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Advice, Aftercare, Hair Extension Specialists
Going on holiday with hair extensions
We work with clients and stylists every day to help ensure your hair extensions stay beautiful, no matter the holiday destination.
Holiday Hair Care Guide
If you’re heading away with hair extensions, it’s natural to have a few questions about how to care for them whilst you’re away. We are here to help!
Quick Answer
From poolside protection to product must-haves, this guide covers everything you need to know before you jet off. Yes, can swim with hair extensions, but with a bit of care: some sunscreens may not be compatible with hair extensions, chlorine and saltwater can dry out both natural hair and extensions, so wear your hair in a loose braid or bun, apply a sun protectant, and keep the ends hydrated.
Sunshine and a sea breeze! There’s nothing quite like booking a holiday. We work with clients every day to help ensure your hair extensions stay beautiful, no matter where you’re headed.
From poolside protection to product must-haves, this guide covers everything you need to know before you jet off. Whether you’ve got Tapes, Micro Bonds, Micro Rings or Clip-In extensions, we’ve got the tips to keep your hair looking flawless all holiday long! We’ve got you covered with everything from swimming tips to styling on the go.
In This Guide
01 Top Tips · 02 Swimming · 03 Tying Up Or Braiding · 04 Clip-Ins On Holiday · 05 Beach Hairstyles · 06 Before You Go
What are your top tips for maintaining hair extensions while on holiday?
We asked our senior stylists to share their top tips for keeping your hair looking gorgeous while you’re away on holiday!
Our senior stylist Katie explains:
“The most important thing we tell our clients is, of course, their sunscreen. Some sunscreens may not be compatible with hair extensions and can cause them to turn pink. Which no one wants – all our information about sunscreen is in the maintenance leaflets that we give out. I’d recommend the Hawaiian Topic Mineral Sunscreen; it’s the one I use, and it’s perfect for protecting your hair.
I recommend using a hair mask before swimming in the sea, as it can dry out your extensions. Applying a mask to the mid and ends can help keep them soft, but definitely avoid the roots. You can also find fantastic travel-size masks or shampoos that are perfect for your carry-on. Redken does minis, which are ideal. I’m going on holiday soon, and I’ve got my Redken minis ready.”
I recommend using a hair mask before swimming in the sea, as it can dry out your extensions. Applying a mask to the mid and ends can help keep them soft, but definitely avoid the roots. You can also find fantastic travel-size masks or shampoos that are perfect for your carry-on. Redken does minis, which are ideal. I’m going on holiday soon, and I’ve got my Redken minis ready.”
— Katie, Senior Stylist
Can I swim in the pool or sea with hair extensions?
One question we frequently hear from clients is about swimming. Whether it’s a dip in the pool or a swim in the sea, everyone wants to know our top tips. Our senior stylist, Katie, gives her advice:
“Yes, can swim with hair extensions, but with a bit of care. Chlorine and saltwater can dry out both natural hair and extensions, so we suggest taking some extra steps to protect your hair. First, wear your hair in a loose braid or bun to prevent tangling while swimming.
Once you’re out of the water, use a brush to gently detangle from the ends upward. Don’t pull too hard; be super gentle with it. While you’re on holiday, you want to have fun, so just shampoo and condition like you would at home and maybe add a mask or two in your suitcase to help, and you’ll be good to go”
Once you’re out of the water, use a brush to gently detangle from the ends upward. Don’t pull too hard; be super gentle with it. While you’re on holiday, you want to have fun, so just shampoo and condition like you would at home and maybe add a mask or two in your suitcase to help, and you’ll be good to go”
— Katie, Senior Stylist
Do you suggest tying the hair up or braiding it while swimming or sunbathing?
Spending time in the pool or soaking up the sun is part of any holiday, but what’s the best way to protect your extensions while you’re away? We asked our senior stylist, Kiera, whether it’s better to tie your hair up or braid it while swimming or sunbathing.
“Yes, 100% if you’re swimming or sunbathing, I’d always recommend tying your hair up or putting it in a loose braid. Water from the ocean or pool can be harsh on your natural hair and extensions. Chlorine and salt can dry out the hair. So braiding it helps keep everything controlled. If you’re sunbathing, tying your hair up also helps reduce sun exposure, which can fade colour and dry out your ends. Definitely apply a sun protectant before heading out to give your hair an extra layer of protection”
— Kiera, Senior Stylist
Would you recommend clip-in extensions for going on holiday?
Clip-in hair extensions can be an excellent option for taking on holiday, as they provide instant volume and length without the commitment. They are super easy to pop in for an evening out or when you want that extra glam look, and just as easy to take out before going swimming or sunbathing. As long as you store them safely in a protective case and ensure they are taken out every evening, clip-ins can be the perfect fuss-free method for taking on holiday. Our senior stylist Katie agrees:
“There are many benefits to taking clip-ins on holiday. They’re easy to put in and remove, making them perfect for taking photos and enjoying nice dinners. They are also a no-commitment method, so you don’t have to worry about scheduling maintenance appointments. Overall, I’d say Clip-Ins are great for holiday glam!”
— Katie, Senior Stylist
What hairstyles would you recommend for a beach holiday?
Heading to the beach and want your hair to look effortless? We asked our senior stylist, Keria, to share her go-to hairstyles that are perfect for that sea breeze and all those holiday photos!
“For a beach holiday, you want to look good and it also be functional, so I’d say for a loose wave can we really beautiful, it looks effortless and soft, same with a half up half down, it keeps the hair off your face so you can soak up the sun but also still looks cute, if you’re going in the water or just want to keep your hair together a low braid or bun is also an amazing option. Just remember, extensions are an investment, so protecting them during your holiday will keep them looking flawless for longer. Don’t forget to brush gently and keep the ends hydrated”
— Keria, Senior Stylist
What should I do before going on holiday to ensure my extensions last well?
A little prep goes a long way. We asked Katie for her top tips on what to do before you go on holiday, so your extensions stay looking flawless throughout your trip.
“I always make a hair travel kit before I go away, it has hair extension-friendly suncream, a detangle spray, a hair mask for my ends after I’ve been in the pool, heat protection spray, a tangle teaser, and hair ties to keep my hair back when needed”
— Katie, Senior Stylist
Stylist Product Picks
Our stylists’ top travel product picks are here to keep your hair looking flawless on the go – from nourishing sprays to must-have styling essentials!
- Suncream – Hawaiian Tropic Mineral
The Hawaiian Tropic Mineral suncream provides SPF 50 protection and is fast-absorbing. It features a light and ultra-spreadable skin-nourishing formula that leaves your skin feeling exceptionally soft. It is also ‘coral reef friendly’ and doesn’t contain any bad staining chemicals.
We would also recommend the mineral versions of Blue Lizard, Green People, and Hello Sunday’s The Mineral One.
- Detangle Spray – Amika The Wizard Silicone Free Primer
Amika The Wizard Silicone-Free Primer is a lightweight spray that works for all hair types, leaving your hair feeling smooth, shiny, and manageable. The primer is formulated without silicones and delivers multiple benefits; it nourishes and smooths the hair while also offering protection
Sarah Mckenna
Sarah McKenna is the founder of Vixen & Blush and The London Hair Lab. Sarah graduated as a research biochemist in 2005 and started a career within the pharmaceutical industry, before becoming a hair extensions expert. In 2010, Sarah gained insight into the hair extensions industry and could see that clients had a very poor value/quality proposition. At that time, poor-quality hair extensions were available, at prohibitively high prices. Sarah left her initial career and set out on a mission to improve the hair extensions industry in the UK, using her research and development skills.
Spending 3 years securing a high-quality and sustainable supply of human hair, Sarah then developed new products and fitting techniques to allow long-term refits of the same hair. In this way, Sarah was able to offer hair extensions services at a more affordable price to clients, while improving the quality of the service for her clients.
With Vixen & Blush starting in 2012 as a 1 chair salon in London, Sarah quickly grew the business to what it is today, a team of more than 20 hair professionals working together as London’s leading hair extensions specialists.
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