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Self Care at 30,000 Feet

Whether you’re flying for business or pleasure, follow our guide to arrive in style and feeling refreshed…

 

The air on aeroplanes is incredibly dry: around 10% humidity, compared to the 30-40% we are comfortable in. In response to the dry air, the skin and scalp produce oil, giving the standard oily, dull skin and flat post-plane hair we all know and hate. Follow flight attendants’ advice and use a deep-conditioning hair mask the night before flying. Our oil ensures you start the journey with perfectly moisturised hair, with cuticles sealed against toxins circulating through the cabin.

 

At the beginning of the flight, run a couple of drops of oil through the midlengths and ends of your hair, to lock in moisture – our Amla, Grapefruit and Peppermint hair remedies come in handy travel-sizes that are perfect for the plane. Then tie your hair in a bun to keep it off your face and away from the static-inducing aeroplane seats. Buns and plaits are ideal for long journeys, since they can sometimes look even better when they are messy, or your hair is a little dirty.

 

It may be tempting to wear lots of makeup to combat the early-morning flyer look, but with the ultra-dry environment, it’s best to avoid makeup on the plane (especially foundation). Inflight mascara and eyeshadow can go clumpy and end up smeared down your face, so it’s easiest to avoid it altogether. You can either embrace the au naturel look at the airport, or take your makeup off in an aeroplane bathroom and reapply before landing. If washing your face in an aeroplane bathroom, you might want to avoid using the water, since it’s treated with some fairly strong chemicals (hint: if it’s not ok for drinking, it’s probably harsh on your skin). Micellar water is great here, because it removes makeup and can be used without rinsing. We love this one by Madara.

 

Leave your water misting sprays at home. They may feel refreshing, but will dry out your skin more in the long run. Instead, double up on the moisturiser

 

Moisturise your face before, during and after the flight. Intensely moisturising night creams are perfect for flying, since you can put one on, kick back and relax while your face is rejuvenated. If you’re worried about strange looks from your fellow passengers, Tata Harper’s moisturising mask and Alexandra Soveral’s Angel Balm are absolutely amazing, and look relatively clear on, allowing you to pamper in public.

 

In such a dry environment, you can easily become dehydrated, which is a big contributor to post-travel tiredness and headaches. Aeroplane food and drink definitely doesn’t help. Taste is affected while in the air, so in-flight meals are often loaded with salt, and are served with caffeine and alcohol, which will dehydrate you even more. Flight attendants recommend drinking one litre of water every four to six hours, and avoiding any other kind of drink. As a double benefit to drinking water, you will need to get up to use the bathroom, giving you an opportunity to stretch your legs. If you don’t like the idea of being charged for water at the airport, you can take empty bottles through security, and fill them before you board.

 

Flying can be stressful for jetsetters and aerophobes alike, which can compromise the immune system and cause skin complaints. Eucalyptus, peppermint and lavender essential oils are all antibacterial as well as stress-relieving, perfect for calming you down on the plane! We love this Altitude Oil by De Mamiel, with its blend of oils. Put some on your flight pillow or temples for an instant calm.

 

With your hair and skin hydrated, and your plane anxiety calmed, you can now watch a film, listen to music or try to sleep. Not everyone can sleep on planes, but even a few minutes of zoning out can help … and combat jet lag later.

 

About 45 minutes before the plane lands, brush your teeth and put on a little makeup. Dry shampoo can add volume to your hair and hide any grease built up on the flight. You can also put a little more hair oil on the ends of your hair, to smooth any static and add shine.

 

[image: Unsplash]

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