Stay Beautiful and Refreshed on Your Next Flight

Free alcohol, fully-reclining seats, the packet of beauty products, including sleep mask and ear plugs: ah the perks of business or first class. Unfortunately, my seat number is higher in the double digits sometimes, so I make do with my own airplane beauty kit.

Travel companions have even commented on the genius of my kit, which I have in my "travel" drawer of my dresser, ready to go into my carry-on at a moment's notice. The purpose of it is to feel refreshed, hydrated, and not offend anyone with bad breath at the end of the flight.

Here's what to pack in a business beauty kit for the coach seats:

• A see-through, high quality cosmetic pouch so you can see what you're reaching for.
• Inflatable neck pillow, eye mask and ear plugs: These are all pretty self explanatory. I keep the ear plugs in a small tin (that's meant for pills) to prevent them from getting gunk on them that will get in my ears.
• Small pill tube: I hold any prescriptions or medicines I may need during the flight.
• Colgate Wisps: These single-use mini teeth cleaners have a pick on one end to scrape any gunk out of the chompers. They don't require water or spitting so you can brush your teeth without getting up.
• La Fresh Towelettes: These are great for washing the face and removing makeup.
• La Mer sample: I go to Nordstrom and ask for a little trial size of Creme de la Mer (rather than toting my big tub). It's teeny and enough product for a roundtrip flight, with multiple applications; plus, it's also an undereye cream, so I don't have to pack an extra one.
• Jurlique Lavender Hydrating Mist: The trial size is compact but gives a big spray of refreshment to combat drying plane air.
• Mini tissues: Whenever I see a compact packet of tissues, I grab them so I can always have a packet with me.

And there we have it -- all the essentials to keep my head fresh during a flight. Obviously some of these items are liquid and need to go in my liquid bag for security. What I do is between security and boarding, switch the products I want in-flight into my little pouch. The rest of the liquids go directly into my cosmetics case so it's one less thing to deal with when I arrive at my destination. I throw my roller suitcase in the overhead bin, sit with my purse (which has my book, laptop, beauty kit and other essentials) and get settled in for my flight, which will be a bit more luxurious than had I not brought on my bag of tricks.

 

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