With a chic outfit and big sunglasses, you just won’t need makeup. Before landing, if you don’t want to arrive completely naked-faced, mascara and bronzer are the way to go. The bronzer will give you a healthy, refreshing glow (my favorite is NARS’s Casino) and the mascara will provide that wide- eyed, awake and refreshed look. DO NOT FORGET lip balm. Lips are one of the things that you should focus on keeping moisturized during the flight.
Keeping Chic on the Inside and Out:
Finally, you can relax on your flight, knowing you are feeling clean, moisturized, refreshed and beautiful. Reading magazines keeps me entertained when the movies being shown on the airplane do not. MAGAZINE BUYING TIP: those with my girls Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Moss on the cover have never let me down.
I’ll be sure to use these tricks, tips and products the next time I visit London, and I hope you’ll give them a try as well.
Enjoy your travels!
No comments:
Post a Comment