Meet the Black Dress Traveler

Wanda Mann found a way to turn her passion for traveling in style into a career.  In 2008, the journalist launched “The Black Dress Traveler,” a travel website for women.   Hot Mama Daily caught up with the jet-setter  and learned more about her website and her top travel beauty tips.

Wanda Mann is "The Black Dress Traveler"

Hot Mama Daily: How and when did you start the Black Dress Traveler?

Wanda Mann: I officially launched the Black Dress Traveler website in December 2008 but I’ve been living this way longer than I can remember. I never travel without a little black dress in my suitcase. One night while writing in my journal about a vacation, I had an “aha” moment and the Black Dress Traveler site came to life.

HMD: What service does the site offer?

WM: I share travel information from a female perspective. So in addition to destinations, the Black Dress Traveler provides news on travel friendly beauty products, fashion, and events. I try to help my readers bring glamour back to travel. But more than anything, I want to help women feel empowered. While I have traveled with friends and enjoyed the experience, there is something about traveling alone that is very transformative. I want to remind women that it’s okay to take that dream trip or weekend getaway on your own.

The little black dress is a metaphor for feeling confident and living life with a dash of style whether you are riding the subway to work or flying first class to Paris. Eventually, I want to use the Black Dress Traveler as a platform to raise money to enable underprivileged young women to study abroad. When I was 16, I was blessed with the amazing opportunity to spend my junior year of high school studying in Barcelona, Spain. I also spent my junior of college in Toledo, Spain. Living in a foreign country  was a life changing experience and I would like to make that possible for other young women.

HMD: What beauty products do you always travel with?

WM:  Neero and Ana Satin Pillowcases are a pretty skin and hair saver. Unlike cotton pillowcases, they don’t strip away the moisture. I never travel without one of these.

PhytoSpecific Moisturizing Styling Balm adds moisture and great shine without weighing the hair down.

Bath Junkie Organic Shea Butter Cream with Vitamin E keeps skin soft and supple and adds a nice sheen. And you can customize it with your own fragrance.

HMD: What items do you travel with to help you feel comfortable?

WM: I hate airplane blankets, so I always bring an oversized cashmere or wool wrap to keep me warm on the plane. Depending on the season, this wrap might work its way into an outfit during my trip.  Bluefly.com has luxurious Portolano wraps at a significant discount.  I also carry Capezio soft ballet slippers. They are soft and comfortable and don’t take up much space in the carry-on.

Sometimes airplanes just don’t smell very good. So even though you can’t light it up on the plane, I bring a scented travel candle that I can inhale deeply for some instant aromatherapy.  Later on I can light the candle to make my hotel room fragrant.  Massage Oil Candles by Lano are great for travel because they are packaged in a lightweight tin with a lid.  And after you light them, you can use the moisture rich oil on your skin for a massage.

Airplane meals are basically non-existent these days. Just in case I don’t have time to grab something to eat before I board, I keep a pack of Kashi instant oatmeal in my bag. Thank goodness most planes still have hot water.  And I always have a good piece of dark chocolate in my purse!

Image Credit: Wanda Mann