Travel

As I write this I am flying over the pacific ocean crammed in economy. The humidity is low and the aircon is up high. I can feel the life of me being sucked dry from my face. Not even an abundance of movies can distract me from the impending pimples and cracked lips that comes with the dry atmosphere of a plane. But I have a solution to this issue, and it includes setting up a facial station on my lap.

Because let’s face it, who doesn’t love having a mini facial on the plane? People tend to get too comfy on plane rides, so why not give it a go, all You have to lose is the respect of the complete strangers you’re flying with.

Cleanse

I like to make sure I use clean hands with hand sanitiser, and then use micellar water and cotton pads to clean my face. I would prefer to use a cleaner and wash my face, but I don’t trust the cleanliness on planes.

Toner

After cleaning my face, I need to make sure to put the good stuff and hydration back in. I start with a calming and hydrating toner by Mario Badescu. Containing aloe vera and lavender, it soothes my skin and smells good.

Eyes

The skin around your eyes is thinner and more susceptible to damage and losing their moisture. I used an eye cream with hyaluronic acid in it to make sure the area is extra hydrated. Mario Badescu has an amazing eye cream containing hyaluronic acid.

My skin specialist said that you should put the eye cream on the skin over the eye socket bone, as the area has fewer pores, the cream will migrate upwards.

Moisturiser

I then use a hydrating moisturiser to keep all the goodness in. I used a very hydrating mask by Sportsgirl, but unfortunately they don’t stock it anymore. Estée Lauder advanced night repair serum is a great option because its packed with hyaluronic acid. Clinique’s moisture surge is another that I have stated using and find it very hydrating. These 2 choices are a bit pricey so I recommend get samples or smaller version to try it out.

Lips

My lips were so dry during the flight, it was unbelievable! It would be a good idea to have lip balm within arms reach at all times. I nearly had a split lip by the end of the flight. I really like this lip balm from Mecca designed for overnight moisture. In hindsight, whenever you wake up mid flight, I recommend reapplying your lip balm.

Hands

A good hand cream is always essential, your hands can dry up just as much as your face. I enjoyed a hand cream by Grown Alchemist. It smelt so nice and does a good job. Be sure to rub it into your nails and cuticles too.

Before descent

In the last hour before landing, I put on an eye mask to make sure I didn’t look like a zombie. I used a Skyn Iceland eye mask.While it says only 20 minutes on the packaging, I kept it on for about 40 minutes. Much better.

As I walk off the plane, I’m glad no new pimples have arisen overnight, and that my under eyes are hydrated. I’ll remember the lip balm for the plane back. But in the meantime I will apply it rigorously!

What are your tips for surviving plane rides, skincare or otherwise, be sure to pop them in the comments below!

Thanks for reading, Laura xx

I recently came back from Japan, and it’s so different to Australia in nearly every aspect. The culture, atmosphere, food, and people are all amazing, and if you’ve ever been interested in going, I encourage you to take the chance. I wanted to share my top 10 things to do in Japan. Some of these I have done, but this is also kind of like my bucket list. So, let’s get started!

10. Japanese Festival

Quintessentially Japanese, festivals are held on a regular basis across Japan. An important aspect of Japanese culture, they are truly an experience in themselves. With floating shrines, food stalls, and an energetic atmosphere, they are not to be missed. The Snow festival on the north island of Hokkaido is very popular with a giant snow sculpture competition.

9. Themed cafe

If you know a themed café, you can bet your ass there’s one of them in Japan. From cats, to maids, to robots and even anime characters, Japan has it all. They can be a bit pricey for what they are worth, but its more about the experience than the food or drinks. They have gone above and beyond and there is even a cat café on a train that hosts kittens from nearby animal shelters in Ogaki located in the Gifu prefecture.

photo credit

8. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

The memorial park is a beautiful area to walk around in, and a reminder of World War One and the dropping of the first atomic bomb. It includes the Bomb Dome, the only structure left after the bomb exploded. Preserved as a ruin, it’s a UNESCO world heritage site. Further on, there are memorial monuments to those who died. Finally, ending at the memorial museum, where you can learn about the event and look upon items affected by the blast including watches, glass bottles and clothing. This is an experience that is enlightening and respectfully pays tribute to the event.

7. Visit the snow

Crazy, but I’ve never been to the snow, so this has to go on my list. Not to mention that Japan is very popular for ski season. The north island of Hokkaido has popular ski resorts; and so does the mountainous area of Hakuba, which is not far from Tokyo if you’re thinking of a side trip.

6. Bullet Train

Known as a Shinkansen, it’s the best way to travel in Japan. And with speeds up to 320 km/h, it’s also the quickest way to see Japan. Japanese travel is extremely efficient and incredibly smooth. An experience in itself, this is a must while in Japan. If you plan on travelling a lot, be sure to check if a rail pass is worth the investment on your next trip!

5. Floating shrine on Miyajima Island

Just 10 minutes off the coast of Hiroshima is the beautiful island of Miyajima, home to the floating shrine Itsukushima. There are also wild deer on the island so keep a look out for those cuties! There is also a ropeway to the top of the mountain where you can enjoy the amazing views.

4. Temples of Kyoto

Kyoto, the former capital of Japan is a beautiful city full of otherworldly temples. With over 1600 temples, you are never short of temples to visit. One of the most famous is Kiyomizudera, a Buddhist temple and also a UNESCO world heritage site. Completely made out of wood, the views over eastern Kyoto are amazing. If you’re wanting a bit of bling, visit Kinkakuji, a Zen Buddhist temple covered in gold leaf. While you can’t go inside, it can be viewed across a small pond, and surrounded by beautiful gardens.

3. Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo

The busiest intersection in the world, Shibuya Scramble is an interesting experience. Live out movies like Tokyo Drift, and Lost in translation, this spot can’t be missed. It’s said that over 1000 people cross during peak hour. I watched the pedestrians up high from Starbucks, it’s such an interesting experience!

2. Cherry blossoms in spring

How could I not put this on the list! One of the most popular seasons, and also the most beautiful is cherry blossom, or sakura season. While it varies year to year, the season occurs in late March- early April in Tokyo and Kyoto. Japanese people enjoy appreciating the blossoms at popular parks like Ueno Park, or on a boat on Chidorigafuchi moat in central Tokyo. Not to mention all the different sakura themed food and drinks available during the season. Yum!

1. Mount Fuji

Synonymous with Japan, Mount Fuji is the highest peak in Japan. On a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji from Tokyo Skytree. You can climb Mount Fuji in the summer, and is a popular activity among tourists and locals. Only an hour away from Tokyo, you can grab a bus there and enjoy the surrounding lakes and lush greenery.

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What would you do in Japan? Leave a comment below!

Thanks for reading,

Laura

Tag: Travel

Surviving Long Haul Travel

Top 10 Things To Do In Japan