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ALFREDO DE BENEDICTIS FOUNDER | HAIRSTYLIST
Alfredo De Benedictis is an Italian-British hair stylist and salon owner with over 40 years of experience. Since 1989, his passion for innovation has led him to create groundbreaking hair tools that minimize stress on the hair while delivering flawless results. From the iconic Rootpermer and Wellformer of the ’90s to the global hit Babyliss Curl Secret, Alfredo’s mission remains the same—developing tools that protect hair health without compromising style.
Holiday hair can have its perks – lived-in curls, salt-infused waves, wet-look buns and relaxed plaits are just some of the go-to ‘effortless’ hairstyles that really come into their own when you’re on vacation. But it has its issues. The sun can expose your hair to a plethora of damaging elements. With high UV exposure, humidity, chlorine and/or salt water, hair can turn dry, suffer breakage and become unruly —but it needn’t be the case.
With a bit of preparation, the right products and a little TLC, you can have gorgeous, healthy hair, even on holiday.
Here is our 10-step holiday hair checklist for keeping your lengths in tip-top condition on your travels.
Much like our skin, UV rays can wreak havoc on our hair. Sunlight is made up of UVA and UVB rays, which have different negative effects on our hair and scalp.
Studies have shown that UVB rays can cause protein (predominantly, keratin) loss in the hair. Keratin is essentially the building block of our hair, making up the majority of its structure and strength. If your hair loses keratin, the hair fibres become weaker and prone to breakage.
And it’s not just UVB rays that cause issues. UVA rays are responsible for pigment and colour changes in the hair, which is why you might see lightening or tinting. The more melanin (the pigment that gives our hair colour) hair strands have, the more protected the inner cortex is from external aggressors and damage. This is why bleached hair and grey hair are more susceptible to sun damage.
UV rays can also cause damage to the skin on our scalps, which can lead to burning, dryness and dandruff, while also increasing the risk of skin cancer. For these reasons, it is of utmost importance that you protect both your scalp and your hair by using specific hair-and-scalp-targeted SPF products.
So, what can we do to protect our hair on holiday?
Firstly, we need to do some preparation before we go.
This is, hands down, the most important and effective step you can take to minimise holiday hair damage—but it’s easy to forget. Every expert tells us that having your hair trimmed before your holiday is one of the best things you can do to prevent breakage while you’re away. Getting rid of any split and weak ends before you hop on the plane means you’re far less likely to face longer-term issues.
If your strands are already split and weak, that damage can spread further up the hair shaft as it faces aggressors. This can lead to breakage, snapping and, inevitably, you need to have more than desired cut off the length when you return. Beyond that, broken and weak hair strands are more susceptible to water absorption and loss—meaning you’re far more likely to experience humidity-related frizz while away. So, book in for that salon appointment stat.
There are many products on the market claiming to moisturise and add protein, some for a hefty price tag. We love them, and we’ve recommended a few further down. But one of the best we’ve found is a two-ingredient DIY flaxseed hair gel you can make at home. Natural, inexpensive, and packed with proteins, omega-3, and antioxidants, it's perfect for a pre-trip treat for your hair.
It is a good idea to consider your holiday styles before you go. Protective styles like braids and plaits are a great way to minimise friction and breakage in the heat—just be sure to keep any exposed areas of scalp well protected with SPF!
Hopefully, your hair was in good condition before you started your trip. But the air-conditioning on the plane and in your room, the chlorine from the pool and the sun itself make it necessary to continue to take extra care of your hair once you reach your destination.
If your hair is long, bleached, dry or curly/coily, you’re likely going to want to pack a leave-in conditioner for those days spent by the pool or at the beach. As mentioned, hair is particularly fragile when it is wet, meaning it is in a perpetual state of vulnerability while you’re on holiday. Wind, water and salt can also make hair knotty, intensifying the risk of breakage and damage even more. Keeping a leave-in conditioning spray or detangler in your beach bag is advised. Just mist through hair once you’re out of the water and brush it through straight away. If you’re wearing your hair in protective braids, a leave-in conditioning spray should also be applied straight after a post-swim rinse.
Aveda Suncare Protective Hair Veil doesn’t just smell great and condition dry hair, but it also contains UV filters such as benzophenone and octinoxate to aid in preventing sun-related hair and scalp damage. Apply to damp or dry hair before heading out into the sun.
Coola Daily Protect Scalpmist SPF30 . While this SPF can be used on lengths for some conditioning protection, the targeted nozzle makes it exceptionally good for scalp application.
While UV protection products are great, it’s worth mentioning that the best way to protect both strands and scalp from sun damage is by covering up where possible. Hats and hair scarves are your best bet for mitigating any sun-related damage.
While extreme sun exposure can slightly lighten dark hair colours, with ample UV protection, you shouldn’t find this too troublesome. However, if your hair is bleached, you’ll need to take some precautions to keep your colour looking fresh and vibrant.
Bleached hair is more porous, meaning it both absorbs and loses moisture easily. This means it is more susceptible to dryness and brittleness, but also to the effects of chlorinated water.
Chlorine exacerbates dryness in bleached hair, which can cause strands to lose their glossy sheen. It can also alter the tone of your blonde. While chlorine itself can turn blonde lighter, other minerals used for pool maintenance (such as copper) can be responsible for turning the tone of fresh bleach yellow or green. Set aside some luggage allowance for purple-toned products to counteract any brassiness or menacing tone changes.
Charles Worthington Colourplex Toning Shampoo Ultra Violet is, hands down, the best on the market. The purple pigment is intense, leaving blonde bright, cool and vibrant, but it also isn’t too drying on hair.
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Purple Reviving Oil. While purple shampoos are notorious for not being the most nourishing of formulas, this leave-in oil helps to smooth and hydrate dry, frizzy lengths while toning blonde at the same time.
Days spent at the beach and lounging poolside can result in a build-up of sand, salt, chlorine and SPF on the hair and scalp. If left untouched, this can lead to dry, damaged hair and scalp irritation. Be sure to pack a hardworking detox shampoo to cleanse all potential aggressors from the scalp and strands.
Another shampoo option ideal for short getaways and festivals is waterless shampoos – taking up far less space and weight in your bag. Just mix the sheet or powder with water to get an effective, clarifying lather.
Ouai Detox Shampoo is one of the rare detox shampoos that rids hair of any oil and build-up without drying out strands. It leaves lengths impressively glossy.
Rehab Shampoo Sheets are ideal for short breaks. Formulated with rosemary oil, they cleanse hair without being overly drying.
Your hair will also get tangled more easily, leading to painful knots and an unsightly ‘puffball’ effect. You need to pack a detangler you can trust.
Color Wow Money Mist is one of our go-tos for detangling. It contains a patented amino complex to reduce the risk of breakage and leaves hair suitably soft and glossy.
Cantu Protective Styles Conditioning Detangler is great for removing braids post-holiday, but it also acts as a great leave-in conditioner after swimming.
While a leave-in conditioner can help detangle holiday hair, if you want to minimise the risk of breakage and split ends while brushing, you’ll need a brush specifically designed for wet hair. These brushes and combs are designed to reduce tugging, and therefore snapping and breaking. Trust me, you’ll be amazed at how easy brushing your hair through can be by making this simple upgrade.
Wet Brush Original Detangler -Having tried every detangling hair brush under the sun, we believe that the original Wet Brush is the best out there.
If you have curly hair, however, you may prefer the Tangle Teezer Wide Tooth Comb, developed with the curly-haired community. The sturdy teeth and soft bristles detangle curls faster with less pulling to prevent breakage. It can also be used to distribute products evenly.
Whether you’ve hit the beach or lazed by the pool, your hair will have taken a bit of a battering. That’s why it's important to take steps to repair it in the evenings.
As noted, both UV rays and chlorine can turn hair dry and susceptible to damage and frizz due to increased porosity. It is therefore important that you are conditioning and nourishing hair at a deep level to keep things as healthy and smooth as possible. Look towards deep treatment masks while you’re on holiday in a bid to keep hair smooth, glossy and strong. While you might not want to take a big pot away with you, we recommend decanting one or two uses’ worth into a travel pot.
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Sicilian Lemon & Bergamot is one of the most effective. Apply to hair before you shampoo and let it sit for 10-20 minutes. It delivers deep hydration and gives hair a more ‘elastic’ feeling to prevent brittleness and breakage. Plus, the citrus scent delivers all of the summer vibes.
Davines NouNou Hair Mask. If your hair is particularly dry as a result of over-processing or is more prone to dryness due to its natural curl pattern, this mask is for you. Filled with softening butters and nourishing oils, it makes for the perfect deep treatment.
Nourishing wash-off products often aren’t enough to keep dryness and humidity-related frizz of a hotter climate at bay. When hair is wet, it is at its most vulnerable due to the opening up of the hair cuticle, so leave-in products are key while abroad in sunnier climates. Use serums and oils that are applied to the lengths to help restore and repair broken hair bonds, strengthening and smoothing the hair fibre as they work.
Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Honey Repairing Serum is one of the hardest-working products in my holiday hair bag. It has a thick, honey-like consistency but leaves hair glossy, soft and free of any stickiness, minimising the appearance of split ends and breakage as it works. Plus, it doubles up as a heat protector, so it’s a real all-rounder.
K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil comes in handy on those trips when you haven’t managed to get into the salon for a trim beforehand and your hair is in a particularly bad way. It contains nourishing and softening oils to smooth the cuticle and soften hair, but it is also formulated with K18’s peptide technology to strengthen hair at a very deep level. Oh, and it also contains heat protection.
Experts know that when it comes to holiday hair styling, it is best to keep things simple and lean into your natural texture. Ideally, you should avoid heat styling as much as possible, as your hair is already in a fragile state. Wearing your hair up in buns, ponytails, and plaits are great options. However, sometimes you want to wear your hair down when on holiday. Keep a mini salt spray in your bag to help amplify your natural texture and lean into that ‘effortless’ holiday hair look.
Hair By Sam McKnight Sundaze Sea Spray. This handbag-sized salt spray is formulated with pro-vitamin B5 and sunflower extract to deliver just the right amount of texture without matting hair and leaving it sticky.
Sometimes the humidity is just too much, and hair does require heat to achieve your desired result. You must apply a heat protectant (which you should already have in your kit, as above). Beyond heat protection, opt for a styler that prioritises protection and minimal damage with a soft, easy glide, rather than stylers that champion extreme heat and hair clamping and tugging in order to achieve results.
The KEEO Genius is the holiday hairstyler of choice. It protects the health of the hair with its Protective Air Gap and contoured plates, resulting in less sizzle, 50% less tension and a healthier-looking shine. You can use it to straighten, wave or curl – saving you from having to pack multiple tools.
| Aspect | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| UV Hair Protection Sprays | Easy to apply; specifically formulated to block UV rays; often lightweight | Needs frequent reapplication; some may leave residue |
| Wearing Hats/Scarves | Physical barrier; offers scalp protection too; fashion-friendly | May trap heat; not always practical in water or wind |
| Using Leave-in Conditioners | Hydrates and smooths hair while offering basic UV protection | Not all formulas offer UV-specific protection |
| Hair Masks | Deeply nourish and help repair sun-damaged hair | Often used too late—best use for prevention, not just recovery |
| Protective Hairstyles | Minimise hair breakage and tangling in wind or water | Doesn’t prevent UV damage unless paired with other protection |
We hope this blog has given you some tips on how to protect your hair from the sun and other elements that can compromise its health while you are on holiday.
Remember, half the battle is proper preparation - you want your hair to be in tip-top condition to ensure damage is slight and recovery is fast. Then take the time to use the products that are going to protect and repair your hair from the sunbed to the dancefloor to the air-conditioned plane home.
Last but not least, don’t forget to pack your trusty KEEO Genius Pro+ and complementary heat mat for the best results.
Bon Voyage!
You should always have a strong, honest partnership with your hairstylist when it comes to protecting your hair. After all, no colour or cut will look its best on frazzled locks or dull, dry tresses. That said, most of your hair health comes from your daily habits, including your diet and typical haircare routine, then the products you use, and how you treat your hair between salon sessions.
While most hair straighteners would exacerbate hair damage, the KEEO Genius + Pro straightener is built differently. Not only does its gentle heat perfect your style at a lower temperature, but the patented contoured plates and air gaps reduce tension and work with your hair to create effortless styles without the damage.
Sun protection sprays can affect your hair colour, particularly if it is blonde, bleached or lightened, tinting it pink, green, or orange. This is due to active ingredients such as avobenzone and octocrylene, but can also occur with chlorine, saltwater and even some tap water, as it is different from what your hair and scalp are used to.
Combat this discolouration by using mineral-based sunscreens that are specifically formulated for your hair and scalp.
