Your Guide to Travel Haircare: Keep Your Hair Healthy Wherever You Go
Travelling is exciting, but it can take a toll on your hair. Whether you're flying overseas, road-tripping around New Zealand, or escaping to a tropical destination, changes in climate, water quality, and your daily routine can leave your hair feeling dry, frizzy, or difficult to manage.
The good news is that with the right travel haircare routine and a few essential products, you can keep your hair looking and feeling its best wherever your travels take you.
Your Complete Travel Haircare Guide
Pack a Simple Travel Haircare Routine
You don't need your entire bathroom cabinet while travelling.
A simple routine usually includes:
- A shampoo suited to your hair type
- A nourishing conditioner
- A leave-in treatment or hair oil
- A heat protectant
- Dry shampoo
- A wide-tooth comb or detangling brush
Travel-sized products are perfect for saving space while ensuring your hair still receives the care it needs.
"Because your hair deserves
first-class care, wherever you travel."
Travel Shampoo & Conditioner
A shampoo and conditioner suited to your hair type are the foundation of any travel haircare routine. Whether your hair needs hydration, repair, colour protection, or added volume, taking your salon favourites in travel size helps keep your hair healthy, manageable, and looking its best while you're away.
Travel-size favourites:
Travel Leave-In Treatment or Hair Oil
A leave-in treatment or hair oil is one of the most versatile products you can pack. It helps smooth frizz, protects against dryness, and adds shine after long flights, beach days, or time spent in the sun.
Our picks:
- Moroccanoil Treatment Original 25ml - A cult favourite for smoothing, nourishing, and adding shine.
- Kérastase Elixir Ultime Hair Oil 30ml - Lightweight, luxurious, and perfect for all hair types.
- Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil 30ml - A lightweight oil that helps reduce frizz, adds shine, and provides heat protection.
Travel Heat Protectant
If you're packing hot tools, don't forget a heat protectant. It helps minimise heat damage while keeping your style looking polished.
Our picks:
- Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray 50ml – Excellent for controlling frizz and humidity.
- Davroe Thermaprotect TRAVEL 75ml – Protects hair while leaving it soft and healthy-looking.
- Evo Icon Welder Heat Protection Spray MINI 50ml – Helps protect and strengthen damaged hair before styling.
Travel Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is a travel essential, helping to refresh your hair between washes, absorb excess oil, and add volume when you're short on time.
Our picks:
- Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo MINI 64ml– Lightweight, invisible, and suitable for most hair types.
- Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo - Light or Dark Tones Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones MINI 65ml & Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones MINI 65m– Refreshes hair while leaving minimal residue.
- Evo Water Killer Dry Shampoo MINI 50ml – Instantly refreshes hair while adding texture and volume.
Travel Hair Brush or Wide-Tooth Comb
The right brush can make a big difference while travelling. A gentle detangling brush or wide-tooth comb helps minimise breakage, especially after swimming or washing.
Our picks:
- Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler MINI - Electric Raspberry – Gently detangles wet or dry hair with less pulling.
- Pastel Collective Detangle Me Knot Wide Tooth Comb – Perfect for curly, thick, or wet hair.
- Denman D84 Mini Paddle Black Brush – Great for everyday detangling and smoothing.
Bonus Travel Essentials
A few extra accessories can help keep your hair healthy throughout your trip.
Don't forget to pack:
- A microfibre towel to reduce frizz and drying time.
- Silk or satin scrunchies to minimise breakage.
- A satin bonnet or pillowcase for overnight protection.
- Heatless curlers if you want effortless styling without heat.
- Mini travel bottles of your favourite salon products to save luggage space.
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Key Takeaways:
- Pack smart, not more. A few travel-sized essentials are all you need to maintain healthy hair while you're away.
- Choose products for your hair type. Whether your hair needs hydration, repair, colour care, or frizz control, using the right products will make all the difference.
- Protect your hair from the elements. Sun, humidity, chlorine, salt water, and dry cabin air can all affect your hair, so preparation is key.
- Don't skip the essentials. A shampoo, conditioner, heat protectant, hair oil, and dry shampoo will cover most travel haircare needs.
- Travel accessories matter too. A microfibre towel, silk scrunchie, satin bonnet, and detangling brush can help minimise breakage and frizz.
- Mini products save space. Travel-sized products make it easy to stick to your usual haircare routine without overpacking.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why should I use travel-sized hair products?
Travel-sized products are convenient, airline-friendly, and let you maintain your usual haircare routine without taking up valuable luggage space.
What haircare products should I always pack?
We recommend packing a travel shampoo and conditioner, a leave-in treatment or hair oil, a heat protectant, dry shampoo, and a detangling brush or comb.
Can I take hair products in my carry-on luggage?
Yes. Most travel-sized hair products are under the 100ml liquid limit for carry-on luggage, making them ideal for flying. Always check your airline's current restrictions before you travel.
What is the best travel shampoo and conditioner?
The best travel shampoo and conditioner depend on your hair type. Choose hydrating formulas for dry hair, colour-safe products for coloured hair, repairing formulas for damaged hair, or volumising products for fine hair.
Are travel-size hair products the same as full-size products?
Yes. Travel-size haircare contains the same professional formulas as the full-size versions, making them perfect for holidays, weekends away, or trying a new range before committing to a larger bottle.
What is the best hair oil for travelling?
A lightweight hair oil is ideal for travel as it helps smooth frizz, nourish dry ends, and add shine after long flights or beach days. Popular options include Moroccanoil Treatment, Kérastase Elixir Ultime, and Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil.
Is dry shampoo worth taking on holiday?
Absolutely. Dry shampoo refreshes your hair between washes, absorbs excess oil, adds volume, and helps extend your hairstyle—making it one of the most useful travel haircare products.
How can I stop my hair from getting frizzy while travelling?
Humidity, dry air, and changing climates can all cause frizz. Using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, a leave-in treatment or hair oil, and an anti-humidity product like Color Wow Dream Coat can help keep hair smooth.
What are the best travel haircare products for flying?
For flights, we recommend packing a travel shampoo and conditioner, a leave-in treatment or hair oil, dry shampoo, and a heat protectant. These essentials help combat dry cabin air and keep your hair looking fresh throughout your trip.
Do I need a heat protectant when I'm on holiday?
If you're using hot tools or spending time in the sun, a heat protectant is recommended. It helps reduce heat damage while keeping your hair healthier and more manageable.
Are travel haircare gift sets good value?
Yes. Many travel kits include shampoo, conditioner, and bonus treatments or styling products, making them an excellent value and an easy way to maintain your haircare routine while travelling.
Where can I buy professional travel-sized haircare in New Zealand?
Hair Plus offers a wide range of professional travel-sized haircare from leading salon brands including Moroccanoil, Kérastase, Olaplex, Color Wow, Amika, Evo, Wella, Davroe, and more, making it easy to find the perfect travel essentials for your next trip.
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