Boarding passes, carry-on bags and passport stamps bring me great joy in life. But jacked-up hair doesn’t. Sigh. Doesn’t it seem like we have to take extra precautions to stay fly on the road? Now, I’m no super-duper ambassador of all things #teamnatural but I do have a few essentials for how a curly girl can keep her curls bouncin’ while traveling.
Shea Butter this gem will be your best friend, ever. It is a skin moisturizer, hair moisturizer and life moisturizer. Since it has a high melting point, you don’t have to worry about it becoming a liquid before you reach customs. In any event it has melted that means you have died and gone to Hades and this post is the least of your worries.
Scrunchies/hair ties You never know when you need to put your hair in a ponytail. A visit to Niagara Falls will ruin your blowout.
Satin bonnet. This will protect your hair while sleeping. I am almost certain your Airbnb won’t have satin pillowcases. **If your Airbnb does have satin pillowcases please let me know.**
Conditioner. As much as you can carry. In some countries, the air is so dry you might have to Co-wash just to keep it supple. Preserve your sexy boo.
Shower cap. Take advantage of a long flight by getting your deep condition on en route. I like to saturate my freshly washed hair with my favorite oil (Spoiler Alert: It’s coconut oil). I place the shower cap on my head then a hat on top of it. The thermal body works wonders and you’ll be ready to slay from the runway. But if TSA makes you take your hat off, I hope you’re bold in your potential discomfort.
Denman brush. Detangling is seamless with this tool.
Rat tail comb. I use this to accomplish nice and clear parts for braids and flat twists.
Coconut oil is bae, but it isn’t my main one. Customs will confiscate it if you bring too much in your carry-on (provided it melts). If you are going on a winter getaway to a cooler climate you will be just fine. If you must bring coconut oil, a solution is to mix two parts coconut oil with one part shea butter in a small container to do the trick.
Bobby pins. It amazes me how much I need bobby pins on the road. Bring extra because you will always lose them… always.
Cute head wrap. Even if you are having the best of hair days, a sudden change of weather can leave you in shambles. Usually that isn’t a problem but when you are hundreds of miles away from your curly-girl stash, it’s a kill joy. Don’t skip a beat or miss your dinner reservation, wrap your hair up until you can wash it again.
New to head-wrapping? Check out this video to get the basics.
Did I miss anything? Are you on team carry-on and team natural? What’s in your suitcase?
