Looking your best after long flights

[Moon]

Just curious how everybody handles this. When I go see my guy in Finland, it's minimally an 8.5 hour flight, if I go direct, more with layovers, not to mention airport wait times, ugh! By the time I get off that plane, I look awful My hair is a mess, my clothes are sloppy and I've put my makeup on in a cramped, bouncy space.

Since it's a pretty long overnight flight, I try to dress comfortably, but that never looks nice, and that damn bathroom is sooooo tiny to try to change in! And by the end of the flight it kinda stinks a little So, Ladies (and maybe guys, too) How do you do it? How do you make sure you look presentable by the time you get to your anxiously awaiting SO?

[noodle]

I have flewn before but never went to see my SO which would be the same problem tho ^^
I personally would try to get to a bathroom after the flight landed, there usually (at bigger airports) is like a bigger area with bathrooms etc untill you go out of the gate where everyone awaits the passangers.
And other than that I personally think its not a big deal, especially if your SO has already seen you cause he loves you the way you are, doesnt matter if its just jeans, lousy pants, a nice dress, lingerie or naked xD
He wouldnt be with you if it wasnt like that right?
So dont worry about your looks ^__^

[paulawriteslove]

I would recommend going to the bathroom at the airport right after your plane lands those bathrooms are always nicer than the tiny airplane ones. But I agree with noodle, your shouldn't worry about what you look like because your SO is probably so excited to see you

[MTK]

I wouldn't worry too much about how you look after a long flight. I am sure that the only thing he will be focused on is the fact that you are there and he can actually hug you.

[NaNi]

I flew to New Zealand which was a 24+ hour flight, on various planes, and I looked like a mess when I arrived at the airport. It also didn't help that I got this disgusting smelling salad dressing all over my jumper. But I always brushed my teeth and my hair and as soon as I got to New Zealand I took a shower and changed into my jeans.

[Moon]

I know it doesn't really matter if I'm a mess after flying, I just think it's nice to try looking put together after not seeing each other for 6 months It's the little things, y'know? I have thought about the airport bathrooms, but I'm usually too anxious and excited by then, and just wanna find him! Besides, he'll be seeing the rumpled, bed-headed, smeared makeup looking me in the morning, hah!

[Silviar]

Honestly, I make sure to change my clothes before my last leg flight, I brush my hair and pull it back, and I wash my face and do my make-up in the bathroom. My trip takes three airplanes and about 28 hours.

[polkapiggy]

Well, I haven't actually gone to see my SO yet, but I have been on some very long haul flights before. The worst was probably an 18 hour flight to Malaysia. Oh boy, that was TERRIBLE. I'd say to make sure that you smell good! So take some perfume or something like that with you (make sure it's ok to take on the flight in hand luggage though. One of those tiny tester tubes would probably be a good idea) and do the obvious things like brushing your teeth, maybe change your clothes if it's been a really long flight and it would probably be a good idea to invest in those sprays that you can spray on your face after you've done your makeup and it makes it last longer (i've never actually tried one, but my friend swears by them).

[Rosebud]

Oh, this is an awesome thread! Even though I'm pretty sure my SO won't be able to see me the first time I get off the plane and I'll have plenty of time to doll myself up again, I still think about what'd happen if he decided to surprise me. So here's some things I managed to come up with.

* Don't wear any make-up. At least not when you first get on the plane. It'll just get all rubbed off and smeary and have to be removed. Use the last 10-15 of the ride to apply it on so it still looks fresh when you get off

* Pull your hair back. For me this means straightening it the night before and keeping it in a loose ponytail. That way it's easy to be let down with little maintenance and won't look all scruffy (I know we all have different hair types though so it may take some creative ideas to figure out what method works for you)

*Brings mints! Yeah. Airline food is icky and if you don't have time to find a bathroom to brush your teeth, pop in a mint and it'll sure make a difference

* Find a cute travel outfit. Yeah, I know, for those long, all day flights all you wanna wear is some sweatpants and a t-shirt. But if you don't have time to change I think it's a good idea to investing a comfy outfit that still looks cute. For some people this might include a skirt, a stylish V-neck sweater, leggings, stretch jeans...there really is a wide variety out there, just have to search!

*If you're on an uber long flight, try to sleep as much as you can so you won't feel and look as groggy when it's time to wake up and board off

Well that's all I can think of for now, I hope some of those helped

[Moon]

Good points, Rosebud! Two comments....you might wanna do your makeup an hour before you land, those last 10 - 15 minutes you'll be preparing for landing, and you have to put up your tray table and put your stuff away.

If you're in the US, get some Colgate Wisps and throw them in your bag...https://www.colgatewisp.com/wisp/HomePage They're little disposable toothbrushes with toothpaste right on them. I use 'em right in my seat, you don't even need a bathroom I get them at Walmart, but they're probably everywhere.

[Rach321]

I've never flown to see my SO either, but I have taken long flights, and I'm well familiar with that yucky feeling...

These are the things I include in my flight "survival kit"

-Moist wipes to freshen myself up in the tiny bathroom- I do as little as possible in there, but you don't really have a choice for some things. Wipes especially for the face are also an important thing for me!

-Small perfume or body spray to freshen clothes- It's a good idea to do this in the bathroom too so you don't offend your seat mates.

-Tootbrush/toothpaste, or at least a little bottle of mouthwash.

-Basic makeup that I wait to put on until just before the plane starts to land: Powder, concealer for under the eyes, mascara, blush, lip gloss. I hate that the people around me often watch me as I put on my makeup, but I do it anyway...

-If you have space in your carry on, bring something to change your top layer- wear a tank top and old comfy sweatshirt, but take the sweatshirt off and put on something cuter before you see your SO.

-A change of shoes can help with that too, wear something comfy til you get off the plane. Then quickly switch into a cute pair of heels.

Be sure to drink plenty of water- being dehydrated can really make me look tired and dull.

Spritzing your face with a little bottle of water can also help with the dryness.

[Darth_Taco]

God, I'm to lazy to date the people all of you are with xD. When I get out of my un-air conditioned van in over 100 degree weather I just make sure I don't smell bad. Deodorant seems to take care of that since I'm not a naturally smelly person (great from when I was homeless and there wasn't always a bathroom available). Other than that, if he can't handle me all sweaty and smelling a little funny then he can't have me freshly showered and oddly enough smelling like butterscotch D:<! (seriously, someone tell me what causes me to smell like that ;_;!)

[P1nkL3m0n4d3]

What I do is make sure I shower right before I leave, choose a low-maintenance hairstyle that can stay looking nice, I don't put on make-up right away. After I land, I go straight to the airport restroom, wash my face do my make-up and freshen up with deodorant/perfume etc.

[elizma_angel]

honestly I would say fly in like sweats and just beautify yourself in the airport

[Jellybean]

Ive never flown for a long distance but I agree with the freshening up ideas lol comfy for the flight and then smarten up a bit for your SO at the airport I only travel by train for 4/5 hours so isnt that bad... however is annoying when its raining or something inbetween the stops I have >< curly hair doesnt survive well in most weathers xD