Traveling can be exhilarating, but maintaining your look while on the go presents a unique set of challenges. From varying climates to the rigors of transit, there are several factors to consider. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to stay fabulous on your vacation, covering everything from weather considerations to skin and hair care, and essential products to pack.
Key Takeaways
- Staying stylish and well-groomed while traveling requires a bit of planning and the right products
- By considering the weather, protecting your skin and hair, and packing smart, you can look and feel your best no matter where your adventures take you
Consider the Weather
Warm Climates
In hot and humid destinations, your main goal should be to stay cool and prevent sweat from ruining your look.
- Clothing: Choose light, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen. Stick to light colors that reflect the sun.
- Makeup: Opt for minimal makeup. A tinted moisturizer with SPF, waterproof mascara, and a swipe of tinted lip balm can keep you looking fresh without feeling heavy.
- Hydration: Keep hydrated to maintain healthy skin. Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it regularly.
Cold Climates
Cold weather can be harsh on your skin and hair, leading to dryness and irritation.
- Clothing: Layer up with moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, and waterproof outer layers.
- Skincare: Use a rich moisturizer to combat dryness. Don’t forget a high-SPF sunscreen, as UV rays can be strong even in winter.
- Lip Care: Carry a hydrating lip balm to prevent chapped lips.
Transitional Seasons
During spring and fall, the weather can be unpredictable.
- Clothing: Pack layers to adjust to changing temperatures. A lightweight jacket or sweater can be easily added or removed.
- Skincare: Keep a hydrating mist handy to refresh your skin as needed.
Protecting Your Skin
Daily Routine
Maintaining your usual skincare routine is crucial, but travel-sized versions of your favorite products can save space and hassle.
- Cleanser: Remove dirt and makeup with a gentle cleanser.
- Moisturizer: Hydrate your skin twice daily.
- Sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every morning, regardless of the weather.
- Exfoliation: Use a gentle exfoliator to keep your skin smooth and free of dead cells.
In-Transit Care
- Hydration: Airplane cabins are notoriously dry. Keep your skin hydrated with a hydrating mist and drink plenty of water.
- Minimal Makeup: Consider going makeup-free during flights to let your skin breathe. Use a tinted moisturizer if you prefer some coverage.
Protecting Your Hair
General Tips
- Hydration: Just like your skin, your hair needs moisture. Use a leave-in conditioner or hair oil to keep it hydrated.
- Sun Protection: If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, consider using a UV-protectant spray to shield your hair from the sun’s harmful rays.
Hot Climates
- Humidity: Combat frizz with anti-humidity products. Look for serums or sprays designed to keep your hair smooth.
Cold Climates
- Dryness: Cold air can dry out your hair. Use a deep-conditioning treatment once a week to maintain moisture.
In-Transit Tips
- Comfort: Wear your hair in a loose, comfortable style to prevent breakage and tangling. A braid or loose bun works well.
- Dry Shampoo: If you don’t have time to wash your hair, a travel-sized dry shampoo can absorb oil and add volume.
Taking Care of Dyed Hair
Traveling with dyed hair requires extra care to maintain color vibrancy and hair health. Here’s how to keep your colored locks looking fresh and fabulous while on the go.
Protecting Your Color
- Proper Timing: It’s probably good to plan your hair appointment a week before you go on holiday so your hair has a chance to adapt to the dye. This reduces the chances of the color fading if it does get a bit wet and ensures your hair stays as healthy as can be.
- UV Protection: Just like your skin, your hair can be damaged by the sun. Use a UV-protectant spray or leave-in conditioner to shield your color from fading.
- Hats and Scarves: Wearing a hat or a scarf can provide an extra layer of protection against sun exposure.
Swimming and Saltwater
- Avoiding Water: Dyed hair doesn’t respond well to water, especially if the water is in a chlorinated swimming pool. Avoid letting your hair touch swimming pool water as the chlorine interacts with the dye and can remove it or turn it a green color. This is a massive problem for permanent hair dye as it contains bleach, which is what the chlorine interacts with.
- Pre-Swim Care: Before diving into a pool or the ocean, wet your hair with clean water. This helps minimize absorption of chlorine or salt, which can strip color. If you’re using a non-permanent hair color, it’s still not advised to get your hair wet in chlorinated swimming pools but you should be safe to dip in the sea after a week or so.
- Post-Swim Rinse: After swimming, rinse your hair thoroughly with clean water to remove any residual chlorine or salt.
Maintaining Moisture
- Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner: Use products specifically designed for color-treated hair to maintain moisture and prevent dryness.
- Leave-In Conditioner: A leave-in conditioner can provide additional hydration and protect your hair from environmental damage.
Preventing Damage
- Avoid Heat: Minimize the use of heat styling tools, as they can cause further damage to dyed hair. If you must use them, apply a heat protectant spray first.
- Wide-Tooth Comb: Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle wet hair gently, reducing the risk of breakage.
- Avoid Wet Shampoo: The more you wash your newly-dyed hair, the quicker the color will come out. Constant washing also poses a problem during your hot vacation as it makes your hair dry. You’ll then go outside with dry hair and expose it to the sun, making it even drier and may permanently damage your hair.
- Rely on Dry Shampoo: Use a high-quality dry shampoo for this so you don’t spray your hair with loads of damaging chemicals. Make sure you properly massage it into your scalp to remove as much dirt and grease as possible. A quick spray and your hair looks like it’s been washed, but you’ve not had to deal with all the water and the drying.
Essential Products to Bring
Multi-Use Products
- Tinted Moisturizer with SPF: Combines hydration, sun protection, and light coverage.
- Lip and Cheek Tint: Adds a pop of color to your lips and cheeks with one product.
Skincare Essentials
- Cleanser: Travel-sized version of your favorite cleanser.
- Moisturizer: A hydrating cream that suits your skin type.
- Sunscreen: Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher.
- Hydrating Mist: Keeps your skin refreshed throughout the day.
Hair Care Essentials
- Leave-In Conditioner: Travel-sized for easy packing.
- Dry Shampoo: Ideal for refreshing hair between washes.
- Hair Ties and Bobby Pins: For easy styling and keeping hair out of your face.
Packing Essentials for Dyed Hair
- Color-Safe Shampoo and Conditioner: Pack travel-sized versions of your favorite color-protecting shampoo and conditioner.
- UV-Protectant Spray: Shield your hair from sun damage with a UV-protectant spray.
- Moisturizing Treatment: Dyeing your hair will naturally deprive it of moisture. When left alone, you get dry hair that looks and feels very weak. As you can imagine, this is not ideal when you’re on vacation. Bring a good moisturizing treatment for colored hair on your travels. This could be a deep conditioner, some type of oil, a hair mask, etc.
- Leave-In Conditioner: Keep your hair hydrated and protected with a leave-in conditioner.
- Wide-Tooth Comb: Gently detangle your hair without causing breakage.
- Heat Protectant: If you use heat styling tools, a heat protectant is a must.
- Deep Conditioning Mask: Travel-sized deep conditioning treatments to maintain moisture and strength.
- Root Touch-Up Kit: For quick color refreshes on the go
Miscellaneous
- Hand Sanitizer: To keep your hands clean on the go.
- Travel Makeup Kit: A compact kit with your essential makeup items.
- Reusable Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is key to looking and feeling good.
Final Word
Staying stylish and well-groomed while traveling requires a bit of planning and the right products. By considering the weather, protecting your skin and hair, and packing smart, you can look and feel your best no matter where your adventures take you. Happy travels!
