In case you’re new here, I chopped my hair off at the end of January. The cut was cute, extremely short, and made me ressemble a younger, boyish version of myself. The kinky-curly pixie highlighted my cheekbones and revealed the delicate curve of an almost too long neck. Best of all, though, the hairstyle was damned EASY. Washing was a breeze; a lack of length meant detangling was non-existent. There was no indecision as to how to wear my hair; barely an inch long, there was no option but to just let it be. It was the perfect travel hairstyle- no fuss, no muss, no weighing down my bags with annoying hair products/instruments… And then it started to grow back.
A bit of a hair update:
This is what my hair looked like before the chop (I had 2-year old dreadlocks)….
This is what happened when I got a little scissor-happy and snipped my locks off…
And this is what my hair looked like after I went to a barber and got him to even out my hack job.
I decided to grow it out. I was thrilled when I was able to sport a mini afro in April. Here’s a comparison shot of my hair on Day 1 of my cut vs Day 90-ish:
Cute, right? But, as I discovered, with more hair, comes more responsibility.
With my dreadlocks, I could just wash and go. No drama necessary. With my loose hair, however, I started to worry about tangles and my follicles lacking moisture. My hair is super super tightly curled and therefore shrinks up, which is a pain. When I let my hair “just be” it started to look “just crazy”. Dislike.
How did this cramp my travel style? Well, on my recent trip to Peru, I had to bring a comb, brush, special conditioner, and a bottle of hair moisturizer. No bueno for me… Because, epiphany: I hate doing my hair. Especially when I travel. Because, when I travel, the last thing I want to worry about is my hairdo. Simplicity is key for me and I hate to overpack (it stresses me out a fair bit), so having to bring along a bunch of tools to tame my hair was not. good. at. all.
For the record, after the first day or two, I ended up wearing hats the rest of my Peru trip.
The best travel hairstyles for me are ones that require little-to-no maintenance or products. For brown girls like me with kinky coils, this equates to cornrows, dreadlocks, and braided hair extensions, all of which I’ve worn at some point in my travels.
At the beginning of May I put in some braided hair extensions, just in time for my trip to Nice and Monaco. I loved them.
But inevitably, I started getting bored of my ‘do. Last week I took them out was surprised at how much my hair has grown. I blow-dried my hair a bit so as to stretch out my afro and was able to rock a little puff:
As much as I like it, though, it’s too much work for me! I’m travelling a lot over the next two months and can’t bear to fight with my hair whilst on the road (simplicity, remember)? I definitely will not be bringing a blow dryer with me! So I’ll be putting my hair back into extensions this weekend.
How do you wear your hair when you travel? Are you a low-maintenance girl or do you bring your special conditioners, hair straighteners, and curlers when you’re on the road?
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I have been wearing my kinky coily hair completely natural since 1999. I had locs for 6 of those years. I cut my waist length locs in 2008, or was it 2009? Well, anyway, I wear my hair mostly in a wash and go Afro. I do not find caring for my natural hair difficult at all. I use an Ayurveda shampoo that I get from a local Indian/Pakistani grocery store. I don’t use conditioner on my hair during the washing process. I found that it is not necessary. After washing my hair I put in a leave in conditioner that I whip up myself. I whip shea butter, mango butter and add a few drops of jojoba oil, olive oil and a teeny bit of water into the mixture. I whip up enough to last at least a couple of months. After whipping it goes into several jars, so when I travel all I need is the shampoo and some of my leave in conditioner mixture. I do bring a pick and a comb in case I need it. Detangling is easy while my hair is still wet after washing and I don’t make a huge production of it. I don’t like fussing with my either but I do like it to look nice. It can be done without fanfare. I rarely blow dry my hair. I flat iron about once year. If I want to stretch my hair I just two strand twist it while my hair is half way dry and use caster oil on it instead of my whipped butter mixture. I don’t twist it in small sections; they are about medium sized and I do it while looking at You Tube videos or streaming a movie on my laptop so it makes the two strand twisting not a chore. I have long ago shed any insecurities about hair length. When I stretch my hair it is because I want a certain style and need to have longer hair for it. Otherwise I am happy to let my coils curl up and sport a shorter style.
I also LOVE decorative scarves. I wear them on my head when my hair is not looking its best. Decorative scarves in beautiful colors look fabulous as head-wraps when you have dark skin. So when traveling I pack a few of them which hardly takes up any room in my luggage. I also take long some hair pins and ponytail holder.
This is a great subject Oneika. I love your Afro puff too. It is very becoming on you.
The problem with my afro is that it gets really dry and breaks off easily, which is why protective styles are really the best for me! I wear tons of scarves but never on my head- I should start!
Er…um…don’t mind that picture of a man on my profile. I am a woman….LOL I just have a huge crush of British actor Richard Armitage so his photo is my avatar for now….LOL
You look great with short hair – I’m envious. My hair is thin and can look stringy and not nice. Short hair on me takes so much work that it’s just not worth it. My hair is long (very long 2 days ago until I had it cleaned up) and I love that I can wash and do it on Day 1, the style sticks around for Day 2, Day 3 with a little dry shampoo and perhaps a simple updo and a wash on Day 4. Easy & quick.
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Thank you! Believe it or not, I also have very fine hair, but the fact that it is kinky makes it look way thicker than it actually is! When I used to straighten it I was appalled at how thin and stringy it was.
mini braids (my hair), two strand twists and twist outs. I just take what I need and pamper it as usual.
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I love your hair!
Wash and go afro puff tied with a simple black shoelace/string. I can tie it
up at night that way and add water, maybe some leave in conditioner and top it off with some olive
oil on the ends then massage my scalp with a little more oil to fluff it up. Takes about 5 to 10 minutes depending how much I procrastinate. Nice to see that you are doing well. Changed my phone by the way so new number.
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I remember your puff. You are rocking it!
For my last trip I had my hair done in two strand twists without extensions. My stylist used the blowdryer to stretch my hair first and then twist. It was perfect because my hair had length, I could pull it back into a ponytail, pin it up for updos or wear in down. Very versatile, didn’t need many products and the style lasted the 3 weeks. Another upside was I could still get it wet. Just keep in mind that it will shrink after washing but my hair was still neat.
When I had longer, loose natural hair in 2005 I used to rock that style too and loved it!
I am two years into my natural hair, and at first I used to get so bothered that my hair would not behave so I combed and brushed it into “obedience”, needless to say, I still never liked it, even after all the fuss. It didn’t help that I had just gotten into graduate school at the time and wanted to look more put together than I used to in my college days. But now, I’m very comfortable with my hair ^..^. Feels great!
When I traveled for three weeks just last month, I had a fairly longish afro (grazing my shoulders and upper back, so it cant really be called an afro anymore), and few days later, put it into braids, cos I didn’t want to worry about my hair while I was exploring. And now I’m back in the US, I have a huge exam coming up, so back in the braids it goes. It’s not just the easiness of the braid that makes it work so well for me, it’s also a protective style. Oh, and I do wash my braids and longest I’ve kept one is about 3 weeks and a half. Can’t bear it after 3 weeks.
BTW, all the hairstyles post on this post suit you well.
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Thanks! I’m a firm believer in letting your hair do its own thing!
I like the braids! Do you put them in and take them out yourself? Does it take a long time?
I totally hear you about not wanting to be bothered with your hair when you travel. My hair was up in a bun every day we were in Thailand because it was so hot out, and my hair was too long to style properly (hair dryer, straightener etc.). I rocked bandanas too which are a great way to keep hair out of your face and protect your scalp from burning!
You look great no matter what style your hair is!
It takes a loooong time, at least 4 hours!!! Someone else does it for me- thank goodness because I would never have the patience to do it myself!
Your puff is super cute! But I don’t blame you for wanting easy – I usually just wear my hair up or know I’m going to have to spend some time blow drying it curly on short trips. Only on longer trips or when I’m traveling for a special occasion can I justify the space, weight and hassle of the hair straightener.
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Is your hair curly?! I had no idea! It’s always so neat and sleek!
I agree with you Oneika, I can’t stand to bring all the hair products and fo’s with me whenever I travel, I usually fix my hair in a protective style with low maintenance as possible.You look fabulous with your hair very short, many woman cannot pull that look off. As always I love your blogs and pictures of your travels, I’m so jealous of you when it comes to traveling. Happy Travels!!!!
Thanks Kimi!! Protective styles are key!
I’ve been natural all my life, and it’s pretty long now, so it can be a hassle to style and maintain while traveling for long periods of time. Normally, I’ll just throw on a wig or put it in braids depending on the weather where I’m going. I think that low maintenance and cute is key, which your hair definitely is, Oneika.
Thanks Angel! I once bought a wig from a shop in Detroit, but never wore it. A shame, because it was so cute and would be so convenient for travelling. I’m not even sure where it is now!
Is your hair long enough for fro puffs? (you know double puff? – my sister in law insists if she had my hair that’s how she’d wear it every day!).
I’m super low maintenance about my hair when I travel or when I don’t…
Currently I feel my hair is getting too long – but although it’s a giant cliche I kind of wanted it to grow out for the wedding…le sigh. Decisions.
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It’s long enough for mini-puffs lol! I love the look of an elegant updo for a wedding… BUT if you growing your hair out is a pain, don’t do it!
I went from long hair to really short before my travels and have not regretted it because it’s so easy to look after. You have a faceshape that seems to suit all styles, you’re lucky
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Thanks Alison! Strangely enough, even though my hair is still really short, it’s only really easy to take care of when it’s super, duper short or really really long!!
I am thinking of chopping off my hair too, well I do not like nice hair like you but I sure am tired of wasting so much money and time on it.
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Chop it!! I’m sure it’ll look great!
What is this ‘stretching’ of the hair? I’ve not heard of that. and… will I see your puff this weekend? ?!
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Unfortunately you didn’t get to see the puff!! The stretching is just using a blow drying to flatten out the kinks
Loving the short cut! I am going to admit that I take my hair straightener on every trip, sometimes I don’t use it, but I like the comfort of knowing that I can.
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Variety is the spice of life!!
Thanks!
Ugh, I totally understand. Honestly, hair is so annoying. I personally can’t handle it. Right now I have extensions and want to take them out. I am thinking of going super short like how you had. I used to weat my hair like htat all the time and am thinkinig of going back for the ease of it.
I am off to Boston next months so I thinking of just doing it before then.
You should do it!
Girl, you’ve seen me. My hair is the BANE of my existence! In trips and in daily life, PONYTAIL all the way for me! x
lol!
Braids for backpacking, definitely less ‘tools’ and work!
Agree!
You and your hair looks great however you choose to wear it!!
I am a natural curly too. I recently cut my hair short (can’t-do-a-ponytail short). I am loving it. I have been doing “wash and go” styling. Although I am not traveling at your rate of intensity (LOL), if I were I would continue with the wash and go (my hair is diggin’ it). I carry travel size shampoo, conditioner and a pomade/hair milk. No combs/brushes – I fingercomb. I, also, travel with a hair bonnet and a few bobby pins and a few headbands. Easy peasy.
Merci! I wish I could only fingercomb but if it’s loose (un-twisted or un-locked) it’s treacherous for my hair!
Haha
I don’t have problems with hair. never! 
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Lucky you!
Oneika, I dealt with the same drama the ENTIRETY of my travels of Europe in ’09. I wasn’t ready to rock it natural so I hauled 5 lbs worth of flat iron, moisturizer, and hair manipulators everywhere I went! Now that I have senegalese twists, life is easy, breezy and hair is stressless! If I go on travel sprees again I can’t see me not having the twists!
I just got some twists put in yesterday!! I love the ease and beauty of the style!
Wow! I didn’t even realise those braids weren’t your real hair! They look fab. All your hair dos look great though. I just keep mine plain and simple for travel. Some people think that because it’s so long it’s difficult to look after, but I think long is the easiest style for me. I just wash and go, and if it gets in my way, I tie it up. Easy peasy!
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Hee hee, they blend in well with my real hair I think! You have beautiful hair and it’s a beautiful colour. You are lucky!
I love your hair right now but I hear ya, doing hair on the road is not fun at all.
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I swear that my hair is the hardest part of travel. I have 5 year old locks, but a dry scalp so I travel with shampoo, conditioner, and whatever hair product that’s the flavor of the month. I’m moving to Spain in September and I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to get all my various oils and conditioners there without it costing me a fortune. Le sigh, I would chop it, except, I never would, lol
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I wear individual tree braids when I travel. In a bun, it looks like small individual braids but when I wear it down and use a big curling iron, the braids blends with the hair that is pulled out from each braid so I have the benefit of all my hair being braids but the flexibility to wear curls/wavy hair dos.
I’m a natural too and from your pics, it seems like our hair textures are similar…what the “natural community” likes to describe as 4b hair (see my pic in the link). I don’t travel even a quarter as much as you do (working on that!) but when I do, I don’t deviate from my normal hair routine which is simple, easy and super low-maintenance. I wear a wash and go ‘fro styled in multiple ways nearly all the time (frohawk, puff, straight up ‘fro) so when I travel, all I pack is a bit of shampoo, a rinse-out conditioner, my leave-in conditioner and a “washing” conditioner. I put a bit of each into 3oz travel bottles so it’s not a pain to carry. I can send you pics of the results if you like but it looks cute and works for lazy…,ahem, busy people like me! And my hair is still healthy and growing so I’m fine with it.
BTW, I love, love, love your blog and am super envious of all your traveling adventures!
Glad you are enjoying the blog! I try to do afros but find that my 4B hair dries out super quickly and then detangling is a time-consuming nightmare! What products do you use?
Oh, forgot to say that you looked gorgeous with your ‘locs and look even more so with your ‘fro. But then, you’re one of those annoying women who look great with any hairstyle.
Aww thank you!!
I am extremely low maintenance. I either do twist extensions, or two strand twists on my natural hair. The twa suits you!
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Love your transition look. I’ve been kind of contemplating on what to do with my hair as I am planning to go on a cruise trip. I doubt that I can pull off my natural look every single day. So I’m hoping a twist might just do.
I love love your blog…you are my traveling inspiration girl!!!
Twists and box braids are extremely versatile- I’m going to do then when my hair gets longer. Thanks!
Oneika,
Let’s see. I think during my travels i haven’t done any particular protective style. i just bring a good conditioner and some type of styling creme. I do the usual regime. I have learned that a few things will help you along the way. Deep conditioning before and after your trip. Tightly coiled hair is the most versatile, but is very delicate and can easily break. I have a hair steamer at home and when i returned from Iceland or even south africa i needed that bad boy because the water and the climate. Even when you are wearing a protective style be sure to cover your hair at night with a satin/silk bonnet or sleep on a satin/silk pillowcase. If u like hats try to find one that is lined with silk/satin. Tighty coiled hair can easily snag and break or shead where its rubbing up against cotton, wool or polyester, which most hats and sheets are made out of. With ur current hair length, i would stick with the braided extensions and perhaps try playing your natural texture. You would be surprised with the kind of curl you get when you really saturate your hair with the right products from root to tip and really work on defining the curl pattern. That is a style that you could wear for several days with proper night time care.
I’m so glad to have read this! I’m going to travel through Asia for 3,5 months and I was wondering what to do with my hair. I usually put in braids but I get sick of them after a month or two so it has to come out at some point, but I really don’t want to be lugging around so many products. I was a little scared to cut it short but it looks amazing on you! I might just take a deep breath and do it myself.
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Do it!
Every time I travel I am determined that I am going to straighten and do my hair every single day but I get over that it a few days and just leave it in its naturally wavy state. Your totally right, the last thing you want to think about while travelling is your hair.
Sometimes au natural is best!
Great post! I am in hair limbo after going shorter and shorter and debating what is easiest for travel. I have fine blonde hair, so I love the ease of tying it up when it’s longer, but it’s much easier to style shorter. Blonde highlights are another stress. I’m thinking of one more chop and blondening this month and then letting it go for the rest of summer.
I love how easy it is for girls to go on and on about their hair – we all have our challenges!!
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