If you’re like me, I find balancing the demands of a 9-to-5 job with an on-the-go digital nomad lifestyle challenging for maintaining my curly hair.

I already hide my hair behind a hat during most of my Zoom work calls. So if you have curly or textured hair like mine, you know some of the unique hair care challenges we face.

I’ve spent years experimenting with different products and techniques to maintain a professional look while traveling the world. It’s not always possible to find a good barbershop at a moment’s notice (I’m looking at you South Korea). Or, even if you do find one, you might need to book an appointment, and by then, you’re already on the next leg of your journey.

Another challenge is that if you’re like me, constantly going to barbershops can be expensive. It gets to the point where we just give up and wear a hat most of the time.

Now, I’m sharing some of my tried-and-true hair care hacks to help you look your best, no matter where your work takes you.

Side note: Even as I type this, I’m thinking about how I’m going to fit in a cut before my next trip this weekend.

The problems!!

Mastering Curly Hair on the Go

Whether you’re rocking tight curls, waves, or braids, textured hair requires special attention when you’re on the move. Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Moisture is Key: Keep your hair hydrated with a leave-in conditioner like Cantu Moisturizing Twist & Lock Gel or MopTop Salon Daily Conditioner. It’ll help prevent dryness and breakage, especially in arid climates.
• Protective Styles: Braids, twists, or locs can help protect your hair from the elements and minimize daily styling. If you’re not into protective styles, consider a durag or a Selalu Wave Cap for nighttime protection.
• Versatile Styling Products: Pack a multi-purpose product like shea butter or coconut oil. Personally, I use MopTop Curl Cream for both moisturizing and defining my curls. I also use RioRand Hair Sponge to make my curls “more curly” and a Denman D3 Brush to detangle my hair without damaging it.
• Men’s Toiletry Bag: Don’t forget to put all of your items in a toiletry bag. This one has been holding up since Jun 30, 2021.

Gear Used

The DIY Barber Kit

Now, let’s get to the actual sauce. None of us wants to go around with a messed-up hairline. I mean, to be honest, most people don’t notice. But when people do, it’s just embarrassing. Then it’s worse when someone wants to take a picture.

Imagine you’re in front of the Eiffel Tower for the first time. You had a crazy workday back in the States, took an overnight flight to Paris, and a beautiful Parisian wants to take your photo!

Now unthink that because I’m here to help you get that photo. You can’t have that memory immortalized into dusty a** pixels.

And you might think, “It’s okay, I’ll wait. I’ll find someone.” But, let’s be real, finding a barber who understands how to braid hair or do a legit fade can be difficult, especially when you are traveling.

So, it’s essential to have your own barber kit on hand:

• Reliable Trimmers: My go-to is the Andis Professional T-Outliner or Andis Professional Master. Just be sure to buy a version that’s compatible with the country’s voltage you’ll be in for most of your trip. Remember to pack Andis Clipper Oil to keep your clippers running smoothly. You will not be able to bring the more popular Andis Cool Care Plus spray that helps disinfect and lubricate the blades.
• Beard Filler Pencil: Fill in any patchy spots with this Void Beard Pencil Filler for a polished look. If your beard isn’t cooperating, try Layrite Superhold Pomade to tame those straggly hairs.
• Shaving Cream & Razor: Pack travel-sized Gillette Mach3 Razor Refills and your preferred shaving cream for quick touch-ups. I use this only to maintain lineups. Don’t use this on your neck, otherwise you will get ingrown hairs. If you want a close cut, use something like the Wahl Professional 5-Star Series Rechargeable Shaver for a closer cut. I got the BaBylissPRO METALFX Shaver before, but it just didn’t cut right. Maybe it’s just me. Either way, I put the link in case it works better for you.

Travel-Friendly Hair Care Essentials

These additional tips will help you keep your hair healthy and looking its best while traveling:

• Travel-Sized Products: Look for travel-sized versions of your favorite shampoo and conditioner. I sometimes bring a bottle of Every Man Jack 2-in-1 Daily Shampoo + Conditioner if I’m checking a bag. The 2-in-1 is also super useful when you’re doing jiu-jitsu and you have to wash, condition, and then treat your hair. It becomes annoying when you have to keep detangling your hair. When I have more time, I prefer to use MopTop.
• For Those of Us With Dyed Hair: I use Amika’s Bust Your Brass Repair Shampoo and Bust Your Brass Repair Conditioner.
• My Preferred Detangling Pick: This pick is my secret weapon for detangling and styling my curls while traveling. I’ll be honest, I got it because I like the designs. These are the two brothers behind the actual product.
• Shower Cap: I use this to protect my hair after I wash and condition it.
• Hair Bonnet: A silk or satin bonnet, like the 4 Pieces Hair Bonnet for Men,can help prevent breakage and frizz while you sleep.

Bonus Tips

• Sunscreen for Your Scalp: Protect your scalp from sunburn with a sunscreen formulated for the scalp or wear a hat like the Selalu Wave Cap.
• Research Barbershops: Before you travel, research barbershops at your destination that specialize in cutting textured hair. If you see someone on the street or in a mall, don’t hesitate to ask them. When I’m traveling, especially in areas with more homogeneous populations, it’s easy to spot another American (like me). That’s usually when we strike up a conversation, and I’ll ask where they got their hair cut. Another great tip is to visit a jiu-jitsu or fitness gym and find someone with a nice fade. That’s what happened when I visited Island Jiu-Jitsu in Honolulu, Hawaii, and I ended up finding Sam Da Barber.
• Embrace the Journey: Don’t be afraid to experiment with new hairstyles and products. Sometimes it feels like I’m a new person. Travel is a great opportunity to try something different! Sometimes I let my hair roam free and just add Cantu. Other times, I just keep my hair under a hat.

Tips, Tricks, and Logistics

• Hair Oil: A few drops of hair oil can add shine, tame frizz, and protect your hair from damage. You can also put mineral oil at night to help thicken your hair.
• Leave-in Conditioner: Something like this MopTop Leave-in Condition, provides extra moisture and protection, especially in dry climates.
• Silk Pillowcase: Sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce friction and prevent frizz. And yes I do bring this, especially if I’m “slow nomading.”

Trip Soundtrack

Because every adventure needs a soundtrack, each of my trips comes with a theme song. And for this trip's anthem? Well, it's...

DMX - Let Me Fly

Conclusion

Maintaining a professional appearance while traveling is essential for remote workers, and that includes keeping your hair in check. It’s even more difficult with curly or textured hair.

And don’t even get me started on the workplace. It’s already annoying that most of us are expected to have a #1 or #2 fade as our ONLY hairstyle, while everyone else can wear their hair however they like. Why is it that we’re expected to maintain a short cut with a lineup every few days, taking a hit to our bank accounts? If we can’t, we’d better hope we can do a decent lineup ourselves, maybe we’re lucky if we can do a lame fade.

But let’s stay positive.

With the right products, techniques, and a bit of planning, you can easily conquer the hair challenges that come your way—especially when you’re traveling. Remember, it’s not just about looking good for those Zoom calls, it’s about feeling confident and ready to take on whatever your workation throws at you.

And that involves preparation. Some of the black hair care products you easily find in your neighborhood may be incredibly hard to find in another country. In the U.K., I had to stumble through a bunch of stores to find familiar products. If you’re in Japan or South Korea, you might have to visit an African braiding shop or specialty store to find what you typically use.

So, pack your bags, grab your hair care essentials, and get ready to embrace a world of work and adventure! And maybe more hat days than you’d want.

P.S. If these tips have been helpful, let me know! Or if you have hair care tips of your own, shoot me a message at info@homsontravels.com.