Personal Upkeep for Frequent Travelers

In my early days as a frequent traveler, one of my biggest frustrations was scheduling time for “personal upkeep”. Whether it’s simple things like a pedicure or hair cut with a favorite stylist, or more complex regular procedures with a specialist, it can be difficult to juggle appointments, especially when the hours those professionals keep don’t coincide with travel requirements.

I’ve tried many tactics and what I’ve found is that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work.  There are a few different approaches for “keeping up appearances” – which one is best depends on personal preference.

The “Find a Spot” approach

This is a great approach for those who are relatively low maintenance.  If you just want an occasional massage or facial as a treat, need a pedicure monthly to feel pampered, and have hair that requires a trim every couple of months, this approach is one that works well.  Pop in wherever you like when the need strikes.

Advance Booking/Blocking

If you have very particular needs (hair color that needs to be matched from a color card or very specific preferences for aesthetic care), this approach works well.  Find the professional you like for your preferred services and then advance book those appointments – and juggle them around travel if necessary.

Hybrid/Selective Scheduling

A great strategy if you are particular about some things (hair or waxing) but open-minded with others.  Block off appointments for the critical appointments to coincide with time at home – and then fit the others in as they work (whether at home or on the road).

 

I was once a “find a spot” girl – I’d get my hair cut in shopping malls at night when I was on the road on client sites – and I knew good nail salons near most of the major airports where I flew out regularly.

My needs have changed as I’ve gotten older though.  My red hair is now tinged with grey – or would be if I didn’t see the same colorist routinely.  So that’s an every four week commitment.  Now that I’ve cut most of it off, I pair a cut with my touch-ups every few weeks.  I also have determined that I’m not willing to leave my fingers or my bikini line to a stranger – so those appointments are now also mixed in with my regulars as are my eyelash touchups.

So every four weeks for hair/bikini and every three weeks for fingers/lashes are scheduled on my calendar – and right now booked out for six months so I can plan around them.  These blocks are out there and knowing that they are calendared makes my travel/life balance easier as I have one less thing to stress about when I’m home.  My waxing studio also does spray tanning so when I have a vacation or special occasion  coming up, I book both my wax and spray tan for the same appointment date.

I’m a bit more flexible when it comes to pedicures – I like them regularly but I’m willing to let a stranger touch my toes.  So sometimes I get those at my regular salon when I’m getting my fingers done – but since I need pedicures less frequently than manicures, I’m also willing to try an airport spa during a delay or visit a nail salon in a town where I’m traveling for work.

Massages (both full body and foot reflexology) and facials are a less frequent indulgence but one I will schedule when on vacation or as a special treat.  It’s a given that I’ll get a massage while on a cruise or at a resort hotel – and I’m not opposed to a chair massage during an airport layover.  I also have a couple of favorite foot reflexology spots both domestically and abroad where I will gladly while away an hour having my feet worked on.

While this might sound “high maintenance”, its more about planning to stay in tip-top shape.  And having it all planned out and on the calendar makes for one less thing to stress about when looking at a busy travel calendar.