Planning a beach vacation can be challenging for natural hair. However, with the right preparation, your bag can have all the essentials to make the trip a win. Find out what travel-friendly tips will make packing a breeze, along with a few natural hair essentials for the bag.
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Ways to Prepare for Summer Vacation
- Research the Climate: After confirming the destination, research the climate. Tropical beaches can bear high humidity, rain, and winds simultaneously, while coastal California beaches may feel drier with low humidity. After determining what type of climate you will encounter, decide what hairstyles will work best.
- Braids or Au Naturale: Getting your hair braided or adding faux locs is one way to maintain natural hair for the entire duration of your vacation. However, if the plan is to change up your hairstyle daily, be prepared to bring more hair products and tools.
- Pack Like a Pro: Packing can be a nightmare for a product junkie. Invest in travel-friendly containers for your full-sized products or purchase TSA-approved curl kits like “The Essential Starter Kit” from DevaCurl. Planning to use a diffuser? Try a collapsible diffuser attachment that fits on most hotel hair dryers. Want to know more tips for packing your curly hair essentials, watch this!
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Applying sunscreen to your face and body may feel like enough to protect you but the scalp and hair also need defense. These must-have items offer sun protection to shield the hair from damaging UV rays, heat, faded color, and the elements of a beach or pool.
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Must Have Sun Protection for Hair
- Morrocan Oil Protect & Prevent Spray: Stop color fading and brassiness with this leave-in hair protectant spray that shields hair from UV rays, pollution, and thermal damage. This lightweight spray is blended with argan oil and is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and essential fatty acids.
- AVEDA Sun Care Protective Hair Veil: Your curls will thank you for this lightweight spray that is specially formulated with sun care protection in mind. The spray provides an invisible film to protect hair from UV rays for up to 16 hours and minimize color damage and dryness.
- Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat & UV Protective Primer: This softening UV hair mist is infused with a blend of coconut, argan, macadamia nut, sweet almond, safflower seed, and grapeseed oil. Its lightweight formula can be used on damp or dry hair to detangle, tame frizz, and protect from heat and harmful UV rays.
Along with sunscreen, lip balm, and magazines, plan to bring a few hair accessories to your beach bag.
Essential Hair Accessories for the Beach or Pool
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- Wide Brim Hat or Bucket Hat: If protecting your scalp, hair, and face is high on the priority list, then a wide-brim hat is a must-have item. It provides 360-degree sun protection, masks a bad hair day, and looks chic.
- Scarf/Turban: Yet another way to add a touch of fashion poolside. A silk-patterned scarf can cover the entire head or be used as a wrap to spruce up a pineapple.
- Scrunchie/Elastics: Scrunchies and elastics are summertime essentials to put your hair up and keep you cool
- Claw clips: Claw clips can secure a French twist or bun in seconds.
What hair products and tools are some of your must-haves for the beach? Share your ideas with the Naturally Curly community in the comments below.
