The Best Hair Products to Travel With, According to Stylists

Traveling is one of life’s great pleasures. But trying to have good hair on the go is about as challenging as getting through the TSA line these days. While we would all like to bring our entire product arsenal, travel and suitcase size restrictions make that impossible. So going with travel-size and double-duty products will help ensure your hair looks good when taking all those cute vacation pics. Here are the hair care products the pros like to take along with them.
1. K18 Hair Mask
Celebrity hairstylist Anthony Pazos is a big fan of traveling with K18 Molecular Repair Hair Mask. The bottle is small, the product is highly concentrated, and best of all, you aren’t supposed to use conditioner with it, so it’s one less thing to bring. “Hands down, the best product to travel with is the K18 Mask. I like it because it helps repair brittle ends and prevents any breakage.”
2. Virtue Travel-Sized Shampoo and Mask
Skip the big, leaky bottles and travel smart. Sharon Dorram, celebrity colorist and owner of Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger, tells me, “I wish all companies would think to make travel sizes because it is truly the hardest part of packing. I always travel with travel-size Virtue shampoo and Restorative Treatment Mask as my conditioner.”
3. Mason Pearson Pocket Mixture Brush
Jennifer Nast, senior stylist at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger, tells me she likes to travel light with a Mason Pearson Pocket Brush. “When you are on the go, you need a good brush to keep the fly always at bay. Brushing can also help to distribute the oil from your scalp. “
4. A Claw Clip
Easily and cheaply purchased, Nast suggests traveling with a claw clip to quickly style your hair. “It's an easy way to elevate a look, put up hair after the beach, and day-two travel hair."
5. T3 Compact Travel Flat Iron
Who wants to lug around a big, heavy flat iron? Nast recommends using the T3 Singlepass Compact model instead. “So cute and tiny! Refresh your blow dry or simply touch up your hairline. A quick fix when you are on the go.”
6. Phyto 9 Nourishing Day Cream
Looking for a double-duty product that can work on wet and dry hair? The Phyto 9 Nourishing Day Cream is a great choice according to Matthew Monzon, celebrity hair stylist. “It can be used on wet hair before blow drying to give you what you need to help control frizz and give you amazing shine. Or, as a finishing product to help give some texture to your hair. The big plus is if you're flying, you don’t need to put it in your checked luggage since it’s under the limit.”
7. Curlsmith Moisture Memory Reactivator
It's specially important to have the right products for curly hair. Sharley Butcher, textured hair care specialist and lead educator at Curlsmith tells me, "Wherever I go, I pack my haircare essentials in travel size, so I don't need to compromise luggage space. Curlsmith Moisture Memory Reactivator is perfect for refreshing my curls and bringing them back to life between wash days.”
8. Luisant6 Hair Primer
Whether you’re exploring a city or lying at the beach, celebrity hair and makeup artist Pamela Brogardi likes to use Hair Primer by Luisant6. “This product is CBD-infused and a hydrating leave-in spray. The hydrating bonding leave-in spray reduces blow drying time and transforms texture resulting in a sleek, glass-like shine. Spray before hitting the beach and after to keep your hair looking beach fabulous!”
9. Oribe Mini Gold Lust Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is great when traveling, but bringing one of those massive cans is a big no. Brogardi likes Mini Gold Lust Dry Shampoo by Oribe. “Dry shampoo helps to absorb excess oil and refresh your hair between washes, making it an essential product for maintaining clean and voluminous hair on the go. The mini size is convenient for packing and adheres to airline travel regulations.”
10. Epres Bond Repair Treatment
Damage and frizz can be frustrating, which is why stylist Bradley Leake likes Epres Bond Repair Treatment. “It keeps hair smooth and frizz-free while also fighting damage. It is also super easy to take with you as you can bring just the vial of concentrate and bottle in your travel bag,” he explains. “One other hack I recommend to clients is to spray this on before going on a plane or traveling so that you can treat as you go, then wash out and have gorgeous shiny hair once you reach your destination.”