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Flying isn’t always glamorous. Your destination might be luxurious, but getting from point A to point B can be uncomfortable, especially if you encounter delays and find yourself shoulder-to-shoulder on crowded economy flights. It’s no surprise then that savvy travelers are building in-flight pamper kits to make their travel journeys more comfortable — dare I say, even indulgent. If a first-class upgrade is out of budget, an in-flight pamper kit could be your ticket to a business class experience.
In fact, there’s already an Amazon storefront dedicated to this new travel phenomenon. Created by travel content creator Kari Herrera (aka Chicagoings), the curated page features essentials like noise-canceling headphones and various wellness products and toiletries to promote a relaxing in-flight experience. “I’ve found myself in situations where I’ve had to sleep in airports and hop on connecting flights for a timely arrival,” Herrera told Travel + Leisure. “Things sometimes don’t go to plan. Still, I always want to feel I’m meeting my hygiene standards, no matter the situation.”
Beyond the core basics, a pamper kit is customizable to your chosen comforts and is intended to help you “feel clean and comfortable in a pinch while traveling,” according to Herrera. So, as you build yours, think of your self-care simple pleasures, whether that’s the scent of your favorite lotion or a square of good dark chocolate. Like your travels, enjoy the journey of making your kit, and Kari urged travelers to remember that “all the wonderful things in life come in a travel size.”
Here’s a look inside Hererra’s in-flight pamper kit.
Sony Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
A pair of noise-canceling headphones is a traveler’s best friend. Not only do they help mute the drone of the airplane, but they also drown out crying babies and other in-flight noises. These industry-leading noise-canceling headphones, which are up to 35 percent off, can transport you to a Caribbean destination with the help of an ocean waves soundtrack, or get you hyped for your trip with a curated playlist. Even better, these wireless Sony headphones come with a 3.5mm headphone jack and cable so you can link them up to your airplane’s seat back console and enjoy what’s queued up.
Trtl Travel Neck Pillow
For long-haul flights where you can’t lie flat, a neck pillow will help you arrive well-rested. This supportive neck pillow design from Trtl is customized to your preferred fit. With over 19,000 five-star ratings, it’s well-tested and comes recommended by frequent travelers. I like that it folds flat so you can slip it in your bag instead of wearing it around the airport like a human ring-toss.
Mzoo Sleep Eye Mask
A light-blocking sleep mask can help you get some shut-eye when bright seatback screens and open window blinds are preventing you from relaxing. For Herrara, it’s an essential part of her in-flight routine: “Even on a double-decker, I can put on my sheet mask, eye mask, and noise-canceling headphones to feel as if I’m all alone in the sky. Then, when I land, I feel well-rested, happy, and ready for whatever the day brings.”
This Mzoo mask features concave windows for your eyes so you don’t feel pressure on your eyelid as you sleep, which one shopper noted is the feature that sets this mask apart from the rest: “Unlike flat masks that can press against your eyes and eyelashes, the Mzoo mask fits snugly without any discomfort.” With over 70,000 five-star ratings, this eye mask has everything you need for quality in-flight snoozing; it comes with ear plugs and a carrying case for easy packing.
Packism Clear TSA-Approved Toiletry Bag Set
Frequent travelers know that a clear toiletry bag helps you (and everyone else) get through TSA security faster, calmer, and more efficiently. Instead of having all of your liquids loose in a bin, keep them tidy and together in this transparent case that you can quickly put back in your carry-on. Once you get on the flight, you can pull out your pamper kit and quickly find what you need without having to rifle around. According to one reviewer, the trio “helped organize other items in my luggage for easy grab-and-go.” And, take it from Herrera: “Less stress is the goal.”
L’Occitane Ultra-Rich 10% Shea Butter Nourishing Lip Balm Stick
Having chapped lips on a long-haul flight is a discomfort that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. This ultra-rich shea butter lip balm is colorless and hydrating. Unlike lip gloss or lipstick, a good lip balm won’t make your lips feel tacky or chalky. One repeat buyer described its moisturizing power best in their review, noting that it’s “very moisturizing for lips without stickiness or slick oil feeling. It has decent staying power and there’s no need to reapply… It keeps lips hydrated and smooth.” Buy a few of these lip balms and tuck them in the pockets of all of your travel bags so you never have to remember to pack them.
Dr. Fresh Travel Oral Hygiene Kit
Long flights, irregular meal times, and consuming different cuisines can all contribute to oral discomfort like bad breath and that fuzzy mouth feeling. Stay fresh while you travel with this oral hygiene kit that comes equipped with a travel-sized toothbrush, a travel-sized toothpaste tub, and travel-sized bottle of mouth wash so you can brush your teeth or, at the very least, rinse with a swish of mouthwash. Mint is also an energizing scent and can help perk you up during a long travel day.
While talking to T+L, Herrera said, “If you are facing a delayed flight and have not seen a proper bathroom in over 12 hours, brushing your teeth and freshening up may trick your mind into feeling like your journey has only just begun.”
Rosarden Travel Mini Perfume Refillable Atomizer Container
Scent is our most powerful sense. A quick spritz of your favorite essential oil, aftershave, or perfume can instantly set you at ease on a stressful travel day — just ask Herrera, who shared, “In addition to dental and body cleansing products, small comforts, such as a discreet, enjoyable fragrance, go a long way to boost our mood and give us the pick-me-up needed to think clearly.”
These portable misters can be thrown in a bag without fear of breaking or leaking thanks to their durable aluminum construction. One Amazon buyer noted how great these are for travel: “These are so convenient and save so much space when I’m traveling. They were easy to fill up and see how much in them so you never randomly run out.” Save space in your toiletry bag by leaving your full-sized perfume bottle at home and only take what you need.
TonyMoly I’m Real Sheet Mask Set
“For some, wearing a sheet or foot mask on a plane is overkill,” Herrera said. “That’s why all pamper kits are different.” But, a face mask on the plane could get you in vacation mode before you even touch down at your destination. Plus, airplanes are notorious for having dry air that can leave your skin dehydrated, tight, and oily. So, you can kick back and relax knowing that these TonyMoly sheet masks will help add moisture back to your skin, giving you a brighter, dewy complexion.
Megababe The Smoothie Deo Daily Deodorant
Running to the gate, stressing over the flight details, or changes in indoor and outdoor temperatures can affect how your body sweats. Often, a second application of deodorant or antiperspirant is needed to keep you feeling and smelling fresh — after all, when traveling on airplanes in close quarters with others, maintaining scent hygiene is a golden rule of travel etiquette. That’s why Herrera follows this rule of thumb when packing: “Think of the items that you use every morning. These include a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, body wipes, and deodorant. These items should never go in checked luggage. It would be best to have them on you in your pamper kit.”
As her go-to deodorant, it’s the Megababe Smoothie Deo, which is made with brightening fruit enzymes and makes odors disappear with its pH-balancing lemon, orange, and bilberry formula.
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
A long travel day will have you frequently washing and sanitizing your hands. This frequent hand-washing, though necessary, dries out your hands and cuticles and leaves your skin prone to cracking. Once you settle in your seat for the flight, apply a rich hand cream to rehydrate your skin and pamper yourself in-flight. This French-made hand cream from Herrera’s kit is formulated with moisturizing shea butter and uses recycled aluminum packaging.
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes Singles
These compostable makeup-removing wipes are individually wrapped and made for travel. Most face wipes come in a big, brick-sized package, but you may not have room for that in your bag. Use these to remove day-old makeup, or cleanse your skin of sweat and dirt build-up mid-flight. Enriched with hydrating micellar water, these travel-sized wipes condition as they cleanse and they’re easy to pop in a toiletry bag.
Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Under-Eye Patches
A long day of travel shows on your face first in the form of dark circles and puffiness. Travel scenarios like irregular sleep schedules and salty airplane snacks can contribute to skin fatigue that shows under the eyes. For a quick spa treatment in the sky, these under-eye masks can rehydrate and firm the sensitive under-eye skin. Amazon buyers noted how much they liked that these patches stayed put once you put them on, even if you weren’t reclined, making them perfect for in-flight use.
Evian Facial Spray
Much like a sauna or spa facial, this hydrating spray adds moisture directly back into the skin. Recycled air on a flight can be very drying, and a quick spritz of a mist can refresh the skin without adding oily ingredients. You can even put this on top of makeup as a hydrating setting spray. The 1.7-ounce travel size is small and perfect for fitting in your carry-on bag.
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