I love to travel; I'm not exaggerating when I say I live to travel. But when it comes to travel planning, i don't find much to love, in fact I find planning very stressful - the research, the decisions - where to go, when to go, who to go with, what to pack and so on. But this stress is nothing compared to the hairy question, troubling many black women travellers - "what do I do with my hair?"
Holiday stress: worrying about what to do with your hair
Constantly worrying about how to manage my natural hair, and keep it loking and feeling good, used to be a great frustration. As shallow and vain as it sounds, on many occasions, my hair has stopped me from enjoying myself, not for me cooling off in the swimming pool, messing around in the sea, and don't get me started about sand in my hair.
Hair today gone tomorrow
However, these days my hair is a great travel companion, always travelling light and very easy to get on. What changed, I hear you ask? Simple, a visit to the barber in 2004; back then enough was enough; so while on holiday in Texas, USA, I walked in to a barber with shoulder-length and mile wide hair and bounced out with a crop, that would make a marine proud. Initial reactions were shock and horror, many telling me I would regret it, having cut off my 'crowning glory'. But I was pass caring, for the first time in years, I felt free and somewhat empowered; and seven years later I feel the same and my hair is still as short.
Cropped in Bangkok, Thailand (2004)
Hair tips and tricks
Word of warning, before you 'badly' follow in my footsteps, it would be wise to check your face shape, and check you don't have a lumpy head, doesn't lead to a good look. But if short hair is a step to far, there are other, less drastic ways, to control your natural tresses. And you don't have to have short, or even natural hair, to be able to leave behind your four-hour hairdressing routine, multitude of hair gadgets and now spend that time actually enjoying everythng your holiday has on offer. Years of travelling, home and abroad, have taught me a thing or two about keeping my hair looking good with minimumal fuss. So, whether you're travelling for a few days or a few months, I hope my tips and experience will help you too.
1. Decide on a hair style: Choose a style that is easy to manage i.e. low maintenance. Styles like:
Crop it: The easiest style for travelling is to have your hair as short as possible, this is a true wash and go style.
Cornrows: Tiny or large, short or long these are great for a few weeks.
Locs or Braids: Very versatile. Don't make them too long and heavy; you don't want to leave a trail of fallen braids as you sashay your way along the beach (caused by tension at the root of your hair that may pull your hair and braid out). This style is great for long trips in many countries.
Twists - free, flat, gel: These popular two strand style can last two to four weeks. Free twists are particularity great for travelling as you can do it yourself. I used to twist my hair at night, wrap with a scarf, then untwist for a day of loose curls. Gel twists are great for very short hair, but don't leave more in for than a month or your hair may loc.
Two-strand twists look great and are so practical
Wigs, weaves or hair pieces: These are great for not only providing a quick hair fix, but also for changing your look. Thankfully you can now buy natural, afro hair pieces or wigs. Before you go try different styles, lengths and colours, find what suits you and flaunt it on holiday. Word of warning, make sure you secure your wig or piece - the wig of a friend flew off while we were enjoying a theme park ride.
2. Pack lots of hair accessories: This is my favourite tip. Once you have decided on the clothes, shoes, and bags you'll be taking, have fun selecting matching hair accessories, fortunately they don't take up much space.
Sleeping cap or scarf: I always travel with a silk scarf, satin is just as good, to either wrap around my pillow or to wrap my hair at night (a satin or silk sleeping cap or pillowcase does the same job). I've been told by many hairdressers that silk and satin are kinder on the hair because of their smooth fibres, unlike fabrics like cotton, wool, etc. that can snag hair fibres, and cause hair friction when we toss and turn.
Scarves: Travelling with scarves is one of my favourite travel tips, and my luggage always contains scarves or all colours and textures. They serve many purposes, to cover my head and shoulders when visiting a religious building, used as a sarong when on the beach, to keep me warm when at the mercy of intense air conditioning, or to simply brighten up an outfit.
Covering up a bad hair day in St Louis, USA 2009
Hats: Along with my scarves, I travel with lots of hats. Looking through my travel photos, you'll find that I'm wearing a hat in many of them. In the sun I tend to wear caps e.g. baseball caps are a great solution to a bad hair day, plus they protect my hair and eyes from the sun. Hats also help to cover up aeroplane hair, when the back of the hair goes flat due to the hours spent with our head against the headrest or on a pillow.
Hats off to The Great Wall of China (2007)
Scruchies, hair pins, slides and bands: All these come in different textures and colours. You are on holiday, so go wild and spice up your look and style. My tip - don't stock up on these from home, buy at local markets. They make great souvenirs, and when people ask you where you got them you can launch into tales about what you did on holiday.
Essential: Don't forget to take a small version of your favourite brush and / or comb
3. Leave the gadgets at home: As tempting as it may be, leave hair dryers, tongs and flat irons at home. Anyway, hotel rooms have hair dryers; OK it may not be as powerful as the one at home, but why take up valuable packing space with this bulky item. If you must travel with tongs / flat iron opt for the travel size versions, and remember to take a travel plug. If you want a cheap and heat-free way to vary your style, try two strand twists or a pipe curlers dry set .
4. Carry 100ml versions of your favourite hair moisturiser, shampoo and / or conditioner: Most airlines now restrict us to only 23Kg luggage, and 100ml of liquid in our hand luggage. This leaves the question - 'how do I take my many essential hair liquids, creams and solutions?' Ladies, this is the time to decide what an essential hair product is. For me? Only three hair products, a shampoo containing conditioner, a moisturiser and beeswax. Once you have decided on your essentials, pack the larger size in your suitcase or use travel-size (100ml) bottles and containers. Travel-size containers can go in your hand luggage, or take lots and distribute around your suitcase (wrap in plastic in case they spill) thus saving space.
Take your favourite hair potions in travel-friendly containers
5. Finally Enjoy yourself: Follow my tips and you'll find yourself swimming, playing in the sand and trying new experiences without a 'hair' - care in the world; after all taking liberties with India Arie’s, “I am not my hair”, travelling is not (about) your hair.
Don't let hair worries ruin your holiday
I am sure there are many more hair control travel tips out there; so it's your turn to share and please send in pictures of you in hats, scarves or your favourite travel hairstyles.
