Does your routine change when you're flying?

I prefer to wear no makeup at all when flying, mostly because I always try to fall asleep (and fail), and I’d rather put on makeup when I land. That being said, I usually try to do light-medium coverage foundation, brows, mascara, and some gloss as I’ve been recognized a couple of times and hate disappointing people, LOL.

— Christine

21 Comments

Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!

Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).

We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

Comments on this post are closed.
Mariella Avatar

Because I like to fly with carry-on only for shorter trips or more “local” ones, my look changes and simplifies somewhat since I don’t carry a lot of makeup with me – I’ll try to use multi-purpose things (IT CC Cream which is foundation and SPF all in one; a cleanser that I can use day and night) and a palette that will see me through (the original Naked palette is a go to and I also like Naked on the Run because it also holds blush, a liner and mascara). In flight, I generally wear what I’d wear on any regular day and I carry a small can of Evian or Avene water to mist my face and feel fresh. Long trips – like India – whole different kettle of fish!

AB Avatar

I always wear a minimal level I need to feel ok in public — mascara; brow pencil; light coverage foundation; concealer; single eyeshadow as a wash; some light blush; lip balm.

The rest depends on the travel particulars. For longer trips (like overseas), I’ll add MAC Rich Ground fluidline because it never fades or smears, a more durable mascara (e.g., Clinique High Impact); possibly skip the foundation and use just concealer. I’ll bring blush, lipstick, blotters, concealer, foundation with me on the plane to touch up before reaching the destination.

I have a long trip coming up; ~ 20 hours on planes, plus layovers. I’ve been thinking about it, I’m thinking I’ll err on side of lightest possible makeup for the travel itself.

Z. Avatar

I literally never fly so I couldn’t say. I’d probably wear at least light makeup – like some concealer and powder, maybe mascara and a brow gel. When traveling by train or by car I usually try to do something similar so that if I fall asleep leaning against something I don’t get makeup everywhere, but enough so that I feel like myself.

Pearl Avatar

I go lighter, more sheer coverage foundation and keep the eyes simple (for me) with just a crease and lid color. I still wear my cheeks and lips the same, though. For me, this would be the one instance where those Tom Ford Soleil face palettes come in handy – that, foundation, travel size mascara and a lipstick are all I need for packing purposes.

joy Avatar

i always go bare faced when i’m flying bc i like to slather on a sleeping mask after meal service. i’ll carry a mlbb or a bright lipstick for when i land tho!

GUSnail Avatar

If I wear makeup while flying, I stick to my RMS beauty products because they’re all natural and very moisturizing. Often, I won’t wear any makeup. I always say I’ll throw something on after landing, but I usually don’t bother, unless I’m doing something special that day.

Lena Avatar

it really depends on the length of the flight. If a flight is <3 hours, I don't change my routine at all. If the flight is longer or a red eye, I usually don't wear makeup and will try to put on a facemask/rich moisturizer. On longer flights, about 30 min before landing I usually go to the tiny plane bathroom and try to out on mascara, blush, and concealer to fake looking 'refreshed'. I also brush my teeth. It's not makeup but it makes me feel way more confident and awake upon landing.

Deborah S. Avatar

As others have stated, it sort of depends on the length of the trip and what I plan on doing after arrival. For shorter flights and having something planned right after landing I will do my usual full face of makeup although more neutral. For short flights going to see family and nothing planned I will usually just do skin care, sunscreen and a BB cream and that is it. For longer trips I prefer to wear a light makeup. Again, likely a BB cream and full makeup but again a more neutral look. I only use mists while flying, usually. I am not one to put a face mask on even one that doesn’t need to be rinsed off. For the first leg of our trip to Europe in the fall we are flying from Seattle to Reykjavik, Iceland and since it is a night flight and we only have 2 days in Iceland, I will wear a full makeup, foundation, blush, eye shadow, lipstick. We are getting in at around 9 AM and are heading off to see the island via car so I want to be presentable at the rental car desk and as we visit and see people on the island.
The idea of really doing skin care on the plane is a good one I am just not sure that I would be comfortable. I don’t plan on taking a ton of makeup with me so witling down the options is the hardest part.

Agona Avatar

Flying wrecks havoc on your skin so I am super concerned about skin care on long hauls. I will likely do my eye makeup (unless it’s a red eye) but leave my skin bare so I can use sheet masks and facial mists to keep my face hydrated throughout the flight.

For short jumps (usually to visit the fiancé), I do full face before I leave for the airport but use a facial mist throughout the flight–but that’s only so I look cute when I greet him at pick-up. When flying back, I usually go bare.

kjh Avatar

Haven’t in decades. Tethered to place. But, were I to fly, prob would do a sheet mask, sleeping mask, then wash of & put on concealer and TM before deplaning. Wouldn’t want to advertise that I hadn’t slept on the red eye, and was looking at 24 with no sleep!

Eileen Avatar

If it is a short flight (let’s say 3-4 hours or less), I do my usual makeup routine but I definitely up my skin prep routine by using more of my moisturizing serums and a good, occlusive cream to insure that my skin does not dehydrate during the flight. For long flights, I don’t bother with makeup until getting ready to land because I reapply moisturizers during the flight. On trans-Pacific or trans-Atlantic flights, makeup does not go on until getting ready to land because I usually relax with a soothing, hydrating face mask like Tatcha’s while everyone is napping. In general, my makeup routine is more neutral and low-keyed when I travel. I’m lucky to have black brows and lashes, rosey lips, and slightly flushed cheeks so I can easily get away without much in the way of cosmetics.

thirteenthirteen Avatar

I don’t bother wearing makeup when flying. I don’t fly super often but when I do it’s usually a long distance, so I expect to be sleeping on the plane. I don’t really care what I look like on a long haul flight, I’m just trying to make it there with my sanity intact.

Emilie Avatar

Noooo makeup. Ever. I usually fly across the country (so like, 6 hours) and my skin becomes an oily mess. Not to mention how smudgy makeup would get when I try to sleep, I become a full contortionist on an airplane and need to rest my face on something (either tray table or knees pulled up to my chest).

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!