Do you remove make up on a longish haul night flight?

[thedogdaysareover51]

We’re flying overnight next Saturday and board the plane at 9.30pm. It’s such a long time since we’ve travelled long haul and overnight I’m not sure what I did before. Would you just keep your make up on and accept the dryness and crustiness the next morning or do you remove it completely then reapply when you get to your destination?
Going make up free for me isn’t an option. I’m 51, white as a ghost with dark circles and some broken veins. No one needs to see that, especially me!

Maybe instead of foundation use a tinted moisturiser or a bb cream. Still covers but easier on the skin. You can easily reapply in the morning

I don’t wear make up on any length of flight. I genuinely don’t understand why you would

I just wouldn’t wear make up in the first place, I can’t stand it on my skin and the dry plane air makes it so much worse. Plus if it’s an overnight flight nobody is even going to see you!?

But if you must then I would take it off with a face wipe as soon as and slather on a nice moisturiser for the duration of the flight.

I might not be the best person to ask as I’m 57 and have no compunction in being seen without makeup - I wear it to work and when going out but for example today I’ve been to a Pilates class and then straight out for brunch afterwards wearing just moisturiser. But given that the lights will be off for an overnight flight and most people will be either sleeping or glued to their screens, personally I’d take it off and put some rich moisturiser on (as flying is very drying on the skin) and reapply in the morning. After a long flight and sleeping in it, it wouldn’t be looking great in the morning anyway.

I’m the same
Take full advantage of sticking a sheet face mask and some under eye patches on
Arrived feeling refreshed and glowy not crusty
Do whatever you most comfortable with and as you say no make up is not for you then why not just use a wipe away and reapply just before landing ?

I don't wear make up either, what's the point?

I take make up wipes and take make up off, moisturise then add a tiny bit of concealer and put some dr jart cicapair colour correcting cream on (also hate going barefaced!). Also brush my teeth to make me feel extra fresh before the flight.

@HermioneWeasleywe have six hours to kill in Heathrow before our flight so walking about for that length of time without make up is just not an option. I would love to have the confidence not to wear make up but my skin looks greasy and pale without it as I’m blonde and fair skinned. I look ill without it and it’s depressing looking at myself in the mirror. The only day in my life I didn’t wear make up was the day after I gave birth. I love make up!

I always wear make-up- I feel self-conscious without it so I hear you.

I’d usually just leave it on for night flight though wouldn’t wear mascara or would clean the eye area before sleep. I usually wear loose powder foundation and cream blush so it wouldn’t feel caked on anyway. Before arrival I’d try to do a face clean and reapply but haven’t always managed.

No make up, same age as you, why would you? If you want to wear it in the airport I would remove before you board, those toilets are too cramped for anything non essential. Perhaps carry basics to apply an hour before you land if you really must.

@VictorianScreenTime good idea. I can go mascara free as I’ll tint my lashes before we go.

Im a bare face sort, but I sympathise with your preference to not go bare faced.
I would recommend using some moisturiser with a dab of self tanning lotion for the week prior to the flight. That way you will have some tint to your skin without using makeup. You won’t be pale. You won’t have greasy skin. And the dark circles will be masked. I am also in my 50s.

@thedogdaysareover51 I’m not trying to be difficult or goady. I am 50 and my skin is still greasy, I have a red nose and chin and still have spots. I too look much ‘better’ with make up. But I don’t understand why you would make yourself physically uncomfortable wearing it on a long haul flight. Everyone looks terrible at airports and on flights. Absolutely nobody will be looking at you or judging you. Zero men are worrying about this.

please have a think about why you’re putting yourself through this.

I wipe everything off my face (not that I wear anything but mascara and a bit of eyeshadow anyway) and put on a clear face mask (not a sheet one). Then go to sleep!

I’m doing it for myself, no one else.

Remove make up once on plane, and have some to reapply before you get off, if that matters to you. I tend to just do the first bit - don’t care what I look like at the other end as I know I’m going to get to hotel, have a shower etc and reapply make up then.

I take reusable pads with micellar water already on them in a little baggie and take make up off. I take those little tester sachets of products I like eg a serum and moisturiser and put that on.
After sleeping and before landing I'll repeat but with a day cream. I always feel fresh and hydrated even after a 12 hour flight.

I remove mine at the airport before boarding

It’s not all or nothing though. You can easily wear your make up in the airport and remove it just before you board and reapply it again just before you land. Just make sure you don’t exceed the liquids limit for hand luggage

I wear make up going to the airport and while there. I take some cleansing wipes and take my make up off on the plane and apply eye cream, serum and moisturiser. Sometimes a facial oil. Do the again before landing and apply some BB or CC cream, mascara and a tinted lip balm.

I do it for me. I enjoy it. It’s not a chore. I don’t care if anyone thinks I’m mad.

I don’t go anywhere without makeup and usually wear it to the airport and if I know I’m going to go to sleep I’ll take it off and reapply it. If you’ve got TikTok have a look at the Emirates air hostesses, they have top tips on how they keep their makeup looking perfect on long haul flights.

If I feel pale and colourless I'll put on a bit of fake tan (not so that I'm orange), dye my lashes and brows and put vaseline on my lips. I always make sure I have freshly washed and nicely done hair though, I think that helps to pick up my face too.

You only think you look ill without it because you are used to seeing yourself with a painted mask.

Thanks all. I’m going to just apply light make up, no mascara, take it off with wipes before I board, apply a nice thick moisturiser, then next morning spf then apply a very light tinted moisturiser or light foundation, blusher and concealer.

I take it off, go to sleep, and cleanse and do my face again in the morning, as I would in any other overnight scenario. It's nice to arrive and be able to just get on with my day from the get-go.