The bags are packed, the itinerary is set and you're almost ready to go. But what does your holiday hair routine look like? It's easy to forget about it until you're standing in a hotel bathroom wondering why your hair feels completely different. If you want manageable, healthy hair throughout your trip, a little planning goes a long way.

Whether you're heading for a beach escape, a ski resort or a city break, a change of climate means a change in what your hair needs. Here's everything you need to know to keep your summer hair looking and feeling its best from departure to arrival back home.

Your Holiday Hair Starts on the Plane

Good holiday hair begins before you even land. The air inside a plane cabin has very low humidity, and that dryness quietly pulls moisture from your hair throughout the flight. By the time you touch down, your hair can already feel dull and rough to the touch.

Apply a drop or two of a nourishing oil serum before you board. It helps seal the cuticle and lock in moisture before the cabin air has a chance to strip it away. It takes seconds and makes a noticeable difference, especially if you're on a long-haul flight.

What to Pack for Great Holiday Hair 

Nobody wants to check a bag full of heavy bottles or spend the night before a trip decanting products into tiny containers. Travel-size versions of your favourite products are the answer. The Kevin Murphy travel range is perfect for this. You can pick up what you need in the Love Hair salon before you go.

A few things worth taking with you:

A heat protectant spray. 

If you're styling at all, this is non-negotiable. We love the I-N Thermal Primer Spray. It protects against heat damage, primes the hair for styling and doubles as a light finishing product. Compact and dual-purpose: exactly what you need when bag space is limited.

A leave-in conditioner. 

This is one of the most hardworking products in your holiday hair kit. Apply it after washing and let your hair dry naturally. It hydrates, tames frizz and removes the need for heat styling altogether if you'd rather keep things relaxed. A good leave in conditioner earns its place in your bag in warm or humid destinations, keeping hair manageable without weighing it down. It's also brilliant paired with a hat for beach days, giving your hair a moisture base before sun and salt get to work.

A hydrating hair mask. 

For any trip lasting more than a few days, pack a mask. Sun, salt water, chlorine and heat all draw moisture from the hair shaft, and a mid-trip treatment can restore hydration before the damage compounds. Summer hair gets thirsty, and a weekly mask is a small effort with a big payoff.

Dry shampoo. 

Perfect for stretching a style an extra day when you'd rather be exploring than standing at the mirror. Use it lightly though. Layering dry shampoo in hot or humid conditions can cause product build-up on the scalp, and that's not good for scalp health. Less is more.

Styling tools. 

If you want to style on the road, the GHD range of blow dryers and styling tools is worth considering (available to purchase in the salon). Hotel hairdryers are rarely up to the standard you're used to, and having a reliable tool makes a real difference to your summer hair results.

And never underestimate a few clips and bobby pins. They weigh nothing, take up barely any space and give you far more styling flexibility than you'd expect when you're keeping things simple.

Beach Hair and Hair Suncream: What You Need to Know

Sun and salt water are two of the most drying things your hair will face on holiday. UV exposure and sea water work together to lift the hair cuticle and strip out moisture, which is why beach hair so often feels coarse and looks flat after a few days. For colour-treated hair the stakes are higher: UV rays speed up fading and can introduce unwanted brassiness well ahead of schedule.

Hair suncream is worth using. Most people apply sun cream to every inch of their skin and completely forget their hair. Hair suncream and UV protection sprays are specifically designed to shield the hair shaft from UV damage. If you colour your hair or you're spending long days in direct sun, hair suncream deserves a place in your beach bag. The logic is the same as it is for your skin: protecting against damage is always easier than repairing it afterwards.

A physical barrier does the most. A hat or scarf remains the most effective protection you can give your holiday hair in strong sunlight. It blocks UV directly, slows down dryness and keeps colour looking fresher for longer. Combine it with a leave in conditioner applied before you head out, and your beach hair will be in noticeably better shape by the end of the day.

Simple Styles for Easy Holiday Hair

You're on holiday. You shouldn't be spending forty minutes on your hair every morning. These styles are low-effort, gentle on your hair and still look put-together:

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

Work with your natural texture where you can. Cut back on heat styling, focus on keeping summer hair hydrated and protected, and let the holiday do the rest.

Looking After Your Hair When You're Back in Hong Kong

Traveling can be intense on your hair, and after weeks of sun, sea and heat your hair will need some care. Before you leave for your trip, book a hydrating mask treatment and a trim for when you return. Having it already in the diary means you're not scrambling to get an appointment and your hair recovers faster.

Good holiday hair is about the whole journey, before you go, while you're there and when you get back. A little thought at each stage keeps your hair in great condition through the summer and beyond.

Ready to get your hair travel-ready or restore it after a trip? Book a free consultation or your next appointment with our team in Hong Kong. We'll make sure your holiday hair routine is right for your hair.

FAQs: Holiday Hair 

Can travelling damage your hair?

Yes, it can. Dry cabin air, UV exposure, salt water, humidity and heat all strip moisture from the hair and lift the cuticle over time. Leaving Hong Kong's climate for somewhere very different, whether that's a tropical beach or a dry ski resort, puts extra stress on your hair. The good news is that preparation makes a significant difference.

How do I protect my hair at the beach?

Apply a leave in conditioner before you head out to create a light moisture barrier. Wear a hat or scarf as your first line of UV defence, and use a hair suncream  if you colour your hair or plan to spend long stretches in the sun. After swimming, rinse your hair with fresh water as soon as you can to remove salt and chlorine.

Is hair suncream actually necessary?

It is, particularly for colour-treated hair. Hair suncream and UV protection sprays shield the hair shaft from UV damage that causes fading and brassiness. Most people protect their skin and forget their hair entirely. Adding hair suncream  to your beach bag is a simple step that protects your colour and condition throughout the trip.

What should I pack for holiday hair?

Keep it simple and travel-size:

• 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 sizes mean no heavy bottles and no issues at security.

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

Look for one that hydrates without weighing the hair down, as you'll likely be wearing it in warm conditions and air drying rather than heat styling. Ask our team in the salon before you travel and we'll point you to the right option for your hair type.

How do I stop my hair drying out on a long flight?

Apply a drop or two of a nourishing oil serum before you board. The low humidity inside a plane cabin draws moisture out of the hair throughout the flight, and the serum helps seal the cuticle and keep moisture locked in until you land.

What are the best hairstyles for a beach holiday?

Styles that work with your natural texture are always the best choice for beach hair. Air drying with a leave in conditioner, a slick bun or ponytail, simple braids and low updos all suit the beach environment and require minimal product and heat. Clips and bobby pins give you easy options without taking up luggage space.

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

Both if you can. A hydrating treatment before you leave builds up moisture levels ahead of the sun and salt. A mask treatment and trim when you return helps your hair recover quickly and keeps your ends in good shape. Book your post-holiday appointment before you go so it's already waiting for you when you get back.