an onboard beauty regime

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that plane air is not good for your skin.  Re-circulated, air conditioned and dry, it's a nightmare - I used to constantly deal with tightness and chapped lips.  However, during my time as crew I've developed a fabulous on board beauty regime to keep my skin looking glowing despite constant exposure to the harsh, dry conditions.  It works best during a night flight but can apply to day flights too.

1. Keep hydrated

Above all else, the greatest nugget of advice I can give is the obvious one - staying hydrated in the air is paramount.  I'd always advise bringing a litre or two on with you (buy it at the airport after security) and taking sips periodically.  Unfortunately, although you may get a little bottle with your meal and a cup now and again, you definitely won't get enough on board to keep you sufficiently hydrated, unless you hang out in the galley asking for refills every five minutes!  In line with this, although all the free booze is a tempting prospect, keep the alcohol to a minimum - not only will it dehydrate you further, but there is simply nothing worse than feeling hungover on board an aircraft, especially when disembarking.

2. Bring your own food

Everyone knows plane food isn't healthy.  It's full of cheap ingredients for mass production, preservatives and fat and sugar to appeal to the general public.  Even as a crew member I tend to bring my own salads with me as after a few weeks of plane food I could feel my waistline increasing and my skin was constantly breaking out.  Sugar affects your hormones and wreaks havoc on your skin, so to treat it kindly, bring your own food on board.  Before your trip, cut up fresh vegetables to nibble on and bring bite size fruit (I love carrots, celery and grapes), perhaps prepare a salad with chicken or tuna.  If it is a night flight, eat dinner in the airport beforehand, allowing maximum time for rest. Even though a ten hour flight might sound like a long time, your body will favour light meals over heavy ones. It's best to eat a good meal when you arrive at your destination.

3. Have a nap

There's a reason it's called 'beauty sleep' - your body regenerates its cells while you're in peaceful slumber, and when you don't get enough it shows in your skin.  I'm forced to wake up from crew rest sometimes with terrible black circles beneath my watery red eyes - bleugh!  Even a twenty minute power nap will be beneficial, but ideally try to get four hours (one REM sleep cycle).  Attempt to get onto the same time zone as your destination if possible - a nap on board will help you push on until the evening if your flight arrives during the day.  If you find it difficult, read my article on 'How to sleep and beat jet lag' to help you.

4. My beauty regime

Now, I like to create my own little 'travel spa kit' in my liquids bag consisting of make up remover; facial cleanser; rich moisturiser; light moisturiser; tinted moisturiser; toothpaste and lavender essential oil.  I make sure I have a toothbrush, lip balm and disposable flannel too (but separate from the liquids bag).



I either eat before I board the plane or have my salad soon after take off to maximise my rest.  Then, I will change into comfortable clothes if I've had to formally dress to board and make sure I have a blanket and socks to keep me warm and eyeshades.  Sometimes I will ask the crew to fill up my travel hot water bottle if I'm feeling particularly chilly.  Heading to the loo, I'll have a last toilet stop before bed, remove my make up and cleanse my face.  Sometimes I will warm a flannel to open my pores and cleanse to remove all impurities from the day before splashing my face with cool water to close the pores again.  Then I will apply lip balm and a rich moisturiser to protect my delicate facial skin as I sleep - I love Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream.  (It feels a little thick and Vaseline-like when you first smooth it on, but it sinks into your skin and hours later feels so soft and protected from the elements!  After working a night flight I will come home, remove all make up and apply it to my skin for the rest of the day.)  After brushing my teeth and flossing I feel ready for bed, which makes it so much easier to sleep.

I usually try to sleep for the remainder of the flight and set an alarm for around 50 minutes to landing, at which point I will drink a glass of water to rehydrate myself and have one last toilet stop (never do this at 40 minutes to landing, as everyone and his dog are using the bathrooms at this point!)  While in the loo I'll splash my face with cold water and remoisturise, applying a little light make up so I don't look so terrible upon disembarking!  Of course, you could always do the Hollywood trick and wear giant shades through the terminal...