How to Refresh Hair After a Long Flight Without a Shower
We have all been there, you have been on a long-haul flight and you are stiff, dehydrated and frankly a little dirty. You can find it very easy to splash some water on your face or brush your teeth in the restroom of the airport, but your hair is a different matter. It takes only 12 hours of recirculated cabin air and friction against a headrest to leave your locks flatter, oilier, or frizzier than they were when you got on board. However, don’t panic—you don’t need a shower to look presentable for your pickup or appointment.
You can bring your style back to life within a couple of minutes with the appropriate strategy and some ingenious tricks. This is how you can recover from airplane hair and look fresh without washing your hair completely.
Pre-Flight Hair Prep for Long Hauls
Surprisingly, ensuring you have good post-flight hair begins with your pre-plane hair. You are setting yourself up for a sticky situation later should you board with hair that is already spoiled by the heavy styling gels or hairspray. Rather, strive to board with dry hair that is clean.
A loose, protective style is one of the best methods to make your hair so that it will be able to retain its volume and cleanliness. A loose top braid or a low braid is also very good in reducing the friction that makes up the frizzy and knotty hair when you are sleeping. Just in case, put on a silk or satin scrunchie so that you do not get those creases and dents that cannot be removed without heat anyway. Holding your hair will also prevent you from touching your hair absentmindedly, putting your hand oils on your hair.
Fix Greasy Roots: The Dry Shampoo Technique
Greasy roots are the most frequent complaint when one is coming back after a long flight. To counteract the dry factors in the cabin, your scalp is producing sebum, and you end up with a flat, oily top. The savior in this situation is dry shampoo though this only works when used properly.
Spraying the top in passing is not an option. Part your hair and apply the dry shampoo to the roots, and hold the can approximately six inches off your head. Importantly, leave it a minute or two to absorb the oil in it before you touch it. After it has taken some time to work, proceed with the fingertips to massage it forcefully like any other shampoo would do in the shower. This gives an immediate lift and eliminates the helmet-head effect.
Rehydrate Dry Ends and Stop Static
But when you are greasy, the rest of your hair must be dry. Airplane cabin humidity is truly appalling and actually drains the moisture out of your hair, resulting in the creation of static and dullness. You must re-hydrate without weighing your hair down.
This is best suited with a lightweight hair oil or serum. Rub a small drop between the palms and rub the mid-lengths and ends to tame the frizz and to add the shine. Smell is also a massive determinant in being refreshed, the air that is upon the plane has a very unique stale smell that has a tendency to stick to hair.
A lot of difference can be in the way you feel even after using pleasantly scented products. To give an example, professional grade products such as Milkshake hair products are widely touted as having delicious natural smells (such as vanilla or fruit) that can instantly cover that travel smell and help to nourish the dry ends.
Restoring Volume and Using Travel Tools
In some cases, the shape is not restored by just the products. When you have flattened your hair in a seat, hours on, you may have to apply a little mechanical assistance to bring it to life.
Turning your head upside down for a moment and shaking it a bit is an easy method of adding air and volume to the roots. A boar bristle brush also is a great travel brush since it also spreads your natural scalp oils down your hair shaft and thus your roots appear less greasy and your ends appear to be more hydrated.
Assuming you can touch up using heat in the airport lounge or bathroom, it can perform miracles. You do not have to recreate your entire head; even simply fixing the pieces of the face-framing hair or a cowlick will make the eye believe that your entire style has changed.
A lot of the regular flyers carry mini versions of their preferred hairstylist tools like mini flat iron or travel size blow dryer brushes, which can be easily carried in a carry-on and give the same result to the salon-level smoothing in a few minutes.
Easy Hairstyles to Hide Dirty Hair
When you have used the dry shampoo and the serum, and your hair is not cooperating yet, then it is time to change the battle strategy. One of the oldest tricks in the book is to switch sides on your part, literally, as the dirty roots that have accumulated at your natural part are completely disguised and you get an immediate volume.
Your other ally in this is also the accessories. The worst of the root situation can be concealed by a structured headband or a fashionable hat and cause you to appear deliberately fashioned. When everything goes wrong, go with the texture.
The dirt of a long flight can actually serve to hold the styles that cannot be held on hair such as a messy bun or a textured braid. Tie it into a smooth low pony, use a small amount of hand cream or lip balm in case you have none of the hair product and you will appear presentable and business-like.
Final Thoughts on Post-Flight Hair Care
After a 12 hour flight you do not need a hotel room to shower, and freshen up your hair. With some protective style, strategic dry shampoo attacks, and the ability to make your dry ends hydrated, you can step off the plane to look like you put your best foot forward.
Even on the day when you need a good-smelling product to feel good or a touch-up tool to smooth wrinkles in the mirror, these little things mean a lot. These tips will help you get to where you are going knowing that you are confident, fresh, and ready to go.
