The flights are booked, accommodation sorted and now you need to pack! What does your holiday hair care routine look like though? It’s probably the last thing on your list…but it shouldn't be if you want your hair to be manageable on your trip.

Whether you're heading to the beach, hitting the slopes or exploring a new city, a change of climate means a change in what your hair needs. We’re sharing everything you need to know to keep your hair looking good and feeling healthy from the moment you leave to the moment you get back.

Start Your Holiday Hair Care Before The Flight

Holiday hair care starts before you even arrive. The air inside a plane cabin has very low humidity, and that dryness pulls moisture from your skin and your hair throughout the flight. By the time you land, your hair can already feel dull and a little rough.

A simple fix is to apply a drop or two of a nourishing oil serum before you board. It helps seal the cuticle and lock moisture in before the cabin air has a chance to strip it. It takes seconds and makes a real difference, especially on longer flights.

Pack Your Holiday Hair Care Essentials

Nobody wants to lug full-sized bottles through an airport or spend an hour decanting products into tiny containers the night before a trip. Miniature-sized versions of your favourite products are the answer. The Kevin Murphy travel size is perfect, you can buy online or in the Love Hair salon. 

The essential products to consider taking with you:

A leave in conditioner. 

This is one of the most useful products you can have in your holiday hair care kit. Apply it after washing and let your hair air dry naturally. It adds moisture, reduces frizz and means you can skip the heat styling altogether if you want to. A good leave in conditioner works especially hard in warm, humid conditions, keeping hair manageable without weighing it down.

A hydrating hair mask. 

For trips longer than a few days, your hair will thank you for this. Sun, salt water, chlorine and heat all pull moisture from the hair shaft. A mask mid-trip can help restore some of that hydration before things get worse. Your hair gets thirsty in the summer heat, a weekly treatment is a small effort for noticeably healthier-feeling hair.

A heat protectant spray. 

If you're styling at all, please don't skip this. We love the I-N Thermal Primer Spray. It protects against heat damage, primes the hair for styling and works as a light finishing product too. A compact, dual-purpose product is exactly what you want when you're travelling light.

Dry shampoo. 

Brilliant for extending a style an extra day, especially when you'd rather spend more time enjoying your trip than standing at the mirror. One note of caution though, use it sparingly. Layering dry shampoo in hot, humid conditions can cause product build-up on the scalp, which isn't ideal for scalp health. A little goes a long way.

Tools.

If you do want to style, the GHD range of blow driers and styling tools are worth considering. is great. They won't let you down when the hotel hairdryer is frankly not up to the job.

And don't forget a few clips and bobby pins. They weigh nothing, take up no space and open up a surprising number of styling options when you're keeping things simple.

Beach Hair + SPF

Salt water and sun can be two of the most drying conditions your hair encounters. The combination of UV exposure and sea water lifts the hair cuticle and strips out moisture, which is why beach hair often feels rough and looks a little dull after a few days. Colour-treated hair is especially vulnerable, as UV rays accelerate fading and can bring on brassiness faster than usual.

SPF for hair 

Yes, SPF for hair is a real thing! Most people don't know it exists. A dedicated hair suncream or UV protection spray helps shield the hair shaft from damage, and it's particularly worth using if you colour your hair or you're spending long stretches in direct sun. Think about SPF for hair the same way you think about SPF for your skin, prevention is much easier than repair.

Physical barrier.

A physical barrier is your best beach hair defence. A hat or a scarf is the single most effective protection you can give your hair in strong sun. It blocks UV, reduces dryness and keeps your colour looking fresher for longer. Pair it with a leave in conditioner before you head out and your beach hair will be in much better shape by the end of the day.

Easy Styles That Make Holiday Hair Care Simple

You don't need to spend time on your hair every morning of a holiday. These styles are low-effort, kind to your hair and still look intentional:

• Air dry with a leave-in conditioner for a relaxed, natural finish
• Slick back bun or ponytail, smoothed with a small amount of product
• Simple braids, practical for the beach and easy to loosen for the evening
• A low updo kept in place with clips or bobby pins

The bare minimum approach works well on holiday. Let your hair settle into its natural texture where you can, reduce the heat styling and focus on keeping it hydrated and protected instead.

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Post-Holiday Hair Care

Plan ahead before you leave for your trip. After a week or two of sun, salt water, heat and travel, your hair will need some attention. Book a hydrating mask treatment and a trim to freshen up your ends while you're still in holiday planning mode, so you have it in the diary for when you return.

Good holiday hair care is about what you do before, during and after your trip. A little preparation goes a long way towards keeping your hair in great condition for the months ahead.

Ready to prep before you go or recover when you're back? Book a free consultation or your next appointment with our experienced stylists. We'll make sure your holiday hair care routine is exactly right for your hair.

FAQs: Holiday Hair Care

Can your hair get damaged on holiday? 

It can, yes. A combination of dry cabin air, UV exposure, salt water, cold air and heat all strip moisture from the hair shaft and lift the cuticle over time. The good news is that a little preparation before and during your trip goes a long way towards keeping your hair in good condition.

How do I protect my hair at the beach? 

Start with a leave-in conditioner before you head out, as it creates a light barrier and helps retain moisture. Add a hat or scarf for physical UV protection and consider a dedicated SPF for hair if you colour your hair or spend long stretches in direct sun. Rinse your hair with fresh water after swimming to remove salt and chlorine as quickly as possible.

Is SPF for hair a real thing? 

It is. Hair suncream and UV protection sprays are designed to shield the hair shaft from UV damage, which is particularly important for colour-treated hair. UV exposure accelerates colour fading and can cause brassiness, so SPF for hair is worth adding to your beach bag alongside your regular sun cream.

What should I pack for hair care on holiday? 

Keep it simple. 

• A leave-in conditioner 
• A hydrating hair mask for longer trips 
• A heat protectant spray
• Dry shampoo
• A nourishing oil serum for the flight 
• A few clips and bobby pins

Travel-size versions mean you're not lugging heavy bottles or worrying about airport security. 

What's the best leave-in conditioner for holiday hair? 

The best leave-in conditioner for holiday hair is one that hydrates without weighing the hair down. It should work well on air-dried hair so you can skip the heat styling altogether. 

How do I keep my hair hydrated on a long-haul flight? 

Apply a drop or two of a nourishing oil serum to your hair before you board. The air inside a plane cabin has very low humidity, and the serum helps seal the cuticle and lock moisture in throughout the flight. 

What hairstyles are best for a beach holiday? 

The easiest and kindest styles for beach hair are ones that work with your natural texture rather than against it. Air drying with a leave-in conditioner, a slick back bun or ponytail, simple braids and low updos all work well and require minimal product and heat. A few clips or bobby pins give you plenty of options without taking up any luggage space.

Should I get a hair treatment before or after my holiday? 

Both, ideally. A hydrating treatment before you go helps strengthen the hair and build up moisture levels before they take a hit from sun and salt. Booking a hydrating mask treatment and a trim for when you return means your hair recovers quickly and your ends stay fresh. We'd recommend booking your post-holiday appointment before you leave so it's already in the diary.