The pre-press trip scaries

Let's talk about the reality behind the incredible excursions you see on social media

By the time you’re reading this, I’ll be on my way to the airport for what truly feels like the work trip of a lifetime.

I made my first Glossier NYC pilgrimage back in October 2017, when their one and only store was located in the penthouse of their office building.

Since then I’ve been to the past and present Los Angeles store, along with the OG London pop up and permanent Covent Garden space.

Now, in 2024, I’m going back, but this time, with the brand themselves to celebrate a very exciting new launch… which has been leaked online already, but you didn’t hear that from me.

For me, this is a monumental trip and I still can’t believe I’m going with the brand I have loved since the beginning. But, damn, those pre-press trip nerves are real.

I’m packed, I have my ESTA, my passports accounted for and my pants for the morning are laid out like an elderly man who is off to get his 6am newspaper.

But, I feel like a child going on holiday without their parents for the first time.

Press trips, especially international ones have always had this effect on me. I mean, I get anxiety about going on holiday with my friends, so it’s not really surprising I also experience it when going away with people I don’t know.

Not to mention, I don’t have the best luck when it comes to these trips.

I told you about the Barry M Ibiza trip where I missed my flight home and had to spend the early hours with a very young and very upset influencer, but I’ve never told you about the trip to Iceland that never happened because I found out the night before my passport was expired.

I can feel the bile rising in my throat just writing that.

Despite spending 5 hours at the London Victoria passport office, I never made that trip, but I did make the international Las Vegas one, where we weren’t told, until we got there, that we’d be sleeping, Big Brother style, in the penthouse that featured in The Real World.

I can still feel the panic when I was mid-shower (in the communal and very exposing bathroom) and heard the rest of the international journalists excitedly arrive and start introducing themselves.

Honestly, it’s kind of hilarious that I’m in this career, when I was the person who always dreaded and did everything they could to avoid school trips.

I even faked extreme hayfever at Brownie camp so I could go home early.

Only for Jan to send me back with some sunglasses and anti-histamines the next day.

Look, I don’t know why I am the way that I am, but I am and I hate it as much as you do.

To even voice my nerves feels ungrateful and I really don’t want it to come across that way, because trust me, I don’t take these incredible opportunities for granted.

But, I think, sometimes, a dose of reality is needed with these trips, because of the way some influencers portray them.

A lot of the time, you’re essentially going on holiday with a group of people you don’t know and just because you work in the same industry, does not mean you have common ground.

I’m open to an extent on here, but you’ll just have to trust me when I say I’ve witnessed a lot of disrespectful behaviour from the other attendees on some of these trips.

That’s before you even get to the dress codes and the ensuing panic that you’re surrounded by the most beautiful and well put together people, while you look like Homer Simpson in his muumuu dress.

But, as much as they worry me, I will continue to push myself out of my comfort zone because the memories and stories (usually) far outweigh the negative.

The first time I ever flew business class was with NYX to Los Angeles and you can bet I sent a picture to the family group chat as soon as my bum touched that flat bed seat.

I’ve got to have dinner with Chris Appleton and his former husband in the apartment block of the Shark/Ninja founder. I got to watch Cher live in Las Vegas and eat at Nobu Malibu.

I’m in awe of the incredible PR teams and individuals that put these trips on and make these memories for us. Especially when playing teacher on a school trip, isn’t part of their job description.

If I’m stressed, I can’t imagine how they feel.

Honestly, as someone that is still prone to Sunday scaries, despite not even being employed, I just have to remind myself that it’s always going to be okay.

Except when your passport has expired, of course…