Hair and Beauty Must-Haves to Pack This Summer

Why Your Hair Needs Extra Love in Summer

Finally, that summer holiday you've been desperate to go on is almost here! But if you're as excited as we are about nabbing that sun lounger or getting out onto the beach, we can well understand you forgetting a few haircare basics.

It's easy to remember to pack the bikinis and sandals… but it isn't always obvious what actually works for summer hair care.

That's unfortunate, given that the summer can be surprisingly tough on your hair. Ultraviolet (UV) damage, chlorine, salt water, humidity, and hair styling can all leave hair feeling dry, tangled, and harder to manage.

Do you wear hair extensions? If you do, they'll need extra attention on a summer holiday, given how the sun and salt can affect quality and lifespan.

With over 17 years of helping customers look and feel their best, our team at Cliphair knows a thing or two about sun protection for hair. So, let's set you on the right path by recommending the top holiday hair products to bring with you.

Your Summer Hair Packing Checklist

As far as holiday hair essentials are concerned, you should be focusing on protecting moisture and preventing damage before it happens.

Here are the hair care products and accessories that deserve space in your suitcase:

• Sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner

  This one's non-negotiable, especially for extensions. Sulphates and alcohol-heavy formulas can dry out the hair and reduce the lifespan of extensions.

  So, go for a gentle and nourishing sulphate-free shampoo instead. It'll help ensure your hair stays soft, manageable, and hydrated throughout your time away.

  If you do wear extensions, pack travel-sized products from Cliphair's hair care collection for an extension-friendly routine during your trip.

• UV hair protection spray

  Think of this as sunscreen for your strands. This hair sun protection product will help shield your locks from the UV damage, dryness, and colour fading that can happen if you spend a lot of time outdoors.

  You'll be especially grateful for having packed a lightweight hair SPF or hair UV protection spray during beach or pool days when your hair is exposed to the sun for hours at a time.

• Leave-in conditioner or hair oil

  Sun, sea, and chlorine can leave hair feeling rough after a long day outdoors. This is why remembering to bring along a leave-in conditioner or lightweight oil is so important. It'll help restore moisture and frizz without weighing your hair down.

  This is one of the easiest summer hair tips to follow if you want smooth and shiny holiday hair.

• Heat protection spray

  Will you be reaching for straighteners, curling tools, or a hairdryer at any point during your break? If that's a "yes", heat protection spray will help reduce stress on your hair and keep your extensions looking healthier for longer.

• Extension-friendly detangling brush

  A hairbrush will be one of the most crucial accessories to bring with you, but not all of them are extension-safe. A common mistake is using a brush with bobbles on the bristles, which can tug at seams and cause shedding over time.

  For an alternative, consider Cliphair's Detangling Brush. It doesn't have any bobbles or balls that could catch on hair pieces, and it's suitable for all hair types and extension types. This brush's soft and flexible bristles glide gently over extension attachments.

The Best Hair Extensions to Take on Holiday

Some extension types aren't necessarily ideal for travel. On the other hand, clip-ins, halos, and ponytails can all be great hair extensions on holiday, because they're quick, flexible, and easy to pack.

Here are some of the options we recommend of these travel beauty essentials:

• Clip-in hair extensions

  Clip-in hair extensions are an easy way to add volume and length on holiday without any need for salon maintenance.

  It takes only around five to 10 minutes to add an eight-piece clip-in set, such as those we offer here at Cliphair. These hair pieces are also removable, so you can take them out before swimming, showering, or sleeping.

  For travel, seamless clip-ins are the premium option. Cliphair's seamless clip-ins in the Remy Royale range consist of AAAAA grade and double-drawn hair, compared to the AAA grade used for other clip-ins.

  Remember that extension hair quality matters for summer and holiday wear. Remy hair (real human hair) handles heat and styling better than synthetic alternatives.

• Halo hair extensions

  If you want the fastest possible routine, halo hair extensions are hard to beat. They can be applied in under 90 seconds, which makes them perfect for those busy holiday mornings when you want fuller hair without spending ages getting ready.

  Cliphair's AAAAA grade halo extensions include four interchangeable wire sizes and two bonus seamless clip-in pieces.

• Ponytail hair extensions

  Nothing says "effortless summer beauty" like a sleek ponytail. So, for those quick transformations from poolside afternoons to dinner plans, ponytail extensions can be just the thing.

  The wraparound application of these hair pieces makes it easy to use one over a natural ponytail. Cliphair offers ponytail extensions in Mini (14"), Classic (20") and Mega (24") lengths, so you can take your pick depending on the look you want.

A packing tip: always keep your extensions in their original packaging or a clean, breathable bag. Store them somewhere cool and dry in your suitcase, and never in direct sunlight.

What if your extensions are permanent ones, such as tape-ins or nanos? Well, in that case, we urge you to avoid chlorine and salt water where possible. Don't forget, too, to get personalised aftercare advice from your stylist before travelling.

Could you do with more advice on the practicalities of travelling with hair extensions? Take a look at our article on this, including packing and what to expect at the airport.

Beauty Essentials That Deserve a Spot in Your Case

Sure, looking after your hair might be your main priority. However, a few other well-chosen travel beauty essentials can make getting ready even easier on those mornings in the resort.

We're talking about such summer beauty must-haves as:

• A decent SPF for the face and body. It may be "obvious", but it's also non-negotiable. Aim for SPF 30+, and reapply it daily, even on cloudy days.
• Face mist for cooling and refreshing your skin "on the go", such as after flights, beach trips, or hot afternoons exploring.
• Lightweight base products like tinted moisturiser or lightweight foundation. Swap your usual heavy makeup for these summer beauty essentials, and you'll notice they feel lighter on the skin and work much better in humid weather.
• Waterproof mascara and brow gel, to help you pull off those beach-friendly and low-maintenance looks.
• Multi-use balm or lip tint. After all, you never know whether you might need such a balm to use on your lips, cheeks, or even dry skin patches during your trip.

How to Care for Your Extensions on Holiday

Follow these simple rules, and it won't just be your hair extensions on holiday that look great; they'll still be in excellent condition when your flight home touches down.

• Rinse the hair with fresh water before and after swimming to reduce salt and chlorine absorption
• Always remove clip-in or halo extensions before swimming, sleeping, and showering
• Avoid brushing your extensions when they're wet (unless you're using a wide-tooth comb with plenty of conditioner on curly sets)
• Store extensions in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight when you aren't wearing them
• Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase to minimise friction and frizz
• If you're wearing permanent extensions, cover the hair where possible in the pool or sea, and stay on top of maintenance appointments when you're home.

This advice on responsible hair care for holiday breaks comes from our hard-won and longstanding knowhow and expertise here at Cliphair.

Check out our previous blog post for more summer hair care tips for extensions. Or if you're already back home, read about how to restore your extensions after a holiday.

Easy Summer Hairstyles You Can Do in Minutes

Keep it simple on your short break with these quick, minimal-effort looks that work beautifully with extensions.

• Beach waves: air dry with a sea salt spray or use a wand for bigger curls. Our blog post on beach waves has all the details.
• A sleek low ponytail: use a wraparound ponytail extension for instant length and thickness.
• Half-up half-down: clip-ins are great for adding subtle volume and face-framing pieces.