In-flight beauty

I am perhaps more excited about packing for my first USA trip than actually going there. So, I suspect, are my beauty products, some of which are coveting a hotly contested spot in my carry-on beauty satchel. You know, the 20 by 20 cm clear plastic zip lock bags we are all required to squeeze 16 hours worth of beauty must-haves into. I adore flying – there is something endlessly charming and awe-inspiring about being above the clouds, in the air, rather than under the clouds, on the ground, that I love. Plus the novelty of plane food and tiny products – toothbrush, toothpaste, mini wine bottles etc. Alas my skin does not like flying. I am oily skinned but tend to get dehydrated and irritated (my skin that is, not me and my in-flight movies) when flying, even if just for a couple of hours. So I need to make the most of my 20 by 20 bag. I thought I would share with you, dear beauties, a shortlist of what 100 ml or less goodies I intend to pack into my little clear satchel:

Ultraceuticals Ultra Moisturiser Cream, 75ml. This little beauty is marketed at dry skin demographics but I know many oily and combination skin types who love this. It is a rich moisturiser which feels surprisingly light on application and sinks immediately into the skin. It saved me on a summer trip to the beautiful Mornington Peninsula in Victoria when I got a little red nose after too many wines at a beachside pub. I will be slathering this on before I board, during the flight, and after I get to my hotel in San Francisco. From Adore Beauty.

I am still deciding between these two fabulous eye creams: Ultraceuticals Ultra Moisturiser Eye Cream, 20ml and Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Eye Cream, 15ml. Both are super hydrating and completely non irritating – I can vouch for this because my peepers are very selective about which eye creams they like to hang out with and these are most definitely their bestest friends. From Adore Beauty and Jurlique.

Lancome eau Fraiche Douceur, 30ml. I have not tried this waterless cleanser but the size is perfect and I love Lancome and its single, elegant rose. Waterless cleansers are perfect for air or other travel; swiped over the face with a cotton-soft makeup remover pad like my favourite, Swisspers, they clean really well and are kind to the skin. From Lancome.

I do love my French products and this one – Klorane Extra-Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk - is a classic. If you are like me and prone to oily scalp, dry end syndrome and hate the thought of not washing your hair every day (ie on the plane) you will love this scent-free product. Better still, it is available in a travel-happy 50ml size. From selected pharmacies. See the Klorane website.

If you are Australian you will recognise this cute little ruby red tube. Lucas Paw Paw Ointment, 25g is loved by pretty much every Australian girl I know, and is perfect for hydrating lips, cuticles, and the skin under the eyes. It is also great for itchy, irritated, mildly sunburned skin, for grooming brows and for slicking onto eyelids to add a little sexy holiday glisten. I have tried many other paw paw ointment varieties and none are quite as moisturising and effective as this. I hope they never ever change the packaging either – I love the old-fashioned red tube with the little picture of a classic Queenslander house. From selected pharmacies, health food stores and supermarkets. See here for more information.

One of my many imperfections is dry eye syndrome. Systane is the only brand which helps this in the long-term, and the Systane Ultra Preservative Free eye drops are also safe for regular use. No more dry, scratchy aeroplane eyes. From pharmacies. See Systane‘s website.

I love rosewater. It is soothing, hydrating, smells divine, and because it is called rosewater – don’t you think it is one of the prettiest names ever? not just roses and not just water but a magical elixir called rosewater. I also love roses thus anything with the word rose in it. Hence the inclusion of this clever little product into my exclusive carry-on bag. I will be spritzing to my heart’s content with this. I had been looking at all the different rosewater and rosewater-mix hydrasols on the market but in the end I decided to just get not-so-plain old rosewater. Did you know that most pharmacies can make up rosewater on the spot? Like this one, from the aptly named Pharmacy Brand. The funny thing is, despite my love of luxurious, snazzy, beautifully designed bottles and packaging, I have a real thing for simple pharmacy packaging. The amber and glass flasks, the no-nonsense labelling. It says to me: this is a serious product which does seriously good things to your skin. It’s also a little like a secret – we all know Chanel is great, but how many people look at this unassuming little bottles of magic tricks and think, WOW? Mmm…

I love my Korres Yoghurt Mask so much I often daydream about it, sitting there in my fridge, chilled and awaiting contact with my skin. So of course this darling is coming to America with me! Korres Yoghurt Mask is amazing for post flight traumatised skin so this is the first thing I will be putting on when I finally get to bed in San Francisco. Maybe I will even wear it on the plane; or at least hold it closely and lovingly to my chest. From Korres and Kit Cosmetics.

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Now I know you are not supposed to wear makeup on long flights – it clogs the skin et cetera. But who ever got a free upgrade with shiny blotchy skin? I will therefore be packing a light powder and mascara – strictly for arriving and disembarking. I’ll keep the lights dimmed for the in between period. I love Becca The Ultimate Mascara as it is also beach and sweat-proof, and for the face, Ultraceuticals Ultra Active Mineral Colour and Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder – the mineral formulations should be kinder on the miniature craters that are my pores. From Adore Beauty, Laura Mercier and Becca online.

There is nothing that says you’ve arrived like a swift click and slick of a luxury lipstick. Pick a rich berry or pink colour and your face will instantly brighten, despite being cooped up on a plane for too many hours. I like Chanel for instant pick me up glamour and incredible colour quality. Pick something from the Rouge Hydrabase or Coco Rouge ranges for extra post-flight hydration. From Chanel.

And don’t forget toothpaste, toothbrush and deodorant – no point wearing Chanel if you smell like a fish.

For more notes on my upcoming USA holiday and some holiday inspiration, have a peek here.