Gray Hair Travel Essentials: What I Actually Pack for Summer Trips

Inside: All my suggested gray hair summer travel essentials for women

Summer travel is one of my favorite parts of the year, but after eight years of living with naturally gray hair, I’ve learned that my silver hair needs a little extra care when I’m away from home.

Between intense summer sun, chlorine, salt water, hotel hair dryers, and humidity, it’s surprisingly easy for gray hair to become dry, yellow, or frizzy.

Thankfully, you don’t need to pack half your bathroom to keep your hair looking great.

These are the gray hair travel essentials I actually use, along with a few space-saving tips I’ve picked up over the years.

Please note that this article may contain affiliate links.  You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.

Gray Hair Summer Travel Must-Haves

Excessive UV exposure, heat, pollution, chlorine, salt water, and mineral buildup can all leave gray hair looking drier, duller, or yellowed over time.

That’s why I make protecting my hair just as much a priority as protecting my skin whenever I travel.

Since moving into a house with a pool, I’ve become even more aware of how quickly chlorine can affect my gray hair.

So if I’m swimming while on vacation (or even at home), I always rinse my hair before swimming to help reduce chlorine absorption and again afterward to rinse away chlorine and other minerals.

(For more information, see my complete gray hair swimming routine.)

Rinsing before and after swimming is one of the easiest (and cheapest!) things you can do to keep your gray hair looking great all summer long.

Beyond that, there are a handful of travel essentials I never leave home without. From sun protection to travel-sized hair care products, these are the items I rely on to keep my gray hair healthy, bright, and easy to manage wherever I’m headed:

Sun Hat

If you want to protect your silver hair, it’s a good idea to invest in a wide-brimmed hat with built-in sun protection.

My personal favorite is the Wallaroo Sydney Sun Hat.  It offers UPF 30+ Sun Protection, it comes in a variety of colors and sizes, and the best part?  It’s packable! 

You can stuff this hat into your suitcase, carry-on bag, or purse without damaging it – it just pops back into shape.

I wear this hat throughout the year, and I highly recommend it. It’s a stylish way to avoid sun damage.

Hot Tip: If you have longer hair and want to maximize your sun protection, roll down the brim of the hat and put your hair in a bun, tucking it under the brim.

Thermal Protectant

When packing for your vacation, don’t forget to include a thermal protectant! It’s one of the few “must-have” products I recommend for gray hair.

My favorite thermal protectant is the SEEN Blow-Out Creme.

This product not only guards your silver hair against heat damage but also shields it from the sun’s harmful rays and pollutants that can cause yellowing.  

Heat, sun, and pollution can turn your gray hair yellow, but the SEEN Blow-Out Creme will protect your hair from that outcome.  

The Mini version (TSA-compliant) is available HERE or you can buy the normal-sized bottle on Amazon and pack it in your luggage, or squeeze it into a reusable 3 oz. bottle for carry-on purposes.

To Use:  Apply to damp or dry hair, coating your hair from root to tips.

SPF Spray

If you don’t want to wear a hat, consider bringing some SPF spray to use alongside your thermal protectant. It will protect your scalp from sunburn and provide an extra layer of protection for your silver hair.

With so many options available, I personally recommend the COOLA Organic Scalp Spray & Hair Sunscreen Mist. 

Coola is compact, offers SPF 30 protection, is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and is paraben-free.  Additionally, it’s lightweight and won’t leave your hair feeling too sticky.

To use: Spray on exposed areas of your scalp 15 minutes prior to sun exposure.

Gentle Gray-Friendly Shampoo

If you’re going on a short summer trip, you don’t necessarily need to bring gray-friendly shampoo and conditioner. 

While it’s best to avoid sulfates, (some) silicones, and parabens for gray hair, using them a couple times during your vacation won’t harm your hair. Just be sure to clarify and moisturize your hair when you return home.

But if you want to be extra careful while you’re traveling, the best daily shampoos for gray hair are either SEEN Shampoo or Silvina London’s Grey Hair Shampoo. 

They are both great, although I prefer the Silvina London for its brightening and moisturizing qualities.

Both are cruelty-free and provide gentle cleansing without many of the ingredients I prefer to avoid for gray hair.

Silvina London’s Grey Hair Shampoo is safe for all hair types and colors, and it’s the only purple shampoo you can use daily without risking dryness and damage. It’s honestly one of my all-time favorite gray-friendly products.
** Use code KGP10 for 10% off at checkout **

SEEN Shampoo comes in a mini-version (perfect for your carry-on bag). And if fragrances are a problem for you, they even offer it in a mini-fragrance-free option!
** get SEEN for 10% off by using code PLATINUM at check-out**

Purple Toning Drops or Bars

If you want to brighten your silver hair and neutralize yellow tones, but don’t want to invest in a new bottle of shampoo, consider bringing toning drops on your next trip.

Just add 2-3 drops to your favorite white or clear shampoo, conditioner, or styling product, and enjoy brighter gray hair for the rest of your trip!

Or, if you’re really tight on space, you can invest in purple shampoo and conditioner bars. Zero Waste Cartel’s Purple Rain bars are very popular. (I tested them myself and they do a nice job, although my hair did not get quite as bright as it does with purple shampoo or the toning drops).

If you choose to travel with bar soap, consider purchasing a leak-proof travel soap holder. This highly-rated holder comes with a mat to prevent your soap from getting soggy. 

Just remember not to use purple shampoo more than once a week, whether you’re using the liquid or bar form, or it may dry out your hair.

Travel Size Gray-Friendly Clarifying Shampoo

Depending on where you are going (and for how long), you may want to bring a clarifying shampoo with you to give your hair a little extra attention.  

This type of shampoo is great for removing product build-up, which can cause dullness and yellowing in gray hair

I use clarifying shampoo once a week (followed by a deep conditioner) and since it’s a vital part of my hair-care routine I like to bring it with me on my travels if I’m going on a longer trip (longer than a few days).

If you’re planning on taking a dip in the pool, these small packets of Malibu C Un-Doo-Goo pH 9 Shampoo are a must-have for your carry-on bag.

I especially like packing these because they’re an easy way to clarify my hair after several days of swimming, sunscreen, styling products, and mineral buildup. (Just remember to never clarify more than once a week to avoid dryness).

3 oz. Leak-Proof Travel Bottles

If you need to bring your favorite products in your carry-on bag, and they aren’t available in travel sizes, these 3 ozs. travel bottles are a must-have. 

They are TSA-compliant, BPA-free, and leak-proof.

Hair Clips or Bands

If you have medium-length or long gray hair, make sure to pack some hair bands or claw clips in your luggage.

Both hair bands and claw clips are excellent for keeping your hair out of your face while you enjoy summer activities. Additionally, they’re stylish tools that don’t take up much space.

My favorite hair bands are seamless and available in a variety of colors. They work well for ponytails, buns, pigtails, braids, or any other style you prefer.

Claw clips are currently quite popular, as they create a casual, effortless look that’s ideal for summertime. These ones are the best I’ve found yet!

Hair Gel for Humid Climates

Traveling somewhere humid this summer?

Then you might want to consider investing in some gel to keep out unwanted frizz.

The Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Stronger Hold Gel is the one that I and many other silver sisters prefer, especially women with curly hair!

It provides long-lasting hold, but it doesn’t make your hair feel crunchy or hard.  That’s a huge PLUS, in my book.

This gel is perfect for preventing frizz and flyaways, and it also provides protection from heat and UV rays. (If you’re running low on space, you can pack this and skip the SEEN Blow-Out creme since it provides that extra bit of protection).

And here’s some great news for women with gray hair – this gel is free from silicones, parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, phthalates, and petroleum.

Optional: Curl Tools

If you must curl your hair on your summer vacation, I suggest bringing a heatless curl option with you. 

Hot tools can cause yellowing in gray hair, as mentioned earlier. That’s why heatless curlers are ideal for gray hair. My current favorite is this curling ribbon because it is soft and compact. You can easily squeeze it into your carry-on bag. 

Plus, it’s effortless to use- you just wrap your slightly damp hair around it before bed, and you’ll wake up with beautiful curls and waves.

You can see how I use it in this video:

Other Travel Must-Haves

In addition to hair products, I have some other items that I find incredibly helpful for travel throughout the year. These are not specifically related to hair, but I want to share them with you because I personally swear by them:

Makeup Bag

If you wear makeup, I’m happy to announce I recently discovered the perfect makeup bag. 

It’s water-resistant, durable, compact, and comes in a variety of colors. It has a built-in hanger and convenient compartments for all your makeup needs. 

Plus, it’s small enough to fit in your carry-on, unlike some other makeup bags on the market. 

Anti-Theft Purse

I bought this Travelon purse for a recent trip to Manhattan, and it’s now my favorite travel purse!

Even though it looks very compact, It’s big enough to hold my money, credit cards, iPhone 11 Pro, glasses, and rechargeable battery!

It also has a 5-point anti-theft security system that will keep you safe from pickpockets.  The bag and strap are slash-proof, and it has RFID blocking card and passport slots to keep you safe from identity thieves. 

There’s even a tethered interior key clip with LED light so you don’t have to fumble through your bag desperately trying to find your keys in the dark.

I can’t say enough good things about this purse – it’s awesome!

Electronics Organizer

This multi-purpose electronic organizer is a must-have for any traveler. It’s lightweight and fits easily into your carry-on bag, laptop bag, or larger purse. 

With plenty of room for all your small electronic gadgets and cords, it’s perfect for packing your iPhone and iPad cords, wall chargers, rechargeable batteries, and more. Plus, it even has a handy little pocket for your SD cards! 

The organizer is slightly padded for extra protection and comes in a variety of colors to suit your style.

I bought it earlier this year, and can’t live without it.  I even bought duplicates of all my cords to store in it so I don’t have to repack it for every trip.  It’s the best!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I protect my gray hair from the sun while traveling?

The easiest way is to wear a UPF-rated hat whenever you’re outdoors for extended periods. I also like using a leave-in product that offers UV protection, especially if I’ll be at the beach or by the pool.

Does chlorine damage gray hair?

Chlorine can leave gray hair feeling dry and contribute to dullness, especially if you’re swimming frequently. Before getting in the pool, wet your hair with fresh water to help reduce chlorine absorption. After swimming, rinse your hair thoroughly and clarify it if you’ve been in the pool for several days. If you clarify, make sure to use a deep conditioner afterwards.

Should I bring purple shampoo on vacation?

If you’re only traveling for a few days, probably not. But if you’re going away for a week or longer (or spending lots of time in the sun or pool), a purple shampoo or purple toning drops can help keep your silver hair bright. If you’re not sure which purple shampoo to choose, check out my complete guide to purple shampoo for gray hair.

Do I need to pack all my regular hair products?

Not necessarily. I try to travel as light as possible. My priorities are sun protection, a gentle shampoo, a thermal protectant or UV protectant, and a few styling essentials. You can find all my recommendations here.

Can gray hair turn yellow while traveling?

Yes. UV exposure, pollution, chlorine, mineral buildup, and heat can all contribute to yellowing or dullness over time. Fortunately, protecting your hair from the sun and using the right products can help minimize it.

What’s the one gray hair travel essential you never skip?

For me, it’s a packable sun hat. It’s lightweight, takes up very little room, and does more to protect my gray hair than almost anything else I can pack.

Conclusion

Traveling with gray hair doesn’t have to be complicated. I try to pack as lightly as possible, but there are a handful of products I never leave behind because they keep my hair healthy, bright, and easy to manage.

Whether you’re heading to the beach, exploring a new city, or relaxing by the pool, a little preparation means you can spend less time worrying about your hair and more time enjoying your vacation.

Happy travels – and here’s to healthy, bright gray hair wherever your adventures take you!

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