Holiday Hair Care Tips and the Best Travel Size Hair Products

With summer holidays just around the corner many of you will be wondering what you can do to keep your hair in tip-top condition no matter where you decide to go! We've put together some of our recommendations for protecting your hair in the sun, alongside which products are the best ones to take on holiday with you. Follow our guide below, written by Chloe Whittle, Senior Digital and In-Salon Educator here at Neäl & Wølf, for the best advice on hair care while travelling.

1. Protect against sun damage by locking in moisture

Spending too long in the hot sun can take the colour, moisture and protein from your hair. Look for a travel hair mask with ingredients like Silk Proteins and Wheat Proteins which help lock in moisture, preventing the hair from drying out in the sun. 

Before you’re set to leave the villa, house or hotel room, we would recommend lathering on our HYDRATE Moisture Hair Mask. Once applied, cover your hair with a lightweight scarf. The mask will help retain the softness of your hair for several hours and reduce the impact of sun damage. Browse our travel size collection: HARMONY Mini Essentials Collection

Video Credit: Instagram @mariamayhairbykatiemay

 2. Look for products with UV protection

Did you know some hair product ingredients can act as sunscreen for your hair? Products like our MIRACLE Rapid Blow Dry Mist have UV protection to guard against the sun’s harmful rays. The lightweight conditioners within the product protect the cuticles from sun damage. As well as being used with heat products, the mist can be spritzed over the hair to provide a coat against another heat source: the sun. The spray can also be applied over holiday hairstyles like braids and plaits to reduce frizz and enhance shine. Read our full guide on UV protection for your hair: How to Protect Hair from UV Rays - Expert Tips for Sun-Ready Hair

Video Credit: Instagram @josephtboylan

3. Pack the best travel size hair products

Travel size shampoo and other hair products are a staple of any holiday! Their 50ml size means that they meet standard airline guidelines for hand luggage*, making the perfect travel companion.

Our best-selling shampoos and conditioners are available in 50ml bottles, alongside our popular MIRACLE Blow Dry Mist, CONTROL Flexible Styling Hairspray and AURA Perfume and Body Fragrance. By packing one of these beauties, you won't have to carry several large bottles of hair products with you. They're also available in handy travel bags in the form of our Mini Essentials Kits. Read on to find out more about some of our travel size hair products:

HARMONY Shampoo and Treatment

Being in the sun all day is tough on your hair! Our HARMONY range contains ingredients that offer UV protection, with a blend of oils and proteins to lock in moisture and help treat dry or damaged hair. Browse the 50 ml range: HARMONY Mini Essentials Collection

HYDRATE Shampoo and Conditioner

HYDRATE nourishes dry hair with intense hydration. The oils within the products transform your hair to leave it shiny and healthy-looking. The formula also helps to control frizz and flyaways. Find out more: HYDRATE Mini Essentials Collection

BLONDE Shampoo and Conditioner

Help the sun brighten your hair with purple shampoo and conditioner. Our BLONDE collection works to keep brassy tones at bay, keeping hair light and looking its best. Learn more: BLONDE Mini Essentials Collection

DAILY Shampoo and Conditioner

Keep hair looking fresh every day with our DAILY range. Liquid shea butter creates shiny, easy to manage hair, allowing you to have a stress-free holiday. View here: DAILY Mini Essentials Collection

CONTROL Hairspray

For the perfect finish, a hairspray that can maintain hold from day to night is an absolute must! Designed to offer a flexible, but long-lasting hold with a matte finish, CONTROL is the ultimate finishing style spray. Shop now: CONTROL Flexible Styling Hairspray

AURA Hair and Body Fragrance

Make AURA the scent of your holiday. This perfume combines orange blossom, white thyme, lily and vanilla. Just spritz all over your hair and body for a lasting scent. Find out more: AURA Hair Perfume and Body Fragrance

MIRACLE Rapid Blow Dry Mist

This mist can speed up hair drying by up to 50%, allowing you to get ready faster. It can also act as protection against the heat from the sun! Our MIRACLE Mist comes in each of our Mini Essentials Kits or can be purchased separately: MIRACLE Rapid Blow Dry Mist

VELVET Nourishing Hair Oil

Travel-size mini, Blend of three amazing oils for nourished, soft and healthier-looking hair. A blend of three natural oils: Argan; Avocado and Jojoba, designed to transform rough, unruly hair into more healthy looking, smooth and nourished hair. VELVET provides shine and helps to protect against UV damage. Learn more: VELVET Nourishing Hair Oil

4. Bring a lightweight travel hair dryer

Don’t rely on hotel room hair dryers! These can often lack power, taking long periods of time to dry your hair. They can also often be missed by cleaners, holding bacteria and dirt from past users. Sometimes, your room may not even have a hair dryer or it might not work. 

Instead, bring your hair dryer with you from home. Technology such as our HERØ Ionic Technology Hair Dryer are incredibly light, weighing just 354 grams. This can be easily packed into your suitcase, leaving you with plenty of room to meet general baggage requirements. Our hair dryer is also incredibly fast drying, allowing you to spend less time getting ready and more time enjoying your holiday.

5. Don’t forget your hair accessories

Hair accessories are a simple way to elevate your holiday look. Always pack several bobby pins, a headband and multiple hair ties whenever you travel. These hair accessories are lifesavers when it comes to styling your hair while on the go and even without a mirror.

It can be a good idea to designate hair accessories for daytime and evening. Items like bobbles used in the pool can soak up chlorine and sunscreen, so evening accessories will be fresh and clean. Alternatively, avoid getting your hair wet all together, as saltwater and chlorine can weaken your tresses.

6. Prioritise time-saving solutions

Time spent on hair styling is time away from relaxing on your holiday. Any hair products that can help you save time on getting ready will be the saviour of your travels, so you can put your feet up rather than spending longer in your hotel room.

Look for shampoo and conditioner duos that are easy to use as part of a hair washing routine. Also opt for strong hairspray like our CONTROL Flexible Styling Hairspray, designed to keep hair in check all day long. This has a long-lasting hold, so you don’t have to worry about spending time refreshing hair after use.

7. Don’t let humidity get you down

Humidity can wreak havoc with carefully crafted style, especially on holiday. The moisture created by the humidity goes into the hair molecules and bonds to the protein inside. This causes frizz, which can make your hair appear messy and dry.

The best way to beat frizz is to use products that help keep hair healthy-looking and under control. Many of our products are humidity resistant, trapping in moisture to keep your locks looking silky-smooth. Browse our recommended hair care: Frizzy Hair Products

8. Choose vitamin-rich hair care

Holidays are all about self-care! So, it makes sense to take special care and look after your body. Your hair can benefit from nutrients like Vitamin C, which helps to grow and strengthen hair. This factor is much needed in environments where the hair is dried out.

Before you go on your travels, speak to your hairdresser about solutions like our Glaze colour and toner. This contains Vitamin C, working to lock in moisture and give your hair a sleek shine to reflect the sun’s rays. Learn more: Glaze True Demi Rapid Liquid Colour and Toner

9. Travel in style

Making an effort when you travel can help you look and feel great. Look for quick and easy styles, perfect for those early morning flights. Below we’ve compiled some of our favourite looks:

Loose bun

Pull the hair together and hold it straight up. Twist your hair down to several inches near the crown. Wrap the hair around until a loose bun is formed at the top of your head. Secure the bun with several bobby pins.

Sleek side pony

Brush hair to make it smooth and create an extreme side part. Gather hair and form a low ponytail. Make it tight by securing it with a hair tie and several bobby pins. Apply a hair product to make the hair sleek and shiny.

Mermaid braid

Pull hair to one side and divide into two sections. Braid each section and secure the ends with hair ties. Combine the two braided sections and secure with another hair tie. Flatten and fan out the braids to resemble a mermaid's tail.

These looks should make you the envy of the airport. For more style inspiration for your holiday and beyond, read our blog: 5 Biggest Summer Hair Trends 2024

10. Avoid the shampoo explosion

There’s nothing worse than opening your suitcase to find your clothes covered in hair products. When shampoos and hair care is packed into checked luggage they can leak or ‘explode’. This sounds more dramatic than it actually is, but the effect can ruin the start of your holiday.

Shampoo explosions can happen due to pressure changes in the plane during landing and take-off, or your hair care can get squashed during your travels. To avoid this, we'd always recommend packing shampoo into a separate plastic bag, and avoiding squashing it in too tightly with other items. Reusable sandwich or freezer bags are perfect for this task! For extra protection, use a zip-bag like those that come with our Mini Essentials Kits.

11. Rinse hair after swimming

Whether you're enjoying the pool or the sea, it's important to rinse your hair as soon as possible afterwards. Chlorine can strip moisture from the hair, while saltwater can leave strands feeling dry and brittle. 

A quick rinse with fresh water helps remove these residues before they have a chance to build up. Follow with a nourishing leave-in conditioner like our HYDRATE Leave-In Conditioning Spray, which can be spritzed through damp hair. It detangles, reduces frizz and restores moisture for hair that looks and feels healthier.

12. Book a trim before you leave

A fresh trim before your holiday can help keep your hair looking healthy and manageable throughout your travels. Removing dry or damaged ends reduces the likelihood of split ends worsening in the sun, sea or pool water, helping your style maintain its shape for longer.

Visiting your stylist before you jet off also provides the perfect opportunity to discuss any concerns about your hair's condition. They can recommend professional treatments or products to help protect your hair from the challenges of holiday weather, leaving you free to relax and enjoy your time away. Book into one of our local salons today: Find a Salon

13. Pack a microfibre hair towel

Traditional towels can be surprisingly harsh on wet hair, causing friction that may lead to frizz, tangles and breakage. A microfibre hair towel is a lightweight travel essential that absorbs excess moisture quickly while being much gentler on the hair cuticle.

Not only does a microfibre towel help reduce drying time, but it can also make styling easier by keeping hair smoother and more manageable. For an extra layer of protection against frizz, use our SILK Smoothing Blow-Dry Balm to tame away frizz and flyaways in seconds - just smooth a small amount over your locks.

14. Be mindful of hard water

Depending on your destination, the water quality may be very different from what you're used to at home. Hard water contains high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which can build up on the hair over time. This may leave hair feeling dry, dull or difficult to style.

Using nourishing products throughout your holiday can help counteract the effects of mineral buildup and maintain softness and shine. We’d recommend a product like our VELVET Nourishing Hair Oil which restores your hair with luxurious smoothing natural oils.

15. Keep products with you

Whether you're heading to the beach, exploring a new city or catching a flight, having your favourite hair care products within easy reach can make all the difference. Rather than rummaging through your suitcase every time you need a quick touch-up, keep your must-have products together in a dedicated travel pouch.

Our VELVET Pochette is the perfect companion for storing holiday hair care essentials. Stylish and practical, it's ideal for keeping products such as travel-size shampoo, conditioner, styling sprays and hair accessories organised wherever your travels take you. Compact enough to fit into your hand luggage or beach bag, it helps ensure your hair care routine stays effortless from departure to destination.

Not only does a dedicated pouch keep your products protected during travel, but it also makes refreshing your style on the go quick and convenient. Whether you're tackling humidity, taming flyaways or adding a finishing touch before dinner, you'll always have your essentials close by.

With the right hair care essentials in your suitcase, maintaining healthy-looking, beautiful hair while travelling has never been easier. From hydrating treatments and UV protection to travel-friendly styling favourites, we have everything you need to keep your hair looking and feeling its best throughout your holiday. Browse our range of solutions: Travel Size Minis

*individual airline and airport restrictions may vary over time, ensure you check before you travel

11. Pack the best travel size hair products

Travel size shampoo and other hair products are a staple of any holiday! Their 50ml size means that they meet standard airline guidelines for hand luggage*, making the perfect travel companion.

Our best-selling shampoos and conditioners are available in 50ml bottles, alongside our other perfect MIRACLE Blow Dry Mist, CONTROL Flexible Styling Hairspray and AURA Perfume and Body Fragrance. By packing one of these beauties, you won't have to carry several large bottles of hair products with you. They're also available in handy travel bags in the form of our Mini Essentials Kits. Read on to find out more about some of our travel size hair products:

HARMONY Shampoo and Treatment

Being in the sun all day is tough on your hair! Our HARMONY range contains ingredients that offer UV protection, with a blend of oils and proteins to lock in moisture and help treat dry or damaged hair. Browse the 50 ml range: HARMONY Mini Essentials Collection

HYDRATE Shampoo and Conditioner

HYDRATE nourishes dry hair with intense hydration. The oils within the products transform your hair to leave it shiny and healthy-looking. The formula also helps to control frizz and flyaways. Find out more: HYDRATE Mini Essentials Collection

BLONDE Shampoo and Conditioner

Help the sun brighten your hair with purple shampoo and conditioner. Our BLONDE collection works to keep brassy tones at bay, keeping hair light and looking its best. Learn more: BLONDE Mini Essentials Collection

DAILY Shampoo and Conditioner

Keep hair looking fresh every day with our DAILY range. Liquid shea butter creates shiny, easy to manage hair, allowing you to have a stress-free holiday. View here: DAILY Mini Essentials Collection

CONTROL Hairspray

For the perfect finish, a hairspray that can maintain hold from day to night is an absolute must! Designed to offer a flexible, but long-lasting hold with a matte finish, CONTROL is the ultimate finishing style spray. Shop now: CONTROL Flexible Styling Hairspray

AURA Hair and Body Fragrance

Make AURA the scent of your holiday. This perfume combines orange blossom, white thyme, lily and vanilla. Just spritz all over your hair and body for a lasting scent. Find out more: AURA Hair Perfume and Body Fragrance

MIRACLE Rapid Blow Dry Mist

This mist can speed up hair drying by up to 50%, allowing you to get ready faster. It can also act as protection against the heat from the sun! Our MIRACLE Mist comes in each of our Mini Essentials Kits or can be purchased separately: MIRACLE Rapid Blow Dry Mist

VELVET Nourishing Hair Oil

Travel-size mini, Blend of three amazing oils for nourished, soft and healthier-looking hair. A blend of three natural oils: Argan; Avocado and Jojoba, designed to transform rough, unruly hair into more healthy looking, smooth and nourished hair. VELVET provides shine and helps to protect against UV damage.

We hope our hair care tips and travel size hair products have left you feeling inspired! View our full range of minis today: Travel Size Minis

*individual airline and airport restrictions may vary over time, ensure you check before you travel