5 Fundamental Hair Tips For Camping (+9 Easy Hairstyle Ideas)

  • Posted on 27 March, 2021
  • Hair Care
  • By Hollee Wood

It’s that time of year again!

The sun is shining, the nights are warm, and a weekend at the lake is just what the doctor ordered. Admit it… there’s nothing more relaxing than spending time in the great outdoors, unplugged from the world.

On the other hand, camping can wreak havoc on your beauty routine and add tons of extra damage to your hair if you aren’t careful.

But have no fear! With these five fundamental camping hair tips, your hair just might make it through to the other side of summer.


💡TIP: Pin this article to your Hair Tips board on Pinterest so you can always find it when you need to! 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

Camping is one of the best ways to spend your summer but is your hair protected? Here are five simple hair tips for camping that will make your hair super healthy year-round!

*This post contains affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase after clicking the link, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me provide the best possible content on this site for free. Keep in mind that I only link to quality products that I use myself and feel would be beneficial for my readers.  Please read my full affiliate disclosure for more information.


Tip #1: Choose Your Products Wisely

Check out 9 awesome camping hairstyle ideas and some sweet camping hair tips to keep your hair fresh!

First things, first… You need to go light on the hair products. Smothering your hair with a bunch of product right before you go camping is probably not the best idea.

If you use too much hairspray, your hair will be stiff and won’t be able to move freely. It will also be harder for you to clean your hair without washing it. The rule of thumb is that too much of any product will weigh down your hair and make it look greasy.

So it’s absolutely imperative that you choose a lighter product to prevent this from happening.

Here are my top product picks for camping:

  • Conditioning: Amika Silken-Up
  • Smoothing: TIGI After Party
  • Mousse: It’s a 10 Miracle Styling Mousse
  • Hairspray: Verb Ghost Hairspray
  • Texture: Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

It’s also worth noting that you should focus the products towards the ends of your hair and away from your scalp.

How To Keep Hair Clean While Camping:

On the other hand, there is one product you shouldn’t leave the house without. Let’s elaborate on that a bit more…

You’ll probably need to freshen up your hair a few times while out in the wilderness, but it might be hard to do without running water… right? Well, I’ve got two words for you: dry shampoo.

This is easily one of my top hair tips for camping, and you should consider it if nothing else.

To use dry shampoo for camping, just spray it right on your dry, dirty hair and comb through. Voila! Good as new!

It works by soaking up the excess oil from your scalp; it’s the absolute best way to stay fresh and clean without washing your hair.

  • RELATED: What Is Dry Shampoo?

Tip #2: Use Protection

Check out 9 awesome camping hairstyle ideas and some sweet camping hair tips to keep your hair fresh!

Like your skin, your hair is susceptible to sun damage. In fact, sun-damaged hair often has a damaged cuticle (the outer scale-like protective layer), leading to dry, brittle hair, split ends, discoloration, and frizziness.

The best way to protect your hair from the hot sun is to keep it protected. Wearing hats, scarves, and bandanas are the typical fashion of the wilderness, and also the best way to protect your hair. Take advantage of this, and your hair will thank you.

If hair covers aren’t your cup of tea, it’s best to invest in a good UV-protection spray. I absolutely love and recommend the Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil UV Primer (it’s even one of my top miracle products).

This is why:

  • It was specially formulated to protect your hair from UV rays.
  • It smooths and conditions your hair without weighing it down.
  • The ingredients are incredibly lightweight.

It’s the perfect way to protect your hair for camping.


Tip #3: Braid It Up

Check out 9 awesome camping hairstyle ideas and some sweet camping hair tips to keep your hair fresh!

Sun isn’t the only thing that wrecks your hair; when your hair is exposed to other elements like the wind and water, it can quickly become tangled, which leads to breakage.

That being said, I absolutely love the idea of braids for camping. Braids are a fantastic way to keep your hair neatly styled and protected while camping. They keep your hair tight against your head, which prevents tangles from forming.

Braids also don’t require much hair product to look good. There are so many fashionable ways to do a braid and many different types of braids to choose from. Take advantage of the various styles to keep your hair safe while looking trendy and cute while camping.

💡TIP: Keep reading to the end to see some super cute braided hairstyle ideas for camping!👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼


Tip #4: Before and After TLC

Check out 9 awesome camping hairstyle ideas and some sweet camping hair tips to keep your hair fresh!

When you know that you’ll be exposing your hair to the elements without the chance to condition, give it a little extra love before you go. Likewise, when you return home, spend some extra time to get it back in shape.

The first thing I recommend is to do a clarifying treatment to remove all buildup from the hair. Doing this before you leave will give you a fresh canvas and help keep your hair clean while you’re out.

On the other hand, it’s also crucial to remove the minerals and excess product accumulated on the hair while camping. In other words, you should do another clarifying treatment when you return home.

I absolutely love the Biolage CleanReset Normalizing Shampoo, which clarifies your hair without overly-drying it.

Of course, you should always follow up with a good at-home deep conditioning treatment to refuel the hair with protein and nutrients. The Joico K-Pak Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor works wonders.

Last but not least, it’s probably a good idea to lay off the heat styling for a week or two before you go.


Tip #5: Baby Your Hair

Check out 9 awesome camping hairstyle ideas and some sweet camping hair tips to keep your hair fresh!

As I’ve mentioned several times before, when your hair gets tangled, it’s more susceptible to damage. If it snags on anything while tangled, it will break right off.

The best thing to do is to make sure that your hair never gets tangled. If you do choose to wear braids, make sure to comb them out at the end of the day. If you’re wearing it down, comb through it more often to prevent those risky tangles.

When you comb your hair, be extra gentle, and use a wide-tooth comb. If it does get tangled, add some lightweight conditioner to help work through them.

Another thing you can do is use some leave-in conditioner on the dry ends while you’re out and about. If you plan to go swimming, remember to apply a leave-in conditioner to your towel-dried hair and gently comb through.

The SexyHair Tri-Wheat Leave-In Conditioner is the perfect choice for camping.


Camping Hair Ideas

Camping hair, don’t care! Now that we’ve covered the essential camping hair tips, it’s time to go over some simple hairstyle ideas.

As I mentioned above, I like the idea of braids, buns, and ponytails for camping. You should definitely combine these ideas together for the best results! Remember that the goal is to keep your hair protected while still looking cute.

Boxer Braids

Boxer braids are PERFECT for camping! 📷Credit: @franzidohn

Boxer braids are the absolute best way to keep your hair safe while still looking like a Kardashian. You just have to part your hair down the middle and braid each side down. Fasten each end with a small hair tie to keep the braids in place.


High Fountain Ponytail

A high fountain pony is PERFECT for camping! 📷Credit: @whitneycanbraid

Braided bangs are a nice way to keep your hair out of your face (which also helps your skin stay clear). My favorite look is to pair these braids with a high fountain ponytail.


Pull-Through Braid

A pull-through braid is PERFECT for camping! 📷Credit: @hairbybreanna_

Pull-through braids are super easy to do, and the end result is unbelievable. Just remember to bring enough hair ties to pull off this look.


Space Buns

Space buns are PERFECT for camping! 📷Credit: @maaike.v.dijk

Space buns are pretty trendy and a top choice for festival-goers. Just part your hair down the middle and pop each side up into a fluffy, messy bun. Your hair will be out of your face and mostly protected from the elements.


💡TIP: Check out 10 Delicious Shades of Summer Hair Color!


Inverted Braid

An inverted braid is PERFECT for camping! 📷Credit: @laineymariebeauty

A fun way to incorporate French braids and Dutch braids into your hairstyle is to braid the nape of your neck, bottom-up. Turn your head upside down and braid as you normally would. Lead the braid to a cute bun or ponytail.


Messy Updo

A messy updo is PERFECT for camping! 📷Credit: @emmaariellebeauty

I love the idea of a messy, undone updo because anything goes with this style. Just twist sections of your hair and pin them in place with bobby pins. No matter what you do, it will probably look cute.


Side Dutch Braid

A side Dutch braid is PERFECT for camping!📷Credit: @bojanazvanamunja

Think Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games. Braid your hair completely, working from one side, down the middle to the other side.


The Perfect Messy Bun

Messy buns are PERFECT for camping! 📷Credit: @knotkinkyhairties

Messy buns are always a fan favorite. Put your hair up in a beautifully messy bun and pair with a scrunchie for extra style points.


Fishtail Braid

Fishtail braids are PERFECT for camping! 📷Credit: @blond_studios_emma

There are so many cute ways to incorporate fishtail braids into any style. I love the idea of two fishtails down each side of your head, paired with a cute hat.


FAQ

FAQ IconWhat are the best hair tips for camping?

1. Protect your hair from the elements!
2. Use the right hair products.
3. Take advantage of the braid trends.
4. Give your hair extra TLC before and after camping.
5. Be super gentle when handling your hair.

What are some easy camping hairstyles?

A perfect messy bun, fishtail braids, boxer braids, messy updos, pull-through braids, high fountain ponytails, inverted braids, and space buns are all super trendy yet super easy camping hairstyles to pull off…

How do you keep your hair clean when camping?

Dry shampoo is a lifesaver! It helps absorb the oils and clean your hair without having to actually wash it.

How do you look good when camping?

There are several trendy, yet really easy hairstyles for camping that will make you look good, but also protect your hair.


Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts Icon

Camping is a fantastic way to disconnect from the world and find yourself with nature. It’s great fun to be out in the sun, swimming, hiking, and building campfires… but it’s crucial for you to take the necessary steps to keep your hair in good shape.

Follow these simple camping hair tips to keep your hair happy and healthy throughout the year. Just remember to protect it as much as possible, and you should be good.

Have fun out there, friend!

Until next time,

Hollee

Your Turn:  Do you have any other hair tips for camping? What’s your favorite hairstyle to wear while out in the wilderness? Drop your thoughts in the comments section below! 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼


Other Posts You’ll Like:

  • Camping Hair Accessories For Sale on Amazon
  • 7 Summer Hair Care Tips For Ultra-Healthy Hair
  • 5 Game-Changing Tips, Tools & Products For Perfect Beach Waves
  • 11 Home Remedies For Hair Growth and Thickness
  • How To Tell If Your Hair Is Healthy (In 5 Quick Steps)
You May Also Like
More Information

Leave Your Response