The beauty products a skin care-obsessed musician used on a 21-hour flight to Australia

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Hi, internet friends. I’m Kristin, a musician and writer. I love talking about all things beauty, feminism, and chocolate. I’ve been traveling a ton over the past few months, so I’ve really put an effort into making my skin care routine as efficient as possible.

Because of that, I am extremely high-maintenance when it comes to my beauty regimen. My eczema forces me to be vigilant with my skin care routine, but at the same time, I also love wearing makeup on a regular basis. My fine, pin-straight, dry hair requires more work than you’d expect. This all means that long-distance traveling puts a serious damper in my beauty groove—don’t even get me started on the toll that recycled air takes on my skin and hair.

I mention this because I recently took a trip to Australia, which required me to fly six hours from N.Y.C. to L.A., then 15 hours from L.A. to Sydney. I had a short 45-minute layover between. From before I left my apartment in New York to heading to my first event in Sydney, here’s a breakdown of every beauty product I used. These items ensured I arrived in Australia looking snatched.

1 p.m. (EST)— Getting ready to head to the airport.

Something you should know about me is that I love a nice, long, deep-cleansing shower. This is especially true when I know I won’t get to take another one for at least 24 hours.

Before I headed out, I made sure to plan my time perfectly. I had a good 30 minutes in the bathroom, and I even made time for my hair to air-dry. My shower routine prepped my hair, skin, and body for a full day of travel. After I shampooed and conditioned my hair with the Tresemmé Keratin Smooth set ($4.99, each), I used a dollop of Coco & Eve’s Like a Virgin Nourishing Hair Mask ($44.90). I run it through my strands with the Tangle Teezer The Original Brush ($12) to help spread the product evenly. I then wrap my hair into a loose bun and secure it in the Shhhowercap ($43). I want to let the mask sit while I move onto my body.

For me personally, part of feeling clean is when I feel hairless, which is why I shave my arms and legs. I like to use a gentle exfoliant before I shave (I read somewhere that the stimulation makes your hair stand up for a closer shave). I rub the Frank Body Express-O Coffee Scrub ($20) all over my body before going in with my razor—I love this scrub because its whipped formula makes it more gentle and less messy than the original version. After shaving, I rinse off with a little bit of the St. Ives Oatmeal & Shea Body Wash ($3.97). Instead of using a loofah, I use my hands to spread it over my body. This makes it easier to feel if I’ve missed any spots while shaving. Finally, I use the Scrubee Body Butter from Lush ($7.95) for extra exfoliation and an added layer of moisture.

After I’m done showering, I slather Nivea’s Shea Butter Body Lotion ($5.28) all over my body. For my lips and face, I apply the Blistex Lip Medex ($8.35 for a pack of 2) and dab on the Perricone Face Finishing Moisturizing Tint ($69). This is my favorite moisturizer because I feel like the hydration lasts. Plus, it has tiny pigment capsules that adjust to your skin tone as you rub it in—you’re left with an even skin tone and a nice glow. I like that it also has SPF in it, because it feels like I’m getting a ton of benefits with just one use.

Next, I spray the Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Hair Oil ($28). This helps my hair air-dry smoothly and it gives it much-needed hydration. Finally, I spritz the Eric Buterbaugh Celestial Jasmine Perfume ($75)—I’m only bringing the travel-size bottle because the full-sized one would be too much work.

6:30 p.m. (EST)—Boarded and ready for take off.

Thankfully, I got upgraded to a seat with more leg room, so this flight should be easy-peasy. I’ve never flown Qantas before, but I’m enjoying the experience so far. The flight attendants are sweet and keep making sure I’m comfortable—I’m looking forward to a pleasant trip.

9:45 p.m. (EST)—My first steps of in-flight skin care.

After we’ve been fed and in the air for a while, I grab my Away The Everywhere Bag ($195) from the overhead bin to start my skin care regimen. First, I apply Garnier’s Micellar Cleansing Water ($6.96) and swipe away built-up dirt with a cotton pad. The micellar water normally comes in a big squeeze bottle, but for traveling, I transfer it into an old Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist ($48) container, which is TSA-approved and makes application easier. I re-apply some Blistex (my lips always seem to get chapped on long plane rides) and dot on my favorite toner, Leegeehaam’s Grow Hyal B5 Toner ($30). To finish off, I squeeze a quarter-sized amount of the Summer Fridays Jetlag Mask ($48). Usually, I wouldn’t use that much, but the pressure from the plane caused the bottle to slightly explode, and I don’t want to waste any product.

9:50 p.m. (PST)—Rushing to get to my next flight.

With my luck, I only have 45 minutes from the time we land until the time my connecting flight to Sydney takes off. After I find my friend Lexi, who’s traveling with me, I leave my carry-on bags with her while I freshen up in the restroom. I quickly brush my teeth and wash my face with the Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser ($34), which I miraculously snuck past TSA. This face wash is perfect for traveling because it cleans deeply, but it’s still super gentle for sensitive skin.

11:30 p.m. (PST)—A little bit of skin care.

We’ve been in the air for a hot minute, so I decide it’s time for some self-care (and I’ve finally stopped sweating after running between gates). The Dr. Jart Water Replenishment Sheet Mask ($7.50) is my weapon of choice for a boost of hydration. Lexi is also partaking in the skin care festivities with me, and she uses the Pore Minimalist Sheet Mask ($7.50) of the same brand. After about 15 minutes (and startling a couple of flight attendants), I peel off the mask and rub in the remaining serum with my Shiffa Jade Roller ($63), which gently massages and relaxes my face.

12:40 a.m. (PST)—Time for my nighttime skin care routine.

After eating dinner on the plane, I’m ready to pass out for the next 14 hours. But before I do, I decide to prep my skin like I normally would. I start off with my B5 toner, then spread one pump of the Nooni Radiance Dual Essence ($25), the Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum ($85), and the Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment ($105). Of all the serums and toners I’ve tried, this combination has made my Sahara desert dry skin more balanced and normal.

I top off my serum cocktail with the Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado ($29). Then, I mix my holy grail moisturizer, the Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream ($60) with a few drops of the Pai Skincare Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil ($40). I start to feel dry spots near the corners of my mouth, so I spread on a tiny amount of the Doctor Rogers Restore Healing Balm ($30). Finally, I apply the Peter Thomas Roth Nighttime Eyelash Treatment ($85, currently sold out). I snap on my airline-issued sleeping mask, wrap my neck pillow around me, and head off for beddy-bed time.

12:25 p.m. (PST)—We’re almost in Sydney.

We just had breakfast, and we’re about to land soon. I notice that my eye bags look a bit rough, so I pop on the Joanna Vargas Bright Eye Firming Mask ($60) to perk them up.

7:45 a.m. (AEST)— Off to start our day.

Lexi and I are off the plane and we need to get ready for a full day of activities. I grab my makeup kit out of my carry-on and attempt to do some semblance of my normal makeup routine in the car. To start, I dab on Volition’s Prismatic Luminizing Shield sPF 50 ($35) and a little bit of the Perricone face tint for an SPF-fueled glow. Even though the UV index in Sydney is only two, it can’t hurt to apply sunscreen—especially since we’re going to be walking around.

For my makeup, I brought a bunch of my favorite cream and stick products (I love that they can easily be applied with my fingers). I smooth on the Nudestix Tinted Blur Stick in Medium 6 ($30) for lightweight, sheer coverage, and use the shade Light 3 to highlight under my eyes, middle of my forehead, and down the center of my nose. I warm up the contours of my face with the Nudestix All Over Face Color in Bondi Bae ($30) and tap Flesh Beauty’s Lip Compact in Swollen ($24) on the apples of my cheeks, eyelids, and lips for a monochromatic look. I finish off with the Maybelline Brow Fiber in Dark Brown ($8.49), L’Oréal’s cult-favorite Lash Paradise Mascara ($9.99), and Urban Decay’s Hi-Fi Shine Ultra Cushion Lip Gloss in the shade 1993 ($20). After a MySpace-style selfie, I’m finally ready.

It’s been a long couple days (and I’ve jumped 14 hours into the future), but I think my skin looks decent, and I’m ready to take on the week.

Indulge in beauty-themed voyeurism by reading all of our past Beauty Files, here.