Short, practical, and travel-friendly — perfect for curly, natural, relaxed, loc’d, braided, or color-treated hair.
1) Start with a protective style + pre-vacay prep
Install knotless braids, twists, cornrows, a sew-in, a wig, or keep a loose bun — nothing too tight. Before you go, trim your ends, use a rich deep conditioner like “Batana Bamboo”, and lightly oil your scalp and ends. While traveling, mist with infused herbal water or leave-in and seal with a light, non-greasy oil. This reduces daily manipulation and shields your ends from sun, salt, wind, and sand.
2) Sun + heat shield every single day
Wear a brimmed hat or scarf during peak sun — — trust me this big difference in saving your. If your hair is color-treated, rinse with cool water after sun time and choose color-safe leave-ins to slow fading.
3) Swim smarter: pool & ocean routine
Before swimming, saturate your hair with fresh water and smooth on leave-in or a little conditioner like RHO “Honey Rose Conditioner” to create a barrier. Rinse with clean water as soon as you’re out and do a gentle cleanse at day’s end. Once a week, use a light clarifying shampoo like “RHO Rosemary Honey” to lift debris, salt, and chlorine buildup. For braids or locs, focus on scalp rinses, squeeze out water instead of rough-towel drying, and allow ample air-dry time.
4) Keep a minimalist wash schedule
Aim to shampoo once per week and co-wash or do a quick scalp cleanse mid-week if you’re sweaty. Refresh your scalp between washes with a toner or wipes to calm itch and reduce odor. If you’re maintaining a press or straight style, dust a minimal amount of powder dry shampoo at the roots only and avoid heavy products.
5) Moisture that matches the climate
In humid beach towns, keep it light with liquid (water or leave-in) plus a cream, then seal with a few drops of jojoba or grapeseed oil. In dry, desert-like sun, the LOC method — liquid, then oil, then cream — locks in hydration longer. Check your ends nightly; if they feel rough, smooth on a pea-size amount of cream and tuck them away in a bun or two twists.
6) Nighttime protection that fits in your carry-on
Pack a satin or silk scarf or bonnet and a travel satin pillowcase since hotel cotton can rob moisture. Set hair in a pineapple, two loose braids, or twists to prevent tangling. If you wear a wig, rest it on a stand or net overnight and re-moisturize your cornrows every two to three days with a light spray.
7) Plan your “first wash back home” reset
On the day you return — or the next morning — do a thorough cleanse, using clarifying or chelating shampoo if you swam a lot, then deep condition for 15 to 30 minutes. Follow with a leave-in, seal your ends, and consider a tiny trim if they feel rough. Reset into a low-manipulation style while you unpack and catch up on life.
8) BONUS TIP: Best Travel Hair Kit (carry-on sized and/or life sized)
Whether is is a carry on size or life size (in checked-in luggage) do not forget to pack pre-poo, moisturizing shampoo, conditioner or co-wash, leave-in, lightweight oil such as jojoba or grapeseed, wide-tooth comb, detangling brush, satin or silk scarf or bonnet, travel satin pillowcase, snag-free scrunchies or clips, a small spray bottle, and a scalp toner or wipes. These will really help to maintain your healthy beds of hair while on holiday.
Stay fabulous, beautiful and inspired,