Whether you’re heading straight off a long haul to a business meeting, taking an early morning flight out for a city break or wanting to use your in-flight time more productively, the on board facial has become a must in any beauty routine. Taking influence from Korean skincare, sheet masks have taken over the beauty world and every department store to local pharmacy stock them. But what really works? And which sheet masks will give you a rested glow no matter how turbulent your flight was?
From the reusable mask that came out on top to the one that will help you get a tan before you even arrive at your resort, we’ve tested out the very best so you can slip them into your carry-on and not worrying about the previously inevitable dull, dry skin that planes are normally infamous for.
Best Overall Sheet Mask:
Charlotte Tilbury Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask, £18
Our holy grail when it comes to the sheet mask comes from the woman who has created the perfect Hollywood glow on just about every A-List celebrity going, and we can see why. If you’re used to a soggy sheet mask, this may take you back at first as it’s dry and makes you wonder just where the boost of hydration comes from. But suspend your disbelief as it holds up to its name and really is magic.
Charlotte’s mask contains vitamins, floral extracts, peptides, oils and butters- everything you need for photo ready skin and perfect if you need to look put together and in control after a 12 hour flight. Use the mask up to three times and notice lifted, boosted and radiant skin.
Charlotte Tilbury have also announced their first airport concession at Heathrow Terminal 5 meaning you can pick up one of these before heading to the lounge knowing the last thing you need to worry about is how you’ll look when you land.
Purchase the Charlotte Tilbury Sheet Mask
Best For Dry & Dehydrated Skin:
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Powerfoil Masks, £108 for 8
Let’s state the obvious first- using the Estee Lauder Powerfoil sheet mask will look like you’ve put cooking foil on your face. But, let the prospect of looking slightly silly slide and prepare for healthy skin thanks to Estee Lauder’s new iconic product.
If you’re a fan of the Advanced Night Repair range (and if you’re not, you really should be) this mimicks the same innovative properties that leave any skin looking instantly fresh and younger in a flash. However, unlike most of the range, the powerfoil masks take just 10 minutes meaning you can pop one on just before the seatbelt light comes on and know you’ll look rested by the time you’ve landed.
Locking in moisture, each Powerfoil treatment wraps skin in a double dose of Advanced Night Repair serum’s “powerful moisture magnet”. For dry and dehydrated skin that can look crumpled and defeated after even a short flight, this quick fix is a must and only needs to be used once per week; the ability to buy in multi-packs means you’ll never be without and can happily leave one in every suitcase and travel pouch going.
Purchase the Estee Lauder Sheet Mask
Best For Radiance:
Pixi GLOW Glycolic Boost, £10 for 3
Pixi are famous for their Glow Tonic which has spurred a million dupes with not a single one measuring up to the original (and we’ve tried a lot). If you’re unfamiliar with the brand or the product, Pixi’s Glow range is all about adding suitable acids to breath life into skin and giving a fresh, healthy look.
The serum that coats this biodegradable masks contains glycolic acid and herbal extracts that are suitable for almost all skin types (a lot of people with sensitive skin get on with this range but, if you’re unsure, do a small patch test first). If you’re heading straight to a special occasion or dinner, this is the only in-flight facial product for you. Apply comfortably to the face and relax for 10-15 minutes while the mask gets to work, afterwards you’re left with skin so plump and glowing that you’ll think you’ve had an in-depth spa treatment.
Afterwards, apply sun protection and give use the Pixi Extra Eye Bright Liner that will disguise redness caused by even the worst insomnia-ridden flights.
Purchase the Pixi Beauty Sheet Mask
Best For Tanning:
St Tropez Self Tan Express Face Sheet Mask, £15
Initially a self-tanning sheet mask sounds scary- won’t it leave weird marks? What if you leave it on too long? Fear not, as St Tropez have produced the near-perfect product for making sure you’re suitably tanned between appointments. If you’re on your way home from a beach retreat and your face has suffered due to too much shading, or heading out for an Ibiza weekend and want to get a head start, use your time on board to help get that sunshine glow.
This easy to use, durable mask is fuss and mess free and keeps skin incredibly hydrated due to an added boost of hyaluronic acid. Unless you’re anything more than olive in skin tone, we recommend leaving this mask on for no longer than 7 minutes meaning it’s ideal to pop on while you wait for your Americano to cool. Keep an eye on the time to make sure your skin colour blends seamlessly and make sure you smooth out any air bubbles.
Keep some cleansing gel to hand to wash away tell-tale signs of fake tan hands and let the mask do its thing. After 5-7 minutes, peel off and massage excess serum gently down your neck and across your décolletage. Over the next 8 hours the product will develop and by the time you’ve stepped off the flight, you’ve got a dewy glow that lasts and lasts.
Purchase the St Tropez Sheet Mask
Keep an eye on our beauty section for more luxury reviews, travel beauty essentials and the best treatments around the globe.
Hollie Brooks is a freelance journalist writing for publications including Red magazine, the Independent and Metro. Hollie is a wheelchair user and specialises in disabled travel.
