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Packing is undoubtedly the most harrowing part of travelling when you’re a beauty enthusiast. There’s a veritable list of things that could go wrong, really, and the ramifications of messing up is potentially disastrous. Imagine being stranded in a foreign country without your must-have moisturiser, for one, or unzipping your bag only to realise that your (very expensive) serum has leaked all over your clothes. Yikes!

If the thought of it is making you anxious already, fret not! Daily Vanity has found the perfect solution for you: an ultimate pre-flight to post-flight beauty checklist that can help you travel better, smarter, and easier, so you can have the most stress-free, relaxed trip ever. Excited? You should be.

Pre-flight:

1. Gather all your skincare and makeup essentials

Pre Flight Post Flight Beauty Checklist Gather Your Essentials

A firm believer in the 10-step Korean skincare routine? Or can’t live without your trusty liner, shadow, and mascara trifecta? Well, the best way to keep from leaving any of your essentials behind is to note them down, of course. Make a list of all your absolute must-have beauty essentials, and make sure to decant them into appropriate travel-size containers.

If you’re running low on your favourite products, be sure to stock up on them, and check to see if they’re available in convenient travel friendly sizes as well! That saves you from having to engage in the whole messy transferal process. Sites such as iShopChangi, the online duty free store of Changi Airport, have a wide range of products available in both full and travel sizes from popular Korean skincare brands (we’re talking brands like Sulwhasoo and Laneige) to cult favourites such as NARS and M.A.C.

Offering up to 40% off downtown prices, shopping on the site is also a lot more convenient than having to traipse through four different airport terminals to locate a specific product or two. Stocks vary based on each of the duty-free retail stores, of course, so save yourself from having to face that issue by opting to get your goods online instead before you fly. Trust us, your stress levels are going to be significantly lower with all this preparation time. Plus, you get to enjoy free delivery in Singapore if you spend above SGD380. Score!

2. Prep your skin for the plane

Pre Flight Post Flight Beauty Check List Philosophy Cleanser

We all know about the importance of maintaining a good in-flight skincare routine, but should you go the extra mile and prep your skin before getting on the plane? The answer is a resounding yes. Not only will it protect your skin from further damage incurred during your flight, but it will also add an extra layer of protection from the low humidity levels—which can wreck havoc on both your skin and hair— in your aircraft cabin.

Start off with a cleanser that is gentle yet effective, such as this one by Philosophy. It cleanses your skin of dirt and impurities, ensuring that skin feels healthy and soft throughout. Make sure to go for your favourite super-powered serum next— something that penetrates into skin quickly and effectively, all whilst providing protection for your complexion. Lastly, apply a coat or two of moisturiser and sunscreen, and you’re good to go.

DV Tip: Anything containing antioxidants or Vitamin C is a good bet when it comes to serums!

The Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser Duo is available on iShopChangi and retails for SGD52. In comparison, it retails for SGD34 for one bottle at other stores downtown.

3. Narrow down what your family and friends want from duty-free WAY ahead of time

Pre Flight Post Flight Beauty Check List Know What Your Friends And Family Want

Taking a trip out of the country often means picking up some things for your friends and family from duty-free (because who doesn’t want to enjoy the benefits of tax and duty-free shopping?), especially when it comes to popular skincare and makeup products, or even fragrances. Keep yourself from getting too stressed out by getting them to list down everything in a single, handy list instead of sending you multiple messages all at once.

Or better yet? Go for sites that offer wish-list functions. Sites such as iShopChangi offers a Share-A-Wishlist function, and it makes shopping for your loved ones that much easier— simply get them to create their own shopping lists and send them over to you, after. Everything can be imported into your own shopping cart, with the total costs already tabulated for you. What’s more, you can even choose to get the products delivered straight to their homes after, which saves you from having to make a trip down.

4. Go through your beauty essentials list to make sure you didn’t miss anything

Pre Flight Post Flight Beauty Check List Check Beauty Essentials List Again

Again?! Trust us, it’s a far better alternative to discover that you’ve left a product behind when you’re at the airport than when you’ve actually landed on foreign soil. Some countries may not offer the exact product you’re looking for, after all, so it’s a good idea to run through your list once more to ensure that you have all your essentials with you.

You can simply purchase it online, at duty-free pricesinstead! Certain businesses even have collection points within the airport transit areas so you’re able to grab it right before boarding your flight.

5. Make sure the collection point’s opening hours lines up with your arrival time

Woman Walking In Airport With Hand Luggage Suitcase

There’s no worse feeling than rushing down to the airport in hopes of grabbing some duty-free goodies only to realise all the retails stores are all closed. If you’re on a long-haul flight that puts you at the airport in the wee hours of the night or morning, don’t panic! You can still shop duty-free online with iShopChangi and choose to collect your purchases at the departure collection points that stay open daily for 24 hours. Say what?! Yup, and they’re available at every terminal, too, so you’re pretty much set.

Want to get a clue-in on where the collection centres are? Check out this map. 

In-flight:

6. Stay hydrated

Water Glass

Staying hydrated is important in your day-to-day life, of course, but especially so when you’re on a plane. According to beauty experts, drinking lots of H2O will keep your skin clear and prevent bloating, so make sure to down a few glasses throughout your flight.

Pre Flight Post Flight Beauty Check List Avene Thermal

Pack a thermal spray into your luggage, if you can spare the space! It’s a sure-fire way of keeping your skin fresh, dewy, and moisturised throughout. Spritz it whenever you feel that your skin could use a little boost.

The Avene Thermal Spring Water Twin Pack is available on iShopChangi and retails for SGD18.60 for a trio of 50ml bottles.

7. Get your favourite sheet mask on

Pre Flight Post Flight Beauty Check List Sheet Mask

Whip out your favourite face mask and put it on to rejuvenate dull, tired skin! We recommend anything with a hydrating, brightening formula that is guaranteed to give you glowing skin the second you step off the plane.

Pre Flight Post Flight Beauty Check List Mediheal Mask

Our pick? The Mediheal Line Friends NMF Aquaring Ampoule Mask. Containing a chockful of skin nourishing ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid and witch hazel extract, you will look absolutely radiant upon landing. Keep it on for 5-10 minutes or even longer if you’re feeling up for it!

The Mediheal Line Friends NVM Aquaring Ampoule Mask is available on iShopChangi and retails for SGD30.

8. Put on an eye cream

Pre Flight Post Flight Beauty Check List Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex

Even if you don’t usually use eye creams, we recommend you utilise one on planes, especially for long haul flights! Dark eye circles and puffy, distended eye bags may appear more prominent when your skin is dry and tired, so treat that delicate area with care.

DV Tip: Try out the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex Synchronized Recovery if you’re new to eye creams! Not only does it help repair visible signs that comes with a lack of sleep, but it also repairs damage done to skin through UV rays, pollution and blue light as well.

The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex Synchronized Recovery is available at iShopChangi and retails for SGD144.60 for a duo set. It retails for SGD104 for a single pot at Estee Lauder counters and other downtown beauty retailers.

Post-flight:

 9. Always be on the lookout for good beauty shopping deals at airports

Pre Flight Post Flight Beauty Check List Look Out For Good Deals

Because who doesn’t love a good beauty bargain, right? Always be on the lookout at airports to see if there any special credit card promotions or huge sales going on. Don’t hesitate to ask staff at airport beauty counters if there’s any special promotions or gift sets — that way, you won’t miss out on any great deals.

DV Tip: Our sources tell us that iShopChangi will be having another round of Shilla Duty Free Beauty Sales from the 1st to the 14th of October. Simply use code 18SHILLAFOUR to enjoy 10% off on Shilla beauty products (with minimum spending of SGD250) and receive special gifts with purchases from brands including SK-II, Aveda, Elizabeth Arden, and ReFa.

This article is brought to you by iShopChangi.