Travel hair

How to look after your hair when travelling

I have recently been specifically obsessed with anything hair-related. I sometimes go through these phases; I always have. Although my hair obsession has always been strong, it feels somewhat amplified lately because my hair and nails are not having the best moment right now. I know, it is time for some supplements, but these usually take a few months to do their magic.

Or, maybe, I am just extra worries about those hair-related issues, because I am preparing for the next trip. Travel hair is a real thing. Most hotels – and I have written about this before – feature that off-white-coloured air fryer passed off as a hair dryer. Mounted into the wall with a cable as short as that useless 1m charging cable that comes with a new iPhone. It will do nothing for you apart from ruining your hair in a second. Just thinking about it gives me the shivers and revives my high-school trauma of crispy fried hair after every swimming lesson I did not manage to get out of. 

Blessed with naturally wavy, coarse and voluminous hair, for me, the frizz as well as the crazy, curly baby hair halo are a constant looming nightmare. Thus, I need to be extra smart about what I pack when going on a trip. At the same time, when I manage to pull off a good hair day, the world is my oyster and I feel like a super model, even when I am just wearing jeans and a white T-shirt. In my opinion, hair is the business card of your personality; it’s what people see first and what defines your style. 

Besides the tragic hair dryers, I would also reckon that most hotel toiletries are made for a minimum effort rinse of men with hair no longer than an inch. If you happen not to fall into that category, you have probably already learned that the two-in-one generic shampoo that smells like you borrowed it from your dad is likely going to give you a lot of volume – and not the good kind.

If you, on top of that, use that dreaded hair dryer, you’re not going to look cute. It’s a fact. And if you do fall within the former category, I would still advise you to stay away from all of it and use your own products and hair dryer.

In the past, I would try to tame the frizz occasioned by the hotel hair dryer with the straightener I brought with me, but that only damaged the hair even further. I have thus come to terms with the fact that I just need to bring more stuff. It is what it is. If you can empathize with me and are also looking to up your hair game while travelling, here’s what I will pack:

• A hair dryer and maybe a straightener, too;
• Shampoo and conditioner for my hair type;
• An anti-frizz spray or cream;
• A heat protection of some sort;
• Hair oil;
• A solid shower cap;
• A microfibre hair turban.

I am, of course, still mindful to reduce bulk and weight in my luggage and aim to bring most products in travel sizes. I have also purchased a smaller hair dryer for the same reason during Black Friday sales last year. Most drugstores and department stores nowadays feature a good selection of beautiful over-priced minis of the shiny and glossy products that I love so much.

My last pro tip is that you should always bring your own sturdy shower cap. The flimsy hotel kind is not really made for people with long hair or lots of it. I find it doesn’t seal properly, and you’ll end up with the mess you sought to avoid in the first place when you are having a no-hair-wash-day shower. A microfibre hair turban is also a must. I’ve been told by many hairdressers that cotton towels damage your hair unnecessarily and let’s not forget the sheer weight of those hotel towels towering on your head.

I know that to some of you this packing list may sound excessive. However, I challenge you to try it. Let’s normalize bringing an entire hair wardrobe on trips because a good hair day will make the rest of the day great, too!