Category: Lists

After recently returning from a wonderful stint across the pond, I found my love of travel to be greatly reaffirmed… and my hatred of airplanes {recycled air, cramped quarters, and hundreds of passengers with the sniffles} magnified.  To make the most of a long flight, pack some of these essentials to land feeling as pampered and refreshed as possible.
*Everything listed below is “travel size” {i.e. TSA allows it to be carried on an airplane… make sure liquids are in a ziplock bag!}

Hair Texturizer, Hairspray, Hair Ties & Bobby Pins {in your hair color} – Something about airplanes always turns my straight hair into a tangled-uber-frizzy-ball-of-fur.  To combat this, I typically throw my hair into a messy-chic pony upon landing.  A little texturizer on the tail, bobby pins to hold back the bangs {I like to twist them for added style}, & hairspray to smooth the whole look.  Now you have hair that is sleek and polished instead of a catastrophic mess.
Sleeping Mask – I seem to always sit near the individual who feels the need to keep their window shade open throughout the duration of the flight.  This tends to result in a great deal of sun reflecting directly into my eyes; this, needless to say, interferes with my desire to get some much needed rest.  A cute sleeping mask solves this in a pinch {and keeps neighbors from attempting any unwanted conversation}.
Midsized Clutch – Don’t just throw your essentials in a ziplock bag… Throw them in a ziplock bag and then put them inside a clutch.  This keeps things neat and gives you another accessory for your trip without taking up additional room.
Headache Medicine – The stress of travel and airports and all kinds of things can lead to a headache attack at the worst possible moment {like 35,000 feet in the air}.  Nip it in the bud with your favorite headache reliever.
Kleenex – I blame the recycled airplane air for the frequent sniffles that seem to befall most passengers on the plane an hour or so into the trip.  Wiping your nose on your sleeve is uncivilized.  Have a kleenex handy.
iPhone with Headphones – Great environment control.  Annoying neighbor? Headphones in and turn that music up.  Too much noise to sleep? Headphones in and start your white noise application.  Horrible movie choices? Headphones in and play one of the flicks you downloaded before the flight.  Basically, my airplane sanity.
Tinted Lipbalm – Upon landing, you’ll likely look a bit washed out and tired.  Some tinted lip balm helps to distract from this tragic airplane side effect.
Solid perfume – A traveling essential.  Rub some behind your ears and on your wrists for an instant pick-me-up.

Neosporin – Dab a little inside your nose before take off to help combat airplane germs.
Mouthwash – Breathing recycled air for 10 hours? Trust me… You need mouthwash.
Contacts & Eyedrops – If you’re anything like me {um. blind as a bat.}, then you’ll want a little I’d-like-to-be-able-to-see-when-I-land backup.  Recycled air will dry up those contacts… So use some eyedrops {even if you’re not a lens wearer} and have some extra lenses handy.
Facewipes – I always start my flight wearing minimal makeup {a bit of foundation and a couple swipes of mascara on the upper lashes only… you don’t want raccoon eyes after your midair nap}.  However, the foundation looks like a spotty mess at the end of the trip because of sleeping {directly on my face} and the dry air.  I wipe it all off with a moisturizing facewipe to ensure that I have a blank canvas to work with when I get to my hotel.
Deodorant – 10+ hour flight? This is self-explanatory. Use it.
Toothpaste & Toothbrush – When there is about an hour left of fly-time, I get up to brush my teeth.  It helps to wake you up {airplanes have a tendency to leave all of us a bit groggy} and triggers to your brain that this is the start of a new day {important when you’re fighting a massive time difference}.
Chapstick – apply frequently during the flight.  Dry lips can lead to cracked lips.  Cracked lips can lead to unnecessary misery on your trip {and they make a horrible base for fabulously bright lipstick that you’ll certainly want to wear}.
Hand Lotion, Body Lotion, & Cuticle Balm – At some point during my flight {and sometimes twice}, I like to go through a moisturizing ritual.  Arms, neck, hands, cuticles.  It’s amazing how much moisturizing helps with looking and feeling refreshed when you land.

What do you pack to make your long flights easier?