Text: Bryan Chan

Taking less is better when you travel (especially with the decreasing baggage allowance and increasing charges for exceeding them!), but skin care products should not lose their claim of space in your suitcase! Different destinations will determine which products to pack. SPF and cleanser are suitable if you’re heading to South East Asia this season, because the sun will burn you like grilled bacon and the humidity will get you sweaty and yearning for extra showers. Australia and New Zealand offer a cooler and dryer climate this month and therefore moisturiser and hand cream are a must on your list of things-to-pack.

Many people are in a hurry when they pack their luggage, most of time they just grab their big bottle/packaged products and cram it in. These take more space and increase weight, so the trial packs that you’ve collected over time would be useful now. There’s no need for toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo anymore, because the majority of hotels provide these essentials, unless you choose to go to a budget hotel or staying with friends. If you really prefer to stay loyal to your chosen brands then why not buy them at your destination at Duty Free then you probably save space in your luggage and money. THANN is the brand I prefer when I travel in Thailand, Taiwan or Singapore, their “Rice Collection” is one of my favourites and can be found in most stores.

The most aggravating thing on a long-haul flight is if you can’t sleep. Make sure you are prepared and comfortable – I bring my own soft bean bag pillow which I find more supportive and less noisy than a blow up pillow. Additionally earplugs and eye cover all assist in helping you block out the hustle and bustle of the airplane. One helpful and complimentary sleep inhibitor provided by most airlines is a glass of red wine – so get yourself a glass of their best to help lure you into the depths of slumber. When you wake up try to get to the washroom before the hordes, timing is crucial before you are nearing your destination and you want to be sure you have time to make yourself look fab for disembarking the flight!

Back to products, what do you need for a long flight? The restrictions for liquid items in your hand luggage state that you are not allowed over 100ml each container, this includes liquid form, gel and spray, and not over one litre in total. These are all to be placed inside a sealed transparent plastic bag. So many brands and cosmetics shops have jumped up to the challenge and created complete sets and individual items that fit the measurements required for carry on toiletries so if in doubt just buy in the airport duty-free shops and you’ll be fine.

Aesop has designed 4 sets of “Starter Kits”, suitable for 4 different types of skins – Dry Skin, Sensitive Skin, Combination Skin and Men’s Skin, at HK$350 per set. “Starter Set for Men” includes Amazing Face Cleanser 15ml, Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque 15ml, Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Toner 15ml, Oil Free Facial Hydrating Serum 15ml and Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream 15ml.

Bliss Face Value (HK$380) includes: clog-dissolving cleansing milk(30ml), daily detoxifying facial toner (30ml), a mega-moisturizing primer that helps protect skin, an ounce of prevention am spf 15 a daily moisture lotion (10ml) with UV protection and age-delaying antioxidants, all-around eye cream (2ml), lid+lash wash and cooling gel (9ml) that melts away makeup and helps repel under-eye ‘swells’ and finally triple oxygen instant energizing mask (5ml) a quick fix for dull, tired, sallow complexions.

After you’ve slept, freshened up and readied yourself for landing you can be proud to strut those aisles like a peacock looking for a mate looking fresh and ready to tackle a new country.