When you are travelling, taking care of your hair can be a real challenge. If you have an extensive, multi-step hair care routine at home carrying along all your potions, notions and equipment can be difficult.
In this article, we will share some simple, smart tips to help you pare down your hair care routine and be prepared for all the challenges that come with caring for your hair while you travel. Read on to learn more about our hair care tips while travelling.
Simplify your style
Don’t start out with an elaborate hair style. It’s bound to get messed up as you travel. Just opt for a basic wash and blow-dry so that you will simply arrive at your destination with clean hair, ready to be styled as needed.
Go for an easy style. Now may be a good time to try out a short, easy-care cut. Otherwise, if you are dealing with long hair, get in the habit of wearing your hair up in braids or a bun or other protective style. If you just let your hair fly free, you risk excessive exposure to sun, wind and environmental contaminants.
Simple, easy-care styling possibilities include:
- A classic ponytail keeps your hair out of your face and adds volume when you decide to wear your hair down.
- African braids look great and stay put for days at a time with little maintenance.
- Wearing your hair in a topknot can help you stay cool and comfortable and well-groomed.
- Standard braids look nice for long hair and add a little wave when you wear your hair down.
- Scarf wraps protect your hair and look gorgeous.
Bring along an assortment of hairpins, clips, scarves, hats, wraps and elastics, but be sure that they are well-organized and easy to find in a compact, compartmentalized bag or other container.
If you have flyaway hair, invest in a natural, boar bristle brush with a wooden handle to help prevent static electricity problems.
Be prepared!
Research the climate of your destination before you set out. This is especially important if your hair tends to act up when the weather changes. If you find that the area is humid and hot, be sure to bring along anti-frizz products. If it is hot and dry, remember to bring a deep conditioning treatment.
If you are going to a hot, sunny clime, bring or buy a sun hat. Invest in hair care products that contain UV protection. These extra steps will help you avoid having your hair become dry and sunburned.
Pack light!
- Use travel size packaging. Either collect samples of your favourite products to take with you or save small sized containers to reuse as travel containers. Remember that liquid containers for travel must be 100ml or less to be approved for travel.
- Remember to put your small containers of liquid in a zip-loc bag to prevent spills.
- If you are not “brand-loyal” just use the products on offer at your lodging or pick up a few products locally when you arrive. Be careful, though. The free samples on offer at hotels and motels are often very poor quality!
- Investigate multi-purpose products. A good shampoo/conditioner combo can save space when packing and time when washing your hair.
- Pack some tea tree oil. This is a great essential oil to take along on any trip. It is very effective in dealing with hair and scalp problems such as dry scalp and dandruff. It is also a real powerhouse as an addition to your travelling first aid kit.
- If you are going to a hot, dry locale, be sure to bring along a good oil treatment to keep your hair nourished. Coconut oil is a great choice because it can condition your hair and perform a lot of other beauty and personal care duties as well.
- Use dry shampoo. This is a great way to manage very oily hair. You can purchase professional products such as Ambiance Dry Shampoo, which comes in several shades and travel sized packaging.
Bring the right styling equipment
You may not need to take a hair dryer because most lodgings have them in the rooms. If this is important to you, be sure to check ahead. If you find that your accommodations will not provide a dryer, invest in a good travel blow dryer. The folding kind takes up the least space when packing.
If you cannot live without a hair straightener, you’ll be glad to know that there are companies that make travel mini hair straightening sets consisting of:
- One-thousand watt travel hair dryer
- Nozzle & diffuser attachments
- Mini hair straightener
- A compact curling iron
- Styling clip
These small sized tools feature dual voltage for use anywhere. The compact components come neatly packaged in a reusable case for quick and easy packing. You can also purchase some compact travel heated rollers if you want to do more hair styling.
Be aware that if you want to carry on equipment such as flat irons and even blow dryers, you may get shaken down by TSA. These things can look dangerous in an x-ray. That’s why it is usually safer to pack these items in the luggage you check rather than your carry-on. They won’t be harmed by jostling, and you are not going to need them on the plane, anyway.
When you arrive at check-in, be sure to consult current signage to make certain you are not carrying any prohibited items. If you are unsure about what to pack, you can visit the TSA website to find out what you can and cannot bring:
Just enter the name of the item in question into the search box. You’ll get an instant answer.
Relax & enjoy your trip
Travel should be fun and exciting, but if you have to battle with your hair every step of the way it can ruin your trip. If you constantly have the feeling that your hair looks strange, you will not be able to relax and be your best self.
When you take care to pare down your hair care routine, choose your products and equipment with discretion and pack them with care, you are well on your way to having a stress free business trip or a relaxing and enjoyable holiday.
