Summertime’s calling: the beach, the cocktails, the adventures, and if you’re wearing extensions, your hair is coming along for the ride! With the right prep and post-care, your SWAY hair extensions can be there wherever you go. On the sand, in the city, or even through the night while you sleep!
So, what's the great news? You can take your SWAY hair extensions anywhere with you, and keep them as shiny and flawless as they were before you left home. Our guide will discuss everything you need to know abouttravelling with hair extensions so that they can withstand whatever summer getaway you go on.
Before You Pack: Get Your Extensions Summer-Ready
Give Them a Fresh Start
Before you pack your suitcase, give your extensions some extra love. Shampoo and condition your extensions with your regular SWAY hydrating shampoo and conditioner. This will not only clean your extensions, but will make them soft and ready to travel.
Washing gets rid of build-up or oils and will give your hair a fresh feel if you'll be storing your extensions for a few days. Make sure the hair is totally dry before you pack it away.
Damp extensions can become musty or mouldy in warm, closed spaces. It's not the kind of surprise you want to unpack while on a summer getaway.
Detangle and Smooth It Out
When your extensions are dry, brush your extensions properly. Start at the ends and work your way up, using a professional paddle brush or oval brush so you don't catch or yank them. Think of it like packing a perfectly ironed outfit, much easier to wear when it’s already prepped.
Travelling With Hair Extensions: How to Pack the Smart Way
When it comes totravelling with hair extensions, how you store them really matters. If you’ve got a proper extension storage bag, one with a hanger to keep the hair flat, that’s your best option. It keeps your extensions tidy, secure, and protected from being crushed in your case.
No storage bag? No worries. Gently wrap your extensions in a silk or satin scarf to minimise frizz and put them in a clean travel pouch.
Don’t allow them to come in contact with hard objects or liquids, and be sure they are at the top of your suitcase (not beneath your sandals or sunscreen bottles).
Looking After Your Hair Extensions While You’re Away
Watch Out for Sun and Heat
We’re careful to protect our skin from the sun, but don’t forget about your hair! UV rays can dry out hair extensions, making them dry, dull, or discoloured (particularly if you’ve gone for blonde or balayage).
Using SWAY's The Hair Hero will work miracles when protecting your extensions from the heat and UV rays. Apply it generously to the mid-length and ends of your extensions. A hat or scarf will help protect your hair too, while adding some effortless summer charm.
Pool Days and Beach Swims
Salt water and chlorine don’t get along with your hair extensions very well. It strips them of moisture, causes tangling, and can even affect the colour of the extensions.
If you plan on swimming, tie your hair back into a tight bun to keep it out of the water. If your hair gets wet, give it a quick wash with fresh water and add a little hydrating conditioner to replenish any lost moisture. It will help replace what the salt or chlorine took away.
Travel-Friendly Hair Care Essentials
Take your SWAY Hydrate System with you on vacation, but place them into travel friendly sizes before you go. When you’re not planning to be in your salon chair for days on end, you don’t need to rely on hotel toiletries that could dry out your hair and cause tangles.
Stick to sulfate-free, pH-balanced formulas that are made specifically for extensions. Skip products that are too heavy in oils or proteins, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time in the sun or heat.
Keeping It Cute on Your Summer Getaway: Styling Tips
Go Low-Maintenance with Your Looks
You’re on a summer getaway, so your hair should be as relaxed as your itinerary. Loose braids, messy buns, beachy waves, and simple ponytails all look gorgeous and help protect your extensions from over-styling or wind damage. These are easy looks to throw together and perfect for humid weather or salty breezes.
If you’re wearing SWAY hair extensions, styling them before you pack can save loads of time. Curl or straighten them in advance and store them flat. That way, they’re ready to go when you need a quick upgrade before dinner or drinks.
Bring the Basics, Not the Entire Salon
You don’t have to use every tool you have. Sometimes, all you need is a little straightener or curling wand if you’re going for more relaxed styles. When you're using any heat styling tools, make sure you have it at the appropriate setting, not exceeding 180 degrees.
Wrap your hair up in a silk scarf or loosely tie it up with a scrunchie to avoid frizz and tangles while you sleep. Another way to go is with a loose braid. It keeps your hair looking tidy and will give you naturally wavy locks in the morning.
Where to Keep Your Extensions While Travelling
After you've been wearing them all day, don't throw your extensions on a chair or your dressing table. Lay them down flat in their storage bag or wrap and keep them in a cool, dry area. You don't want them exposed to any direct sunlight, radiators, etc.
In a hot, humid climate, don't leave them hanging out in the open. Humidity in the air can cause them to become frizzy or tangled.
Returning Home: Time for Some Hair TLC
When you come home from your summer getaway, there’s nothing better than catching up on some sleep or watching Netflix. But while you’re finally finding your feet again and reminiscing about the summer, don’t forget about one very important part of your routine that could use a little TLC, your hair extensions.
Whatever your summer looked like, be it sun, sand, sea, swimming, golf, jet-setting, or general sweating, the elements will take their toll on your hair extensions. A little reset is in order, not only for looks, but also for the health and lifespan of your extensions.
Begin by washing your extensions with a gentle sulfate-free shampoo to remove any product build-up from products such as UV sprays, leave-in conditioners, salt, or swimming pool chemicals. Don’t be in a rush, gently massage the shampoo through to make sure you don’t pull on the hair and damage it.
Follow up with a hydrating conditioner formulated for extensions. If you feel your extensions are particularly dry or damaged, then treat them to a hydrating mask and leave it to absorb for 5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Once your extensions are dry, you can safely begin to detangle them. It’s always best to use a professional paddle or oval brush and go slowly, combing up from the ends. Never try to rush through the knots or your extensions may break, shed, or damage the hair.
If you’ve had an especially active summer with lots of swimming, sunbathing, or days spent travelling, it may also be a good idea to book in with your stylist for a refresh. They can check for loose taping or bonding, trim any damaged ends, and even do a deep conditioning treatment at the salon to refresh the hair. Just think of it as a day at the spa for your hair extensions.
Travel Light, Shine Bright With SWAY!
Travelling during the summer feels like pressing the reset button. The sun shining on your skin, the breeze, and feeling like you can just breathe. It’s even better when you don’t have to worry about your hair.
With your favourite products and some great packing and travelling tips, your hair can be as camera-ready as you are. From sun-filled mornings by the pool to dinner out with friends, you can rock your extensions from dawn till dusk!
That’s why when you pack for your next trip, don’t forget your SWAY hair extensions. A little planning goes a long way when it comes to taking your hair with you. With the right products, your SWAY extensions will stay shiny, silky and selfie-ready no matter where you go!
Travelling With Hair Extensions: FAQs
1. Can I put my hair extensions in my carry-on bag?
Yes, you can. Hair extensions are totally fine in a carry-on bag. Make sure they’re kept neatly in a travel pouch or bag to stop them from getting tangled.
2. Will airport security check my extensions?
Hair extensions, whether clip-ins or semi-permanent, are totally fine to wear through airport security. If you’re wearing bonded or taped extensions, they might show up on the scanner, but security staff see them all the time and won’t bat an eye.
3. How do I stop my extensions from getting tangled while I’m travelling?
Keep them clean, brush them often, and opt for protective styles such as braids or ponytails. Wear a silk wrap or scarf at night and store it carefully when not in use.
4. Is it OK to swim with extensions?
You can, but it’s best to avoid it. Chlorine and sea water dry out the hair and cause tangling. If you do swim, wash your hair immediately with SWAY hydrating shampoo and conditioner.
5. How do I dry my extensions after washing them on a summer getaway?
Using the AIRE flow digital hair dryer, dry your hair extensions at a heat setting that doesn't exceed 180 degrees. You should always avoid air drying your hair extensions.
