Traveling the world is exciting, but managing your hair on the go can be a real challenge. Humidity, limited styling tools, and busy itineraries often lead to frustrating bad hair days. But what if you could effortlessly maintain gorgeous travel hairstyles throughout your journey? Let’s discover eight travel-proof styles that’ll keep you looking fabulous from takeoff to touchdown.
Table of Contents
- The Classic Low Bun
- The Messy Top Knot
- The Sleek Ponytail
- Loose Waves
- The Braided Crown
- The Half-Up, Half-Down Style
- The Side Braid
- The Scarf Updo
- Emergency Fixes for Bad Hair Days
- Get Your Wanderlust-Proof Hair
- FAQs
The Classic Low Bun
It’s easy to manage, stays neat, and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Whether you’re rushing through airports or attending a fancy dinner, this timeless ‘do adapts effortlessly.
One of the best things about the low bun is its low-maintenance nature. Once it’s up, it stays put through various conditions, protecting your hair from sun damage, salt water, or unexpected weather. It’s also great for disguising travel-induced bad hair days and works for all hair types and lengths.
For the perfect travel-ready low bun, consider using snag-free elastics that are gentle on your hair and strong enough to hold your bun in place all day, making them an essential addition to any travel beauty kit.
The Messy Top Knot
This hairstyle is versatile enough to work for various occasions, from casual beach days to impromptu dinners. This style is ideal for second-day hair, making it a practical choice when you can’t wash your hair daily on the road.
Creating a messy top knot is simple and fast. Gather your hair at the crown, twist, wrap, and secure. The beauty of this style lies in its intentionally undone look, so don’t worry about making it perfect.
To keep your messy top knot in place throughout your adventures, use sturdy hair ties that will hold your bun securely without snagging or damaging your hair. They’re a must-have addition to your travel beauty kit, ensuring your messy top knot stays put whether you’re sightseeing or dancing the night away.
The Sleek Ponytail
The sleek ponytail keeps hair out of your face while exploring new destinations and works well in various climates, especially hot and humid ones. This timeless style transitions easily from day to night activities, making it ideal for busy travel itineraries.
A sleek ponytail is also great for disguising less-than-fresh hair during long trips when washing isn’t always possible. It’s quick to style and maintains a polished look throughout the day, whether you’re sightseeing or attending a dinner.
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To achieve the perfect sleek ponytail for your travels, pack a compact travel hair brush set. A good set should include both a detangling brush and a smoothing brush, allowing you to create a flawless, frizz-free ponytail wherever your adventures take you. A travel-friendly brush set is an essential addition to your beauty kit, helping you maintain sleek, manageable hair throughout your journey.
Loose Waves
Loose waves work for various occasions, from sightseeing to impromptu dinners, and are ideal for second or third-day hair. To achieve loose waves with minimal effort, start with slightly damp hair, divide it into 4-6 sections, and twist each one away from your face. Secure the twists with hair ties and let them air dry. Once dry, unravel the twists and run your fingers through your hair for a tousled look.
For extra hold and texture, use a sea salt spray or lightweight hair oil. This style is easy to refresh with dry shampoo and by re-twisting a few face-framing pieces while on the go. Consider packing a travel-sized sea salt spray and some snag-free hair ties to easily create this effortless look wherever your adventures take you.
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The Braided Crown
It transitions seamlessly from day to night, saving time and space on styling products.
Creating a braided crown is simpler than it looks. Part your hair down the middle, braid each side around your head, and secure the ends with bobby pins. The result is a regal look that works for any travel scenario, from hiking mountains to exploring cities.
To maintain your braided crown throughout your trip, pack travel-sized dry shampoo and hairspray. These will help you touch up your style on the go, keeping you looking fresh and put-together. With this practical hairstyle and the right tools, you’ll be ready for any adventure your journey brings.
The Half-Up, Half-Down Style
A perfect combination of practicality and style. It lets you show off your locks, making it perfect for various travel scenarios. This easy-to-do style is ideal for busy mornings and works well for in-between-wash days.
The half-up style transitions seamlessly from casual daytime activities to evening outings, adapting to your travel itinerary. It’s suitable for different hair types and lengths, offering a quick solution for looking put-together on the go.
To achieve this look, gather the top half of your hair and secure it with a hair tie. For a polished finish, use gentle, snag-free elastics to hold your style in place throughout your adventures without damaging your hair. Look for compact, travel-friendly hair ties that you can easily pack into your beauty kit.
The Side Braid
The side braid offers all-day comfort and prevents tangles, keeping your hair neat and manageable throughout your adventures. This versatile style is easy to create and maintain on the go, making it ideal for busy travel days. Part your hair to one side, gather it over your shoulder, and start braiding. Secure it with a hair tie, and you’re ready to explore.
The side braid works for all hair types and lengths, transitioning seamlessly from day to night activities. It’s suitable for various travel scenarios, from city sightseeing to beach relaxation. To keep your side braid looking fresh, consider packing a travel-sized detangling brush in your day bag. This compact tool is perfect for on-the-go touch-ups and helps maintain your braid’s neat appearance throughout your trip.
The Scarf Updo
The scarf updo adds flair to your look while protecting your hair from various elements. This versatile style is perfect for battling humidity, and wind, or covering up unwashed hair during long trips. Creating a scarf updo is quick and easy, making it ideal for busy travelers. Start by tying your hair into a ponytail or bun, then wrap a folded scarf or bandana around your head and tie it at the nape of your neck. This simple technique maintains your hair neat while adding a touch of elegance to your travel outfit. It’s suitable for various occasions, from casual sightseeing to evening outings.
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For the perfect travel-ready scarf updo, pack a set of lightweight, versatile scarves in a range of colors and patterns. They’re easy to pack and can double as accessories for your outfits, making them an essential addition to any travel wardrobe.
Emergency Fixes for Bad Hair Days
- Use dry shampoo at the roots for instant freshness
- Create a sleek ponytail or messy bun with hair ties
- Smooth flyaways with damp hands and secure with bobby pins
- Reactivate curls by scrunching in a bit of water
- Don a stylish hat for an effortless cover-up
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For a travel-friendly solution to hair emergencies, consider packing a small toiletry case with multiple compartments. This makes it easy to store hair ties, bobby pins, and travel-sized dry shampoo, ensuring you’re always prepared for unexpected hair challenges on the go.
Get Your Wanderlust-Proof Hair
Travel-friendly hairstyles are your secret weapon for effortless chic on the go. With just a few key tools, you can maintain these looks easily, feeling confident and carefree as you explore. These styles aren’t just about looking good – they’re about embracing adventure without hair worries. So pack light, travel far, and let your hair be one less thing to stress about on your next getaway.
Related: Essential Travel Beauty Hacks
FAQs
Which hairstyle is best for travel?
The best travel hairstyles are versatile and low-maintenance. Top choices include classic low bun, messy top knot, sleek ponytail, loose waves, braided crown, half-up, half-down style, side braid, and scarf updo. These styles stay put during various activities, work for different hair types, and can easily transition from day to night looks.
How to style your hair when traveling?
When styling hair for travel: choose low-maintenance styles that hold up in different climates, use multi-purpose products to save space, pack travel-sized dry shampoo for quick refreshes, bring sturdy hair ties and bobby pins, consider protective styles for longer trips, opt for styles that work with second or third-day hair, pack a travel-sized brush for touch-ups, use scarves or headbands for quick style changes.
How should I wear my hair on a plane?
For comfortable and stylish plane hair: choose a loose, low bun or ponytail to avoid headrest discomfort, try a soft braid to prevent tangles, use a silk scrunchie to reduce hair creases, consider a messy top knot for a quick, chic look, bring a small brush and hair tie for mid-flight touch-ups, use dry shampoo before landing to refresh your style, pack a travel-sized leave-in conditioner to combat dry airplane air.
How to style hair for an airport?
For airport-friendly hairstyles: opt for a sleek ponytail or bun for a polished look, try a messy top knot for effortless style, choose a loose braid to prevent tangles, use a headband or scarf for a quick style upgrade, or consider a half-up, half-down style for versatility, pack travel-sized styling products in your carry-on, bring a small brush for touch-ups, choose styles that won’t set off metal detectors.
