Haircare Travel Tips to Live By

For many people, travel means days spent on the beach or the pool, sightseeing, and evenings taking in the nightlife of their favorite vacation spot. However, it’s essential not to forget that while you’re traveling and having fun, your hair still needs attention to stay healthy and shiny during your trip.

The sun, climate of different cities, and hotel shampoo can wreak havoc on even the prettiest head of hair. However, your hair says a lot about your health, so you want it to be as healthy as can be.

These are my tips for taking care of your hair while traveling (and at home) based on my experience.

Bring Your Own Hair Care Products

If you have products that you can’t live without or have special hair care needs, it’s best to bring your products with you. You never know if you’re going to be able to find similar products where you’re staying or if they will have your favorite products on hand.

For example, if you have low porosity hair (very resistant to water), then you might not be able to find your favorite products for low porosity hair, so bringing them with you is best. The same goes for curly hair in a humid environment, dandruff, etc.

Also from an eco-friendly and sustainability point of view, I prefer to bring my own products, like shampoo and conditioner bars rather than encourage the single-use hair products that a lot of hotels provide.

Shampoo Less Often

While it may be tempting to shampoo your hair every day while traveling, it’s not a good idea to do so. This is especially important if you’re vacationing in a hotter climate than you’re used to.

Washing your hair too often strips the oils out of your hair, which then leads to breakage. This breakage makes it easier for the sun to damage your hair when you’re out and about.

This was an absolute revelation to me when my own stylist told me this. I was a wash-and-condition everyday kind of girl and now only wash twice a week! It saves on shampoo as well!

Get a Haircut

I recommend you get a haircut before you set out on your travels. This way you’ll have a fresh do with no frizz or split ends to become damaged by the sun during your trip. Also, no one really wants to have to schedule a haircut in the middle of a vacation, now do they?

Getting your hair styled is different. If you are doing a special evening out and want an updo or special braid that can be fun to experiment with.

Bring Your Own Hair Dryer

While, of course, you want to pack lightly for your trip, make room in that suitcase for your hair dryer. Some dryers that hotels provide will damage your hair and never work right, meaning you’ll spend a lot of time trying to get your hair dry before you can go out.

However, it’s also recommended that you keep the blow-drying to a minimum when on vacation as well. There’s something to be said for carefree air drying when you’re on the go.

Make sure it will work internationally as well. This is the one I use.

Bring Your Hair Accessories

When you’re on vacation, you don’t want your hair flying in the wind all the time. Instead, bring hair accessories to braid or tie your hair back with.

Not only will the accessories keep your hair out of your face, but they will also keep your hair from becoming damaged. Beanie hats, straw hats, and scarves are great accessories to bring as well since they keep your hair covered, reducing the chance of damage from rain, sun, and wind.

Let Your Hair Get Wet

If you’re spending a day by the pool, don’t be afraid to jump in and get your hair wet. To ensure the chlorine doesn’t wreck your hair, wet it before taking the plunge. Did you know wetting your hair before getting in the pool keeps it from absorbing the chlorine?

It's true! When I used to swim on teams competitively we wet our whole body under a shower before getting in the pool. If you are swimming in the ocean, make sure to rinse your hair right away.

When you’re traveling, it’s easy to forget to care for your hair the way you do at home. However, it’s more important than ever, especially if you’re in a climate you’re not used to. These tips will help you come home with the same shiny, gorgeous, healthy hair you had when you left on vacation, to begin with.

How about you? Do you have any additional tips for hair care while traveling? Do share!

Like it? PIN it!