How can you stay at your best when you're on the road - or, more accurately, in the air? Five women who travel regularly share their secrets with Alanna Gallagher
Make-up on or off?After a recent emergency landing Victoria Beckham reportedly locked herself in an aircraft bathroom to put on her face before facing the world. Liz O'Donnell, the former minister of state, is the only one of our group who admits to wearing make-up in the air. The others moisturise and spritz.
In-the-air indulgencesLiz O'Donnell can't travel without Crème de la Mer lip balm. As a model, Alison Canavan has to keep up appearances for the job she's flying to. "Climatic changes play havoc with my skin," she says. She puts Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream on her lips and applies a face mask in-flight. "I don't care what people think. I use Sebum Clearing Masque by Dermalogica, leave it on for 10 minutes and then wash it off."
What to wear on the flightLara Marlowe, our Paris correspondent, gets very cold. "I tend to wear a shawl and woolly tights which keep the chills away," she says. Annmarie Flood, the chief executive of A|Wear, usually wears a dress, as she finds them most comfortable. "I usually favour jersey fabrics that don't crease and a flat comfy pair of kick-offable pumps." "I wear black pants with Lycra for comfort and flexibility," says Liz O'Donnell. "I would normally wear a wrap-around knit that can be replaced by a smart jacket on arrival." Canavan wears a cashmere Juicy Couture tracksuit.
How to work on a flightAn aircraft is a great place to work, says Marlowe, who has covered numerous conflicts for The Irish Times. "When I'm flying I read myself into a story, prepare outlines and make lists of people to question. When the war broke out in Georgia I read every newspaper and clippings file straight through to Tbilisi. Coming back from a story, I'll have two or three stories left to write. I'll be writing a piece on the plane, or at least outlining it." Flood uses the flight to catch up on reading fashion and trade magazines. "I mostly travel with a business associate, which allows for meetings and discussions."
Phones on flights"I hate the thought of 300 mobiles ringing constantly while in an enclosed environment," says Flood. "On the other hand, we live in a fast-paced world where communication is key to drive your business. Phones are a must." "I am against the use of phones on flights," says O'Donnell. "I hate overhearing other people's conversations and unconsciously absorbing other people's stress and dilemmas." Flights are the last sanctuary from the phone, says Marlowe. "I know high-powered businesspeople need phones, but they're a blight on other passengers. I'll miss the time to think and work when they're introduced." Gina Quin, head of Dublin Chamber of Commerce, says: "I would find it much more useful to be able to e-mail and access the internet during flights rather than to make or receive calls . . . It is important that an etiquette around phone use is established, so that fellow travellers are respected."
Sleeping on flightsLiz O'Donnell needs an eye mask and earplugs to drift off. Any brand will do. Warmth is vital, she adds. "I always bring a fleece or a pashmina to heat me up." Canavan says you get used to sleeping on aircraft. "I try to sleep as much as I can, and I never go anywhere without bringing a blanket and a gel mask that depuffs the eyes." Marlowe says: "I inevitably end up beside a crying baby or a snoring man, so silicon earplugs are a must. They're very malleable. The sponge ones don't keep sounds out."
Eating and drinking on flights"Avoid all food on the flight," says Flood. "And avoid alcohol the day before as well as on the flight. I have a healthy meal before getting the flight." Hydration is also important. "On a transatlantic flight I drink at least two litres of water, with about an inch of cranberry juice to add a hint of flavour," says Canavan. "Because I drink so much water I request an aisle seat."
What kind of luggage?On short hops Marlowe uses a Lancel wheelie with an extendable handle that she's had for 10 years. She usually carries on her luggage. O'Donnell likes a medium-size bag on wheels; she always puts it in the hold. "My current one is a Diane von Furstenberg tapestry style, which I bought in TJ Maxx in New York - a great and elegant bargain."
What to packPacking is a nightmare for O'Donnell. "I always get it wrong and bring far too much." She loves silk jersey, as it doesn't crease and takes up little space. "I have two Yasmin Velloza dresses, which are silk and cashmere. They are great for business meetings and always look sharp." Flood keeps her luggage light. "I put cosmetics into see-through bags, which means I don't have to bother with the plastic bags at the airport." She also says her collection of jersey dresses by Peter O'Brien are working-wardrobe winners. When she travels to the Middle East Marlowe uses a huge bag by Eastpak. "It's ideal for going somewhere like Afghanistan. I can carry a lot of stuff. When it's an open-ended trip to a war zone I could be there for up to four weeks. When travelling to Baghdad I have to transport my satellite phone, my flak jacket that weighs a ton and a helmet." She has had to pay excess-luggage charges for the flak jacket. "I need to get a lighter flak jacket," she says. She also carries small Philips speakers, to listen to the outside world via internet radio. "I listen to the BBC World Service and also to classical music, to help relax me." Marlowe also packs a plastic bag with washing powder and rubber gloves, for washing her smalls. "I think it's embarrassing for male staff in the Middle East to wash them. It makes my life easier."
Make-up-bag must-havesFlood loves Jo Malone's box set of miniature fragrances. "It's a fantastic range of scents. You just need to pack one choice each time you travel to stay fragrant." "Skin care is tough for me, as my skin is really bad right now," says Canavan. She packs NeoStrata, which she gets from Dublin-based dermatologist Brigid O'Connell. She also can't live without Cetaphil cleanser (a favourite of Cameron Diaz). Flood says she decants skin and hair products into travel-size bottles. And a toilet bag with medication, such as anti-diarrhoeals, is especially useful, says Marlowe. "I hoard the wipes given out on planes. When you're working on a story in the middle of a war zone, it means you're able to clean your hands."
How do you stop garments from creasing?Leave them in the dry-cleaner's plastic wrapping, says O'Donnell. "It works." Flood usually rolls her garments. "On arrival I hang them in the shower area and let the steam do its work."
First, business or economy class?"It is worth going first class if the cost is being covered by a client and one needs to be fresh after a long-haul flight," says O'Donnell. "I see no benefit in first class on short-haul flights." Flood says: "First class is fabulous; business class is good. I fly economy in Europe and business class to all other destinations." Marlowe says: "The only time I've travelled first class was during the war in Lebanon where there were fears of westerners being kidnapped. I flew with Middle East Airlines, under a phoney Arabised name, and did not check luggage."
On travelling aloneO'Donnell hates travelling without company. "I am no good on my own and need to talk to others, even if I don't know them. I try not to travel alone." Flood has no problem with travelling solo. "I have been doing it for over 20 years," she says.
Do you mind eating alone?Flood doesn't. "I mostly people-watch and enjoy the break from paperwork. For me this is an enjoyable, relaxing time, and I try to keep it that way." O'Donnell won't eat out on her own. "If I am alone on a trip I get room service and curl up with a good book rather than go to a restaurant."
Does being a woman in a hotel on your own attract unwanted attention?Flood says no. "I am very comfortable with the alone thing, and I think once you are comfortable with that you don't attract unwanted attention." Women alone are always vulnerable to unwanted attention, says O'Donnell. "After years of experience one perfects a withering look which usually does the trick in any language."
Good hotels for womenO'Donnell always enjoys staying at Fitzpatrick's in New York (www.fitzpatrickhotels.com/manhattan). "Management and staff really make one feel looked after and are so helpful," she says. "As a woman, one feels secure." Flood leans towards boutique hotels. "For me small is beautiful. I love the Sanderson, in London, and the Soho Grand, in New York." (www.sandersonlondon.com and www.sohogrand.com.) Canavan likes the InterContinental Grand Stanford (www.hongkong. intercontinental.com), in Hong Kong. Set on Kowloon's waterfront, it offers fantastic views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. "It's close to the Star Ferry terminal, whose double-deck ferries are a tourist attraction in themselves. And its I-Spa has some great treatments." For Quin, access to a good gym is crucial. "It is great to have access to exercise facilities," she says, "but running gear gives the flexibility in most locations." She also likes Scarborough Fair (www.scarboroughfairbandb.com), a six-room BB in Baltimore's historic Federal Hill district, a great neighbourhood to run around. Quin says it's "a home away from home and will be happy to oblige with local restaurant recommendations". Marlowe likes small family-run establishments, too. Hotel British House, in Tbilisi, was perfect for her needs, she says. After a stint in Baghdad she is also partial to the Four Seasons in Amman (www.fourseasons.com/ amman), the Jordanian capital. "You know you have a night to look forward to, with white crisp sheets, a wonderful bed and superb pool on the roof. It's like being rewarded for the hardship."
TRAVELLER'S TRICKS
How to get an upgradeYou're most likely to get an upgrade on a busy route, when economy has been oversold. It's not an exact science, but asking at check-in is advisable. Dressing smartly is essential. And charm also helps. A longer game plan is to sign up to a particular airline and cash in frequent-flyer points. And if you luck out say nothing to other passengers. Just smile smugly.
Weight watchersBlaggage is a new term for the conversation that you have with the airline employee who processes your baggage. The idea is to charm while being exceedingly polite - so that they decide not to charge for the excess you're carrying.