Look good on the go: tips for travelers on how to banish puffy eyes, dry skin, frizzy hair and other beauty woes

Shape, Dec, 2004 by Daniella Brodsky

Traveling any time of the year--and particularly during the holidays--is enough to make even the most relaxed among us look frazzled and feel like we've seen better days. To the rescue: these rapid radiance- and sanity-restoring tips for before, during and after your trip, from the people who know best--top hotel and airport spa directors. The emphasis here is on simplifying and de-stressing, so wave goodbye to that weary traveler staring back at you in the mirror!

Fight stuffy air with aromatherapy

"When you fly, recirculated air can cause sinuses to feel stuffed up," explains Marilyn Tomaso, spa director of D-parture Spa at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J. What can help: invigorating oils delivered with massage or steam.

* On the go Rub a drop of peppermint, rosemary or sage essential oil onto temples with fingertips; at your destination, add 10 drops of oil to a warm tub, making sure to close the bathroom door to allow nasal-cleansing steam to build up. (You can also try an essential-oil blend like E'SPA invigorating oils, $35; 202-787-6100.) Even if there's only time for a quick post-travel shower, you can still nab the benefits by using Jurlique Aromamist Skin Refresher Travel Blend ($24; jurlique.com), a mix of bergamot, grapefruit and lavender essential oils, which can be sprayed all over to invigorate.

* At the spa While at Newark Airport's B or C terminals, opt for Dparture Spa's Sinus Relief Facial (60 minutes for $75; 973-565-9900); a blend of essential oils is used during the pore steaming and facial massage to help clear nasal passages.

Boost skin's moisture for a radiant glow

Another unfortunate effect of plane air: dry skin. Step up your moisturizing routine before and during travel to feel more comfortable and look better. "The only way to get a dewy, beautiful look from makeup is to start with well-hydrated skin," says Los Angeles-based makeup artist Shalini Vadhera, who works on CBS's The Early Show with well-traveled clients who often come straight from the landing strip to the set. Vadhera suggests sleeping with a hydrating mask on skin the night before you travel (best bet: Chanel Precision Continuous Hydrating Mask, $32.50; gloss.com). Intensify the impact of such products by prepping skin with an exfoliator (sloughing off dead cells allows moisturizers to better hydrate the skin); try Biotherm's Biosource Clarifying Exfoliating Gel ($16; biotherm-usa.com) with algae powder to help polish away impurities and soybean extract to soften skin and get it glowing.

* On the go Tote along [H.sub.2]O Plus Oasis 24 Hydrating Booster ($28; h20plus.com), designed to increase the skin's ability to retain and absorb moisture. You can also boost the moisture quotient in your makeup regimen by switching to light, nourishing formulas like tinted moisturizers instead of heavy foundations. (Try Clinique City Block Sheer Shimmer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 15, $15.50; clinique.com.) Also opt for cream, rather than powder, makeup; it's more hydrating. We like Longcils Boncza Lumiere Touch 3 in 1 ($22; 800-753-2038), a creamy pencil that can be used on cheeks, lids and lips and blended with fingers or a brush.

* At the spa You'd be hard-pressed not to find a hydrating treatment at the Absolute Spa, located inside Vancouver International Airport at YVR Domestic Terminal. One pampering treatment we love: the E.T.A. Hydrating Express Facial ($60 for 45 minutes; absolutespa.com), which uses active ingredients like panthenol, chamomile and wheat bran to rehydrate skin.

Use makeup to wake up your eyes

"Red eyes triggered by dilated blood vessels, caused by dry air and lack of sleep, can add years to your face," Vadhera explains. To freshen up your eyes, steer clear of black liners and opt instead for navy ones, since blue makes the whites of your eyes look whiter. Then blend a creamy peach or white highlighting concealer beneath eyes to conceal dark circles and brighten the overall area. Lauren Hutton's Passport to Africa kit ($60; laurenhutton.com) has all the makeup you need for a trip, including sheer concealers, spot concealers, lip balm, eyebrow shadow, eyeliner and blush in easy-to-use colors that work on nearly everyone. Another must-have is NARS' The Multiple in the peachy shade Portofino ($35; sephora.com); it's a chubby tube of sheer cream-to-powder color that works to brighten cheeks and lips.

* On the go Don't leave home without La Prairie's Cellular Anti-Puff Eye Gel ($125; laprairie.com) with lemon balm, or Dr. Gendler's Skin Appointments Eye Assist with Matrixyl, an ingredient that helps promote production of the skin-firming tissues collagen and elastin while smoothing and de-puffing ($25; skinappointments.com).

* At the spa At the La Prairie Spa at the Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park, the sleep-deprived can rejuvenate with Jet Lag Therapy ($265 for 90 minutes; 212-521-6135). It's designed to banish the effects of time-zone changes, dry airplane air and uncomfortable seats with aromatherapy massage, foot and hand reflexology and a de-stressing facial.