My seatmate on a recent airplane flight gave herself a facial. I was amused…not at all offended. But since the thought crossed my mind to join her, I thought I’d put it out for discussion here.
Facial On Airplane: Rude Or Tolerable?
First, let me define what I mean by facial. I mean a beauty treatment for the face, meant to enhance or preserve beauty or youth. This was a fairly young woman and we sat next to each other on a fairly long flight.
As we were approaching New York, she pulled out a disposable hydrating mask and placed it on her. For 20 minutes or so, she sat in her seat with the mask on.
I smiled because I use the same type of masks on my face, though I started about 10 years too late and am only trying to slow the growth of wrinkles, not prevent them. I had several in my bag and thought about joining her, though that may have been a bit awkward…and then I thought it also may be rude.
Unlike clipping nails or shaving, the mask is odorless or has a light and very pleasant smell. It sits on your face and doesn’t drip or otherwise cause a mess, as long as it is properly disposed of after (she folded it up and put it in an air sickness bag).
But I realize also realize there’s a certain decorum we should keep when around others, especially on an airplane. An aircraft cabin is not our bathroom or bedroom. I don’t wish to make others feel uncomfortable, because I hate to feel uncomfortable when others around me fail to respect reasonable boundaries (most often by not using headphones when watching something on their phone).
It’s weird, and admittedly a bit inconsistent, that bare feet, even if clean, really bother me in a cabin, but this did not. But I figured I’d ask you, dear readers, before putting on a mask myself (and finding myself the latest feature on the Passenger Shaming Instagram account).
Is a face mask permissible or off-limits in business class? If rude, what makes it rude?
I’m pro face masks on planes. It’s so dehydrating in the air. Makes perfect sense.
same here. Do my complete facial routine when in Biz Class on long haul flights (including these masks make make look like a ghost). But I generally warn the flight attendant tending my section beforehand during meal service…
If it is rude, and I am uncertain, it would likely be that personal grooming should ordinarily be discrete, and this was hardly that.
Pro-face mask as well. I think back in 2019 flying JAL F the amenity kit had one, so if it’s ok for the airline to use it, it’s okay for everyone?
if they keep their shoes on the floor and not on the furniture, and their feet covered with socks, then have at it with the facials as long as there’s not a strong smell or anything.
Not as bad as giving your seat neighbor one.
Ewwwww, gross!!
No big deal.
PSA: This kind of thing doesn’t restore youth or fight wrinkles, although it might feel refreshing. Avoidance of sun damage from childhood through adulthood will give you the biggest bang for your proverbial buck.
When I have flown on ANA in business class there was hydrating mask in the personal packet they give you which includes toothbrush, paste etc. I have used it and it is very refreshing to use before landing.
I always fly ANA when I go to Japan or Taiwan. I fly business class to these destinations and the personal packet Which contains Kleenex, toothpaste etc also has a hydrating mask. It is very refreshing to use before landing. I have used it many times.
In the days of needing to wear a suit to fly, even if you’re a kid, a facial would be inappropriate but in modern times is fine. It is far better than putting feet in the air, pulling on the seat ahead of you, or looking at porn.
“pulling on the seat ahead of you”
Yeah. Try getting up from an economy seat without pulling on seat in front of you.
It’s fine. Nail polish though, not fine.
I don’t think Matthew uses nail polish! Lol
That is correct.
What a report when Matthew has to clarify if he uses nail polish or not! Thank goodness it was the latter, so the conversation did not devolve into color preference with accompanying comments. LOL…
You don’t like it when I swear so I’m not even going to touch this one….te hehe he
Something is wrong with men who want to go their grave looking like they’re 25 years old.
To make a ridiculous comment like that, I’m guessing your skin looks like the surface of the moon.
My philosophy is, if it doesn’t make noise, doesn make a mess, and doesn’t stink, it’s fine. As others have mentioned, some amenity kits contain hydrating masks, so I really wouldn’t think using one is inappropriate at all.
All facials should be done in the bathroom.
Or the bedroom…
…hopefully not in the airplane bathroom.
And where did she put the air sickness bag?
Probably in the same place everybody else would.
That’s just as bad as showing your feet and cutting your nails.
I hope she gets a bad bacterial infection from touching the surfaces around her…
Its the only thing when you get off a redeye to London, Zurich or Abu Dhabi and have to head straight to meetings if you don’t want to look 15 years older than when you boarded. For maximum impact with minimum time, get a silicone sheet mask cover which really pushes the moisture into your face (what cabin air does to your skin, its does to the sheet mask). 15 min flat. Follow with an occlusive cream.
Not needed for Bombay meetings as a humectant cream + 15 min in India humidity does the same thing. Just roll the car window down. France and Milan are too civilized to force someone into meetings right off a plane.
Guys, are you seriously debating about anti wrinkle masks on planes and not the lifesaving masks that we all need to be wearing in such close quarters?
The pandemic is far from over. A growing number of vaccinated people are dying every week from covid. Even if that doesn’t bother you, are you happy to roll the dice on long covid for yourself or someone close to you…including kids? What universe are you living in where you care more about your damn wrinkles?
Yes, we will take the risk. We must live our lives. From dust we came and from dust we shall return.