As often as you fly home or to a relaxing vacation on a remote island where no one speaks English, you fly to a business meeting, a conference, or to meet your fiancé’s parents.  You may not mind arriving home to Fido looking a little worse for the wear, but you probably wish to meet those other challenges on an equal footing—that is, not looking as though you just stumbled out of an eight-hour flight.  Even if it was an eight-hour flight.

So once you have done all possible research (or at least some basic scouting around) on flight times, leg room, and fees (of which there are plenty), consider these 6 tips that can help you arrive ready to meet the world—or at least looking like it.

1.  Wardrobe.  Honestly.  Outfit selection is key, primarily in order to look good while remaining as comfortable as possible.  Consider the following elements:

Comfortable, slip-on flats.  They should be easily removable for airport security, provide adequate support for trudging through the miles of airport corridors, and look good enough to wear in the office.  If you must wear heels, stash some in your carry-on to change into when you arrive.

Wrinkle-resistant, wide-leg trousers.  A forgiving material, a forgiving silhouette, and almost as comfortable as wearing sweats.  Without having to resort to sweats.  They will not bind when you twist in your seat to ease your aching back mid-flight.  If you don’t like wide-leg trousers, find a pair that incorporate these elements.

Layered tops.  Wear a stylish button-down or cowl neck sweater that can be removed or donned easily with the changing temperature.

Upon arrival, slip on a single bold accessory from your carry-on to appear put together.  A colorful silk scarf folds flat and reflects vibrantly onto your skin.

2.  And speaking of your skin, in a plane full of recycled air it dries out and invariably sucks all the moisture out of your makeup.  Which leaves your makeup badly caked and in need of repair.  If at all possible, wear only moisturizer on a clean face, or tinted moisturizer, during your flight.  Upon arrival, add powder, lip gloss, and mascara.

Eye makeup in general, and mascara in particular, is the first to show the effects of a long trip, especially if you nod off.  If you simply must wear makeup in-flight, bring a cloth makeup remover along so you can freshen up your face without having to wash in an airport bathroom.

Lastly in the looks department, your hair.  Hair that was bouncy and clean at the beginning of a flight often comes out looking flat, greasy, and defeated.  Again, blame it on the recycled air and zero humidity.  With long hair, try a loose, stylish bun such as this to keep it under control and looking chic.  Eliminate grease with Bumble and bumble’s Hair Powder ($19 for 1 oz.), Aveda’s Pure Abundance Hair Potion ($23 for 0.7 oz), or, in a pinch, apply powder from your compact to the roots.

But enough.  You look great.

3.  Along with your skin and hair, the rest of your body needs to stay hydrated to look and feel its best.  Bring an empty water bottle and fill it up at the water fountain once you’ve gone through security.  And keep filling it up!

Avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they are diuretics.  If you cannot live without your coffee, wait until you get there and buy it in the terminal.  It won’t interfere with your chances of resting on the plane, and you’ll be all the more alert for your arrival.

4.  Watch what you eat.  This has little to do with calories or diet.  Avoid heavy, greasy foods like fast food—anything that will sit in your stomach like a brick.  Equally true is that eating too many vegetables will cause a singularly unpleasant bloat, as any vegan will tell you.  There is nothing worse than gastrointestinal distress at 33,000 feet.  Carbs, for once, may be the safest bet.  Be sure, however, to eat enough so you don’t become faint or irritable.

5.  The first-class package.  Sure, you may be seated in coach, but you can always pretend!  A satin sleeping mask blocks out other people’s reading lights, gives your eyes and face muscles a chance to relax, and makes you feel like a VIP—or at least like Chelsea Handler.  Slippers can be a nice touch, keeping you warm and comfy, with the caveat that they ought not to be attempted if you suffer from bad foot odor.  Headphones, either for your iPod or the noise-canceling type are a no-brainer.  Neck pillows are de rigueur, but bear mentioning because a jacket wadded up and used in place of the one you forgot can be deeply unsatisfying.

6.  Finally, and perhaps most obviously, a good attitude goes a long way towards making your journey as relaxing as possible and pleasant for those around you.  Airline employees and fellow passengers alike are more likely to respond to you with helpfulness and courtesy if you offer a smile of thanks and good manners in return.  Good grace and patience in trying situations are valued everywhere, and help keep your own stress levels at a minimum.

And that is how to arrive after a tedious plane ride:  serene, fresh-faced, and ready for whatever happens next.