I’ve always wanted to visit Paris, and while it took me almost 29 years to make it happen, I’m officially heading off to immerse myself in the City of Light. I couldn’t be more excited, and I’ve been in prep mode for a week. I want to make sure I have everything I need and nothing I don’t in order to fully enjoy this experience (and the 8-hour flight it’s going to take to get there).
Here’s the thing, though. I’m A) an anxious flyer who requires a multitude of activities and distractions to get me through a flight and B) a beauty editor who’s obsessed with keeping her hair, skin, and nails as healthy as possible. Lucky for me, those two things merge in beauty. Not only is an in-flight skincare routine a good way to pass the time, but it’s also the best way to fend off the dreaded effects of the dry cabin air.
So, prior to my 8-hour flight, I’m packing the ultimate carry-on with all the beauty essentials I will rely on until I land at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Not to pat myself on the back, but I think I nailed it. Keep scrolling to see every item.
The Carry-On Bag
BÉIS
The East to West Tote – Black
First, I wanted to share a little bit about the actual bag I’m using. I’ve seen so much about this brand on Instagram and TikTok. Call me impressionable, but I was influenced and purchased the brand’s East to West Tote and the Carry-On Roller in Black ($218). I’m impressed by both and can’t wait to trudge through the airport with this fresh luggage.
I like that the East to West Tote contains an internal pocket that functions as a laptop sleeve. It also has a water bottle holder to keep your water upright and unspilled and a key leash so your keys don’t get lost in the bottom of the bag.
The Beauty Products
Emi Jay
Big Effing Clip in Buttercream
Whenever I fly, the first thing I do is put my hair up. I want it out of my way before I move on to my most important skincare steps. And I know what you’re thinking. Why wear a claw clip if it’s going to be squeezed between your head and the headrest? Well, I pile my hair on the top of my head and secure it there. It might look a little funny, but I don’t like to use traditional hair ties too often since they can pull and stress the hair strands.
Slip
Small Slipsilk™ Scrunchies
If I want to use a hair tie, I reach for one of these slim scrunchies. They’re made out of pure silk so they never tug, snag, or pull. Plus, since they effectively reduce friction on the hair strands, they keep my hair looking smooth and shiny—not rough and dull.
Beauty of Joseon
Centella Asiatica Calming Mask 10ea
I always wash my face and apply a simple moisturizer before boarding a plane, so that my skin is fresh, clean, and prepped for in-flight products. The first in-flight product I’ll use is a sheet mask. If you can get past the double takes from flight attendants and fellow passengers, your skin will be plump and hydrated by the time you de-board.
I highly suggest checking out this Korean skincare brand if you haven’t already. I own many Beauty of Joseon products, thanks to the recommendation of my fellow beauty editor, Shawna Hudson, but these serum-soaked sheet masks are one of my favorites. With 15% centella asiatic (an antioxidant-rich plant extract known to heal wounds and soothe sensitivity) and hyaluronic acid, they make my skin hydrated, smooth, and plump in as little as 15 minutes. They’re a must-have for a long-haul flight to keep the skin protected from extreme dryness.
Kiehl’s Since 1851
Ultra Facial Refillable Moisturizing Cream With Squalane
When using humectants (ingredients that attract water to the skin), it’s important to seal them in, so the water doesn’t get pulled back out into the dry air via Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL). If you don’t, you’ll run the risk of dehydrating your skin all over again. That’s why I’m packing a moisturizer that contains occlusive ingredients. I like this best-selling formula from Kiehl’s. It keeps my skin moisturized without clogging my pores or accentuating redness.
MINU
Brightening Sunscreen Minerals Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Once my moisturizer has sat on my skin for a couple of minutes, I apply a thick layer of sunscreen. Some people don’t think it’s necessary to apply sunscreen when flying, but people leave their window shades open, and you’re 30,000 feet closer to the sun…that’s a recipe for unnecessary sun damage and skin aging.
Right now, my favorite sunscreen is this under-the-radar formula from a brand called Minu. It offers broad-spectrum mineral SPF 30 with blue light protection, infrared protection, and environmental defense. Thanks to its unique gel-cream formula and light tint, it feels weightless on the skin and never leaves a white cast. I’ve been completely obsessed with it ever since I first slathered it on my skin.
Nécessaire
The Hand Cream – Barrier Treatment With 5 Ceramides, 5 Peptides + Niacinamide
Next up comes hand care. With constant washing and hand sanitizer application, my skin gets super dry. Plus, since I’m an anxious flyer, I tend to pick at my nails and cuticles if they’re not properly moisturized. That’s why I always travel with a good hand cream. This is one of my favorites. It’s moisturizing yet lightweight, doesn’t leave a greasy residue behind, and won’t offend any noses with an over-the-top scent.
Aquaphor
Aquaphor Healing Ointment Skin Protectant and Moisturizer for Dry and Cracked Skin Unscented – 1.75oz
I was serious when I said I’ll pick and bite my nails if they’re not moisturized. It’s an awful habit that I tend to fall back to when I’m anxious, bored, and stationary on a plane. To seal in my hand cream, I’ll apply a thin layer of Aquaphor to my hands, mainly concentrating it on my nail beds and cuticles. I’ve found it’s the perfect picking and biting deterrent. Plus, it makes my nails look so smooth and moisturized.
Lip products are a true in-flight essential for me. I tend to have dry lips even when I’m not flying. Put me on a plane for eight hours, and they’ll look extra thin and flaky. That’s why my first step is to apply this lip plumper. Unlike other lip plumpers on the market, this one offers instant and long-term effects (check out the before-and-after picture). Apply it to your lips, and multiple sizes of hyaluronic acid, multiphasic vesicles, and vitamin B3 will work together to plump, smooth, restore, and enhance your natural lip color. Since I don’t wear makeup while flying, using a lip plumper makes me feel slightly more put-together.
Burt’s Bees
Lip Balm – 4 Pack
Once the lip plumper dries down, I reach for this classic lip balm to re-hydrate my lips. With beeswax, peppermint oil, and vitamin E, it works like a charm. There’s a reason the Who What Wear team awarded it the title of “best lip balm.”
LANEIGE
Lip Sleeping Mask – Vanilla
I know, I know, a third lip product. I always toss a third and final lip balm into my bag. It’s the iconic Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. As the name implies, it’s different from a traditional lip balm in that it forms a thick, moisturizing layer on the lips. I use it every night before I go to sleep, so why wouldn’t I use it on an eight-hour flight to Paris? The vanilla one is my favorite.
I know this isn’t technically a beauty product, but I’m counting it as one because it helps me get my beauty sleep whilst flying. The 100% pure silk mask is gentle on the skin and won’t leave indents on your face. It effectively blocks out light, and it doesn’t feel heavy or uncomfortable to wear. This, paired with noise-cancelling headphones? A dream.
Honitty
Memory Foam Travel Neck Pillow
The same goes for this travel accessory. Even though it’s not technically a beauty product, it helps me look fresher and more wide-awake upon landing, so I’m counting it as one. Unlike traditional travel pillows, this one circles your neck and props up your chin, so you can rest comfortably without snoring or leaving your mouth hanging open (trust me, I’ve been there). The memory foam material is incredibly comfortable and it packs up into a small bag that easily fits in my carry-on.
