The Natural Beauty Travel Essentials for Long-Haul Flights
At least once a year my Aussie partner and I travel back to his motherland for a visit. I have my Australian permanent residency and used to live there with him for 4.5 years, so Australia and I have a bit of history. Enough history to have endured 13 of those dreaded long-haul flights. If you haven't experienced a flight over 8 hours, let me tell you, it's no fun. The bloatedness, exhaustion and sore limbs are of course not ideal, but the recycled airplane air is perhaps the biggest culprit for me. Due to all these flights, I like to think I have bit of experience with how to combat the dry, dehydrated skin the biggest beauty enemy (looking at you, airplanes) causes.
Here's 10 of my must-have travel beauty essentials to keep your skin in optimal shape from take-off to landing:
1. URSA MAJOR'S FACE WIPES
These are a travel must-have for me. I keep them in my toiletries bag, gym bag and purse so I'm never without them. These bamboo-cloth face wipes cleanse, exfoliate, heal and hydrate all-in-one so although they are small, they are mighty! I love the feel of my skin after as well as the fresh scents of orange, fir and lavender which are super calming in the midst of all that travel stress.
Ursa Major Essential Face Wipes, $24
2. JAO REFRESHER
Awarded the Elle Green Star Award for Best Hand Sanitizer, Jao Refresher™ is an instant disinfectant that kills germs and freshens hands with a blend of antiseptic essential oils: Lavender, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Geranium and Sage. Combined with natural moisturizers and 65% ethyl alcohol, germs are killed safely without drying out hands, perfect for a plane when you need all the moisture you can get.
3. HERBIVORE BOTANICALS LIP CONDITIONER
You can't apply enough lip balm when you're experiencing drying airplane air and this nourishing balm from Herbivore Botanicals is perfect when I need the extra hydration. The star ingredient of Virgin Coconut Oil helps to provide intensive hydration and replenishment to lips and the addition of Moroccan Rose Absolute acts as a natural inflammatory and provides that beautifully sweet, floral scent.
Herbivore Botanicals Coco Rose Lip Conditioner, $22
4. JOSH ROSEBROOK HYDRATING ACCELERATOR
A good multi-purpose product always has a place in my travel bag and this natural product by Josh Rosebrook is a hydrator, toner and moisturizer all-in-one. A light spritz of this vitamin and essential oil-infused aloe water enhances the delivery of hydration and nutrients to skin and allows deeper penetration of your serums, oils and creams.
Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator 2oz, $22
5. ORGAID ORGANIC SHEET MASK
Though not the most sustainable option, I do enjoy a sheet mask on flights to get a quick-fix, concentrated amount of hydration. This organic sheet mask from Orgaid has a powerful concoction of hard-working botanicals such as lavender water, which reduces swelling and itching, both of which are inevitable on these long flights, and Hyaluronic Acid which pulls moisture into the skin and helps to fill in the look of fine lines. With the addition of probiotic-rich yogurt, which restores your complexion's natural flora, this sheet mask gets the job done (but does makes you look like Hannibal Lector). Small price to pay for glowing skin.
Orgaid Greek Yogurt Nourishing Organic Sheet Mask, $6
6. LULU ORGANICS HAIR POWDER
Aerosols are obviously a no-no if you want to get through TSA but luckily, Lulu Organics makes a great powder dry shampoo that's also under the 3 oz. requirement. I throw my hair up in a bun pre-flight and then let it out and apply the dreamy jasmine-scented powder right before landing. A must-have to freshen up my dirty locks after 15 hours in the air!
Lulu Organics Hair Powder, $12
7. VITRUVI LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL
I have the hardest time trying to sleep on flights, even though every cell in my body is telling me to. All of the security, lines and immigration at the actual airport cause me a bit of anxiety and it takes me a little while once I'm on the plane to calm down. A little bit of lavender essential oil on my temples and wrists helps to ease the tension and get me in the zone for zzz's.
Vitruvi Lavender Essential Oil, $18
8. THE NUE CO SLEEP DROPS
Some people like to down the sleeping pills for these flights. However, they freak me out so I prefer to go the au natural route. The blend of tranquil valerian root, passionflower, catnip and chamomile flower helps combat the effects of stress and anxiety to soothe your tension for deep, nocturnal rest. Less knock-you-out-forget-who-you-are, more gentle drifting off. Sleep drops can be added to any liquid or dropped straight under the tongue.
9. HERBAN ESSENTIAL OIL TOWELETTES
Germs, meet your match. I love these little multi-purpose essential oil towelettes that can be used as hand or face wipes or for gentle disinfecting on the plane (if there's one thing you take away from this post, it's please disinfect your seat before settling in!).The multi-pack includes a mix of 20 lavender, lemon, and peppermint towelettes that smell amazing and ward off germs, while still leaving skin parched and nourished.
Herban Essentials Essential Oil Towelettes, $16
10. CAP BEAUTY MINI MATCHA STICK BOX
For a clear caffeine fix that doesn't cause jitters, I turn to matcha tea and these little single-serving organic matcha packets from Cap Beauty are perfect for travel. After my attempt at a sleep, it's important to get alert and prepared for the long day ahead in a different time zone and matcha provides the energy I need, while delivering a high amount of antioxidant power. Add to hot or iced water from the sweet flight attendants and voila!
Cap Beauty Matcha Stick Box, $13
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