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Do you step off airplanes looking and feeling like you just spent the night in a swamp? I certainly used to, until I created this in-flight makeup and self care routine.
As much as I love airplanes, I don’t love the moment you step out of the jetway and are faced with a crowd of normal humans who didn’t just spend hours cramped in a toddler sized seat.
However, busting out your full makeup kit at your seat isn’t practical. All my makeup on that tiny tray table? Puhleeze.
This quick and easy makeup routine is how I reconcile my needs to look good upon landing, while still maintaining my sanity in my seat. My entire look uses only eight makeup products and two brushes, yet it looks like a whole lot more!
If you are heading on an airplane anytime soon, this is for you. Let’s get started!
The products I have accessible at all times
Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment >> SEPHORA
Becca Backlight Priming Filter >> SEPHORA
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer >> AMAZON
Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Powder Foundation >> SEPHORA
E.l.f. Matte Blush Duo in Soft & Subtle >> E.L.F. COSMETICS
NYX Micro Brow Pencil >> ULTA
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara >> SEPHORA
L’Oréal Infallible Pro Matte Gloss in Nude Allude >> AMAZON
Getting myself fresh & ready for makeup
I begin the process (if you can even call it that,) about 45 minutes before landing. This helps me beat the mad rush for the lavatories, but still allows me ample time to relax during the majority flight. I wouldn’t be doing this in the middle of the flight only to have to sit out the remainder with my eyes open and my head held up.
I first head to the lavatory for a quick refresh. Mini disposable toothbrushes and floss picks make for awesome travel companions for fresh breath. Moisten a paper towel with some water and give your face a quick wipe, because nothing feels worse than applying fresh makeup on a dirty face.
Finally, wash your hands really well. You know where your hands have been, and it isn’t pretty.
Fill in eyebrows
I start by filling in my eyebrows using NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Ash Brown. Pencils are my travel makeup choice because then I don’t have to worry about packing an angled brush to apply pomade. Plus the spoolie is included, so that’s also helpful. NYX Micro Brow’s drier formula is easy to control and doesn’t smudge everywhere. This is important just in case you run into unexpected turbulence.
I’m not obsessive about getting the shape perfect. A naturally filled-in look works well with this look.
Apply smoothing primer all over
When I’m not going to be packing on lots of colors, I like my skin to look as naturally flawless as possible. I recommend applying a smoothing primer all over. The blurring effect is great for making your skin look smooth and perfected even when it isn’t in the greatest condition. My skin somehow manages to get oily and flaky at the same time when it’s stressed. Cover FX Mattifying Primer is my go-to because it controls oil and helps any flaky skin lay flat at the same time.
If you’re feeling extra, do this…
Sometimes I enjoy taking it a step further by adding a highlighting primer to brighten up my face. I use Becca Backlight Primer Filter mainly on my cheekbones, nose, chin, and temples, and then I spread the excess over the rest of my face. The effect is subtle, but it makes a difference under all the matte products I apply over top.
Use a skin-toned concealer
To keep the look as simple as possible, I select a concealer shade that matches my skin tone rather than a highlighting concealer. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in 20 Sand is my trusty travel partner because the formula is lightweight and easy to blend, yet it still provides great coverage. Blendabilty is very important when you’re dealing with in flight makeup, as the lighting sucks and you often have work fast.
I dab the concealer under my eyes, on and around my nose, and over any redness or spots. The concealer blends easily with fingers, which is awesome because there is no way I’m dampening my BeautyBlender with airplane water. And who really has time for that anyway?
Powder doing double duty
I *need* to set my concealer with powder because if I don’t, it’ll rebel within an hour. To save a step, I use a powder foundation to set my concealer and add a touch of extra coverage all over my face. I like Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Powder Foundation because it doesn’t leave me with a powdery finish, like many powder foundations can.
Bronzer/Blush
Another combo step that is just so much easier to combine rather than worry about separately. You’ve probably heard me talk about this product before, and it’s still my favorite. E.l.f. Blush Duo in Soft & Subtle combines two absolutely perfect shades for the natural blushy-bronzer look. I mix the two shades and simply buff it all over my cheeks. For balance on my extra large forehead, I take the rosy brown shade around my hairline and under my chin. It is slightly on the pink side, but I find that it actually looks nice as long as I don’t go overboard.
Use the same shades on the eyes
Sometimes I feel like adding some color to my eyelids, and sometimes I don’t. Consider this step optional. I simply dust the rosy brown shade from my blush duo all over my eyelids using a fluffy brush. Then I blend the edges with the peach shade. It looks super natural and barely there, yet it really helps tie the look together with the cheek color.
If you only want to do one step on your eyes, let it be mascara. Seriously, nothing makes a bigger difference than a couple coats of your favorite mascara! Of course, I’m using my favorite travel mascara, Urban Decay Perversion; it’s basically a ritual at this point.
Easy to apply (& reapply) lip product
It’s all about the right balance when choosing a lip product for easygoing makeup looks. You want something that is somewhat neutral, yet you want it to stand out enough so you don’t end up looking washed out. On top of that, you need something that goes on easily the first time, and layers well so you can keep it looking it fabulous later.
For me, this miracle product is L’Oréal Pro Matte Gloss in Nude Allude. The formula is highly pigmented so it never looks patchy, but it is easy to clean up the mistakes that are inevitable with in flight makeup.
And that’s it!
That’s all for today!
Like this post? You’ll love this one >> How I Plan For Holiday Travel: Beauty Edition (Travel Makeup + Skincare)
If you find this post interesting, informative, or just plain entertaining, tell me about it in the comments below! And don’t forget, sharing is caring. Share this post!
Till next time. ♥︎
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FTC- Not sponsored by any brands mentioned. I purchase all products myself. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliated.
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