Traveling for business and fun - includes travel tips - Beauty and Style for the New Black Woman

Ebony, Nov, 1997

* And always carry a jacket or sweater, for airline cabin temperatures fluctuate dramatically. Sometimes cabins are cold. If you prefer not to carry an extra piece clothing, ask for a blanket upon boarding.

* Drink plenty of water, for the body tends to get dehydrated due to the regulated pressure and temperature of the airplane cabin. Drink water throughout the flight, but minimize alcohol and caffeine intake, for they tend to dehydrate.

Looking Great on Arrival

* Experienced female business travelers find it imperative to travel in comfort yet arrive at their destinations looking great so they might go straight from airport to business meeting. Here are some pointers to help you travel in style:

* Wear as little make-up as possible on the plane. Like your body, your skin dries out from the climate in the cabin. To ensure you arrive at your destination looking fresh, Uzzell of Sara Lee says you should moisturize your skin before you board the plane and apply your makeup after you land at your destination.

* Travel in comfortable shoes but keep heels handy. Shari Petty says she prefers to travel in a business pant-quit and nice looking flats. "I keep my pumps in my briefcase so I can change easily and go right into a meeting," she adds.

* Never wear or take linen--or clothing in any fabric that wrinkles easily--on a business trip. "Linen is a no-no," says Petty. "It wrinkles, and it's impossible to look crisp and professional at a business meeting when you are wrinkled."

* Find a manageable hairstyle that travels well through rain, humidity, wind and other natural deterrents to a good-hair day. Many Black women find that a short bob, natural or curly style works well for travel, while those with longer hair resort to pony tails, French rolls and chignons. A great assortment of hair bows, clips and other accessories make the job a little easier. While Petty says she refuses to take a curling iron when she travels, other professional women say they would never leave home without it. Some even keep them handy in their briefcases so they can refresh their coiffures when there's down time.

Keeping It Safe

* Whether you are traveling alone, with business associates or with your family, you should take an active role in their safety. Begin by being confident, being aware and being informed. "Be aware of your surroundings in a new city or hotel," says Uzzell.

* When making hotel reservations, ask what kinds of locks are on the doors. Are there magnetic keycards that are changed automatically when guests check out? Are there dead-bolt locks? Is there a peephole?

* Ask for a room in a well-lit area near the elevator and away from emergency exits, stairwells and service doors. Ask not to be placed at the end of a long corridor.

* Ask if hotel staff and security personnel are on duty at all times. For information and assistance, Uzzell suggests that you use the hotel concierge as a "primary source."

* When traveling, don't bog yourself down with too many hags. If you are trying to hail a cab with luggage, a briefcase, a purse and a computer, you are an easy mark for a thief.