The IMAGE staffers share their carry-on essentials

Shayna (Sappington) Healy, Branded Content Editor and Wedding Editor

I’m a frequent flyer, so I feel like I have the carry-on packing down to a tee. My essentials include my refillable Yeti, a book and a book light (I hate disturbing people beside me with the big spotlight), headphones, a travel charger, an emergency outfit (in case my bag gets lost), a hoodie (why are planes so cold?), and, of course, snacks. You’ll also never catch me without refreshing face wipes and hand cream – they’re such a lovely way to refresh after a long flight.

Holly O’Neill, Editor, IMAGE.ie; Beauty Editor, IMAGE Magazine

No beauty editor has ever packed for a flight without putting the Summer Friday Jet Lag Mask into her carry-on. Use it pre- and post-flight and on every dry patch to ward off dehydration and dullness, and top that off with a few in-flight mists from Pestle & Mortar’s refreshing and dinky travel-sized Balance Spritz to land dewy-skinned. If you prefer to go make-up free for a flight, add a couple of drops of Bare By Vogue Tanning Serum to your moisturiser before you fly and you’ll be glowing by take off.

Aesop Resurrection Rinse Free Hand Mist works as a luxe sanitiser, keeping hands clean while its woody citrus scent repels any in-flight stink. For the full in-flight beauty routine, if you are so inclined, avoid red eyes on a red-eye with Charlotte Tilbury’s depuffing Immediate Eye Revival Patches and dodge dry lips with her Lip Oil Crystal Elixir, which comes in a cooling, crystal rollerball so you’ll avoid messy overspill when the altitude changes.

If you’re going long haul, a silky Drowsy Sleep Mask will block light, the sound of the neighbour beside you trying to chat and is padded and cushiony enough to fall asleep on. Pop all that into a Trinny London Travel Bag, the best around, and if money were no object, I’d pop that into a spacious Dragon Diffusion Rosanna Bag in Naranja to make my tracksuit look chic.

Finally, I’ll pack a cardi, headphones, the clear Take Monday Travel Pouch, so I can check that I have my passport one hundred times and a book – I’ve Graydon Carter’s When The Going Was Good waiting in the carry-on as we speak. Bon voyage!

Emily O’Neill, Marketing Account Executive

When it comes to flying, I am a creature of habit and carry the same essentials with me each time. Top of the list is a lip oil, preferably the Poco Beauty Lip Oil Treatment. It is so nourishing and hydrating, which is perfect for the dry air on a flight! My Kindle and Ear Buds are permanently attached to me, so I can’t go anywhere without them. I love popping on a playlist and getting stuck into a good book for the journey. I find the time literally does fly (excuse the pun).

My final essential is a sweatshirt or jumper! The temperature on a flight can go one way or the other. It is either roasting hot or freezing cold! Lately, I have been loving the Varsity Sweatshirt from Edit Row. I have built up a little collection of them in a few different colours. They are so soft and cosy but not too heavy either. The perfect layer for any travel day!

Megan Burns, Editor, IMAGE Interiors; Managing Editor, IMAGE Magazine

There’s not much that I have to have in my carry-on with me, but my AirPods Pro are an essential. Even if I’m not listening to something, I pop them in for their noise-cancelling feature to make any flight feel calmer. I also always have Elizabeth Eight Hour Cream in my bag – I’ve gotten little pots of it in the airport before, which are super handy. It’s the best thing for stopping my lips from getting too dry, and it can also be used for any other areas of dry skin. A good book is also a must – Misinterpretation by Ledia Xhoga is on my list at the moment.

Dearbhla Lovett, IMAGE First Activations Freelancer

I am simultaneously the best and the worst packer there is. I will be the one to have three huge bags packed for a one-night stay, while on the other hand, I will very rarely forget the essentials for a trip away. I’ve also nailed down the carry-on essentials that will leave you landing with ease.

• Toothbrush and toothpaste: Especially if you have a checked-in bag, having these easily accessible for when you land will have you thanking your earlier self hugely.
• A good face mask for the flight: Flying can be so dehydrating on the skin, so I try my best to do skincare in the sky. I used this BrowAid IllumiLift mask on my last flight and my skin was glowing by the time we landed in Malaga.
• A random one: I love bringing a Revive Active Zest sachet for the flight. I always feel a bit groggy after flying but I fully feel more alive afterwards.
• Make-up essentials: A good skin tint (the new Kash Miracle Tint is lovely), blush, a little concealer and a lovely lip oil, so you can do a quick ten-minute face and you’re ready to go once you land.
• Finally, one cute outfit so that you don’t have to rummage through your suitcase when you land and are good to go and explore your destination!

Katie Brady, Marketing & Memberships Executive

I just booked a last-minute holiday and will be embarking on my longest flight to date (16 hours one way!), so I will be putting great thought into my carry-on. First in my bag will be the holy trinity of sleep – my Voduz Silk Eye Mask, my Loop Earplugs and my TRTL Neck Pillow (I am easily influenced)!

I love watching Aimee Connolly’s in-flight skincare routines. If she has taught me anything, it’s that hydration is key. With that in mind, I will be packing my CloudCream and my Brighten Up – Energising Eye Cream. Along with my HAAN Hand Sanitiser, I’ll include a good book, some herbal tea bags and some fluffy socks for a bit of cosiness.

Sarah Gill, Features Editor, IMAGE.ie

At the risk of sounding like someone’s grandmother, I’m going to go out on a limb and have it committed to record that my number one carry-on essential is sucky sweets. Werther’s Original, to be exact. My ears pop mercilessly on flights, so a little Wether’s and my Loop earplugs are a dream combo.

To avoid leaving the flight dried out entirely, I’ll have my Voya Lavender and Rosemary Hand Lotion, my Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream to lather all over my lips, and a generous layer of La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm all over my face and neck.

For entertainment, I’ll have some podcasts and albums downloaded on Spotify, a book in my lap (currently Such a Good Couple by Sophie White), and a crisp glass of Pinot in my paw. An in-flight beverage is obviously essential.

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