December in Paris: Why your hair frizzes & tools, products to help
If there’s one thing that can make or break your travel photos, it’s your hair.
I’m hosting a Deep Writing and Reflection Retreat in Paris this Dec 4, 5, 6th.
The weather in the City of Lights in December is equal parts rain and wind. It may call for a hair plan to keeping follicles frizz-free and camera-ready.
Prep Before You Go: Hydration Is Key
Frizz often starts with dryness, so hydration is your first line of defense. To lock in moisture, opt for a deeply hydrating shampoo and conditioner set a week or two before your trip. Look for products with ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, and glycerin, which help to seal in moisture.
Packing Tip: Bring travel-sized bottles of your favorite hydrating shampoo and conditioner. If you're limited on space, consider packing a solid shampoo bar—it's compact, spill-proof, and perfect for air travel.
Cadence Capsules. I have been through the gamut of travel bottles, and I always had to put them in plastic bottles, in case they exploded. I said good bye to those plastic sandwich bags the day I got these little magnetic containers from Cadence. I also love that I could ditch my permanent marker to label the bottles, because each of the Cadence capsules features a label “shampoo, conditioner, face cream, etc”
Pack the Right Tools and Products
The tools and products you pack can make a big difference in maintaining frizz-free hair. Here are the essentials:
Anti-Frizz Serum: Invest in a lightweight anti-frizz serum or cream to use on damp hair. A few drops of this will smooth down flyaways without weighing down your style.
Microfiber Towel: Regular towels can cause friction, leading to breakage and frizz. Use a microfiber towel or a soft cotton t-shirt to dry your hair gently.
Travel-Sized Hair Dryer with a Diffuser: While most hotels offer hair dryers, they often lack a diffuser, which can lead to frizz. A compact, dual-voltage dryer with a diffuser attachment is a great investment for any globetrotter.
Mini Flat Iron: For quick touch-ups, a mini flat iron can be a game-changer. Go for ceramic or tourmaline plates, which produce negative ions to counteract frizz.
Epicka Travel Adapter and Anker Extension Cord. I use this combo everywhere. This way I only need ONE converter. I plug the extension cord into it. I can plug in both hair dryer and flatiron. And heaven forbid the mirror is placed far from the outlet, you have enough ‘give’ with this cord.
Hair Dryers
Hair dryers are a ‘must’ when I travel, but I have to admit, I don’t love how bulky and unwieldy they are to pack. Not to mention, how many circuits I have blown in Spanish and French Airbnb’s with my American tools.
So here are some dual-voltage hair dryers that are ideal for international travel, so you don't have to worry about blowing a fuse when you're on vacation.
Dry Bar Baby Buttercup travel blow dryer
This lightweight fold-up dryer from Drybar weighs less than a pound and isn’t much bulkier than a pair of tennis shoes. Plus, it offers dual voltage, making it safe to use abroad, too.
Weight: 13 ounces
Price: $239 at Ulta Beauty
Conair travel hair dryer
Conair has racked up over 28,000 ratings on Amazon with an average of 4.6 stars. I love it for its compact size, folding handle, and and it comes in dual voltage
Weight: 1 pound
Price: $16 on Amazon
T3 Afar lightweight hair dryer
It offers three heat settings, two speeds, and a cool shot to lock in shape and volume. It features auto dual voltage and a stowaway folding handle that helps it fit nicely in any suitcase.
Weight: 12.2 ounces
Price: $153 on Amazon
Turbo Power Twinturbo 2800 Coldmatic Hair Dryer
This is the hairdryer my own stylist uses and I’m bringing it with me. However, know that the voltage is MUCH higher in Europe, so I set my American blow dryer, on the lowest drying setting. This hairdryer has 4 temperatures, 2 speeds and features a cold air shot to seal in the style.
Other tools
AIMIKE Large Nano Thermal Ceramic Round Brush with 2.1 inch Barrel
Butterfly clips to dry hair in sections
Flatiron
Now, let’s talk product IN the shower.
Kiehl’s Amino Acid Shampoo. I’ve been through the gamut of shampoos, especially since I color my hair. This shampoo is the kindest to my follicles.
Olaplex Nº.8 BOND INTENSE MOISTURE MASK. However, I do have to be mindful of the ‘hardness’ of the water in different countries. To offset, I carry this mask AND this mask to help my hair.
L'Oreal Paris Hair Care Elvive Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm
Product AFTER the shower
Olaplex Nº.9 BOND PROTECTOR NOURISHING HAIR SERUM. This goes on, right before I blow dry my hair to protect it.
Garnier Fructis Hair Filler Strength Repair Serum. I learned about this from Amal Clooney’s hair stylist at the Venice Film Festival. I put this on AFTER I blow dry.
I love the 1.7 oz travel size of these 3 products for a great blow out.
What to decant product into