OPINION: I love travel and, in theory, I don’t mind flying at all. They bring you food, you can’t (currently) use the internet and, most of the time, there are movies to watch.
Then, I’m at the airport and one small bottle of water costs $8 and there’s nowhere to plug my phone in. Suddenly, I’m supremely grouchy and that’s before I’ve folded myself into a rock-hard seat next to someone who thinks it’s appropriate to take their shoes and socks off in public.
People complain about babies crying on planes, but I think if we were all a bit more honest, we’d be sobbing too. You’re trapped up there and forced to contemplate your own mortality between episodes of New Girl. It’s all a bit much.
Inspired by those same babies, I’ve got a self-soothing routine I enact on any flight longer than an hour or so. It starts before I even get to the airport, when I download a hundred hours of podcasts (thank god Invisibilia is back) and do a little shopping. On board, steeled and prepared, I’ll put on a fashion documentary and get to work.
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I tend to start with a sheet mask, like the Karuna Clarifying Face Mask ($14). I know I’m not the only person who tends to break out after a flight. The ginger, honey and salicylic acid on hand here will knock the balance of probability in the right direction. Do this in the bathroom and emerge looking absolutely cursed. Perfect.
Another weapon against breakouts is a spot of hand-sanitiser. I don’t tend to use this stuff in real life because I like to keep my immune system on its toes, but I don’t want to put plane bugs on my face. Dr Bronner’s Lavender Organic Hand Sanitiser ($12) smells significantly better than most and the spray format means you’re unlikely end up with half the bottle on your hands at once.
Similarly, Nivea Creme in the 60ml blue tin ($6) is ideal for flying. It’s not liquid, so the change in air pressure won’t make it go everywhere, and it’s small enough to get through security. Dry air-conditioned skin will drink this classic product.
For a luxurious burst of moisture, try Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist ($33) for 30ml. Purifying as well as hydrating, it’s made with orange blossom and rose.