I get so many emails, from lovely ladies asking me questions about my job. If you didn't know already, I am in fact an air hostess/trolley dolly/cabin crew/air stewardess.
Some of the emails I receive are general questions about flying, and what training entailed but of course, the majority of them are questions relating to what products I wear at work and things of that nature.
I decided that I would put together a little post of essential products that I use for my day-to-day at work.
If you have any questions about the training, recruitment process etc, please feel free to email me on laura@belles-boutique.co.uk- I would love to help!
Most airlines are pretty strict when it comes to the presentation of there "Dollies", and believe it or not we do have rules of the minimum make up we can wear. Yes, we have to wear make up. As I'm sure you can imagine, this makes me very happy.
As well as thinking about make up for the day/trip, I also have to be aware that I may end up with an unscheduled night stop- so I always have to think ahead and pack for just in case occasions.
Unfortunately, we don't get any special treatment when it comes to security- so when it comes to the 100ml rule- there is no escaping it. I have to try to squeeze in all of my liquids into a tiny plastic bag, so where I can avoid it, I do try. Unfortunately, it's not that easy when you're high maintenance ;)
Products-
MAC Studio Fix Fluid or bareMinerals Original Foundation- Depending on what kind of day I'm having, I will use either one of these. I prefer to wear a liquid foundation when flying but bareMinerals works a treat when used with fix+ in the air and it saves space in the liquid bag!
Nars Laguna- I need to purchase another, as unfortunately I dropped it but being bronzed is even more important to me at work. Firstly, because the lighting is the worst lighting in the world and completely washes you out and secondly because seeing all those tanned holidaymakers would be even more depressing without it!
FashionistA Blush- I take this blush with me because it's really quite small and I love the colour. It really wakes my face up, and at 3am that's always necessary!
MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer- As a dolly, you work extremely long hours and the dark circles that I suffer with on a normal day are even worse. This covers them up pretty well in the mornings, and tends to last me throughout the day without touch up.
HD Brow Palette- I don't ever touch up my brows but take it with me if I'm on a trip or just to be on the safe side with unexpected night stops etc. I'm all about the brows and would feel naked without them!
New CID i-Flutter- This is by far my favourite mascara at the moment, I really love using it. It lengthens my lashes really nicely and doesn't go dry throughout the day. That's very important for me in that atmosphere, especially when you're tired.
Selection of Lipsticks because you never know- MAC, YSL and Topshop- I take a few lipsticks with me for a few reasons. I have about an hours drive to get to work, and so don't apply my lipstick until I'm there. I choose the colour depending on my mood when I get there. Also, if I have a trip or something, I need a selection!
MUA Lip Balm & Blistex Intensive Moisturiser- My lips get extremely dry flying, so Blistex Intensive Moisturiser is completely necessary. It really works so well and I couldn't get through a flight without it. Okay I could, but it wouldn't be pleasant! I take an MUA Lip Balm just incase I decide to ditch the lippy mid-flight. It doesn't give a huge amount of colour, but it gives something and keeps me moisturised too!
OPI Coney Island Cotton Candy- This is new to my collection but with one of the rules being for our lips and nails coloured to compliment each other, I find this a really pretty nude to match with pretty much everything. With chipped nails kind of inevitable in that role, this is a less stand out colour.
Duo Eyelash Adhesive- If I wear a false lash to work, which is often if I have a later start. I take this as occasionally the air can dry the glue out and I'm scared they'll fall off. It's tiny so takes up no space.
Victor & Rolf and Kim Kardashian Rollerball Perfume- Most of my perfumes are either over 100ml or in huge bottles, so these come in really handy for popping into my liquid bag for touch ups throughout the day. They are surprisingly strong and work really well.
Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream- Although at home I'm currently using the Liz Earle moisturiser, I find this perfect for after a super drying flight and underneath my make up. I need it with me for night stops, and its under 100ml which is handy!
Another cream that works very well on board is the Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream, it's often available in duty free and crew use it for absolutely everything!
bareMinerals Renew and Hydrate Eye Cream- This isn't needed during the flight either, but is handy for after the flight if I'm not at home, to fingers crossed restore my super tired under eye area.
MAC Fix +- I always use this during the flight to refresh my make up if it's becoming a bit yuck and even purely to just wake me up a little. It's really refreshing and works especially well if I decided to wear my bareMinerals. This is often a crew favourite and after I tell the other dolls what it does, gets passed very quickly around the galley! Thankfully its 100ml so is okay to take with me, though I've recently heard that MAC do a miniature now too, so I'll have to pick that up!
Body Shop Body Butter- I used to just take a hand cream with me, but decided to take this as its small and can be used on the rest of my body as well. Oh and it smells delicious which is refreshing on a long flight.
Carex Hand Sanitizer- I'm sure I don't need to go into this, as I'm sure you can imagine why I would need this. I can assure you that working in that environment isn't all glamour, and is one of the most un-hygenic places ever at times. I'm constantly sanitising my hands, which is so important but unfortunately plays havoc with my fake tan!
Toothpaste- It's nice to freshen up either mid-flight or before flying home, also completely necessary if you are stopping over somewhere.
Sure Maximum Protection Confidence Deodorant- I recently received this and I am absolutely so grateful- who knew I would be so excited over a deodorant! Working in such a hot and busy environment can begin to take its toll, and although most deodorants do a good job- this does a brilliant one. It costs couple of pounds more than most, but has super super protection which will keep me confident when standing in front of hundreds of people doing the safety demonstration! *Your nearest exits are here, here and here*
V05 Ultimate Hold Hairspray- More than anything, okay well after hygiene, this is the post important thing a dolly can carry. If you have hair longer than just above shoulder length, it needs to be up in a glam style and you cannot have one flyaway. Literally, not one. So although it's not great for my hair, I'm constantly spraying and go through miniature hairsprays quicker than any other product. This isn't my favourite one, I like ones that brush out really well after a flight, but due to me buying them all the time, are quite reasonable. If you have any recommendations- I would love to hear them!
No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Face Wipes- I unfortunately can't take my cleansers with me, so I take these wipes. In the No7 rebrand, they have replaced the No7 4 in 1 wipes, but they are pretty much the same I think- though maybe not so wet.
Philip Kingsley Shampoo & Conditioner- I don't always take shampoo and conditioner, but if I do I take these now because fortunately, they're what I'm using at the moment at they are only 75ml.
Miniature Shower Gel- I always take one of these, although I need to purchase some new ones. I like to have my own on me in case of a night stop, and although hotels offer soaps etc- it's nice to have your own things!
There you have it, the contents of my work bag minus the brushes, the make up brushes, the mirror, the tissues, the phone charger, the hair straighteners, the spare tights, the spare underwear, the spare clothes, two pairs of work shoes, one pair of casual shoe, the shoe polish and the bikinis! Phew!
I hope that this has helped you, and has answered some of your questions.
If you are going on an aeroplane on holiday, all I can recommend is that you go bare faced, drink lots of water and take a moisturiser with you! Although its lovely to dress up for a flight (I love to be nosey at everyone), it's really not necessary- flying is incredibly unhealthy and dehydrating for your skin and you will be so much more comfortable product free- I promise you!
I hope you're well, if you would like to see more posts like this please comment below.
What are your flying must haves?
xx