Staying glamorous at 35,000 feet for hours on end is a challenge.
And still, so many flight attendants manage it – despite long hours, gruelling flight-times and haphazard sleeping patterns.
To get a little more insight into the life of a flight attendant, FEMAIL caught up with Qantas employee, Anastasia Andreev, who lifted the lid on her business – as well as the in-flight essentials she swears by.
The 22-year-old, who is from Sydney, swears by a ‘versatile’ wardrobe, a universal travel adaptor and Estee Lauder’s Double Wear foundation – which she said ‘many flight attendants wear, as it ‘stays put for 24 hours’.
FEMAIL caught up with Qantas employee, Anastasia Andreev (pictured), who lifted the lid on her business – as well as the in-flight essentials she swears by
The 22-year-old, who is from Sydney (pictured), swears by a ‘versatile’ wardrobe and Estee Lauder’s Double Wear foundation – which she said ‘stays put for 24 hours’
When it comes to packing your suitcase for a flight, Anastasia (pictured) told FEMAIL that she’s learned that ‘less really is more’ and it pays to think of ‘key pieces’ like a good pair of jeans
When it comes to packing, Anastasia told FEMAIL that she has learned that ‘less really is more’:
‘The suitcase has to be packed at all times and flying between climates means our clothing needs to be versatile,’ she said.
However, that doesn’t mean you need a whole range of outfits:
‘Key pieces like a good pair of jeans, shorts, singlet, button-up shirt, a little dress and a denim jacket are the staple items,’ Anastasia explained.
‘These can all be dressed up or down and be worn in various climates, while still looking stylish.’
The 22-year-old said she likes to take three pairs of shoes away with her – which ‘should be enough to get you from day to night’.
‘I always have my black Converse shoes, a nude strappy heel and a bright sandal packed for a pop of colour.’
She also swears by a ‘small day bag’ for sight-seeing, two bottles of perfume (something ‘fresh’ for the day and something ‘muskier’ for the evening, sunglasses, a swimsuit and a good book.
Anastasia (pictured) will bring three different pairs of shoes with her, and will always avoid stiletto heels, as she says it’s unlikely you’ll wear them
The 22-year-old (pictured) likes to always travel with her universal travel adaptor, as well as her noise-cancelling headphones
Over her time as a flight attendant, Anastasia has also learned that it’s worth leaving some items behind, as you are less likely to use them when you’re away:
‘From my experience, I’ve found you don’t need to bring a hairdryer as many hotels offer them,’ she said.
‘You could also avoid packing high heel stilettos as they aren’t very practical, will be unlikely to be worn and take up so much space.
‘You’re far better off bringing a pair of wedges, which can be worn with jeans or a dress.’
The 22-year-old admitted the one thing she would never travel without is her ‘universal travel adaptor’, which she sees as the ‘best travel investment you can make’ – and her noise-cancelling headphones, which are a lifesaver on a long-haul flight.
Her beauty regime is simple – she loves a rich moisturiser and a good night’s sleep the night before, and plenty of essential oils, hand cream and face mists on board
But what about how she prepares for long-haul travel, and how Anastasia looks after her hair and skin when she is on board?
For the Qantas employee, it all comes down to sleep and self-care the day before:
‘If I’m operating on a flight, then I definitely make sure to get a good night’s sleep and moisturise well the night before and morning of my flight,’ she told FEMAIL.
‘I wear quite a rich moisturiser underneath my foundation, which acts as a barrier against the harsh elements in the air.’
Anastasia will also have a ‘healthy but hearty meal’ beforehand – to ensure she’s not ‘hungry or tempted by all the chocolates and other naughties on board’.
When she’s travelling as a passenger, Anastasia said she prefers to ‘get as little rest as possible the night before’ so she can sleep with her neck pillow all flight.
But, when she’s working, she prefers to be rested and ready to go.
Anastasia (pictured) will also have a ‘healthy but hearty meal’ beforehand – to ensure she’s not ‘hungry or tempted by all the chocolates and other naughties on board’
‘Once I apply my make up for the flight, it’s not coming off until I’m at the hotel,’ Anastasia admitted – she loves a Bare Minerals lipstick as it’s the perfect nude colour
One of the things people always observe about flight attendants is their near-perfect make up, which never seems to slide, come off or worsen while a flight attendant is in the air:
‘Once I apply my make up for the flight, it’s not coming off until I’m at the hotel,’ Anastasia admitted.
She said she swears by Estee Lauder’s Double Wear foundation, which ‘literally stays put for 24 hours and ensures I need as few touch ups as possible through the flight’.
She will also use a ‘soothing face mist every couple of hours (MAC’s Fix+) for an instant refresh’.
Elsewhere in her regime, Anastasia extolled the benefits of hand cream:
‘It’s so important, as the air gets very dry,’ she said.
‘I also carry a peppermint essential oil on my wrists and temples, which has a calming and soothing effect on my body while invigorating the senses.
‘I love my Bare Minerals Gen Nude liquid lip colour in “Swag”, as it doesn’t dry your lips out, but is the perfect colour to complement the pink in our scarves.
‘Never forget to touch up before touch down, that’s key.’
Anastasia did admit that her flying lifestyle is not as glamorous as some might think – she said she may have to clean the toilets during a flight
Lastly, Anastasia touched on the things you wouldn’t expect to come with her job, including the fact that it’s not always as glamorous as you might think:
‘We have to clean the toilets every 30 minutes,’ she said.
‘During a 14 hour flight, like Sydney to LA, we go down to our crew bunks for three hours, and then we swap with the other half of the crew.
‘We also have to complete emergency procedures and sit exams every six months, to make sure we are qualified for all of our safety duties, otherwise we go back for more training.’
However, she said she loves her job and the opportunities it offers her.
‘When you’re on a Qantas flight, you know you’re in great and safe hands,’ she said.