How to Streamline Your Hair Routine This Summer

We adore the summer months - the golden light, sun-soaked skin, balmy evenings, and spontaneous getaways. But while summer brings so much joy, it also introduces a few challenges, particularly when it comes to your hair. The heat, humidity, salty water, chlorine, and change in routine can all compromise the health and appearance of your strands. And if you're squeezing your entire haircare line-up into a carry-on? Even more so.

The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice healthy, glossy hair for the sake of travelling light. With the right planning, multipurpose products, and some expert advice from hairstylist and SILKE London co-founder Maria Sotiriou, who brings over 35 years of industry experience - you can maintain your hair health wherever your summer takes you.

Here’s how to edit down your haircare for travel without compromising on results, style, or self-care.

1. Summer Stressors: How Travel & Climate Affect Your Hair

Before we get into what to pack and how to style, let’s take a look at why summer (and travel) often wreak havoc on your hair.

Maria explains: “There are many factors that occur through the summer that simply aren’t an issue in the winter. Environmental stressors like salty sea water, chlorinated pools, hot sun and strong UV exposure all work against the health of your hair, leading to dryness, dullness and breakage if not properly protected.”

Travelling introduces additional challenges. Unfamiliar water (especially hard water) can leave hair feeling stiff and difficult to manage. Hotel towels and pillows, usually made from abrasive cotton or synthetic fibres, cause friction, draw out moisture, and increase the risk of frizz and breakage overnight.

Maria continues: “These don’t need to be daily worries, not if you use the right products and apply them with intention. Travel is the perfect time to embrace your hair’s natural texture, nourish it deeply, and simplify your routine.”

“I treat every day on holiday as a spa day for my hair. The sun and warm breeze can work with you, not against you, if you allow your hair to rest and take advantage of the slower pace.”

In short: your time away is an opportunity to reset your hair, rather than ruin it.

2. Packing Smart: The Essentials-Only Summer Haircare Kit

Let’s talk packing. For us, it’s not just about travelling light - it’s about travelling smart. Think: high-performance products, clever edits, and tools that work hard behind the scenes so you don’t have to.

Here are the must-haves that make it into Maria’s travel bag, and how to get the most out of each.

The SILKE London Hair Wrap

A holiday hero and multitasking powerhouse, the Hair Wrap protects your hair and style, all while helping to reduce frizz, lock in hydration, and eliminate the need for daily heat styling. Bonus: it’s not a liquid, so it fits neatly into hand luggage and won’t eat into your 100ml limit.

Use it to:

• Shield your hair from dry cabin air during flights
• Protect blow-dries or styles from hotel pillow friction overnight
• Prevent split ends and help distribute natural oils from root to tip
• Enhance absorption of oils and treatments when worn overnight

“The SILKE Hair Wrap replaces almost all hair products you’d normally take away,” Maria explains.
“Many of the products we use daily to fight frizz or maintain styles simply aren’t needed on holiday. The Hair Wrap minimises your need to shampoo daily, a huge time saver and a win for your hair health.”

A Treatment Mask

Whether you’ve been swimming in chlorine, baking in the sun or battling humidity, a treatment mask will restore balance. Choose one rich in protein and moisture to nourish, repair, and detangle.

Use it to:

• Treat hair post-swim or sun exposure
• Deep condition overnight under your Hair Wrap
• Protect hair from UV exposure (check packaging for UV-friendly formulas)

Top tip: Choose a treatment that can be left in for extended periods, or even all day, to really make the most of your downtime.

A Hair Oil

Hair oils are the definition of multi-tasking. Not only do they smooth flyaways and finish styles, but they double up as overnight hydration treatments, and if you have extensions, they’re non-negotiable.

Use it to:

• Smooth and hydrate ends post-wash
• Prevent dry-out during hot or windy days
• Deep condition dry lengths overnight

Be liberal with your application, especially in dry or coastal climates. A few generous pumps morning and night can make a world of difference.

The SILKE London Heatless Curler Kit

This one’s for the beauty lovers who still want just a little glam on holiday, without the heat. Our Heatless Curler Kit comes in a handy pouch and includes everything you need to create soft, smooth curls while you sleep, sunbathe, or explore.

Use it to:

• Style your hair on the plane, no tools or outlets needed
• Create soft, voluminous waves overnight
• Maintain your blow-dry without re-styling

For curly or textured hair types, this is a great alternative to heat styling. Pair with curl cream or a spritz of sea salt spray and you’ve got effortless waves without effort.

3. Destination-Specific Hair Tips: Tailor Your Routine

Different destinations demand different care. Here’s how to adapt your routine depending on where your passport is taking you this summer:

Beach Holidays

Salt, sand and sun are the ultimate summer trio — but they’re also the most drying combination for your hair.

Your packing list should prioritise:

• Deep hydration - think oils, masks and leave-ins
• Physical protection - wear your Hair Wrap or a wide-brim hat
• Gentle cleansing - rinse hair with fresh water after swimming
• Limited styling - embrace texture, nourish generously

City Breaks

Fast-paced, style-led, and with no time for elaborate routines, city trips call for low-maintenance hair that still looks polished.

Try:

• Using your Heatless Curler overnight to style while you sleep
• Wearing your Hair Wrap while sightseeing to keep your blow-dry intact
• Applying dry shampoo before bed so it absorbs oils as you sleep

Dry shampoo can be helpful, but don’t overdo it. Overuse can block follicles and even hinder hair growth if not properly washed out.

Countryside Escapes

Rolling hills, open air, and a slightly slower pace,  but don’t underestimate the drying effect of cool winds or exposure.

To protect your hair:

• Opt for richer conditioners and masks
• Keep hair braided or tucked into protective styles secured with SILKE Hair Ties
• Layer your Hair Wrap under hats or hoods for extra insulation and moisture retention

Maria’s favourite trick?

“I often wear my Hair Wrap under a lightweight waterproof hat. It keeps hair protected during hikes or walks - plus it looks chic and keeps flyaways at bay.”

Final Thoughts: Less Packing, More Pampering

Summer holidays should be carefree, and that includes your hair. Rather than overpacking or stressing about your routine, think of travel as an opportunity to reconnect with your natural texture and reset your styling habits.

By paring back your products and relying on smart, silk-powered tools like the Hair Wrap and Heatless Curler Kit, you’ll enjoy hydrated, frizz-free, effortless hair without any fuss.

“Packing light doesn’t mean lowering your standards,” Maria says.
“In fact, it’s the perfect time to figure out what really works. Travelling helps you strip back your routine to the essentials, and you’ll often find your hair thanks you for it.”

So this summer, edit your bag like a pro. Give your hair the freedom to shine in the sun, with fewer products, less time, and more confidence.

Ready for radiant, holiday-ready hair?
Grab your essentials, pack your SILKE favourites, and let’s take off.

Love,
SILKE xo