Cover Willabelle Ong shares her top in-flight beauty essentials
Willabelle Ong shares her top in-flight beauty essentials
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Willabelle Ong reveals her in-flight beauty essentials that keep her glowing from take-off to touchdown
From long-haul flights to back-to-back fashion weeks, Willabelle Ong is rarely in one place for long. With her finely curated aesthetic and globe-trotting lifestyle, she is no stranger to always looking fresh and polished on ground and at 35,000 feet. The Singaporean tastemaker and founder of lifestyle and wellness brand Ome has made a name for herself through her distinct sartorial style and creative work—whether it’s the clothes she wears, artwork she showcases or the beauty essentials she takes with her everywhere.
For long-haul flights, the Asia’s Most Stylish 2023 honouree swears by a tightly edited vanity case filled with hydrating heroes, soothing scents and a few personal touches that make the journey more enjoyable for her.
Ahead of a wintry escape to Switzerland, she opens up about her in-flight rituals and go-to travel essentials that she swears by.
Ome hand mist
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Where are you headed next, and how long is the flight?
There are a few work trips quietly taking shape, but the one I’m most looking forward to is a winter escape to Switzerland with my family over Christmas. It’s a 13-hour flight from Singapore to Zurich; just enough time to curate my own in-flight cinema line-up, or drift off into a blissful bout of beauty sleep... if the travel gods are kind.
What’s your takeoff-to-touchdown beauty ritual?
I like to think of the flight as a maintenance window, not the main event. The real skincare magic happens on the ground: a hydrating mask the night before takeoff, and another the day I land to revive travel-weary skin. On the plane itself, I keep things minimal but intentional: a hydrating face mist, a rich lip balm and a nourishing hand cream. Just enough to keep me feeling polished, not parched.
Which five to eight beauty products never leave your carry-on, no matter the destination?
My carry-on is a finely curated survival kit in chic disguise. These are the non-negotiables:
Ome hand mist: My own creation, and a true everyday essential. I’m a bit of a germaphobe so I’m constantly reaching for this to refresh my hands or my space. The French lavender blend calms my nerves and makes even the most questionable tray table feel slightly more luxurious.
Wipes, wipes, and more wipes: Antibacterial, hand, face... you name it. I love a good wipe-down moment, especially pre-snack or post-nap.
Multi-purpose relief balm: Something with peppermint and eucalyptus to ease in-flight nausea, headaches, or just the general fog that comes with cabin air.
Lip balm: Dior Le Baume is always in rotation. Hydrating, healing, and just the right amount of glossy.
Hand cream: Hermès Les Mains is my holy grail. I can’t bear to finish it because it’s just that good: deeply nourishing, utterly elegant, and never a trace of greasiness.
Face mist: Guerlain Parure Gold Mist is my go-to refresher. A quick spritz instantly revitalises my skin, helping me feel renewed even miles above the ground.
Mini fragrance: Sometimes, I decant my perfume into a travel-sized atomiser, choosing a scent that suits my mood or the destination.
Comb: Because good hair equals good mood. I’ve even personalised mine in ivory–a little touch of elegance that makes mid-flight touch-ups feel chic.
Are there any travel-sized beauty items or mini tools you’re obsessed with?
I currently have a soft spot for Dior’s La Collection Privée miniature fragrances (‘Lucky’ is my pick of the moment); they’re the perfect elegant pick-me-up in a tiny package. And Dior’s Le Baume is my ultimate multitasker: lip balm, cuticle saver, and dry spot rescuer all rolled into one.
Above Ong’s travel beauty essentials includes a personalised comb in ivory
Ong’s travel beauty essentials includes a personalised comb in ivory
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Do you switch up your skincare for different climates or destinations? If so, how?
Absolutely, I believe our skin’s needs can be as changeable as our itinerary. In colder climates (which, let’s be honest, is most of the time), I go full-on rich creams and nourishing oils to fight off dryness and that cheeky biting wind. When I’m lucky enough to land somewhere tropical or humid (rare but it happens, usually for work), I switch gears to lighter, oil-free moisturisers and up my spritz game to stay fresh. It’s all about reading the climate and tweaking my routine to keep my skin happy and glowing, no matter where I touch down.
Above Ong shares how she switches up her skincare for different climates or destinations
Above Ong and her daughter, Ava
Ong shares how she switches up her skincare for different climates or destinations
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Above Chanel Comète fragrance
Above Dioriviera fragrance
Chanel Comète fragrance
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What fragrance do you always travel with, and why that one?
I don’t really stick to one signature scent when I travel; it all depends on my mood and the destination. Some current favourites I love to rotate include Guerlain Herbes Troublantes, Tom Ford Lost Cherry, Le Labo Santal 33, Dioriviera (and of course Dior Lucky), plus Chanel Comète. Each one sets a different tone, so I like to switch things up and keep the journey as exciting as the scent.
Any favourite beauty supplements or wellness must-haves that help you stay energised and de-puffed after long flights?
Staying well-hydrated is absolutely key, so drinking plenty of water throughout the flight is non-negotiable. I also love sipping ginger tea to soothe and de-puff after a long haul; and I try to get my vitamin C from fresh fruit whenever I remember... nature’s own little pick-me-up. My gua sha tool is a travel essential too; a few gentle strokes help boost circulation and revive tired skin. But above all, I prioritise balanced sleep; it remains the ultimate secret to arriving feeling fresh and energised.
Above Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil Serum
Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil Serum
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What’s the best beauty or skincare product you’ve ever discovered abroad?
One standout discovery was the Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil Serum, which I fell in love with during a press trip. With its blend of honey and royal jelly, it’s not only deeply hydrating but also works wonders on hair and cuticles, strengthening and nourishing them... true multitasking magic. Another gem is Orveda Vital Sap, which I discovered during Paris Fashion Week. I love its anti-inflammatory properties that helped calm and soothe my skin after it flared up from too many make-up-heavy shoots. These finds remind me that sometimes the best beauty secrets come from the most unexpected places.
Above Ong’s best travel tip? Always use packing cubes
Ong’s best travel tip? Always use packing cubes
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What’s your post-flight recovery ritual and which products are non-negotiable?
My post-flight ritual is all about resetting and replenishing. First, I hydrate (lots of water, always) and reach for a refreshing facial mist to perk up tired skin and lock in moisture. Once I check into the hotel, if I’m heading out, I shower, wash up, and follow my skincare and makeup routine to get camera-ready. But if I’m staying in, I love sinking into a hot bath with bath salts to relax my muscles and melt away any lingering tension. At night, I’ll indulge in a collagen mask that takes a good three hours to fully absorb... all for that coveted long-term glow.
Any packing hacks you swear by to keep your beauty products neat, intact and airport-ready?
I always, always, always use packing cubes; they’re my secret weapon for keeping everything perfectly organised. Almost all my beauty essentials live in pouches or clear zip bags, so I can find exactly what I need in a flash. For extra protection, especially with delicate glass bottles like fragrances, I tuck cotton pads or makeup wipes around them, and often nestle them inside leather cases or fabric pouches. A little cushioning goes a long way in keeping everything intact and airport-ready.
Andrea Saadan is the Senior Digital Editor of Tatler Singapore. She oversees all digital content for the website and currently leads the Beauty and Lifestyle verticals. As a child, she had always enjoyed reading and writing but it was only after she joined her college newspaper, The Spectrum, in Buffalo, New York, that she considered a career in journalism. Her love for all things beauty started from the age of two—when she was caught playing with (and damaging) her mother’s YSL lipstick. On top of her day job, she is also an unpaid beauty consultant for friends and family. Besides make-up, her obsessions include the wizarding world of Harry Potter, podcasts, ice-cream, her walking pad and watching endless re-runs of The Office (US).
