Experts Share Their Must-Have Travel Hair-Care Products

Welcome to Travel Week! Fashion people are always on the move, and the industry has been venturing into tourism and hospitality more than ever. So with summer-getaway season in full swing, we’re bringing you five days of expert-led product recommendations, outfit ideas, wellness tips, packing advice and more. We hope you stay a while.

Let’s be honest: An extensive hair-care routine is probably one of the last things most of us can be bothered to worry about while we’re traveling. Succumbing to the vacation mindset means avoiding absolutely any unnecessary stress or effort, and that includes dealing with your hair. But for travel, it’s all about being a little high-maintenance while packing so that you can be a lot low-maintenance while actually on said trip — and that’s especially true when it comes to hair care.

The most important thing to consider when making a travel hair-care game plan? The weather. Cold, hot, dry, wet, humid — the key to an optimal routine while on the go is knowing what climate you’re working with, according to Marissa Marino, a Los Angeles-based hairstylist and R+Co collective member.

“All of these [weather factors] affect how hair will behave, and each situation requires different products,” she says. “My best advice is to not fight the climate. If you know your hair gets frizzy in humid weather, there’s no point in trying to straighten it. Embrace what it is your hair naturally wants to do.”

The other key to hair-care travel shopping is multi-use products. Sticking to formulas that serve a single purpose may be a habit, but multitaskers that check off multiple boxes without compromising hair health are clutch when jet-setting.

“When I’m going anywhere that requires me to pack a bag, I think it’s really important to pack products that are multifunctional; that way, you’re saving space in your bag and additionally keeping up with your hair routine no matter where you are in the world,” says Andrew Fitzsimons, a celebrity hairstylist and the founder of an eponymous hair-care line. “Vacation is a great time to give your hair a break from heat styling and let it air-dry, [as] going natural for a bit is always good for the hair.”

With all that advice in mind, we’ve rounded up the very best, expert-approved hair-care travel essentials in every category, from styling products to tools. Read on to see (and shop) them all.

Best Travel Hair Dryers

We can probably can all agree that settling for the hotel blow dryer is an absolute no thank you, meaning no suitcase is complete without a hair dryer. Hair tool technology has come a long way in recent years, and there are plenty of incredibly lightweight options that pack a powerful heat punch.

For the maximalists among us, Fitzsimons recommends fan-favorite Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, as it gives “salon-worthy blowouts” and fits in a carry-on. It’s definitely on the bulkier side, though so some powerful minis — and even foldable tools — can serve as more compact alternatives. And if you’re really looking to minimize your time spent with hot tools during your travels, blow-dry brushes are ideal for simultaneously drying and volumizing.

T3 Travel Size Afar Lightweight Hair Dryer, $180, available here

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Best Travel Hair Brushes and Combs

There are fewer more significant hair-care pains than dealing with tangled strands. That’s where travel-friendly combs and brushes come in — and we’ve found ones suited for all hair types and textures. From the tiny (but mighty) Pattern Beauty Mini Wide Tooth Comb to the customizable Ouidad Detangler, discover your de-knotting, un-snarling, scalp-health-promoting sidekick for your next vacation below.

Briogeo Vegan Boar Bristle Hair Brush, $28, available here

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Best Travel Curl Protectors

Before stepping foot out of the hotel to spend time under the sun, consider using heat-protectant sprays and restorative moisturizing products with natural oils and butters, according to Sharie Wilson and Tonya Thompson, hairstylists and co-founders of DreamGirls hair care. It will help prevent shrinkage and heat damage, and keep curls fresh and bouncy. Once you’re done for the day, wear a sleeping bonnet to retain moisture through the night and resist dryness.

Another expert tip: “Dry shampoo helps refresh your hair between washes and adds volume,” says Leo Izquierdo, co-founder of IGK Hair Care. “Scrunchies, small rubber bands and a compact comb can help to lock in your look, so it stays all day.”

Andrew Fitzsimons AF1 Restructuring 10-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner, $16, available here

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Best Travel Hair Tools

Going natural is great, but there’s also nothing wrong with preferring a sleeker look. Styling tools such as flat irons and curling irons are not only key for taming frizz, but can also give new life to second- or third-day styles.

“My absolute favorite hair-care essential for traveling is my 22TiTania Flat Iron,” says Annagjid “Kee” Taylor, a celebrity hairstylist and YouTube content creator. “It’s made with aircraft-grade titanium plates that work for all hair types and instantly smooths with just one pass, so you don’t excessively tug your hair. It also allows you to customize the temperature of the rounded plates to match your hair’s needs, which is ideal for traveling when you still want to style your hair to look great, but avoid as much stress and damage as possible.”