Between the hassle of flying, jet lag and hauling your luggage around, travelling is challenging enough without worrying about looking fashionable while you do it. 

If you’ve ever stepped off a plane with stained and rumpled clothes, your face is dehydrated, a jet lag-induced headache, and a mouth that still tastes like hours-old airplane food, you know how tricky it can be to stay clean and rested while travelling. And that’s just the first leg of your trip. Where do you turn when access to basic facilities—like a shower and sink—becomes a distant memory?

A clean face can do a lot to offset dirty hands and foul breath. When considering your face on the road, there are two things to keep in mind: the climate of your destination and your skin type. My esthetician, Peggy, offer samples of the products she uses when doing my facials, whether free or gifts with purchase of services. It never hurts to accumulate samples over time as you can bust them out whenever you travel. 

You can pre-plan ways to look good and feel good on your trip. I just like to get up and go without having to apply makeup.  While I love eyelash extensions; humidity, sweat, and general wear can make them itch while travelling.  When they start to fall off, your eyes look lopsided and makeup removal takes longer.    There is a way to get the long lashes of your dreams for less money than eyelash extensions—and without all the sticky, tricky application and removal. Enter: magnetic lashes and Colette. She’ll help you choose the right style for you. All you do is pop ’em on whenever you want a little extra lash and gently pull them off when you’re done—simple as that.

My choice – I am CONFIDENT.

I’ve also tattooed my eyebrows (along permanent eyeliner on my top lid and on my lower lash line). Chandara makes this into an artform. While not everyone will want to do this, I find it finishes my face.  Now, I feel ready with a cleansed face, eyelashes, and eyebrows and can get on with my day wherever I am.

Pack Clothes In Three Coordinating Colours
When deciding what clothes to pack, choose pieces in three matching colours so you can mix and match each piece to create multiple outfits for different days, or even different occasions. Pick the colours based on where you’re going.

If you’re headed to Paris or another urban destination, for example, any combination of black, white, navy and charcoal is a good bet. For a beach vacation or outdoors excursion, khaki, off-white (or white) and bright hues like orange or yellow always work. Suggestions for actual articles of clothing to take: a pair of jeans, a pair of nice pants, a striped button down, a blazer and a comfortable T-shirt are always good options. Ideally, you should be wearing each piece two or three times on your trip. Anything less is a waste of space.

Minimize the Shoes
Most women don’t need to bring more than three pairs of shoes on any trip. Exercise sneakers, a comfortable daytime shoe to walk around in (loafers, for example), low boots or sandals and, for evenings, heeled sandals if you want them.

Men on the other hand, can generally get by with two pairs: sneakers and loafers, which can be worn both during the day and at night. And a tip for everyone when it comes to sneakers: many sportswear brands make lightweight pairs that fold, to take up less space in your bag.

Pack light and choose a few pairs that serve multiple purposes, rather than trying to bring a pair for every occasion or every evening.

Fly in Exercise Gear
Exercise clothes are becoming increasingly fashionable, and for flights, especially long-haul journeys, they’re incredibly comfortable to wear. They also fold neatly and fit into virtually any bag.

Women, consider compression leggings, along with a long-sleeved cotton top and coat. Men, try a pair of track pants and a track jacket, or a half or full-zip hoodie.

Accessorize the Right Way
A few key accessories can change the look of an entire outfit. In my travels, I pack some costume jewellery, like a statement necklace and a pair of oversized earrings. Pack your makeup in a sleek pouch that doubles as an evening bag. Men, alternatively, or people who do not wear jewellery, should consider a few pairs of bright socks in fun patterns, just to add a little personality to otherwise simple, coordinating outfits.

Bring One Dressy, Flexible Outfit
If you have a formal evening or event planned during your trip, don’t bother with bulky dresses and heavy full suits and jackets that take up a lot of space.

Opt for a slip dress, high-heeled sandals and a pair of bold earrings, while men should go for a pair of slacks, a flexible, multipurpose blazer, a crisp white shirt and loafers. Ideally, all of these are things you could use for another evening, a different outfit, or can be packed easily without adding bulk to your carry-on.