Traveling While Natural? 5 Awesome Styling and Packing Tips You Need to Follow!

As winter is finally trying to leave us be and spring will make it’s entrance in a few weeks, many of us are making upcoming travel arrangements to enjoy the incoming warm weather. On top of that it’s the start of wedding season so flights are being booked and travel arrangements made!

Whether you’re traveling a few cities or states over, or taking a much larger trip out of the country, traveling while natural can be an big ordeal; especially if you’re not wearing your hair in a protective style like braids or a sew in.

Don’t let your hair stop you from having a little fun! Here are 5 tips you should keep in mind that will make the process a little easier and less stressful.

1. Plan and make a list

First things first, when ever I travel I always have to plan. I start by asking myself questions like, What’s the weather going to be like? Do I need my anti-hummidy spray or a thicker pomade? If you’re prepared for the weather of the place you are traveling to you’ll find that you will have much more optimal hair results.

Also keep in mind that if you’re going somewhere beachy or will be getting in the pool you may need to wash your hair, so be prepared to bring a conditioner for cowashing.

Make a list of the products and items you may need and then try to reduce it by half so you don’t have a suitcase of products alone!

2. Purchase containers for your product favs

Once you have narrowed down the items you’ll need to bring, it’s vital to compact those products into travel-friendly sizes. It helps to cut down on the bulk of your luggage and if you’re traveling via air and not checking a bag you want to make sure you have TSA approved sizes so your $30 jar of Miss Jessies isn’t getting tossed out in the security line. Yikes!

You can try places like Amazon or The Container Store which have a variety of affordable travel pouches with containers and bottles of different sizes. With this set of 12 you can get away with bringing multiple products on your trip for a fraction of the size!

3. Utilize free samples

Another way to pack light is to take those free sample packets/bottles that have been piling up in your bathroom drawer. Ever time I go to the Beauty Supply Store or send in my address to companies like Shea Moisture*, I get free samples! I, however, always seem to never use them while I’m at home so I always find that trips are the perfect way to not let them go to waste.

If you’re too lazy to fill up some containers of product grab some of the sample sizes of styling products, shampoo and conditioner and put them to uses. Just be sure they are products you’ve either tried before or are certain will work for your hair because the last thing you want is to be getting ready to go to a wedding and the product just isn’t working right for your hair!

Apart from those freebie packets, you can typically find an isle full of travel/trial size products at your local beauty supply store. These are typically created so you can try a product before having to commit to a large, much more expensive one, but they also make for the perfect travel size.

4. Preserve your style while en route

Style preservation is a major key when traveling while natural. I used to be one to undo my twist out and style my hair for the plane only to find that after a day of travel my hair is frizzed and not as fresh once I arrive to my destination. Fail.

This is why I now will leave my twists in and travel with a cute patterned head wrap/turban, nap freely on the plane, bus or car and style my hair freshly when it’s time. Why waste that awesome definition?! Alternatives like wraps, bonnets and hats allow you to still look cute while preserving your style during the trip.

5. Be prepared for impromptu style changes

Lastly, you want to be prepared for impromptu forced style changes due to elements that are out of your control. This includes anything from major humidity/frizz, getting your hair wet in the ocean or pool, or a style that just couldn’t hold up.

If you’re prepared for the worst then there’s no stress! Be sure to pack plenty of gel, extra bobby pins* and maybe a stretchy headband*. You can easily do a poof, or pin up one or both sides for a mohawk situation. Also if you get your hair wet and don’t have time to set a new style you could always do a quick wash n’ go if it’s your thing! Those are just a few of my traveling while natural requirements. What works best for you when it comes to hair and travel?

Also if you get your hair wet and don’t have time to set a new style you could always do a quick wash n’ go if it’s your thing! Those are just a few of my traveling while natural requirements. What works best for you when it comes to hair and travel?