Many naturals may be apprehensive about wearing their natural hair out while on vacation, especially if they are going out of the country. As we all know, humid weather and curly, coily hair don’t always get along. Some may think that their hairstyles will end up frizzing out. On the other hand, you may feel like wearing your natural hair out while on vacation will require a lot of maintenance. Nonetheless, you should not worry about letting your hair down and enjoying your vacation to the fullest. Natural hair care on vacation can also be a breeze. Here are 5 tips for how to maintain your natural hair while on vacation:
Disclaimer: Caring for Natural Hair is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. However, all reviews, thoughts and recommendations are of our own.
1) CHECK THE WEATHER
The weather can absolutely have an effect on your hair strands. If you are concerned that your style may be ruined because of the weather, check it out beforehand. Are you going somewhere cold? Then you might need to bring a thicker moisturizing product like a butter to protect your hair. If your travel destination is a warm, tropical climate, the humidity can play a role.
To combat frizz in the warm temperatures, you can try using different anti-frizz products like leave-in conditioners and sprays. It also helps to use a thick sealing oil such as Jamaican Black Castor Oil to smooth your strands and lock in moisture as well as lessen frizz. So, when seeking natural hair care on vacation tips, be sure to check the weather beforehand and adjust accordingly.
2) PROTECTIVE STYLE
Although you shouldn’t be afraid to let your hair down while on vacation, protective styling can be very beneficial. A protective style like box braids, mini twists, cornrows, etc., can protect your strands from various outside elements and limit wear and tear on your hair.
Plus, you won’t have to worry about re-styling your hair day to day. Less manipulation means more length retention. Salt water, sunscreen, etc., can all create build-up on your hair and around your hairline. So, protective styles are a great way to help keep your strands covered.
3) BRING WHAT YOU NEED
If you want to keep your hair healthy and in tact, there are a few essentials you can and should bring while on vacation that will help you upkeep your hair. Some of those items include a satin scarf or bonnet to keep your hair protected at night, a spray bottle to mist your hair with, and your favorite moisturizing product(s). There are even travel sizes available of different hair products that can make a convenient fit for your luggage.
4) TRY A TWIST-OUT OR BRAID-OUT
If you want to wear your natural hair out and about while on vacation but are afraid the maintenance will be too much, twist-outs and braid-outs are a good try. Twist-outs and braid-outs can function as a low maintenance protective style.
You can preserve your twist-out or braid-out by placing your hair up in a pineapple at night or simply putting your hair in jumbo twists or braids to give your style a subtle refresh. Regardless, there are many styles you can wear like twist-outs and braid-outs that further add to the point that natural hair care on vacation does not have to be complicated.
5) DON’T FORGET SUN PROTECTION
Just like prolonged sun exposure can have a negative effect on your skin, it can also have a negative effect on your hair. The sun can affect the cuticle of your strands as well as your scalp and lead to dryness and brittleness without the right precautions.
If you are going to be out in the sun for a while, don’t forget your sunscreen products for both your skin and hair. Sunhats are a good protective measure for your hair. There are also hair products made especially for sun protection. To add, shea butter naturally provides a degree of sun protection (around SPF 5) and can be a good addition to your hair care regimen. However, it is best to go with clinically proven / effective sunscreen measures.
6) BONUS: WHEN SWIMMING…
While on vacation, don’t be afraid to get your hair wet! But, keep in mind that the chlorine in pool water may have an adverse effect on your strands, especially with prolonged exposure. There are some preventative measures you can take to protect your hair though. For one, you can wear a swim cap.
Also, it helps to add a leave-in conditioner and oil to your hair beforehand to add some layer of protection between your hair and the chlorine. Finally, be sure to wash your hair afterwards – don’t let the chlorinated water sit on your hair for too long as it can cause dryness.
References:
1 Team, Family Health. “Best Ways to Protect Your Hair From Sun Damage.” Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, 20 Nov. 2019, health.clevelandclinic.org/best-ways-to-protect-your-hair-from-sun-damage/.
