My Current Skincare Routine + In-Flight Skincare Thoughts.

A few years ago, I “got serious” about my hair. By that I meant: I started to pay attention to how I was treating it. I invested in oils, masks, repair serums (my findings, after trying dozens of products: K18 really and truly works; I use it nearly every time I wash my hair, and then I use an overnight mask at least once a week; I also try to limit hot tools on my hair to only 2x a week if I can), and I leveled up my hair tools (Dyson AirWrap and blow dryer — yes, independently worth it for both, but wait til they go on sale during BFCM — plus brushes from both Yves Durif and La Bonne Brosse, also independently worth it) and styling skills by watching dozens and dozens of TikTok tutorials. I also book a couple of at-home blowouts every month. I am convinced that having a good hair day can attenuate a lot of low-level stresses, and it just makes me feel more polished. Frankly, great hair can distract from a breakout and/or dark circles under the eyes. It’s a great cover.

This year, I have been “getting (more) serious” about my skincare. I mean, I’ve always been “good” about my skin, I think — I wear SPF, I wash every night, and I have been using eye cream since my 20s. I try to keep up with the newest advances in skincare. But this year, I really invested in researching a bit more about what my skin needs at the age of 42 and which products to use in which order and why. I consulted with my dermatologist as well as a fantastic facialist out at the Tysons’ Corner Ritz spa. The routine I settled on:

My Derm/Facialist-Approved Skincare Routine at the Age of 42.

+Red light mask every morning (I find it much easier to keep up with this habit if I do it first thing in the morning, before getting out of bed or while checking emails at my desk — but certainly before “waking up the house” / getting the kids ready). I feel like this tool truly works if you are committed to it, but you need to be willing to invest in it over time. I feel like you need at least a few weeks of use and then you start seeing smoother, clearer skin, with less fine lines around the eyes. I’m determined to keep up with this, and I’ve hooked Landon on it, too.

+Vitamin C (I am now using Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Acid religiously) followed by serum and tinted sunscreen;

+Eye patches (if I have time — if not, I apply this eye cream; all my top recs for undereye patches here);

+I let this sink in while I’m getting the kids ready / getting organized for the day. Some days, if I have nothing on the calendar, I’ll just leave my skin like this all day. It feels so good to wear nothing on the skin! But I’m too vain (lol) to face the world sans makeup if I’m meeting up with other people, and if this is the case, I use the Rhode glazing milk and then the Colleen Rothschild undereye treatment as my “primers” before makeup. I find both of these products are really good at setting the scene for makeup — locking in moisture and preventing a great canvas for application. Makeup lays really nicely on top of both.

+At bedtime, double cleanse — I like this oil cleanser first followed by this Tata Harper. I think there is some controversy about whether the exfoliating beads are too much for everyday use but I am finding it really works well for me and the combo of these two cleansers removes every last speck of makeup and sweat. (Aside: I just discovered a super jumbo size of the Tata cleanser at a great price here.)

+I alternate every other night with one of two treatments: Retinol (the lowest dose available, am hoping to work my way up to stronger strengths) followed by Matrixyl OR exfoliating glycolic acid pads. I’m currently using YISE’s, which I really like, but there are so many on the market that have caught my attention; my facialist recommended these ones or these ones, but Goop just released a powerful one that they sent me to test as well. This was something she was adamant about: I need to exfoliate every other night!

+Night cream. I’m currently using this one from Irene Forte.

+At least once a week, I do a mask of some kind, too — I loveeee these inexpensive gel masks. They seriously work — your skin is dewy and glowy and bright! I will apply if I have time before going out for an evening. Otherwise, I love the two Clarins masks — this one for depuffing (insanely good) and this one for tightening and glow all over (I tend to favor this one in summertime because it feels like a cold plunge).

+I organized all of these into this one ShopMy shelf in case easier to keep there!

In-Flight Skincare Recs.

Anyway, all of that is preamble to the real topic I want to get to — in-flight skincare / pre-flight skincare / post-flight skincare. With some big international travel coming up, I’ve been reading up on different perspectives. The true skincare purists insist you should not touch your face AT ALL on the plane. They say the plane water is gross, and the air is full of bacteria, so you should deeply cleanse skin and moisturize at home (some of these gals even have a dedicated “hydration” day before travel where they apply hydrating masks, serums, barrier repair moisturizers — this heavy duty repair cream came up a bunch of times) and then avoid doing anything except for maybe misting with a hydrating/repair spray* and applying SPF and lip balm** until you land and can wash and hydrate at the destination. This is a bit extreme for me, and again — I’m too vain to travel with nothing but moisturizer on. What do you think / what are your thoughts? Have you also heard about this “anti-in-flight-skincare” sentiment?

*The spray that came up a ton in my reading on this was Tower28’s SOS Spray. I conveniently have this on hand already as well as a hydrating mist. People praise the Tower28 formula because it contains hypochlorous acid, which is a natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial that purports to defend your skin against harmful bacteria, reduce redness, and soothe irritation.

**Apparently, airplane windows do not block nearly enough of the UV rays, which are concentrated high up in the air.

My plan is to wash and hydrate my skin really well before leaving for the airport, and then apply minimal makeup (like tinted SPF, a slick of mascara, concealer where I need it, gel-based blush, and lip balm). Once settling into the flight, I’ll use one of those incredible 4-in-1 makeup removing pads from Ursa Major (it cleanses, hydrates, tones, etc) and apply a heavy duty cream and maybe eye patches while sleeping, then use another pad in morning before using the spray, re-hydrating, and applying a little bit of makeup again. I did order this barrier lip baste for the trip and intend to apply throughout!

At the destination, will do a thorough cleanse and apply this hydrating mask (or maybe this Revive one — someone just gifted me one of these and they are $$$$! I have one packed!)

Of course it goes without saying – lots of hand sanitizer will be applied in flight!

BEST TRAVEL COSMETICS CONTAINERS // 4-IN-1 FACE WIPES // BARRIER LIP BASTE // GOYARD PASSPORT HOLDER // HYDRATING MIST // UNDO HAIRWARE CLIP // YVES DURIF DETANGLING BRUSH // SUMMER FRIDAYS JET LAG MASK // MANTA BLACK OUT EYE MASK // TOWER28 SOS RESCUE SPRAY // REPAIR CREAM

Three other lil notes about travel beauty/skincare: we had a great convo about this a few years ago, and 1) everyone agrees that traveling is NOT the time to test new products / try out “new travel/trial sizes” of things, as it sounds terrible to be stranded somewhere with a moisturizer that makes you suddenly break out! I feel like the temptation is real since we often get these beauty freebies in cute tiny containers but really it’s best to bring your tried-and-true routine with you. 2) Re: packing your routine: some Magpies insist on decanting everything and others insist its worth it to buy the brand’s beauty minis, as they come in the ideal applicators/bottles and are less annoying/messy to decant every time you travel. I do a hybrid of both. For some things, like sprays and oils, I agree that it’s best to just buy the brand’s mini versions (recent addition to my travel dopp kit: mini Chris McMillan blow-out spray and hair texturizing spray, both essentials for me!). For other things, like shampoos and moisturizers, I decant into these little magnetic jars. They are such a splurge but so, so good — I love the ease of decanting thanks to those wide mouths, and they do not leak. They’re also magnetic, which I find strangely helpful for keeping things organized while on the road! 3). My little vacation treat to myself is to get my hair blown out (professionally, at home) before a flight. It is such a luxury to have great hair when you arrive at your destination!

What about you? What’s your routine for in-flight skincare?

Addendum: My Favorite Travel Bags.

+I absolutely love these RDV canvas totes because I can usually nest another (smaller) tote inside that I’ll actually wear at the destination, and it still has space for headphones, laptop, travel pouches, etc. This does fit under a seat and it’s just super chic and roomy.

+Sometimes I prefer to have a carry-on that zips on top, though — this is usually informed by how much schlepping I’ll do at the destination, i.e., if I’m going to be jumping on the Subway, transferring from place to place, etc — and in this case, I really love this Dagne Dover (XL size). An ideal size, has a laptop compartment, and has one of those little luggage handle sleeves that lets you slip the bag right onto the handle of your suitcase so it stays in place.

+I always keep my phone and ID on me with my little Celine phone sling. Look for less with this. I find this bag insanely useful!!!

+My favorite suitcases are still the Paravel Aviators, but that brand has sadly shuttered!!! If I were advising a serious investment, I’d go Rimowa but we also have and love several of the ubiquitous Away ones (go for a limited edition color as you’ll be able to spot your suitcase more easily!) and find that the Quince look for lesses are quite good, too! For awhile, they had these really cute kids suitcases that we snapped up at a great price, but those are no longer available…keep your eyes peeled though!

Addendum 2: My Favorite Travel Day Outfits.

+I’ll likely wear my pull-on, ultra-comfortable, non-wrinkling but still polished Ruti pants (use code JEN-15), a soft white tee, a cashmere sweater, and a cashmere wrap. (Use code MPH15 for 15% off at Alice Walk. Just discovered this!)

+I also really love the travel sets from Frank and Eileen — cozy and can be repurposed in lots of ways at destination. I think these sets look great with sneakers, too, and it’s nice to not have to pack those bulky shoes!

RMS Beauty Sale!

RMS Beauty is running a series of deals to celebrate its anniversary from now through 7/26. Today’s deal is BOGO lip products. Have you tried their legendary lip oil? The chameleon color was sold out everywhere — it changes color to match your pH and give you the perfect flush! I love this product. I have it the chameleon as well as the buttercream pink Lucia color. You can also get 15% off $65, 20% off $85, and 25% off $125 this week. A great time to stock up on our favorite tinted SPF or to test their best-selling product: this radiance-locking primer!

P.S. Magpies weigh in on how to make travel days as smooth as possible.

P.P.S. What’s your best silver lining story?

P.P.P.S. Our lives become mosaics of the people we love.

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