Review: Long-Haul Hydration Mask (In-Flight Magic)

This product was sent to me for review purposes.

Although I don’t take flights as regularly as some people, I’m still someone who loves to travel and I try to take at least one or two trips per year (and they are usually pretty long haul). I’m personally not someone who really enjoys plane rides – I had a phobia of it for a long time and have one calmed down in the past few years. I don’t mind airplane food most of the time, but hate having to essentially sit up for long hours. Another thing that always bothers me is how ridiculously dry it is on airplanes. Of course, I know that it’s unavoidable considering that you’re high up in the air in an enclosed, air conditioned space, but I have to try and do something about it.

I would usually bring on board a sheet mask and some basic skincare to soothe things, but it’s a bit awkward when the stewardess’ come by and I have a white fabric over my face – not to mention not knowing where to discard it after. Of course, In-Flight Magic came up with the perfect solution!

This is a new Australian brand that just launched with their Long-Haul Hydration Masks (available in original and oil-free). This is an invisible cream mask that can be worn on flights to keep hydration locked in for extended periods of time. Since I’m not going on any trip until the end of the year, I chose to try this product out as a sleeping mask (over some very basic skincare).

These masks are available on the In-Flight Magic website for AUD$9 for a 5mL sachet (I got approximately 4 uses out of this) – at just over $2 per application, this is pretty well priced if you are keeping it for travel only but is a bit expensive as a sleeping mask. I’m personally looking forward to when they release the 75mL tubes (which are listed on the website as coming soon).

So, let’s get into this review!

About the Brand and Packaging

In-Flight Magic is an Australian brand that specialises in skincare for travel – their philosophy is to formulate skincare based around the environmental conditions, rather than solely focusing on skin type. According to their website, a common issue during travel is risk of inflammation, as the sudden changes in environment (which can be about temperature, humidity, nutrition) can overwhelm skin. Their products target that issue and are specifically designed to use in these extreme conditions.

They say that: “As proponents of Clean Clinical Beauty we are about creating products that work and we draw on a wide range of ingredients where there is a strong evidence base that they are both safe and effective.” Also, their formulas do not contain any possible allergen or irritant, so that they are suitable for even the most stressed or sensitive skin types.

Something that I was really excited about their masks is that they actually use Australian Botanicals too – something that I haven’t had the opportunity to explore yet. Their list of key ingredients is actually very long and in depth (so worth a read if you want to know more about Aussie ingredients) but the most interesting ones would definitely be the few synthetic ones:

• YES Moisture: Their own proprietary “Derma36, with proven 3D hydration for circulation of moisture throughout all skin layers for 36 hours and longer.”
• BAM (Biphenyl Azepanyl Methanone): Commonly found in sensitive skin suitable products like Avene and SK-II Skin Signature 3D Redefining Mask, this is a “designer skincare ingredient” that has anti-stress, anti-pollution, anti-aging and anti-wrinkle benefits.
• ADCE (Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester): A designer ingredient that functions as a muscle relaxant, it is incorporated in some masks to target skin stress and anti-irritation. It is also found in other high end products such as Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Powerfoil Mask.

Long-Haul Hydration Mask | AUD$9

The original Long-Haul Hydration Mask formula is currently available in a 5mL sachet for AUD$9 – which is enough for approximately four applications. There is also a 75mL tube coming soon but this sachet is the best opportunity to test out the product before committing to a larger size (and you may not even need the full tube if you are only using this for travel). It has a thick, soft matte formula that applies completely clear – texturally, it actually reminds me a bit of either a silicone primer or wax. It is fragrance-free too but has a sweet, fruity natural scent.

According to the product description, this original formula is “packed with scientifically proven mega-hydrators and protectants, all held together in a beautiful base of Certified Organic Babassu Oil and Certified Organic Aloe Vera.” It contains a number of other wonderful ingredients including the previously mentioned designer skincare ingredient BAM. For a full list see the Long-Haul Hydration Mask page, but here’s a few others that I found interesting:

• Australian Tasmanian Mountain Pepper Berry: A powerful anti-inflammatory that soothes and calms reactive skin and reduces the appearance of skin redness
• Green Citrus Unshiu: Creates a micro-film barrier on the skin to defend against indoor pollutants and against hypersensitivity
• Organic Babassu Oil: Lighter and more readily absorbed than coconut oil, this rebalances skin oils
• Squalane: Mimics skin’s own natural moisturizers and is perfect for challenged skin in ultra-dry environments

Although this product is intended for flight use, I ended up using it as a sleeping mask instead. The instructions say that it can be used under make up (which I didn’t do, since I have oily-combination skin and this would have been way too much for me) or to clean skin. I first used this product alone and, while it did keep my skin soft and hydrated, I found that the effects weren’t as good as my regular skincare routine. Instead, I tried this out over some other products (toner and essence, so very light and minimal) and found that it worked brilliantly! This mask is great to lock in hydration and lasts well for long periods of time. A little goes a long way and I find that it actually performs better when used sparingly.

SO WHAT IS IT?

An invisible cream mask with a hydrating finish

RATINGS

• PRICE POINT | 3/5
• PACKAGING | 3/5
• SCENT | 5/5
• HYDRATION | 4/5
• LONGEVITY | 4/5
• EFFECTIVENESS | 3/5

OVERALL RATING? 7.3/10

THOUGHTS? I personally enjoyed this but I feel like there are definitely areas where this mask can improve. I feel like it doesn’t perform as well by itself; while it helps to maintain the condition of skin over harsh environments, it doesn’t actually improve it. It does work well with other light skincare though so I liked using it as part of my nightly routine but, since this is marketed to be used alone, I had expected that.

In addition, the fact that this is in a sachet packaging means that it is difficult to store for multiple uses. Since there is plenty of product inside, I feel like using a resealable design would be a lot better. I am currently relying on decanting. That being said, the actual material and design of the packaging is nice though, so I’m interested to do how they approach the upcoming tube design too.

Long-Haul Hydration Mask (Oil Free Formula) | AUD$9

For people with oily or acne-prone skin, the alternative Oil Free Formula – which is a jelly mask – would be perfect. The dehydrated, dry atmosphere of flights can make oily skin produce even more oil, so it’s very important to keep it hydrated throughout. This version of the mask as a more water-like jelly texture so it is more lightweight on skin, though has a similar (if not the same) sweet fruity scent. It has a more dewy finish when first applied (which is described on the website as ‘sticky’, though I don’t think it’s that bad) but will then absorb into skin to form the micro-film mask.

Similarly to the original formula, this is an invisible leave on mask that prevents skin stress and sensitization. It is created with a base of Organic Aloe Vera and “contains actives for a multi-targeted approach to hydration and soothing of sensitive skin during flights.” Some key ingredients include:

• Green Citrus Unshiu: Creates a micro-film barrier on the skin to defend against indoor pollution and against hypersensitivity
• Red Algae and Peptides: To help maintain hydration
• Betaine: To improve the permeability of the skin and to give skin moisture
• Tasmanian Mountain Pepper Berry: To soothe and calm reactive skin and reduce the appearance of skin redness
• Water-based Jojoba Esters: To moisturize challenged and/or maturing skin

I tested out this mask in a similar way to the original – by decanting it and using it both alone and with light skincare underneath. Since this mask has a more jelly-like texture, it’s very important that skincare beneath is fully absorbed before you apply this. It is thinner and light, so I found that I used less of it too – I got around 4-6 applications out of this sachet easily.

Performance wise, I felt like this worked similarly both alone and with other skincare. It is more like a standard face moisturiser than cream and gives your skin a nice plump, refreshed appearance after use. However, it isn’t as long lasting as the original formula and doesn’t form as much of a ‘mask’. This worked nicely as a sleeping mask though and, if I were to use this on a long flight, I think that I would reapply half way to keep the hydration boosted.

SO WHAT IS IT?

An oil free clear jelly mask with a hydrating finish

RATINGS

• PRICE POINT | 3/5
• PACKAGING | 3/5
• SCENT | 5/5
• HYDRATION | 4/5
• LONGEVITY | 3/5
• EFFECTIVENESS | 3/5

OVERALL RATING? 7/10

THOUGHTS? In comparison to the original mask, I can definitely see how this works better for oily skin – it’s super lightweight and feels like you’re applying a nice moisturiser. I like the jelly consistency of it too and it works equally as well alone or with other skincare underneath. It gives a nice immediate dewiness to the skin and helps complexion stay plump and hydrated.

On the downside, the lightweight texture means that this isn’t as long lasting as the original formula. It doesn’t really ‘lock in’ other products used beneath it. This is something that I would likely reapply mid flight (but obviously couldn’t while I was testing it as a sleeping mask).

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In my opinion, both of these masks have their own pros and cons – depending on your skin type and also the type of environment that you are going into, then the different formulas would work for you. Testing it as a sleeping mask, I definitely preferred the original version for it’s longevity and also its ability to lock in my previous skincare (and essentially enhancing its effects). If I’m using it for a flight though, I think that the oil free version would work better for my skin type – it’s super hydrating but still lightweight, just required reapplication.

Have you tried out anything from In-Flight Magic yet? If you’re keen, check out their website for the Long Haul Hydration Mask and the Oil Free Mask too – get yourself set up for your travels! Each sachet (approximately four applications) is selling for AUD$9 and there is free shipping for all orders over AUD$80.

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