Strangers Always Compliment Me at The Airport—30 Items I Hold Responsible
Most Wanted is a weekly series in which one editor, staffer, or influencer shares their top 30 must-haves or current wish-list items.
I’m never going to be that perfectly put together person at the airport—I’m just not. I value comfort more than anything else, and, historically, I’d consider myself a success if my hair was clean and freshly styled and I was clad in anything other than sweats and a baseball cap. However, in the past year or two, I’ve been averaging three trips a month which puts me in an airport at least six times, maybe more if I have a connection. Thus, I’ve had to start getting my shit together.
From a more organized and streamlined packing system to what I wear and how I get ready, I’ve finally homed in on a routine that emphasizes efficiency, comfort, and a little more thoughtfulness when it comes to overall presentation. That said, you’ll rarely catch me in a full face of makeup, and while I’ve graduated from full-on sweats, you’ll still find me in buttery-soft denim and breathable, easy layers on top. For my hair, I tend to wash and blow dry the night before so I all I have to do in the morning is run a wand through my strands and add a touch of oil for shine. I also love to sleep in self-tan so I can wake up, rinse, and feel nice and sun-kissed prior to traveling. (Not only does a tan give me an extra glow, but it also evens out my skin tone, camouflages any imperfections, and gives my complexion a healthier, brighter appearance.) I’ll curl my lashes, swipe on a lip stain, and pretty much call it a day. Then, right before leaving the house, I’ll lightly spritz my signature fragrance (a combo of two perfumes that is my best accidental beauty discovery possibly ever) behind my ears, on my chest, and at the pulse points of my wrists.
Over the past few weeks I’ve been getting more compliments than ever before from strangers at the airport, which is somewhat ironic considering how simple my beauty and style formula has become. From people commenting on how good I smell to an employee questioning me on the makeup I was wearing (I wasn’t), I decided to start taking notes. Keep scrolling!
The Skincare
DUA Powered by Augustinus Bader Science
Supercharged Glow Complex
I’ve been really into all three products in Dua Lipa’s new skincare collection which is an ingenious, slightly more budget-friendly, collab with Augustinus Bader. This glow-enhancing serum is my favorite out of the trio and basically tackles every skin ill you can think of. It contains AB’s signature TFC5™ technology, marine bio-retinol, vitamin B7, niacinamide, ectoin, and glyceryl glucoside. I mix it with about six drops of self-tanning face oil (which I’ll get to in a moment) and massage it into clean, freshly-cleansed skin.
+Lux Unfiltered
N°12 Self Tanning Face Drops
I’ve waxed poetic about these drops from +Lux Unfiltered for years, but I have yet to find a better formula. It’s the only self-tanning oil that doesn’t cause my sensitive, acne-prone skin to break out, it smells significantly less funky than most facial self-tanners (IYKYK), and the color is so natural and sun-kissed looking. I build it into my daily skincare routine to maintain a nice glow all year long and that slight boost of color negates the need for foundation or concealer most days.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
Derminfusions Fill + Repair Eye Cream
This doesn’t replace filler or Botox, but it most definitely tightens, brightens, and hydrates my eye area—I concentrate the application anywhere I have baby fine lines and wrinkles, like my crow’s feet. I treat it like a primer for a second eye formula I use directly afterward.
InnBeauty Project
Bright & Tight Dark Circle Firming Eye Cream With Vitamin C & Peptides
I LOVE this stuff and a little goes a long way—I’ve been working from the same bottle for about a year which makes it a worthwhile investment IMO. Once the Dr. Dennis Gross formula dries down, I top it with a few dabs of this cream. The formula is pearlized and peachy which lightly color corrects and lightens my dark circles. It’s also packed with three different types of vitamin C, caffeine, peptides, and tranexamic acid.
Sunnee BAEskin
Baeside Hydrating Sea Mist Tanning Water
Sunnee BAEskin is the brain child of Isabel Alysa, a renowned celebrity tanning artist and the creator of the luxurious, significantly more expensive self-tanning line, Dolce Glow. This hydrating mist is incredible, gives the skin a soft boost of color, and is the last step in my morning routine to seal in glow and an extra layer of non-greasy moisture.
Lip Lab
Agave Nighttime Lip Therapy
You can almost always catch me using a “nighttime” lip mask all day, every day. Why use a balm or gloss when you can get shine, loads of long-lasting hydration, and some extra plumping power? This OG formula from Lip Lab smells divine and will make your lips look and feel spectacular—trust.
The Makeup
B&Rudi
Berry Freckled Pen
Everyone from Hailey Bieber to Dua Lipa has been seen using this freckle pen which is an almost constantly sold out collab between Beaubble and beauty content creator, Rudi Berry. So many freckle products dry out or look unnatural on the skin, but this one is seriously elite and once you try it, you’ll understand why all of the celebs love it. I naturally have a sprinkling of freckles on the tip and bridge of my nose and along the high points of my cheekbones, so I go in light-handedly with this pen to subtly enhance them.
Wonderskin
Wonder Blading All-Day Lip Stain in Demure
Applying this viral stain has officially become a staple part of my morning routine, whether I’m going barefaced or planning to apply a full face of makeup. It gives your lips the prettiest wash of color that stays put all day but looks completely natural. I simply apply it all over my lips (overlining just slightly along the center of both my upper and bottom lip), let it marinate for about five minutes, and then lightly wipe off with a damp washcloth. I’m obsessed with the shade Lipotle (which is now sadly unavailable) but other favorites include Demure, Whimsical, and Charming.
Glossier
Boy Brow Arch in Auburn
Whenever I go in to get my color done, my colorist typically tints my brows using the same shade she uses for my strands. But, when I want a tad more definition, or if I’m going through a sparse phase (does anyone else just randomly lose a clump of brow hairs for no reason?!) I’ll fill them in with Glossier’s brow pencil in Auburn.
NYX Professional Makeup
The Brow Glue Crazy Lift
I freaking love this stuff. I could never tolerate clear brow gels until I tried this one—it’s never clumpy or flaky and truly gives you the look of a budge-proof laminated brow.
Tweezerman
Procurl Eyelash Curler in Rose Gold
I naturally have long straight lashes (which I supplment with Latisse) so getting them to stay lifted and perfectly curled is no small feat. I’ve tried almost every single model of eyelash curler at this point, even the so called “best,” and this one is the only one that seriously works magic. I’ve used it for years and pray to the beauty gods that it’s never discontinued. One note from the brand—this model is especially great for people with round-shaped eyes!
The Hair
Slip
Slip X Skims Large Scrunchies – Fair
I always like to have some big silk scrunchies on hand—not only are they soft and comfy on the plane but they’re easy on a blowout and maintain curls or waves without adding any unwanted crimps or bends like a claw clip can.
ghd
Chronos Curve Max Wand
I’m impressively untalented when it comes to styling my own hair, so I’ve never effed around with irons that have a clamp. Why bother when a wand like this model from GHD is impossible to mess up and delivers unfussy waves that actually last?
Sephora
Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops Anti-Frizz Hair Oil
There’s nothing worse than having greasy hair while traveling. This oil is surprisingly lightweight but packs a major punch in the gloss department. It lends the look of utter wealth and health to my dullness-prone strands, and I swear it’s the reason people randomly compliment my hair while making their way through security.
France Luxe
Quilted Small Claw Clip
I don’t go anywhere without clamping a chic little claw clip to the strap of my bag.
Kenra Professional
Volume Spray 25
For months, whenever my colorist styled my hair it looked so much better (for days!) compared to my own at-home blowouts. I finally realized this spray was the one thing she was using that I wasn’t, so this purchase was the cure.
The Scent
Phlur
Father Figure Eau de Parfum
Don’t get me wrong—I have a fiendish love for this fragrance as a solo number, but after accidentally layering it with Mood Ring (see below) a couple of years ago, it’s been the magical combo that stops literally everyone in their tracks. Most recently, the lovely man who helped check my luggage sent me off to my gate with a kind “By the way, you truly smell impeccable.” Sure, I was slightly taken aback, but I was also rather pleased with myself. After all, it feels like an uphill battle to smell fresh and pleasant at a sweaty, human-clogged airport!
Phlur
Mood Ring Eau de Parfum
Again, this pretty baby is dynamite on its own, but it’s downright dangerous layered with Father Figure.
Phlur
Father Figure Travel Size
I own the full size of both perfumes, but I sure as heck have a travel size of both Father Figure and Mood Ring in my carry-on at all times.
Phlur
Mood Ring Travel Size
Trust me, you will not regret this purchase!
Phlur
Father Figure Deodorant
I’ve tried so many times to be a natural deodorant person, but I’m just not. If I was, you can bet your bottom dollar that this stick would be on my vanity.
The Outfit
Free People
Lace Lover Bralette
I really can’t be bothered with underwire, well, ever, but especially not while traveling. Free People has the best assortment of ultra-comfy yet pretty bralettes that make a white tank top (see below) feel a little sexier. I almost always go with black, but you do you!
Hanes
Boys Solid Ribbed Tank in White (5-Pack)
I go through white tanks like water, and these Hanes ones are a classic for a reason. I get them in Boys size for a close fit that’s not too cropped.
GRLFRND
Bella Low Rise Boyfriend in The Mission
These inky black boyfriend jeans from GRLFRND are the next best thing to a soft set of sweats. They’re the only jeans I’ll wear while traveling—the denim is just that soft and they obviously look good with everything.
Proenza Schouler
X Sorel Caribou Mules Golden Ochre and Black
I’m in the midwest and currently dealing with a solid two inches of slush no matter where I go. At the airport, I need something waterproof, comfortable, easy to slip on and off, and chic. This Proenza Schouler and Sorel collab is my go-to and Bella Hadid-approved. Snap them up while you can because there aren’t too many more floating around the internet.
FP Movement
A Cut Above Zip-Up Hoodie
I’m absolutely never comfortable while traveling—I’m either too hot or too cold, so an oversized hoodie is a necessity for my on and then off game of back and forth.
Brandon Blackwood New York
Sylvia Bag
I was gifted a huge chocolate-colored Brandon Blackwood tote a few years ago while on a press trip, and I’ve been a fan of the brand ever since. These bags are compliment magnets and incredibly roomy which makes them perfect for easy travel. This Sylvia Bag in the Cracked Black Leather option is in constant rotation.
The Finishing Touches
LouiseCarmen
Roadbook in Saffron
I’m an editor, so of course I have a notebook on hand at all times for random ideas, doodles, lists, story ideas, to-dos, and anything else that pops into my brain mid-flight. You can’t beat Louise Carmen’s handcrafted French leather notebooks, and I’m currently infatuated with this Saffron yellow hue. They’re highly customizable and rather addictive to collect, so I’m telling you now… you’ve been warned! (Take a look at Claudia Sulewski’s notebook tour if you’re looking for more inspo.)
SODQW
Office-Siren Blue Light Glasses
These under-$20 Y2K-inspired blue light glasses are one of the only TikTok Shop purchases I’ve ever made, and they’re hands-down one of my favorite purchases of all time. I have them in black but am tempted to buy a few more colors.
Essie
Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish in All Checked Out
A raisin-hued nail polish is my favorite nail polish. The is it chocolate or is it burgundy? hybrid is chic and less basic than your average black, brown, maroon, or nude.
