Save your face on a plane

Make-up artist Patrick Ta has a loyal following of clients that include the Kardashians and Ariana Grande.

Based in Los Angeles, Ta spends more time travelling than at home, flying around the world to create what he calls the “selfie-look” - make-up that looks as good on camera as in real life - for his celebrity clientele.

He uses the hours on the plane to beautify. “I’ve always heard my clients or my friends telling me, ‘Oh, put on a face mask when you’re travelling’, but obviously that’s embarrassing,” he said.

Make-up artist Patrick Ta travels a lot and always takes foundation, glasses and biltong with him. Pictures: ESTELLE MORRIS, NYT.

“I got over that embarrassment and did it. Even though it tells me to leave it on for 30 minutes, I’ll leave it on for six hours.

“I’ll wake up and my skin will feel like it has been protected from that dirty aircraft air. Moisturiser, plumper, whatever mask you’re putting on, you get that full, maximum effect.”

He’s no longer concerned about looking strange on the plane. “I basically have to go straight to work and I do not want to look like I’ve been travelling all day, so I will usually put on a face mask and I honestly think it’s genius,” he said.

He recommends travellers bring three things in their carry-on: concealer, lipstick and eyebrow gel.

Here’s what he packs for every trip:

Glasses

I like wearing sunglasses or glasses, but not ones that are tinted, ones that are clear or that have a little yellow just because I think that it looks cool. I just love glasses I can wear day or night. They’re not really protecting your eyes from the sun; it’s a statement piece to wear.”

Suitcase of make-up:

“Oh, I’m bringing way too much. My make-up kit is usually 20 pounds heavier than my regular luggage; it weighs around 70 and is heavy. I travel with probably 150 lipsticks. “For foundation, I probably have 30 different colours. Eye shadow, I have maybe six to 10 eye palettes. Blushes, probably 50.”

Morphe 350S Eye Shadow Palette

“I have this multi-palette that I’m obsessed with and they’re reasonably priced. They have basically every single colour you can think of. There are probably 30 or more colours, so you’re basically always prepared for any eye look you want to do or any occasion you’re going to.”

La Mer The Mist:

“I have this setting spray that I’m obsessed with. When you’re changing climates so much, you just want to make sure your face is fresh and moisturised, so I have this setting spray that - I happen to take the perfect travel size, too - if your face feels dry or if your make-up has just been sitting there and caking on your face, you just spray some setting spray to kind of revitalise everything and just bring it back to life so that your skin looks like skin.”