Hair Tips For The Natural Travelista

by Christina Brown, LoveBrownSugar

As the spring/summer season is in full swing, many of you have getaways and excursions on the agenda. But before you pack that bikini, there are a few things you should know about maintaining your natural hair on the go. You may not have space in your overnight bag for full size products, or you may be headed to a locale where saltwater activities await you. Jet-setting naturals, arm yourself with these super quick & easy tips for a stress-free vacation and healthy curls.

1. Prepare

The best defense against a natural hair disaster on the go is preparation. Prepare your own sample versions of your favorite products by placing them into empty travel size bottles. By preparing these in advance, you can guarantee that your favorite products are with you on your excursion. No time to pack? There are a few tried & true natural ingredients found almost everywhere that will tame your natural strands. Never underestimate the power of a little H20. Water can easily transform your hair from a disaster into a manageable challenge. Hotel conditioner, for example, may not be your brand of preference but mixing a few dabs of conditioner with water and sealing with a natural oil really can make the difference in preserving your curls on the go.  Don’t be afraid to call up the front desk and ask the kitchen to bring you a small cup of olive oil. Weird request but you won't regret it.

2. Protect

The most important thing for your strands is to make sure they’re protected when you’re away from home - day and night. For the daytime adventurer, you want to make sure to cover up your ends. Especially if you're doing major water activities. Protective styles like mini twists, cornrows, flat twists and buns will do the trick. Just make sure you protect those ends before hopping head first into H20, so you don't experience unwanted shrinkage and potential breakage. Remember, when your hair is soaking wet, it is at its weakest point.

At night, your strands need protection as well. The last thing you want to forget on an overnight excursion is your satin cap or scarf. Naturals, cotton sheets are not your friend. Your best option is to pack a satin pillowcase in your emergency hair kit. That way, whether you're on a romantic getaway or a girlfriends' trip, you won't have to sacrifice style for curl care.

3. Primp & Pin

If you don't have the luxury of your favorite styler on hand, try wetting your hair in braids or twists, dabbing a bit of conditioner on them and sealing the ends with oil. Let them air dry (or use a hotel blowdryer on low setting), and keep it moving. Also, hair pins are your best friends when you travel. They don't have a size restriction on planes, so they should be the first thing you pack in your emergency hair kit. When in doubt, a little hair product and some pins can take you from drab to fab in a matter of minutes.

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