Ah, the double-edged sword that is a red-eye flight. I go back and forth between LOVING not losing a day to travel and hatinggg how it feels to try to recover and enjoy a full day following an overnight flight. Whether I'm pumped or dreading it, packing these essentials helps me to fall asleep, stay asleep, and do a quick recovery routine before touching down in the morning.
From the top left, going clockwise around the page are my tried and trues for sleep, personal care, recovery, moisturizing (and two bonus emergency fixers)!
Sleep
CBD drops - I have been using the Equilibria Daily Drops for almost a year now and really enjoy them. I find the drops help me relax and quiet my mind without any residual drowsiness in the morning
eye mask - this is an older one from Amazon. I like the adjustable head-strap and the cupped eye area (don't rest flat against the eyes). This one on Amazon seems similar and has a ton of reviews.
ear plugs - CVS has a surprising variety of options. I picked ones that were advertised to block out snoring
melatonin - an extra opportunity for a gummy bear-esque snack is good in my book. Target sometimes carries these Olly brand gummies in travel/sample sized packs, which is a nice way to try them out and pack for travel, without committing to a full size container!
Personal Care
contact solution and case - if you are a contact lens wearer and have lenses that you are supposed to take out before bed- DO NOT sleep in your lenses on a flight! I am not super comfortable wearing glasses to navigate the airport (I don't like my missing peripheral vision and I feel out of sorts usually in my glasses), so I typically wear my contacts, then take my lenses out before trying to sleep. If you are able to deal with glasses in the airport, just start there and don't worry about contacts at all! Also, always pack a back up pair!
toothbrush and toothpaste - almost nothing feels as good as being able to brush away caterpillar teeth after a long travel day. Brush on the plane, brush in the airport, whatever works for you. Being able to brush my teeth always helps me feel more human.
Recovery
face wipes - use in the morning after your night of "sleep"
Travel tip! If you have a red-eye, wash your face and do your evening skin routine before heading to the airport - this helps your brain and body feel more ready for sleep and lets your skin be make-up free, clean, and moisturized before flying
scrunchie- great for pulling hair up and out of your face, without leaving it super creased
hair brush - I travel with this tangle teaser. I don't prefer it over a regular hair brush, but for travel it's great that it detangles and is nice and small for packing
chapstick/lip gloss - something moisturizing, maybe something with a bit of color to help brighten up your face after a long flight. My personal favorites are Burt's Bees and any of the Glossier Balm Dot Coms!
face mask - this Pacifica sheet mask is one of the few I've tried where my skin actually feels different and improved after using it. Designed to be moisturizing and help fight redness and puffiness, this is a favorite for me for travel. One note, yes, doing a sheet mask on an airplane, especially when you're elbow to elbow with a stranger, is a bit extra. However, in the spirit of self-care and landing ready to enjoy a new place, we're team Be Extra (in this instance). It doesn't really impact others around you and can help your skin, so we say go for it.
eye patches - similarly to the sheet mask, these eye patches are a nice treat after an overnight flight! If you're feeling weary about self-care in coach, using these eye patches will help combat puffy, tired eyes, and draw a little bit less attention to your in-seat spa moment than a full sheet-mask. These brightening patches are a great option too!
Moisturizing
face moisturizer -a must pack for overnight flights. Face wipe, then sheet mask, then moisturize. For traveling, pack what you are already using and your skin is familiar with rather than trying something new.
eye cream/moisturizer - similarly to your face moisturizer, bring what you are using at home. Something moisturizing and with vitamin C for brightening is great after a long flight.
Glossier Bubble Wrap -this double-tasking cream is a great pick for travel. Pint sized and can be used under eyes and on lips!
Tula Rose Glow & Get It eye stick - this is another easy to pack, easy to use choice for under your eyes. The rose glow is a little bit cooling and brightens under eye bags.
hand lotion - there's a theme here. Moisturizer for everything!
Bonus items
Sage Peppermint Halo essential oil roller -the BEST if you feel a headache coming on or have a slightly stinky seat mate. A little bit goes a long way and don't be surprised by the almost instant cooling and slightly tingling effect.
Tide stick - because between turbulence, night time red wine, and a morning coffee, the opportunity for bumps and spills are too many.
What's in your bag? Are there essentials we're missing out on? Leave a comment with your must-pack items for a red-eye flight!
Comments