Oculoplastic Surgeon and leading Cosmetic Facialist Doctor, Dr Maryam Zamani, is a very busy woman.
When she isn’t discretely treating her impressive roster of clients, including A-List celebrities and international dignitaries, at the esteemed Cadogan Clinic, she is adding new innovative products to her MZ SKIN line and co-hosts a podcast called ‘The Guinea Pig’ aiming to demystify the cosmetic surgery industry.
From non-negotiable mani/pedis pre-flight, to stowing away her essentials in a Prada make up bag, this is how Dr Maryam Zamani does beauty in transit.
What are your beauty rituals or treatments before you travel?
EVERYTHING! Being a woman takes time! I always need to have my mani/pedi done, eyebrow threading is a must (I am a disaster at doing my own brows) and I always like to have a blow dry before I travel.
How do you adapt your beauty regime when you travel?
When I travel-especially for pleasure. I like to do treatments that I might not have time for at home. I can never really travel with just carry-on luggage because I like to bring so much with me. Summer travel means more skincare and hair products and in the winter I need to add a little bronzer and make up to the mix.
What’s the best way to downsize your at-home beauty product haul for travel?
Well, I created MZ Skin so I wouldn’t have to downsize! I tend to use refillable and reusable containers that I have had for ages, of course I have tons of little pots, that I use if I am really tight for space. Generally, I love having my skincare on the sink counter, even if its a quick 48 hour trip.
Do you prefer to pack travel minis or full-size beauty staples?
I prefer to have full size bottles of skincare and then minis of hair products. I find enjoyment in the ritual of applying skincare and I feel part of that is the experience and the process. I find the enjoyment less with minis or samples.
View this post on Instagram
Do you have a regular plane beauty routine?
I travel super comfy: trainers, cashmere (I am always cold) and a shawl. I have plane socks to keep me cozy and warm that I put in a plastic bag at the end of the flight. My carry-on is mainly electronics and a few items to use in-flight. I travel with just cleansed skin, using MZ Skin Brighten and Perfect serum with MZ Skin Tint and Protect, mascara and lip balm. For short haul flights now in COVID times, I don’t do anything but hand sanitiser and hand cream- I haven’t taken any long haul flights. Usually, I tend to use the MZ Skin golden eye mask for short flights, or the MZ Skin Vitamin Infused Facial Treatment Mask on longer haul flights with replenish and restore. I always carry Blistex lip balm with me for lip hydration and whatever hand cream I am trying at the moment. I immediately pull down the blinds (I love a window seat) once we are in the air.
How do you overcome jet-lag skin/eyes when you land?
Fortunately, I do not really suffer from jet lag. I try to continue the day according to the time zone I am in. I need to be totally settled, unpacked the minute we arrive, so I can enjoy everything else.
How do you unwind when you travel?
I think I am always working at some level but when I am on holiday I like to have specific times I go to my phone, usually in the mornings after breakfast and then mid-afternoons. Generally hiking, reading, having a yummy meal, anything that takes me from the bustle of a back-to-back work day means I am unwinding. And of course sleep – I sleep so well on holiday! Board games and Uno with the kids and maybe a skinny Margherita with my husband or an ice cream with chocolate sprinkles with the kids. I find enjoyment being anywhere different, outside, whether its a sunny or wintery location. I tend not to take city holidays.
What’s your favourite country to shop for home-grown beauty products?
It sounds odd, but when I am in Iran, I love going to shop there. It’s a fusion between East and West and I love the antidotes they create based on the herbs and spices. I find it fascinating and if I had time, I would totally study this form of medicine and science.
What’s been your favourite vacation spa so far?
I’m not much a spa junkie. My favourite types of wellness holidays are centred around being outside in nature. I absolutely LOVE The Ranch in Malibu for instance, as a way to detox and treat myself.
The Ranch at Live Oak, Malibu
I also loved The Lanserhof, Austria because it was a mix of spa and medicine. I am always interested in learning more about my body, how I am treating it and how to improve. When I holiday, I tend to do a spa day but rarely more.
Lanserhof Lans. Photo credit Alexander Haiden
What are your top beauty and wellness tips when travelling?
Keep it simple. I love to wear a tinted moisturiser with SPF, whether it’s summer or winter so that I have a light sheen or glow but am covered with SPF. My hair is usually in a braid or a pony tail and I accessorise with a hat or baseball cap. Everything looks better with sunglasses and a hat!
What products are in your must-pack beauty kit right now?
Of course I always have MZ Skin Cleanser, Brighten and Perfect, Tint and Protect and Rest and Revive. I don’t leave my home without these (plus a few more but these are literally the minimum). But of course I have a few other bits. I always have my Tom Ford bronzer in every bag, Nars Orgasm Blush, Iconic Mascara and Charlotte Tilbury pencil (a gorgeous violet colour). And my perfume!
THE PACKING LOWDOWN
Favourite cosmetics bag?
Light packer or over packer?
Over packer.
Facial or massage?
Massage.
Vacation air-dry or blow-dry?
Air dry (or half blow to drain the water).
Skincare wipes, yes or no?
NO!
Faux tan or au naturel?
Au naturel.
Any Questions or Tips to add?