Travelling with curly hair is a worry that pops up the moment the excitement of booking a weekend getaway or holiday begins to settle. You’re picturing yourself unwinding by azure, blue seas, sampling new dishes, and finally getting some much-needed downtime. Then reality taps you on the shoulder and you think, “Wait… how am I going to look after my curls while I’m away?” It’s a completely valid concern, and you’re far from alone in it. Caring for curly hair requires extra patience and attention at the best of times, not to mention when you are away from your home comforts and your carefully curated hair stash. So, if you’re keen to learn more about travelling with curly hair, keep reading for our top tips.
Table of Contents:
- Why does curly hair need extra care?
- How to travel with curly hair (and keep it looking amazing)
- Travel top tips
Why does curly hair need extra care?
Curly hair is typically drier, and more brittle compared to straighter hair textures. This is due to the scalp’s natural sebum not being able to travel down the hair shaft to moisturize the lengths due to its coily or zig-zag formation. When you are traveling and you add environmental factors like humidity into the equation, it becomes even more of a challenge, especially when you don’t have access to your usual products or styling tools. Suffice to say, finding the right haircare products and routine for your travels can be a challenge if you are not aware of the tips and tricks to apply.
How to travel with curly hair (and keep it looking amazing)
Travelling with curly hair can feel like an uphill struggle because there are so many forces at play that can wreak havoc with your curls. You will likely have to contend with unpredictable weather changes, the dry air on the plane sapping moisture from your curls, and overly starched cotton pillowcases robbing your hair of its nourishment. Not to mention all the fun pursuits - swimming, spending hours in the pool, sunbathing against the scorching heat – that can weaken your curls. Simply put, it’s not unusual for your hair to take a battering when you travel. But all hopes are not lost. There are numerous tips and tricks that you can implement to minimize the impact of distress on your curls whilst on your travels.
Step 1: Start with a refresh
Before you board a plane or sip a margarita on a sun lounger, treat your hair to a wash day before you travel to ensure that your curls are clean and nourished.
Knowing how to keep curly hair moisturised will also keep your hair intact, since nourishment preserves the integrity of your curls. Clean, well-moisturized and hydrated curls are like an insurance policy for your hair before you step on a plane, so here is a breakdown of a super effective wash regimen for you to replicate.
- First, cleanse your curls with a nourishing shampoo to rid them of dirt, grime and product build-up. Select your Curlsmith shampoo of choice based on the needs of your curls.
- With curly hair being prone to dryness, applying a nourishing conditioner is essential. A quality conditioner will infuse intense moisture to your hair and leave curls feeling smooth and shiny. Select the Curlsmith conditioner that’s best suited to your curl type and the condition of your hair.
- Once your hair has been washed and conditioned, apply a leave-in-conditioner to your curls to lock in moisture and prevent tangles. Formulas vary from cream to liquid. Choose your leave-in-conditioner based on your hair’s texture. For instance, the finer your hair, the lighter the formula should be.
- Finally, once your hair has been washed, conditioned, and moisturized, apply your favorite Curlsmith curly hair styling product to keep curls defined, moisturized, and hydrated.
Step 2: Bring your favorite Curlsmith products with you
There’s nothing more disappointing than arriving at your hotel, spotting complimentary grooming products in the bathroom, only to discover that the shampoos and conditioners are not compatible with your curls. So, why not take matters into your own hands by travelling with your product faves guaranteed to protect and pamper your hair? You can decant your full sized Curlsmith products into clear plastic mini travel-sized bottles and curate your own curly hair travel kit, or alternatively, grab your failsafe Curlsmith curly hair travel products before you travel.
Step 3: Travel maintenance is key
Once you arrive at your destination, you will likely be so consumed with exploring, spending quality time with your favorite people, or simply just relaxing, that you’ll want to make your haircare regime as streamlined and fuss-free as possible. Wear your curls in a high bun or tie a headband or scarf around the crown to protect them.
Remember to pack a satin pillowcase or satin bonnet to help prevent your curls from friction which could lead to breakage, and a leave-in conditioner to hydrate your hair when it becomes excessively thirsty, or a lightweight spray like Miracle Shield to protect your curls against UV rays, sea water and chlorine.
You may be wondering how to refresh curls whilst travelling, since they have a tendency to become brittle due to hotter temperatures. We suggest spritzing your curls with a refresher like Curlsmith Shake & Shine , a light mist designed to reactivate curls and lock in moisture. Next, smooth your curls using the praying hands method. For the final step, allow your curls to air dry.
Step 4: Plan in wash days
Shampooing your curls is a must when you travel. Between the unpredictable weather, exposure to sea salt water and pool chlorine, chances are your curls will feel more fragile, overloaded, and beleaguered than normal. For a curl reset, schedule your wash days to keep build-up at bay. Curlsmith has an extensive range of shampoos that cater to all curly hair needs.
Step 5: Post-travel cleanse
Once you’ve arrived home from your travels, it’s crucial to rid your hair of all the build-up and impurities that have accumulated by treating curls to a good cleanse. Shampooing your hair will also help to provide a hydration boost following exposure to scorching sunshine. For a deep cleanse apply a clarifying shampoo to remove build-up, and hard water minerals, without leaving curls feeling stripped and dry.
Travel top tips
Now that you have a solid routine on lock for when you travel. There are some extra tips and tools you can implement to make the process of holiday haircare even smoother.
- Pack a microfibre towel to dry your hair. Microfiber is a gentler alternative to abrasive cotton towels. Or alternatively, stash an old T-shirt in your suitcase that you can use for the ‘plopping’ method to dry your curls.
- If space permits, pack curly hair tools such as a travel hairdryer, which will allow you to dry and diffuse your curls with ease.
- If you’re traveling to a hot country, prioritize protection for curly hair by packing a product with UV protection properties. Get into the habit of applying it before you leave every morning.
Conclusion
Curly hair may require extra care and maintenance compared to straighter hair textures, but that doesn’t mean that your curls can’t look and feel equally gorgeous when you travel. With quality products and the right techniques, your curls can continue to look camera-ready, allowing you to create new memories to cherish. Curlsmith has a full range of products and tools to make the process of haircare travel seamless.
