Dealing with Curly Hair Whilst Travelling

Planning on taking your curls with you when you go on your next travel adventure? If the prospect of high humidity, sun damage or the horror of forgetting your beloved curly hair products are putting a dampener on your pre-trip excitement, don’t worry, we’ve got you.

When you’re travelling with curly hair

Wherever you’re heading to, you’ll need to think first of all about your journey. If you have curly hair, the chances are you’ll have amassed a decent collection of specialised products. Some of these will be packaged in containers too large for hand luggage liquid restrictions (less than 100 ml on a flight), so make sure you’ve invested in the travel sized version of your products.

Better still, grab some travel-sized, refillable and transparent containers that you can load with all your favourites ahead of your trip, then pop them into a clear zip bag, to stop product spillages.

Again, if you’re on a flight, remember air conditioning is not always kind to curls which are already prone to dryness. Air con can bring on the frizz, so take a satin scarf on board to protect your hair during the flight. Keeping your hair in a scarf or tying it in a bun will also prevent the back of your hair from getting frizzy after leaning on a head rest.

Covering the basics

Now for the basics. If you’re away for more than a few days, then you’ll want to pack your usual washing and conditioning products. Dipping in and out of the pool, swimming in the sea and sunbathing on a sunny, sandy beach means your hair will get dirty.

Taking a leave in conditioner with you can help your hair recover from some of the day’s damage and work wonders on defining and moisturising coarse or textured hair. If you envisage having a bit of extra time while you’re away, a hair mask will go one step further, in replenishing and nourishing the strands of your curls from the inside and not just the surface.

Tip: if you’re going on a mini break with no potential for your hair becoming dirty, consider if you really need to take your basic washing and conditioning products with you. If they’re your favourites, then you won’t want to lose them in transit. Plus, if the trip is only for a few days, you can give your hair a thorough wash and condition before you head off.

Don’t forget another basic, sun protection for your hair and scalp. Sunny destinations can lead to all hair becoming brittle and damaged. Be prepared by packing a UV protection scalp and hair mist or spray with SPF.

Styling must-haves for curly hair

As you will know, having curly hair comes with a certain set of responsibilities when it comes to styling in particular. When you go away, you’ll need to extend this care and attention a little further by remembering to take plenty of curling cream, essential for moisture and control in warmer climes, and to help carve out the natural shape and flow of those curls too. A specialised gel for curly hair takes the hold of your curls one step further, and is often needed in humid conditions to keep frizzing at bay. If you’ll be heading out for full day or evening excursions, pack a small bottle of anti-frizz hairspray to use as and when you need.

When drying your curls

Air drying your curls after a long day at the beach while sipping a margherita might sound ideal but actually, but drying your hair naturally in humidity may not be ideal. Take a hairdryer diffuser with you when you go to warmer locations, travel sized and collapsible versions are easier to pack too.

Those added essentials

Lastly, if you’ve ever arrived at your destination with that heart-sinking feeling that you’ve forgotten some of your essentials, we feel your pain. Make a note of the following tick list for your next trip:

· A detangling brush – vital to detangle those curls gently without causing breakage.

· A shampoo massager - scrubs the scalp well and also helps detangle hair.

· A scarf or bonnet - for hair and sun protection.

· A satin pillow case - to prevent friction with your curls while sleeping.

· Hair ties and scrunchies that are kind to curls and bobbie pins and clips - for when you’re planning on playing with a few styles while on vacation.