By Emily Hein

We’ve all been there - stranded in the airport for hours upon hours with no company but your own misery. When your closest friends for half the day are a fast food joint, an overpriced newsstand, and your laptop (with wifi that doesn’t always work AND isn’t always free), it’s hard to keep yourself feeling like the ladyboss you are. Here are some helpful suggestions to keep you feeling as beautiful as you can during that dreaded layover - on the outside and the inside.

Always, Always, ALWAYS Make Sure You Have Your Favorite Makeup Product With You

I know this sounds ridiculously obvious, but you wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve reached into my purse to realize my eyeliner wasn’t there…and I’m sure you can relate to that somehow. Do whatever you can to make sure your favorite concealer or your go-to mascara is on you when a crisis arises. Even if the situation isn’t so beautiful, one little primp might be all you need to get you feeling better about yourself. Travelle’s pro-tip, use the reminders app on your phone! The notification pops up every time you go to unlock your phone until you hit “completed,” so you’re essentially forced to remember. Physical beauty and a self-esteem boost, sign me up! If all else fails and you do end up forgetting your go-to, just remember you’re beautiful with or without makeup, and Travelle doesn’t lie.

Listen to Pump-up Music

I know, I know, this one sounds like a given also…and if it doesn’t sound like a given, it probably sounds like a placebo. When I’m feeling down, I can sob to a sad song like it’s nobody’s business. Sometimes giving into your emotions and letting it all go to your saddest playlist is totally necessary - but on the flip side, it’s that much harder to be sad when your music is begging for a dance party. I know this firsthand: I wake up at an hour that is too disgustingly early to be mentioned here, and my day starts with a glorious one hour ride on the LIRR (major shout out to my commuting Long Island ladies, you feel my pain). In order to survive this trek without losing my mind, I listen to music that makes me want to be in that moment. My personal favorites are “State of Grace” by Taylor Swift (my childhood email was emswifty13 and I’m damn proud) and “The Schuyler Sisters” from Hamilton (which I could never afford to see no matter how much I “work work”).

Three Words: Noise. Cancelling. Headphones.

Real talk, if you’ve never even tried these on, you’re doing it wrong. Not only will your music sound better, but you’ll block out all of the crying babies and loud phone-talkers. This is the closest you’ll get to “me time” while waiting at an airplane gate for six hours, and it’s a surefire way to focus on any work you have to get done. Bonus points if they’re wireless. Even if you don’t like music, just get them and turn on a podcast or watch some TV. You can thank me later. Just don’t drown out all the noise to the point where you miss your final boarding call.

Walk the Length of the Airport… and Then Walk it Again

It’s time for another commuting story! I’m sure you’re sick of me talking about myself, but this one has a valuable lesson. Just last week, I was stuck in Penn Station for an hour. Now, I know one hour seems so doable for an airport, but for those New York novices out there, Penn Station is a train station without station-wide wifi or many seating areas. So, I kept myself busy by just walking laps around the station. It may not be your favorite core conditioning class, but it’s more exercise than you’d get on a typical day of travel, and it passes time!

Show up to the Airport With a Fresh Manicure

Ok, so this might just be the fact that I’m crazy…but when I’m traveling in comfy clothes, my hair is half done, and I have the bare minimum of makeup on, I need something to make me feel like a presentable human. So, I like to get my nails done (or do them myself, but I’m admittedly awful at it) the day before traveling. Having a fresh manicure makes part of me feel more put together, even if the rest of my appearance denies it. Plus, it adds no extra time to my travel routine, and we all know efficiency is super important. Travelle’s Pro-tip: If you’re not getting gel, get a light pink color so chips are less visible. A chipped manicure can tear your outer and inner beauty down just as fast as a fresh manicure built it up.

While we hope this article gave you some advice for your next trip, it’s important to remember how beautiful you are inside and out – whether you’re the lady reading this from the airport gate, from the office desk, fresh from a workout class, or from the comfort of your own bed. Everyone is beautiful just the way they are – we just wanted to give you a few helpful tricks so you can always feel that way! Besides, if you’re fierce enough to frequent Travelle, you must have something going for you.