While we may relish the opportunity to kick back and relax while on vacation, for our hair, it may not be quite such a stress-free experience.
From the dry recycled air onboard airplanes to blazing sunlight, extreme humidity, salty seawater, and perhaps even smog, there are so many conditions that could cause your hair to become lacklustre and brittle while you’re on your travels.
But don’t worry – if you want to avoid stressed tresses on your holiday, we’ve compiled some helpful hair hacks that will revitalise your locks and have you looking and feeling Insta-ready in no time.
Pack Your Main Essentials
While you may not be able to take all of your favourite beauty products and appliances with you, you can still make sure you squeeze some essential hair-styling tools like ghd into your suitcase.Or, better yet, invest in a pair of handy travel-size appliances to help you achieve a variety of styles – from poker-straight strands to bouncy curls just perfect for the beach. From mini flat irons to travel blow dryers, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Just remember – depending on the location you are traveling to, you may need to bring an adaptor with you so you can plug in your appliances.
Of course, you won’t just need your styling tools to help you stay salon-fresh while on vacation. You should also pack a travel-size hairbrush or comb, an assortment of hair ties, scrunchies, headbands, clips, bobby pins, and perhaps even some dry shampoo.
If you have a sensitive scalp or another skin condition, and you rely on a medicated shampoo, you can bring yours along; simply decant it into a travel-size bottle so you can carry it safely through airport security. Dry shampoo may also be a good idea, to give your hair a quick spritz whenever it’s starting to feel a little flat and dull.
Wash And Oil Your Hair The Day Before You Leave
It’s a good idea to wash and condition your hair the evening before your journey, rather than leave it until the morning you set off, which will probably be hectic enough as it is.
Once it’s washed and dried, you can spend some time styling it so it looks like you’ve just stepped out of a salon – and then all you need to do in the morning is give it a quick brush and you’re ready to go.
If you’re going to be taking a long plane journey, you may also want to consider oiling your hair before you wash it. Find an oil that offers a truly nourishing and moisturising treatment, such as Fushi Wellbeing’s oil for hair. This product is based on Ayurvedic wisdom and is made from the finest natural ingredients, infused for three months to create a deep conditioning oil that will visibly repair your hair.
Rub it into your hair and scalp and wrap your head in a warm towel. Wait half an hour before washing your hair, and you’re sure to notice a difference in the morning.
Master Some Simple But Stylish Looks
Holidays can be busy and tiring, as well as fun. You may not have much time to devote to styling your hair each day, and you may even find that the odd bad hair day on your travels is unavoidable.
That’s why it’s a great idea to master some simple but attractive styles that will help you to look and feel amazing with very little effort – even if your hair isn’t at its best.
A high ponytail is a super-quick but appealing look that will work well in hot, humid weather. Thread it through a baseball cap to keep your head protected from the sun for that effortless sporty vibe.
For something a little more chic but just as effortless, a messy bun works wonders. Style it up with a flowery hair clip – or even a real tropical flower, if your holiday location allows – and you will look like a million bucks, even if your locks are a little dishevelled.
Finally, for really bad hair days, make the most of those headbands you packed for a pop of instant glam that will take you from daytime to evening with ease.
Don’t Wash Your Hair Everyday
If you are one of those people who like to wash your hair on a daily basis, you may wish to break that habit while you’re on holiday – particularly if your hair will be subjected to a lot of stresses, whether from pollution, air conditioning, hot sunshine, chlorine, or seawater.
Washing your hair on a daily basis can compound the damage caused by those environmental factors, as it strips the hair of moisture, which can leave it dry and brittle. This, in turn, can make it more prone to breakage and hair fall.
If you do feel the need for some refreshment each day, spray some dry shampoo on your locks to absorb any grease and leave your hair looking and feeling cleaner. Don’t have any dry shampoo? Sprinkling a little talcum powder on your roots can have the same effect!
Shield Your Hair From Sun, Salt, And Chlorine
Some of the harshest stressors for your follicles come in the form of blazing sunlight, salty seawater, and chlorine in swimming pools. If your vacation will be including one or even all three of these, then you will need to prepare some protection for your hair.
A simple hair hack is to mix some of your regular hair conditioner with plenty of water, and then decant it into a little spray bottle. Use this spray each time you expose your hair to seawater or take a dip in your hotel swimming pool, and your hair will be protected from absorbing too much sea salt or chlorine.
Serums and hair masks can also be effective at combatting the damage caused by your environment while on holiday. You can make your own, or purchase a few to use throughout your trip; just make sure you pack them in those handy little travel-size bottles.
When choosing serums and sprays, try and use products that have been made with natural ingredients that will intensely nourish and moisturise your mane. Hair products that contain harsh chemicals can actually deplete your hair of vital nutrients and leave it looking and feeling brittle.
If you’re making your own from scratch, remember that natural remedies such as coconut, argan, and jojoba oils, as well as honey and banana, can work wonders for restoring damaged tresses.
Feed Your Follicles
While you’re on vacation, it can be easy to fall into the habit of over-indulging with unhealthy foods and too much alcohol.
Of course, you should enjoy yourself as much as possible on your hard-earned holiday, but if you don’t want your hair – or your general health – to suffer, it’s a good idea to intersperse your indulgences with some healthy and nourishing foods. Fresh fruit and vegetables, pulses and legumes, and plenty of low-fat dairy products and protein will feed your hair from the inside out.
These nutritious foods will help to repair damaged follicles, stimulate hair growth, and help your locks to stay shiny and lustrous, so you will look and feel stunning in all your holiday snaps.
