There’s something about being above the clouds that changes everything. One minute you’re glowing, the next your skin tightens mid-flight, and your energy has been left on the runway. Blame it on the recycled air, the fluorescent lighting, or that pre-boarding espresso that seemed like a good idea at the time. But what if your hand luggage worked a little smarter?
With the right edit of travel-sized essentials, you can stay hydrated, calm, and halfway put together somewhere up above the clouds. We’ve sifted through endless beauty products to bring you a routine that *actually* does something at 30,000 feet.
No complicated routines, just products that overdeliver and fit neatly into your hand luggage. Think fewer products, better formulas, and zero fuss. A hard-working balm that doubles as a highlighter. A hydrating mist that feels like air-con for your skin. A soothing oil to smooth out turbulence. Streamlined, effective, and travel-approved.
So, whether you’re escaping to London this summer or to the Greek islands or further afield to Australia, perhaps, this edit is your new flight plan for feeling fresh above the clouds.
The Must-Haves
Cabin air is a flying moisture vacuum, so your inflight kit should do one thing above all else: lock hydration in before it’s left behind. Here’s what we swear by.
Augustinus Bader The Rich Eye Cream
Like a full night’s sleep in a jar. This deeply nourishing cream is powered by peptides and the brand’s signature TFC8 complex. Designed to soften fine lines, de-puff, and deeply hydrate. The rich texture melts down into the skin, leaving the eyes visibly smoother, firmer, and more radiant.
Summer Fridays Under Eye Patches
Summer Fridays‘s under-eye patches are your under-eye power move, hydrating, non-slip hydrogel patches that hug just right. Infused with caffeine and peptides, they work to de-puff, soothe, and smooth tired eyes in minutes. These are your anytime, anywhere quick fixes.
Clarins Double Serum
A cult classic that does it all. This dual-phase formula blends turmeric extract with more than 20 plant actives to help firm, hydrate, brighten, and smooth. Skin looks fresher, plumper, and more radiant with every use, no wonder it’s beloved worldwide.
Augustinus Bader The Sunscreen SPF 50
A high-performance SPF that feels like skincare. This smooth silky, hydrating formula protects with SPF 50 while delivering antioxidants and Bader’s tech to repair and defend. Lightweight, pore-friendly and perfect under makeup. Even in the sky you still need protection.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
This product needs no introduction. The Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask is a cult favourite amongst many, including the GRAZIA team. You can use it a multiple ways—as a moisturiser, a mask or even as an eye cream. Enriched with niacinamide to smooth and brighten, plus hyaluronic acid and glycerin for deep, lasting hydration, also features a soothing blend of vitamin B5, chamomile, comfrey, and cucumber extract to calm and refresh tired, stressed skin day or night.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser SPF 30
The OG no-makeup makeup base. Lightweight and dewy, it blends skincare with sheer coverage, thanks to vitamin E and kukui seed oil. With SPF 30 and hydration in every swipe, it’s your skin, but better.
K18 AirWash
The future of fresh hair. This invisible mist clears away any oil and odour while refreshing the scalp. With a scalp-friendly formula and a clean finish, it keeps your blow-dry alive a little (or a lot) longer.
Byredo Desert Dawn
Inspired by early desert light, this fragrance is warm, spicy, and quietly powerful. Notes of pink pepper, cardamom, and musk linger beautifully on the skin; it’s smooth, sultry, and quietly addictive.
Chanel Gua Sha
Crafted from sleek ceramic and embossed with that iconic double C, Chanel’s take on gua sha is equal parts tool and treasure. It lifts, sculpts, and de-puffs with every glide. Use it post-serum to boost glow and circulation, and elevate your top shelf.
This story originally appeared on GRAZIA Middle East.
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