If you’re a frequent traveler looking for stylish yet manageable hairstyles for the road, this blog post has the tips you need to look great in photos and stay presentable while on the go. And I know that maintaining your hair and making sure it’s perfect at all times is not always easy – at least for me. Plus, it really depends on the kind of climate you’re going to and what activities you’ll be engaging in.
For the most part, when you’re on vacation you probably don’t want to be spending a lot of your precious time on your hair – especially if it’s long like mine. I found that certain hairstyles and products can help my hair stay styled for longer periods of time and allows me to change up my look with minimal effort and still look stylish. I think many travelers actually struggle with keeping their hair looking good while on the move so here are easy tips and tricks you can use to make sure your hair is stylish yet manageable during your travels or wherever you go.
1 – Start With A Good Haircut
Getting a good haircut is basically setting the foundation to allow for your hair to be stylish yet manageable for travel. Your hair is cut and shaped into a style that’s easier to manage and style as well as making it healthier and easier to maintain. If you’re not very good with styling your hair, ask your hairstylist to give you some tips on how to maintain your hair after your cut!
2 – Dutch Braid
I’m only saying Dutch braid because when I do a French braid on myself, I do it backwards and it turns into a Dutch braid. And to be honest, I like the look so much better – plus it gives much better waves which I’ll get to in a second. I like braiding my hair when I’m going to be doing some kind of outdoor activity, including when I need to wear a mask when I’m snorkeling or diving since I have long hair and it really helps keep everything neat and out of the way.
The second benefit is that when I keep my braid for a day or two, once I take them out I get really big beautiful waves that actually last for another two days with dry shampoo. So I get two different hairstyles without having to put too much effort into them and it truly helps my hair be more stylish yet manageable for travel especially when I’m on the go.
3 – Dry Shampoo
As mentioned above, dry shampoo is essential to have when traveling to maintain your hair if you don’t wash it every day, don’t have the time to wash it, or just need a quick refresh of your style. They’re great for emergencies too and help you go a few extra days without washing your hair. Personally, it makes my hair last one or two more days without a wash and really helps absorb any dirt or oil, leaving it clean and refreshed. They also come in travel sizes so it’s easy to take with you anywhere you plan to go. These are some of my favorite dry shampoos.
4 – Texture Spray To Refresh And Keep The Volume
For those who have straight hair like me, or just want to refresh their waves or curls after a night’s rest, in addition to dry shampoo, a texture spray does wonders to give your hair some definition and volume. I especially like using texture sprays when I want to revive my waves or curls if I had styled my hair the day before. There are even different levels of hold you can choose from which can help your hair keep its style for longer as well.
5 – Use A Flat Iron To Straighten Or Curl You Hair
To ensure you can have stylish yet manageable hair for travel, I like to always bring a flat iron with me whenever I’m on vacation. Sometimes hotels don’t have the best hair dryer or I let my hair air dry and it doesn’t set nicely, especially if I’ve slept on it damp overnight so a flat iron helps me straighten out kinks. It also comes in handy if I want to change up my style and curl my hair as well so I only need to take one hair tool with me when I travel which also saves space in my luggage.
6 – Basic Ponytail Or High Ponytail
Ponytails are easy to style and maintain as they only take a few seconds. You can have a casual ponytail or a high ponytail to elevate your look. Two simple looks, but can really make a big difference to the way you present yourself depending on how you style it. Don’t forget to use a good hairbrush to make it your ponytail even sleeker.
However, I will say that I can’t always wear my hair in a ponytail for too long as it can start to hurt or even give me a tension headache if it’s too tight. You can loosen your ponytail if it really starts to bother you or take your hair down completely. I will say this also applies to buns.
7 – Topknot Or Messy Bun
Probably my go-to hairstyle on the daily is a messy bun just because it’s so simple and quick to do and keeps my hair out of my face. When you’re traveling, I would opt for a topknot as it’s more put together and stylish than a messy bun on most occasions. Messy buns are great when you’re going more for the casual, beachy, girl-next-door look – but style it slightly to a certain extent so you avoid the at-home but homeless look (which I’m definitely guilty of).
8 – Hair Protectant For Heat And UV Rays
In order to achieve stylish yet manageable hair even when traveling, it’s important to remember to use a hair protectant if you use styling tools or are planning to visit a hot and sunny destination so you don’t compromise the health of your hair.
9 – Use Hair Accessories
Hair accessories are a great way to play up your hair for a chic hairstyle. Some great options are to use hair scarves, hair clips, or even hairbands like this Burberry one (a newer version of the one I have). They are low-maintenance styles that work for different types of weather or even highlight an elegant updo. And they don’t take up much space in your luggage.
10 – Hat
Probably the simplest of all is to throw on a hat. Whether it’s a baseball cap, a sunhat, or a fedora. You can opt for a casual look or a more stylish look with any of these choices and it doubles as protection from the sun or even rain.
For more on hair to help keep your hair stylish yet manageable for travel, here are 7 Hair Products You Need For Great Hair, The Ultimate Guide To Getting Healthy Hair, and 7 Ways To Instantly Fix A Bad Hair Day.