When you go on vacation, it can be challenging to pack the essential beauty items you use at home. Between the devices you may use and the actual gels, serums, shampoos, and conditioners, several factors must be considered. Luckily, there are ways to streamline your hair routine and pack the essentials efficiently. This post should help you get started.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. A purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own. I've received complimentary Cadence products, but have also purchased my own.
Packing Hair Products for Travel
If you are wary of spending any additional money on new products, it's understandable. Consider how much you plan to travel and whether these products will be useful for multiple trips. If not, it may be better to just stick with what you already own.
Flying vs Driving
This post assumes that you'll be flying to your vacation destination and will need to conserve space, following FAA/TSA guidelines. If you are driving, you'll have a lot more flexibility.
Hair Products (liquids, gels, aerosols)
Hair products, such as liquids, gels, and aerosols, must follow the TSA liquids guidelines if you plan to place them in your carry-on bags. You'll also want to make sure they are protected from leaks, which can be very inconvenient.
Most hotels provide some type of shampoo/conditioner, but sometimes these are combined into a single product. If your hair routine requires a specific brand/product, it's best to bring your own. If you'd rather not pack liquids, shampoo and conditioner bars are a great option (find them on Amazon here).
To pack TSA-compliant (for carry-on bags) items, either purchase travel-sized products or move your larger products into smaller containers. Read this post to learn all about packing your liquids for travel. I recommend Cadence capsules, which are easy to pack for travel and are durable.
Hair Dryers
Cruise ships and hotels typically provide hair dryers for guest use. If you are staying in a vacation home, you'll need to check with them. These provided hair dryers are generally pretty basic - they work, but aren't heavy-duty or fancy.
When you arrive in your room after check-in, turn on the hair dryer to make sure it works. I've had several broken ones in my room, and I've discovered them after my shower. It's better to learn about it early and request a new one before you need it.
Round Dryers
When I'm home, I typically use a round brush dryer to dry my hair. It's much easier than using a round brush and a hair dryer separately.
If you prefer to dry your hair this way, the hotel-provided hairdryer may not be suitable. I like this travel round brush dryer from Amazon, which is small and easy to pack, but gets the job done.
Diffusers
If you've got naturally curly hair, using a traditional hair dryer isn't always the best option. However, there's no guarantee that a diffuser will fit on the provided dryer. When I plan to wear my hair curly (usually in humid environments), I bring along my travel diffuser dryer. The diffuser is built in, and it works very efficiently.
Straighteners/Curling Irons
While there are some travel versions of these hot tools, I don't have any that I particularly recommend. I find it more difficult to use the smaller tools, and prefer to pack my full-sized ones when I travel.
Hair Tool Travel Bag
I like to pack my hot tools in a multi-purpose travel bag. The one I use has a heat-resistant mat that I place on the vanity in my hotel room. I add my travel tools, clips, and even a brush.
Can you have hair tools in checked bags?
This is a common question, and the answer varies. You'll want to check your device specifically. If it's a cordless device, you typically will need to include it in your carry-on bag, rather than a checked bag, and you'll need to have it in a safety cover, and prevent it from accidentally turning on.
Refer to the TSA website for specifics; this post can provide additional help.
A Note About Traveling Overseas
Depending on where you are traveling, your device may not work. In the US, the standard voltage is 110-120 volts, but in Europe, it's 220-240 volts. Some hair devices will be dual-voltage, but you need to check specifically.
Voltage converters can also be purchased and used. I've had mixed success with them, however. Keep in mind that the plugs used in Europe are also different (with a completely different type used in the UK. A standard physical plug adaptor doesn't convert the voltage; however, you do need one that specifically serves that function.
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