Despite what the weather may be saying currently, we really have arrived at spring. And nothing says spring to me like mini breaks. But with this comes the horrors of ‘hand-luggage only’ and thus, deciding which hair products to take with you (and which to sacrifice).
Unfortunately, for us curly girls, we don’t really have the luxury of just “picking up things once we arrive,” as the curly-hair options are limited even at UK airports, let alone at our holiday destination of choice.
Of course, some brands (which we’ll get to later) offer travel-sized products and that does save time and energy, but they don’t always give the desired benefits. Plus, sometimes you want the product to last well beyond your holiday.
To help you through your tricky packing decisions, I’m sharing my top tips for which products to pick and how to pack them for your next mini break.
Tip one: buy a set of mini carry-on bottles
These refillable 100ml bottles have changed the traveling game for me. It means you can take the products you love and already have in your collection with you, without making compromises on product benefits.
Tip two: wash your hair before you travel
This will save both time and product while you’re there. Chances are, you’ll be washing your hair three times maximum on a mini break, and doing it before you travel will extend the amount of time before your next wash day.
Tip three: take style-based products
Are you wearing a wash and go? Protective style? Slicked back bun?
How you style your hair can be used to determine which products to take with you, so have a think ahead of time.
I would say you can rarely go wrong with a hydrating leave-in conditioner and a medium-strong hold gel. Both are great for a long-lasting wash and go, and the gel can be used for styling edges as well as helping to slick your hair back. Some of my favourite combinations are the following…
Swipe and shop: Style-based products
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Tip four: take easy-to-use products
One thing that none of us want to do is waste our precious holiday time on washing our hair. Taking a conditioner with lots of slip will not only cut down on detangling time, but will also take a big weight off your shoulders.
Swipe and shop: Conditioners
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Tip five: bring an adaptable shampoo
A well balanced and hydrating shampoo is the right choice most of the time for an effective cleanse. You can rarely go wrong with something that has both cleansing and moisturizing properties as they can often be used in different ways.
Use it once if your hair feels on the drier side, and double cleanse if it feels greasy or built-up.
Swipe and shop: Shampoos
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Tip six: consider travel-size options
Despite what I mentioned earlier, travel-sized products are a great option if you are not catering for a specific need, don’t mind running out of product, and want something simple that doesn’t require AS much planning.
Thankfully, a lot more curly-hair brands now offer travel sized products, which is amazing, but we curly girls still do not have equal access to travel-sized hair products on the high street in the same way that people with straight hair do.
It still is not as simple as popping into a store and picking things up from the travel aisle as you would a deodorant or sun cream. It requires that bit more planning and stress.
To make sure you’re prepared, here are some travel sets I would recommend with products that will work for most occasions.
Swipe and shop: Travel-size minis
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If the rumours are true about the change in 100ml liquids ban, we won’t have to worry about travel sizes for too much longer. But until then, hopefully these tips will see you through your next trip!
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