Summer is the time of the year to try new hairstyles while vacationing nearby or overseas.
While braids or twists are the go-to options for traveling, wearing a natural hairstyle can be a liberating experience. Constant manipulation damages the strands from the roots to the ends, resulting in breakage, split ends, and other hair issues for many people with natural hair. Protective styles have been the solution to limit damage.
Protective styles require less time and effort and provide a break when figuring out the next hairstyle. However, if worn excessively, they can damage hair as well. Hair loss is one of the biggest problems caused by wearing protective styles too much. With several types of hairstyles to consider for travel, the best option may be to wear it in its natural state.
NaturallyCurly caught up with five travel influencers about this experience of wearing their natural hair while jet-setting and their holy grail products that they can’t travel without.
1. Kendall Robinson – @kendallrobin.son
Image Source: Kendall Robinson
What is your go-to hairstyle while traveling?
I love a protective style for convenience. But I love a twist out with a braided front when I wear my natural hair!
What has been your experience wearing your natural hair while traveling?
When I wore my hair natural on vacation for the first time, it was so nerve-wracking. I went to Jamaica, and I felt like it was the best place to wear my curls because I felt embraced and empowered. I received so many compliments, and it made me more comfortable wearing my curly hair out while abroad!
Wearing my hair curly in Jamaica was so beneficial for my natural hair journey. I felt so free and able to just be my natural self. I think I overestimated the maintenance or difficulty I thought I would have to deal with when wearing my hair curly. All I needed was a little curl refresh every morning, and I was ready to go!
What are your holy grail products that you can’t travel without?
I love Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La, Lightweight Curl Defining Custard, and Aunt Jackie’s Flaxseed Recipes Don’t Shrink Elongating Hair Curling Gel! I love the smell, and the products work well with my curl pattern. For edges, I use Edge Booster and Got2b Glued to seal them in humid environments. Those are my holy grail products and a must-have when traveling with curly hair!
2. Makeda Sofia – @passportprincessa
Image source: Makeda Sofia
What is your go-to hairstyle while traveling?
When traveling I’m a braids girl through and through. Braids are a protective and low-maintenance style. They are the best thing to have when I go to hot countries or know I’m going to be on the go, so I’m not constantly manipulating my curls. I want to spend as little time on my hair so that I have more time to explore and enjoy the destination. When I go to the Dominican Republic, I go with my hair natural and get a trim, which is the best wash-and-go that withstands the Caribbean humidity! If there are cooler temperatures where I’m going, I will do a twist out.
How has wearing your natural hair while traveling shaped how you view your hair?
Regardless of the perception of my Type 4 hair, whether negative or positive, I will always love my natural hair and am comfortable in whatever form it’s in. Depending on where I travel, I will wear my hair in whatever form I desire. I will likely do a protective style if it’s hot and humid. If it’s cool or cold, I will probably have my natural hair out because I know I can maintain the style without being affected by humidity.
What are your holy grail products that you can’t travel without?
For braids, I swear by the TPH by Taraji Scalp Care line. The applicator tips make getting to your scalp a breeze on vacation wash days. The Mielle Organics White Peony Leave-In Conditioner is the easiest way to add moisture to my scalp and natural hair underneath the braids. Lastly, the PATTERN Beauty by Tracee Ellis Ross Curl Mousse or Design Essentials Curl Enhancing Mousse helps to keep any frizz at bay.
I use either Mielle Brazilian Curly Cocktail Curl Mousse with Babassu or Mielle Rice Water Moisturizing Hair Milk for twist-outs. They both provide definition and moisture, which my hair needs. If I want more definition, I’ll add a gel. But for the past couple of years, I have been using this combo for my twist-outs, and my hair loves it.
3. Nylah Akua – @nylah.akua
Image Source: Nylah Akua
What is your go-to hairstyle while traveling?
My go-to hairstyle is easy. I wear it naturally (straight with a middle part) or a high bun.
What has been your experience wearing your natural hair while traveling?
As a black woman traveler, I often get looks or stares when I travel to a place where I’m a minority. With my locs, though, I’ve gotten an abundance of compliments on my hair. It’s nice and refreshing to hear people from places like Costa Rica or Mexico complimenting my hairstyle as is. My only negative experience is not having access to products that work well with my hair.
When I’ve run out of shampoo/conditioner or just forgot to pack it, I’ve had to use products that are never good for my hair. It either strips it or doesn’t clean enough. I’m definitely more confident in my locs and wearing them as is without having to “style” them. It’s freeing to wake up and just go without worrying that I don’t look nice. I am also more intentional about ensuring I have the right products for my hair to remain healthy and beautiful.
What are your holy grail products that you can’t travel without?
The Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Shampoo is a good clarifying shampoo that doesn’t strip my hair of moisture. I love how soft and moisturized the Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Conditioner makes my hair feel after rinsing! I’ve been using the NaturAll Jamaican Black Castor Oil Serum with Lavender –even before my locs, and the growth is unreal. The PATTERN Beauty by Tracee Ellis Ross Scalp Serum has peppermint, rosemary and lavender oils, which help to soothe and moisturize my scalp.
4. Coco Bates – @cocobates_
Image Source: Coco Bates
What is your go-to hairstyle while traveling?
I love wearing my kinky-coily hair-textured wig from Kinkistry when I travel. My natural hair texture is very similar to it when it’s in a twisted or braid-out and blends in effortlessly with it. I love the convenience of being able to pull my wig off at any time to wear a cute wash-and-go or a puff up-do. I also love having the option to swim in the ocean wearing my natural hair. Wearing a kinky-coily textured wig while traveling allows me the ease of alternating between wearing protective styles and styled hairstyles without over-manipulating my real hair.
What has been your experience wearing your natural hair while traveling?
Growing up in the 90s and early 2000s, natural hair wasn’t something that was deemed beautiful by the majority of people. Even today, it seems as if looser curl types are categorized as beautiful, especially if they are unmanipulated with gels and twists or braid-outs. However, because I enjoy traveling to less touristy areas, many people that I come across have not been affected by mainstream propaganda.
No matter if I’m wearing a tight kinky afro, a week-old twist out, or 1-month-old box braids with tons of new growth, locals are always mesmerized by natural hair. I also don’t feel the need to always “do” or “fix” my natural hair, especially when I don’t have access to a shower with strong running water. This has led me to not care what people think about how I choose to wear my hair, either while traveling or when I’m in the U.S., especially when it’s in its naturally kinky state.
What are your holy grail products that you can’t travel without?
I discovered this really amazing brand, Papa Rozier Farms Moringa Oil & Castor Oil, almost ten years ago, and it has been a staple in my natural hair care routine ever since. The quality of their castor oil, which is made in Haiti, is extremely rich and nourishing. It’s cold-pressed, chemical-free, and it’s one of the purest castor oils that I’ve ever used. It keeps my scalp nourished, promotes hair growth, and seals in the moisture of my hair strands without it feeling greasy. It’s also great for my skin as well.
The Knot Sauce Coil Detangler is packed with so many quality ingredients like aloe vera, flaxseed, and shea butter. It’s light and creamy, smells yummy, and my hair is absolutely in love with it. I use it for just about any hairstyle, too. I never forget to pack my Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair Hair Mask whenever I’m traveling for longer than two weeks. I used their brand for the first time when I wore my color-treated hair in Bali. After swimming in salt water and soaking up the sun for days at a time, my hair needed some much-deserved moisture.
5. Sharinda Simmons – @theptonomad
Image Source: Sharinda Simmons
What is your go-to hairstyle while traveling?
Depending on the location, my go-to hairstyle for traveling is either a wash-and-go or a protective style like braids, mini twists, or a sewin. I love the versatility of my natural hair. I can change my look anytime throughout my trip.
What has been your experience wearing your natural hair while traveling?
While traveling in Nairobi, Kenya, I noticed the local people staring at my hair and whispering to themselves. Completely confused, I was wondering if something was wrong. Suddenly, a woman approached me and asked if I knew what my hair was telling me. She said my silver streak meant I would be rich and wealthy. Since I was 16, I have had a silver streak in the front of my natural hair. I often hid it to fit in but decided to wear it out as an adult. This was such a heartwarming and affirming experience.
I have had my worst natural hair experience traveling in Jamaica of all places! It was the one place that I felt that I could let my guard down and be unapologetically Black. But I failed to remember that tourists in Black lands are often the worst. I booked a hotel at a beautiful resort in Negril for my birthday and decided to relax by the in-pool bar.
Suddenly, I am surrounded by a group of white U.S. and European tourists. One greeted me while grabbing a fistful of hair and running their fingers through it. I felt another do the same behind me as they asked me how I keep up with “this” and how I get my hair like this. I instantly shot up out of my seat, and then I froze. I think I was in shock. I never thought that I would experience this situation so close to home.
How did these experiences shape how you view and wear your natural hair?
These experiences have taught me to walk confidently in my most authentic self. I won’t allow anyone to make me feel out of place based on my skin tone, hair, or any other parts of my appearance. I deeply believe in boldly showing up in places, especially as a Black woman, and that I won’t conform to the world’s standards of beauty. Wearing my natural hair while traveling feels like a revolt. I want people to see me and my crown and know I control my narrative. And even if I’m wearing a protective style, it will be in a style that looks like Black natural hair.
What are your holy grail products that you can’t travel without?
I love how lightweight the Pattern Beauty Leave-In Conditioner is, yet it really moisturizes my 4A hair. I like to layer it into my wash-and-go before going into the ocean; it smells so good! I use SUNDAY II SUNDAY Soothe Me Dry Scalp Relief Hair Serum to soothe the itchiness that can come with protective styling, especially braids, and sew-ins. It is so refreshing and works fast!
Design Essentials Natural Twist and Set Setting Lotion is a miracle worker! My braid-outs and two-strand twists are set and dry in half the time it would take if I were to let my hair air dry. It’s perfect for those midday hair washes after the beach or pool. Lastly, sunburn on the scalp is terrible. For styles where my scalp is exposed, like cornrows and braids, I use COOLA Organic Scalp Spray & Hair Sunscreen Mist With SPF 30 to protect my parts.
What have your hair experiences while traveling been like? Let us know in the comments!
