There’s one downside to a long vacation that hair enthusiasts don’t talk about enough: the choice between hauling full-sized products around the globe, painstakingly pouring them into tiny travel-sized bottles, or using whatever you can find on the road.
The first option isn’t exactly efficient, nobody has time for the second, and the third is a no-no for anyone who spends time and money maintaining gorgeous hair.
So, how can you keep your hair happy, healthy, and ready for photoshoots while traveling?
We’re here to help with the Neuma guide to vacation hair! Keep reading for a rundown of our favorite travel-sized products and tips and tricks for nourishing your hair on every adventure.
Vacation Hair Care: How to Keep Your Hair Healthy While Traveling
Order Travel-Sized Favs Ahead of Time
With a little planning ahead, you can keep the power of clean beauty on hand everywhere you go. Nearly all of our beloved shampoo and conditioner duos are available in travel-approved 1 oz bottles!
Re Neu Shampoo and Re Neu Conditioner purify the scalp and root, making them lifesavers when you know you’ll get some build-up. Think camping, yoga retreats, and ultra-long travel days.
Neu Moisture Shampoo and Neu Moisture Conditioner zero in on hydration, making them perfect for cold climates, high altitudes, and deserts. From Coachella to Vail, they’ll ward off static and frizz.
Neu Repair Shampoo and Neu Repair Conditioner revitalize damaged hair, making them the perfect go-to when your hair needs more heat styling than usual. Bring these for glam-heavy trips like bach parties and Vegas!
Neu Volume Shampoo and Neu Volume Conditioner boost your hair’s bounce and body, making them a low-maintenance solution when you don’t want to heat style. These are sure to please on any type of vacay.
Of course, we didn’t just stop at wash day for our travel-size collection. Some of our fan-favorite stylers come in TSA-approved bottles, including our Air Dry Shaper (your low-maintenance bestie) and our Smoothing Crème (your heat-styling bestie).
And, if you already have the Neu Styling Texturizer and the Neu Moisture Argan Oil, you can toss those in your suitcase, too! They both come out to 3.4 oz, the liquid limit for carry-on baggage. You’re welcome in advance!
Pack Dry Shampoo (and Wash Right Before Your Departure)
As soon as the 24-hour countdown to your departure begins, it’s hard to think about anything except hitting the road. But if possible, it’s always best to squeeze in one last full hair wash right before you go!
This step helps you avoid exposing your locks to non-Neuma shampoo and conditioner as long as possible.
When your roots inevitably start to get a bit dirty, we recommend turning to our Re Neu Dry Shampoo first! Although our full-sized bottle does take up some suitcase room, this fast-absorbing formula recharges your locks in a flash and gives them a nice volume boost.
If you only bring one styling product on your trip, let it be this! And remember, if you’re traveling on a plane, store this one in your checked-in baggage because it won’t make the cut for carry-on! But, if road tripping is your way of transportation, you can pack hair care products galore.
Deploy Hair Shields
From airplanes to beaches, exposing your hair to the elements can dryness and brittleness, and force you to wash your hair more than you should. Luckily, it only takes a simple head cover to keep things feeling fresh!
On planes, consider pulling on a hoodie or wearing a hair bonnet throughout your flight. At the beach, you should always wear a hat or banana to avoid UV ray exposure. At the hotel, consider slipping on your silk pillowcase cover or wearing a bonnet while sleeping.
The goal is to keep your hair clean and hydrated!
Keep Your Styles Loose
Another way hair can get damaged on the go is by keeping it tied back too tightly for too long. That top knot you’ve been rocking for three days straight? Though cozy, it may be bending and snapping your strands without you realizing it.
Simply avoid adding tension to your already-stressed strands, and you’ll be golden!
Check Water Quality
Did you know that some destinations have hard water coming out of most showers? In the United States, SoCal, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas are known for their hard water supply. In Europe, the UK, Italy, Spain, and Greece are common hot spots!
Though hard water isn’t actually harmful, it can cause hair to become dry, brittle, and difficult to manage. The easiest solution to avoid shower-related damage is to finish every shower with a quick hair rinse of bottled water.
Embrace Serums and Oils
No matter how hard you try, your hair will probably still feel out of whack while you’re traveling. Because most travel-related hair issues revolve around dryness or humidity, one of the most important products to embrace is hair oil.
You’re in luck: our award-winning Neu Moisture Argan Oil is perfectly sized for vacation, even if you’re only packing a carry-on. It strengthens strands, infuses shine, controls flyaway, and smells downright fabulous. Use it daily on damp or dry hair, and enjoy watching your hair woes melt away!
With Neuma, you CAN have your cake and eat it too–we have so many travel-friendly, clean hair care options so that you don’t need to compromise on sustainability or hair health, wherever your summer travels take you!
As you go on your way, remember to show off all your stunning travel looks by tagging us on Instagram (@neumabeauty) and TikTok (@neumabeauty) so we can follow along and cheer you on.
Safe travels!