Women Travelers - How to look respectable after a red-eye?

Title says it in a nutshell. I dress comfortably, in light layers, with minimal make-up (no-run mascara, a bit of cream blush and lip tint). But after a night of fitful dozing (Y or J, doesn't matter), my normally curly/wavy hair is flat from wearing headphones and straight and flyaway from the dry air. My complexion is gray and porous. Lips and hands are cracked despite frequent moisturizing. I've never been terribly adept at the girly skills but it's embarrassing when the guy next to me looks better than I do (ok, so he's 20 years younger). Are there some miraculous secret balms and elixirs nobody talks about that will help me look less like a refugee or a terrorist going through immigration at 7 am? What are your best tips?

go to one of the airline clubs and take a shower after you arrive
really helps

call whichever one you belong to or sometimes you can buy a day pass and ask if showers are available

Yes, the shower at the arrivals lounge is by far the best thing--for feeling as well as looking human. I never wear makeup anyway, so the lack thereof doesn't make me look any different--but I am always a bit horrified by the state of my hair (plastered to my head) after a red-eye. The shower really wakes up your skin, too.

I also change into pajamas (or something similar) for the duration of the flight. Not having to sleep in your clothes makes you feel better and look better when you put them back on at the end. This is easier done in J than in Y but it is possible if you make an effort.

I've been told several times that I look fresh upon arrival:)
Here's what I do.
I try to wake up before everyone else, typically 2 hours before scheduled arrival on a TATL flight. Then I go to the restroom and take my time washing my face and reapplying everything I had on before (usually eyeliner, mascara, moisturizer, lipstick and a little powder). I have everything in miniatures/sample sizes.
I also take my shirt off, wash my armpits and reapply deodorant; sometimes I bring a clean shirt or blouse and change it.
As for the hair, if you travel too often, I suggest you get a haircut or hairdo that "travels well". My hair is wavy and never looks good in the morning. So, before I travel, I use a flat iron to make it straight and that makes it look fairly decent the next morning as well.

I slather on moisturizer multiple times throughout the flight (these days, I use Clinique's Dramatically Different.) About an hour before landing, I get rid of any excess with a gentle toner that also helps wake me up.

For my hands and lips, I like Elizabeth Arden's 8 hour cream. You might also try a really thick, very waxy lipbalm that creates a barrier between your lips and the dry cabin air.

I always carry a hairband and bobbypins. Depending on how bad the damage is, my hair goes up into a ponytail or a French twist before landing.

Lips and hands are cracked despite frequent moisturizing. Sounds like you need to change moisturizers. I like the Bliss body butter that I get in travel sizes from W Hotels. It is very thick and creamy. I slather it on my arms and legs. Reapply to hands after going to the lav and washing with the harsh soap.

Are there some miraculous secret balms and elixirs nobody talks about that will help me look less like a refugee or a terrorist going through immigration at 7 am?

I have some specific products that I have found to help after rather extensive travelling.

1. HAIR: John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finish Cream. This is used on dry hair and it really works to revitalise the look of your hair!

2. FACE: By Terry Eclat de Rose Sheer Tinted Moisturizer Ultra-Perfecting Smoothing Radiance. It's an OMG! product that really works. It doesn't have much coverage but it can also be used as a base as well, so it's quite versatile.

3. LIP: Laura Mercier Lip Silk. I don't know how, but this product repairs my severely cracked lips (which I am extremely prone to). Also Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream (the lip version) is pretty good for this too.

4. If John Frieda Secret Weapon is insufficient, a bun with a bow with a clip, into which you scrunch your hair. It's a great cheat-tool - it hides all hair sins! If you can't find it in a department store, try a riding (as in horse riding) shop.

Thank you all. I always bring a thick moisturizer and waxy lip balm, but somehow don't reapply as often as I should. New cosmetics are always fun to play with, so will try to squeeze in a stop at Sephora before my next red-eye on Saturday, especially since upgrade chances look dim.

A product I love for red-eyes is the Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist. It is a great lightweight spray that smells great, is organic, and makes my skin feel much better. I am also a subscriber to the heavy lip balm theory, especially right before going to sleep. I like Burt's Bees.

Welcome to FT, RoadWarriorette!

I've seen those hydrating facial mist sprays and am tempted to try them.

Years ago Evian came out with a small aerosol canister of their water, meant for travel. How is this different or better?

Years ago Evian came out with a small aerosol canister of their water, meant for travel. How is this different or better?

I've had and tried both. The difference I found (others' experience may vary) is that the facial mists usually contain some sort of herbal mixture giving it various "healing properties" and the Evian mist is straight up water. The herbal mists sometimes also contain actual hydrating oils, etc instead of just the water that will eventually evaporate.

The herbal mists usually have a scent that can range from slight to strong and are great for freshening up hair as well. Though nothing feels better to me than spritzing the Evian right in front of my face and actually breathing in. You don't realize how dry the air is 11 hours into a trans-pac until you actually feel some moisture hit your lungs. :)

Thank you!!

I haven't tried the Evian but have been intrigued by it. I haven't seen it in a few years though. Anyone know where to get one now?

According to the Sephora website, the Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist has a long list of natural ingredients, including juices and essential oils. I would say that because of its fragrance it's probably something better used in the lav. Just because I LOVE the scent doesn't mean my seatmates will :)

Thank you!!

I haven't tried the Evian but have been intrigued by it. I haven't seen it in a few years though. Anyone know where to get one now?


You can get it straight from Evian http://www.shopevian.com/p-21-brumisateur-facial-spray-50ml.aspx

or on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Evian-Spray-Trio-1-7oz/dp/B000F99JUS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=beauty&qid=1264022792&sr=8-6

or at drugstore.com http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=48172&catid=21503

or you might be able to find it locally. I found it in a little, local, family owned drugstore. It's really become quite common. The links I provided are for the size you can actually carry onboard, of course. :)

I really love the Nuxe Honey Lip Balm, thick and works very well. I always travel with Burt's Bees lip balm, the one in the little tin. Rosebud Salve is great too.

There is a product, O'Keeffe's Working Hands, that is made for cracked hands, feet. I wonder if using it prior to travels if it will help keep hands hydrated. I have not tried it but my aunt swears by it.

For me the TATL red eye is at the end of my trip and although I am always picked up at the airport by my husband I still dont want to scare him!
For the hair problem, I have it in a shortish style that travels better and I have a small mist bottle that I fill with water in the lounge that I use to stop the static problem,
I rely on the moisturisers in the wash bag the airline gives out, their is a hand one, face one and a tube of lip salve, there used to be a tiny bottle of facial mist as well but that seems to have stopped. There is moisturiser in the Lavatory next to the soap so I just help myself whenever I go. (its BA so its all Elemis products)
If they remember hot towels before serving breakfast, I usually ask for 2 which is a great refresher
I always change my top back from the comfortable one into something smarter before landing, I dont wear make up apart from eyeliner normally but I have a some gold eyeshadow which I use that makes me look more awake.

1. Wash my face and apply moisturizer immediately before flight---no make-up whatsoever while on the plane. Use lip balm and moisturizer during flight. Apply powder, blush, and lipstick at seat in plane right before landing. Oil blotting papers (my favorite is Clean & Clear) are great. I use Latisse, so have stopped using almost any eye make-up.

2. Use eye drops during flight.

3. Brush teeth after eating on flight (or before boarding if I won't be eating on the flight). Use bottled water to rinse---lav water is not potable.

4. Skip headphones in favor of in-ear style (mine are Shur)---better blocking of noise, no squishing of hair.

5. Use dry shampoo to fluff hair at end of flight.

I follow a similar plan as the one MariaSF outlined. And I keep a wash cloth in my carry-on in its own baggie (or you can keep the hot towels). Hot water and the cloth feel good and the cloth helps if I have a stain. For my no-longer wash-and-wear hair, I've begun to use just a bit of styling gel that can be applied to dry (or wet) hair - I comb my hair in place, add a few clips to hold it there, and remove the clips in a few minutes.

Another way to keep hair tamed is to dissolve a little sugar in warm water and use that solution the way one would use gel. It holds nicely, though it feels a bit sticky to the touch and I always want to shampoo soon.

Sylvia

1. Before take off I remove all eye makeup and slather on night cream.
2. Put my hair in a french braid, never a pony tail. Hair has some body when I take it down after the flight without the permanent indent from the pony tail.
3. Dry shampoo if no arrivals lounge and/or the flight is over 8 hours
4. Prepasted disposable toothbrushes - I carry one with me at all times.
5. Benefit eye brightening stick: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P1278
6. And of course - apply deodorant!

I've been told several times that I look fresh upon arrival:)
Here's what I do.
I try to wake up before everyone else, typically 2 hours before scheduled arrival on a TATL flight. Then I go to the restroom and take my time washing my face and reapplying everything I had on before (usually eyeliner, mascara, moisturizer, lipstick and a little powder). I have everything in miniatures/sample sizes.
I also take my shirt off, wash my armpits and reapply deodorant; sometimes I bring a clean shirt or blouse and change it.
As for the hair, if you travel too often, I suggest you get a haircut or hairdo that "travels well". My hair is wavy and never looks good in the morning. So, before I travel, I use a flat iron to make it straight and that makes it look fairly decent the next morning as well.

I pretty much do the above. Of course w/ arrivals lounge availability, don't always do it & just wait for the lounge. Also, one advantage of bulkhead row in C is that if I time it closer than the 2 hours, usually bulkhead is the first one to be served brekkie. Either I don't eat it knowing I'll eat later or scarf it down quickly & then hit the bathroom while the carts are blocking the aisles for meal service. That trick has come in handy a # of times.

Cheers.

1. Before take off I remove all eye makeup and slather on night cream.
2. Put my hair in a french braid, never a pony tail. Hair has some body when I take it down after the flight without the permanent indent from the pony tail.
3. Dry shampoo if no arrivals lounge and/or the flight is over 8 hours
4. Prepasted disposable toothbrushes - I carry one with me at all times.
5. Benefit eye brightening stick: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P1278
6. And of course - apply deodorant!

agentangel,
I also use prepasted disposable toothbrushes while traveling where is it that you found yours? I have found a really nice brand of toothbrushes at http://www.mrtoothbrush.com/ the more you buy the better the pricing is. I await your comments?

Have a great day flying today.
Terry

For the skin - There's also overnight masks aka sleeping packs and maybe even a sheet mask if you'll be in the lav for long enough. Both are things I mostly associate with asian skincare lines and there's reviews here http://www.joseibi.com/index.php/2009/03/24/product-review-sleeping-packs-laneige-iope-and-kanebo-freshel-white-c/ . Might as well get in a beauty treatment while stuck on a plane, right?

Since you're prone to flyaway hair, a little leave in conditioner before the plane descends and a quick comb through might help.

I've heard Strivectin makes a great eye cream that helps with dark circles.

1. Before take off I remove all eye makeup and slather on night cream.
2. Put my hair in a french braid, never a pony tail. Hair has some body when I take it down after the flight without the permanent indent from the pony tail.
3. Dry shampoo if no arrivals lounge and/or the flight is over 8 hours
4. Prepasted disposable toothbrushes - I carry one with me at all times.
5. Benefit eye brightening stick: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P1278
6. And of course - apply deodorant!

Agentangel - can you recommend a dry shampoo?

Great thread, I'm learning a lot! I'm usually travelling on R&R and don't care what I look like when I get there (8 weeks on a remote site does far worse things than any red eye flight :p ) but I have a business trip coming up that will definitely require I look professional when I arrive so this thread is very topical :D

Thank you!!

I haven't tried the Evian but have been intrigued by it. I haven't seen it in a few years though. Anyone know where to get one now?



Everytime I stay at a Fairmont and get the Fairmont fit workout gear, the basket of clothes comes with a mini Evian spritzer. I have a few in my collection now although I've never actually used them. :D

To look good on the outside, it's often important to feel good on the inside. One tip I haven't seen mentioned yet is nasal spray. First of all it keeps your nasal membranes moist in the dry cabin, which helps you sleep better, and which helps prevent colds. All of which help you look better on arrival

The other tip is to fly BA First Class (or equivalent). There is something about the F cabin on the BA 747 that just makes you feel so much better than in biz or economy. I have heard they pump in moisture at a much higher level in the F cabin. Even after a 15 hour flight I feel great.

And of course, it should go without mentioning that alcohol is the worst thing to drink on a long flight. If you need help sleeping, take a hit of Nyquil (or Night Nurse for the Brits).

Great tip s here will try next time I fly.

I recommend the following products:

Hand sanitizer, CVS sanitizer with shea butter beats, I buy it when in the US and carry it back to the UK, it comes in small bottles too. It smells lovely and makes the skin softer too.

I always carry small clots with me to wash my face with warm water then apply Shiseido nourishing/recovery cream.

Shiseido recovery nourishing cream for the durations of the flight then with light make up on top applied just before landing. The cream can also be used as eye cream.

Eyedrops for dry eyes applied a few times during the flight.

For lips: Rose Petal Salve by www.roseandcompany.com

and drink still water all the time, no tea nor coffee unless decaf as risk of DVT no matter if you fly business or coach..

Happy flying!

For face, I carry olay facial cleansing cloths. Washing my face and running it along armpits goes a long way towards making me feel human again. I carry my facial moisturizer in my carry on, always. I use Gorgeous by Lush, which smells and feels fantastic.

A small touch up with light cosmetics goes a long way towards restoring colour.

I haven't done this, but I suspect you could carry sample packs of eye masks to reduce puffiness.

For hair, I have a distinct advantage in that mine's extremely long, almost to my tailbone. You might think this is hard to make "look good" after a flight, but all it takes is a quick comb out and slapping it up into an infinity bun to make it look neat and professional. I keep a very nice jewel topped hairstick in my purse at all times to keep things under control. I can't keep this style in while sitting though (huge lump at the back of my head is just awkward for sitting), so I'll put it in two braids for the flight itself.

OP here -- there are some great tips here since I last looked! Already I managed to look a bit less bedraggled after my last redeye (in coach, :-[) but there's still room for improvement. Will definitely make another shopping trip when I get home.

Great tip s here will try next time I fly.

I recommend the following products:

Hand sanitizer, CVS sanitizer with shea butter beats, I buy it when in the US and carry it back to the UK, it comes in small bottles too. It smells lovely and makes the skin softer too.


I stopped into CVS yesterday to look for this and only found CVS brand sanitizer with Aloe (I would have asked if the place hadn't been so mobbed). How recently have you bought this?

I stopped into CVS yesterday to look for this and only found CVS brand sanitizer with Aloe (I would have asked if the place hadn't been so mobbed). How recently have you bought this?

Gold Bond makes a good hand cream. It recently introduced a hand cream with sanitizer.

To combat the flat plane-hair, I french braid mine before the flight. Then prior to landing, as I moisturize and reapply light make up, all I have to do is unbraid and brush out my hair, and it looks fine.

I have some specific products that I have found to help after rather extensive travelling.

2. FACE: By Terry Eclat de Rose Sheer Tinted Moisturizer Ultra-Perfecting Smoothing Radiance. It's an OMG! product that really works. It doesn't have much coverage but it can also be used as a base as well, so it's quite versatile.



I love the By Terry Eclat de Rose tinted moisturizer! In fact, I am on my second tube of the Light shade. All because it sparked interest after reading the above. Thanks for posting about it.

I tend to remove all my make up at the airport before getting on the plane or, if I am going straight from home, don't bother putting any on. Then once on board I will slather on something like Clarins Beauty Flash Balm - a thin layer, but instead of tissuing it off after 20 mins or so, I leave it on until just before we land - it makes my skin seem far more hydrated and smooth than a regular moisturizer or mask. I take a facecloth with me, and use that with some hot water to cleanse the skin and wake me up, then use a toner and moisturizer. As I am toning and moisturizing, I put the washcloth, rinsed in cold water and wrung out, around the back of my neck, which helps wake me up too.

I also use the Evian sprays, I get mine in department stores. I spritz now and then, and also inhale to moisten the air in my lungs.

I put my hair into a bun before I get off the plane, I have a really nifty little bun gadget from Boots in the UK, you just thread your hair through, twist, and voila, a perfect neat bun, no pins necessary!

I also use a pillow sleep spray on the airline pillow to make me feel more rested, even tho I won't actually sleep.

Pretty sunglasses to wear once I have landed (as long as it isn't a night!) hide a multitude of sins too - celebs have the right idea!

And finally smile! Everyone looks brighter and fresher with a nice smile on!

+1 arrival shower if possible.
+1 on the nasal spray if it fits in the 3-1-1 baggie

My inflight baggie has at a minimum, alcohol wipes, eye drops, a small jar of vaseline (or hand cream, night cream and lip balm), a moisturizing facial mask in a sheet, a pre-loaded toothbrush and an Olay disposable facial wash cloth.

I sometimes also have a thin pair of cotton gloves for my hands so I don't get vaseline/hand cream all over everything.

The moisturizing facial masks can be bought at Asian beauty stores (Korean stores have some really good ones) and are individually packaged. Just make sure that you don't buy any with "whitening" features as these contain acids that might irritate the skin.

I always prepare a small "pre-arrival" bag in my carry-on so that I can sleep as LONG as possible and grab this about 30 minutes before arrival. Contents? Rosebud Salve, toothbrush/paste (I grab them out of the amenity kit as soon as I board and put them in my own kit), small tube of my usual moisturizer, Mac Studio Fix, Nars Orgasm color stick, hair elastic, black elastic headband, mini hairbrush, deodorant, feminine towelette, and a clean pair of panties.

Use hairband and wash face with water (no soap, as I've already taken my makeup off before flying). Rosebud Salve is my favorite "catch-all" product. Use on lips or other dry patches, a tiny bit on a fingertip will tame a flyaway hair, etc. Brush hair upside down and pull back into a high ponytail. That usually gives my roots a tiny bit of volume. If it's really flat, I'll twist it into a knot so it looks more like a ballet bun. The headband helps if it's flying everywhere to make it look neat. Use towelette on parts that might not feel fresh and change undies and reapply deodorant. Brush teeth. Apply coat of Studio Fix for even complexion. A bit of the Nars Orgasm will give you color anywhere you lost it overnight (eyes, cheeks, lips) while not giving you the overly made up look. Tiny bit of Rosebud on the lashes/brows keeps them looking groomed.

This has been my trick for years and I've always arrived looking fresh. :-)

Luckily, I have a fairly low maintenance look (very short hair, no makeup and glasses that disguise the bags under my eyes), so it doesn't take much to look decent after a red eye. If I'm travelling on a flight where I'm getting an amenity kit with what I need (toothbrush, paste, moisturizer, lip balm), I just use what's provided. Otherwise, I pack a travel size moisturizer in my carry-on and carry Listerine breathstrips. In the rare circumstances where I have to do something immediately on landing (e.g., go to a meeting) rather than going straight to my hotel, I also pack deodorant.