Greeting Card by Anna Bond
It's no secret that I'm definitely a gal who has done her fair share of traveling. Being the daughter of a flight attendant, how could I not? Through the years, I have been asked by whomever has picked me up from the airport, how do I look somewhat together when coming off of those gruesome red-eyes.
This wasn't always the case. You see, back in my early twenties, I used to board these overnight flights with full make-up to wake up with raccoon eyes, clumps of powder on my cheeks, dry, crusty wine-stained lips and flakes of skin falling off of my nose. Why did this happen? Because there is nothing more dehydrating than flying...especially after several glasses of wine with a full face of makeup!
While I can't change the force of nature that is flying, I can make it work in my favor and over the years have come up with my own DIY Plane Facial, or to be cute...a "Placial".
1. Go natural! Don't board the plane with make-up on and keep your hair in a tight bun or braid. Unfortunately, me being someone who wasn't blessed with flawless skin, I do need some powder. So if you're like me and need a little somethin' somethin', apply a LIGHT layer of powder but really, who cares what the TSA think? They see thousands of people per day and you're not Creepy Jolie where photographers are popping out of Hudson Newsstands to snap your photo. Ladies, keep makeup light or if you can...nonexistent.
2. Drink! I bet you thought I was going to say not to drink, right? Well if you can help it, don't but if you're like me who thinks that the whole fun of traveling is having a cocktail or two in the friendly skies then have it! Just make it up with water. To every drink, make it up with two glasses of water. Try not to exceed three alcoholic beverages. I know, it's hard...trust me.
3. Cleanse! Once the flight crew has turned off the cabin lights, sneak off to the lavatory with your cosmetic bag and wash and tone your face. Always pack a wash cloth to properly pat dry your face. Floss and brush your teeth and if you brought “sleep aids”, take them now.
4. Hydrate! Once you are back in your seat, apply a generous layer of moisturizer. I like Cetaphil because it doesn't contain dyes, perfumes or SPF and has been recommended to me by my dermatologist. When I say generous I mean a layer fairly thick that if the lights were on you could see it. Also add a thick coating of lip balm, I like Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm.
5. Relax! Take your scarf (preferably Cashmere because it's softer) and lightly lay it across your face leaving room for you to breath and close your eyes.
Your minty breath will serve as a natural moisturizing steam that will absorb the cream and hydrate your skin, covering your face well also protect you from plane germs. When you wake up hours later, the cream on your face will have been completely absorbed into your skin, leaving soft, silky and hydrated skin. If you have someone special picking you up from the airport, it's ok to enhance your beauty with a little makeup.
I like Benefit's Rose-tinted lip and cheek stain for some color, adding an extra coat of lip balm. Take down your bun or braid and tousle your hair using the remaining lip balm you have on your fingers as a pomade. Emerge from the terminal and work it.
For extra drame: I like to add a pair of cat-eye sunglasses, skinny jeans, ballet flats and slouchy sweater for the real Hollywood effect. Hey, no one said that I wasn't a diva.
