Holiday Haircare Edit: Expert Tips, Travel Minis & Salon Advice for Every Destination

Holiday haircare doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re flying long-haul or escaping for a weekend, your hair deserves a spot on your packing list too. Here at HOB Salons our experts share the travel minis, pro tips, and styling advice for effortlessly beautiful hair on every trip.

Holiday Haircare Essentials: Why Travel Minis Matter

Our curated Holiday Minis Collection features professional-grade formulas in carry-on friendly formats. But these aren’t just shrunken bottles, they’re salon essentials, edited for travel. Each mini in the collection is handpicked by our stylists to meet your routine, wherever your holiday takes you. All HOB minis are carry-on compliant (100ml or less) and feature the same salon-quality formulas as our full-size bottles, so you never sacrifice performance on the go.

The Color Wow Dream Filter For Picture-Perfect Colour (50ml) minerals in unfamiliar water sources can leave your hair looking dull, brassy, or dry. This quick 3-minute pre-shampoo treatment filters out those impurities, so your colour stays fresh, bright and glossy, no matter where you are in the world!

Pro Tip: Use once or twice a week while you’re away to protect your colour and keep your hair looking salon-fresh throughout your trip.

Don’t Neglect Your Scalp

Heat, sun, salt, and disrupted routines can all take a toll on your scalp, leading to dryness, sensitivity, and discomfort, especially when you're away from your usual products and environment. Addressing this proactively can make or break your holiday hair.

The System Professional Solar Hair & Body Shampoo (50ml) is a holiday essential for both your scalp and your suitcase. Designed to gently remove salt, chlorine, sweat, and sunscreen residue, it’s perfect after a day at the beach or by the pool. Enriched with moisturising ingredients, it helps soothe and hydrate the scalp, leaving both hair and skin feeling fresh, clean, and comfortable.

Pro Tip: Use this daily while you're away to reset your hair and scalp after sun exposure or swimming, without drying out your lengths.

Styling On-the-Go: What Stylists Actually Pack

When it comes to travel styling, professional tools make all the difference, especially when you want polished hair without taking up precious luggage space. Our stylists swear by compact, high-performance essentials that deliver salon results on the go. These two GHD travel heroes are top of the list.

GHD Flight+ Travel Hair Dryer Gift Set

Don’t rely on the hotel hair dryer. The GHD Flight+ is 49% lighter and 25% smaller than a full-sized dryer but delivers 78% of the power. With ionic technology for a smooth finish, a foldable handle, and dual voltage for global use, it’s the perfect travel companion. Plus, it comes with a sleek protective case.

Why stylists pack it: Quick drying, less frizz, and polished results wherever you land.

GHD Unplugged Cordless Styler

For touch-ups on the plane, poolside, or before dinner, this handbag-sized straightener is a game-changer. The GHD Unplugged delivers sleek, glossy results with dual-zone technology and heats to the optimal 185°C. It charges via USB-C, is travel-safe, and gives you up to 20 minutes of cordless styling power. No cords, no compromises.

Why stylists pack it: Perfect for smoothing flyaways or refreshing waves when there’s no plug in sight.

Before you travel, pop into your local HOB Salons. Your stylist can help you build a custom holiday hair kit, recommend texture products for your climate, and show you quick styling tricks for your destination.

Cleanse, Don’t Strip

Less frequent washing means choosing products that cleanse effectively, hydrate deeply, and extend your style, especially when you're limited to carry-on minis.

The Sebastian Dark Oil Travel Size Lightweight Shampoo (50 ml) delivers the perfect balance of cleansing and nourishment. Infused with jojoba and argan oils, it gently removes sweat, salt, and product buildup, while smoothing the cuticle and imparting shine. It leaves hair feeling light, soft, and refreshed, ideal for maintaining a polished shine throughout your trip.

Pro Tip: Massage into damp hair at the roots and allow the lather to glide through mid-lengths for deep cleanse and hydration, then air-dry or style as usual for sustainable shine without stripping.

The Final Layer: Fragrance + Protection

Perfume mists for hair are trending, not just for scent but also for UV defence and day-to-night refresh. The key is finding a lightweight mist that delivers hydration, heat protection, and a subtle, salon-fresh finish.

The System Professional Luxeblond Bi‑Phase UV & Heat Protector is your all-in-one final step. This lightweight leave-in mist offers UV protection, shields against heat up to 220°C, and softens hair without weighing it down. It’s especially useful in sun-drenched destinations where your hair is exposed to saltwater, chlorine, or extended heat styling.

Pro Tip: Apply after styling to lock in moisture and create an invisible shield. For extra freshness, reapply during the day to revive shine and protect on the go.

Before You Go: Stylist-Approved Prep Checklist

Great holiday hair starts before you leave. Here’s how our stylists recommend you prep in the days leading up to your trip, for hair that stays healthy, glossy, and low-maintenance while you're away.

1–2 Weeks Before

Book your salon appointment. Whether it’s a fresh cut, colour, or a nourishing treatment, get your hair looking its best before you travel. Even a quick glossing service or toner can enhance shine and help your colour last longer in the sun.

2–3 Days Before

Do a deep-conditioning mask. Hydrated hair is more resilient against heat, humidity, salt, and chlorine. The Chris Appleton + Color Wow Money Masque is a stylist favourite for a reason—it delivers deep hydration, repairs damage, and leaves hair with a glossy, glass-like finish. Powered by blue sea kale, sea kelp, and hydrolysed vegetable protein, it strengthens strands without weighing them down, making it the perfect pre-holiday prep.

And don’t forget to pack your minis! Once your hair is prepped and hydrated, keep it looking its best while you're away with travel-sized essentials from our Holiday Minis Collection.

The Day Before

Visit us for a blow dry! Start your holiday hair off right with a salon-finish style that lasts. Whether you go for smooth, beachy, or big and bouncy look, our expert stylists will ensure your hair is ready to go, no styling stress needed on travel day.

FAQs: Holiday Haircare

1: What’s the best way to protect my hair from sun and saltwater on holiday?

The combination of sun, sea, and pool water can dry out your hair and fade colour fast. Before swimming, apply a leave-in conditioner or hair oil to create a barrier, and always rinse hair with fresh water after swimming. For extra protection, use a UV hair spray or wear a hat during peak sun hours. Your expert HOB stylist is always happy to recommend the right product for your hair type.

2: How can I keep my hair looking fresh between washes while travelling?

Travel can disrupt your regular routine, but a good dry shampoo or professional texture spray can extend style and absorb oil for days. For quick refreshes, gently brush out hair, apply dry shampoo at the roots, and restyle as needed.

3: How can I reduce frizz and flyaways in humid holiday destinations?

Humidity can cause frizz, especially for textured or coloured hair. Use a leave-in conditioner or anti-humidity spray before heading out, and avoid over-brushing. Finishing your style with a lightweight serum or smoothing cream can keep flyaways under control.

4: What hairstyles work best for beach days?

For beach days, why not embrace your hair’s natural movement. Loose effortless waves and undone buns not only look great but also help protect your hair from sun, salt, and wind. Beachy hair is all about working with texture, not against it, so skip the straighteners and let your hair air dry with a styling cream or salt spray to enhance a natural texture. 

5: Should I change my haircare routine for different climates?

Yes, hot, dry, or humid climates can all affect your hair differently. You may need more moisture, extra scalp care, or products for humidity control. Let your HOB stylist know where you’re travelling and they can suggest a routine and travel minis tailored to your destination.

Still have questions? Ask your expert HOB stylist before you travel!

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