Curlfriend, the holidays are creeping up on us!
Somebody's already planning Thanksgiving dinner. The family group chat is getting loud. You're thinking about what you're wearing, who's cooking what, and whether you're staying overnight or coming right back home.
And somewhere in the middle of all that, you're standing in front of your hair products wondering which ones need to come along.
Girl, the whole bathroom does not have to go with you. 😂
I've been talking to Curlfriends about their hair for years, and one thing I've learned is that a good routine doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes we get so caught up in having every product available that we forget what our hair actually needs.
Whether you're visiting family, heading out of town for a few days, or getting your curls ready for a holiday party, I want you to enjoy yourself without worrying about your hair the entire time.
So come on, Curlfriend. Let's get that hair bag together.
1. First Things First: Hair Milk or Leave-In Conditioner?
Before you start packing products, let's talk about moisture.
Because here's a question I've heard for years:
Is Hair Milk the same as Leave-In Conditioner?
Not quite!
I created these products because everybody's hair doesn't need the exact same kind of moisture.
Our Honey, Fruit & Flowers Hair Milk is the lighter choice. If your curls need a quick refresh between wash days, or your hair gets weighed down easily, Hair Milk might be just what you need.
Our Rice Flower & Shea Leave-In Conditioner is richer. It's a great choice when your curls need more moisture, softness, or slip, especially after wash day.
And here's something I want you to remember: You don't automatically need both.
If your hair is happy with Leave-In alone, that's perfectly fine. If Hair Milk gives you everything you need for a quick refresh, use that.
You don't have to turn a simple routine into a whole production just because you own more products.
I wrote an entire article about this because it's such a common question. If you're still deciding, read Hair Milk vs. Leave-In Conditioner: Which One Does Your Natural Hair Need?.
What goes in your holiday hair bag? The moisturizer your hair actually needs.
That's it, girl.
2. Choose Your Holiday Hairstyle Before You Pack Your Styling Products
Now, what are we doing with this hair?
Are you wearing a twist-out to Thanksgiving dinner? A braid-out for a holiday party? A wash-and-go because you know you'll be running around all weekend?
Figure that out first, because your style determines what you need to bring.
If you're going for soft, touchable definition, our Whipped Curl Crème may be your styling girl.
If you're looking for curl definition, shine, and longer-lasting hold, our Botanical Flaxseed Gel is another option.
But remember our little styling rule:
Choose Curl Crème OR Flaxseed Gel. Don't layer them together.
If you're using Flaxseed Gel, apply it to soaking-wet hair. You can use Leave-In underneath, but make sure you've worked that Leave-In completely through your hair before applying the Gel.
And Curlfriend, don't panic when that cast forms!
Once your hair is completely dry, gently scrunch out the cast with a little oil to reveal softer, defined curls.
You don't need to pack two different styling products if you're only planning to use one.
Your suitcase will thank you.
3. Don't Get So Caught Up in the Style That You Forget Your Ends
Listen, Curlfriend.
We can spend all this time making sure our curls are defined, our twist-outs are fluffy, and our parts are looking good.
But what about those ends?
Your ends are the oldest part of your hair. They've been through wash days, detangling sessions, protective styles, heat, friction, and everything else.
And if you're working toward longer hair, taking care of those ends matters.
I know this firsthand because I've grown my natural hair from a big chop to waist length twice.
It wasn't one magical product that did it.
It was consistency. Gentle detangling. Moisture. Protecting my ends. Paying attention to what my hair needed.
A little Hair Growth Oil can be part of your scalp-care routine, and a small amount on your ends can help keep them nourished. Just remember that oil isn't a substitute for the rest of your hair-care routine.
If you haven't read my story yet, come see how I grew my natural hair to waist length and what I'd do if I were starting over.
There's a lot more to length retention than buying something with the word growth on the label.
And yes, your ends still need attention during the holidays!
4. Are You Actually Washing Your Hair While You're Away?
Because this is where we sometimes pack way too much.
If you're spending two nights with family and you just washed and styled your hair before leaving, do you really need to bring your entire wash-day collection?
Probably not.
But if you know you're planning a wash day while you're away, I love the convenience of our Shampoo & Conditioner Bar Duo.
Two solid bars. No big bottles taking up half your bag.
And because they're concentrated solid products, they're easy to travel with when properly stored. Just let them dry between uses instead of leaving them sitting in water.
Now, don't forget that our textured-hair wash-day routine is a little different from what some people are used to.
For textured hair, we typically condition and gently detangle before shampooing, then condition again afterward. The Detoxifying Earth Mask is an optional first step when your hair needs that extra reset. And on a deep-treatment day, our Deep Conditioner can take the place of the final regular conditioning step.
For straight hair, shampooing first and conditioning afterward is usually the simpler path.
If you need help with the order, I've already laid it out in our Natural Hair Wash Day Routine.
The point is to plan ahead.
Pack for the wash day you're actually going to have, not every possible hair emergency you can imagine.
5. Wearing Braids, Twists, or Short Hair? Your Bag Might Be Even Simpler
Now, some of my Curlfriends aren't wearing their curls out at all.
Maybe you've got braids in for the holiday season. Maybe you're rocking twists. Maybe you've cut your hair short and you're loving a simple routine these days.
Guess what?
You don't need to pack like somebody who's planning a full wash-and-go.
With protective styles, think about the hair that's exposed, your scalp, your hairline, and the areas that actually need attention. You don't need to pile heavy products all over the braids just because the style is staying in for a while.
And if you're wearing short coils that stay moisturized with a small amount of Leave-In, you may already have your routine figured out.
I love a good product collection, but I love a routine that works even more.
More products do not automatically mean healthier hair.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is stop adding steps you don't need.
6. Remember, the LCO Method Is a Guide, Not a Rule
Let's talk about another question that comes up all the time.
What about the LCO method?
LCO stands for Liquid, Cream, Oil. It's a way to think about adding water-based moisture, using a cream when needed, and sealing with a little oil or butter.
But Curlfriend, you don't have to use three products every single day just to say you're following the method.
If your hair feels great with Leave-In alone, you can stop there.
If your ends need some extra attention, you might add a little oil or butter.
If your style needs definition, choose the appropriate styling product.
I break the method down in LCO Method: The Easiest Way to Moisturize Natural Hair.
The goal is to understand what each product does so you can build a routine that makes sense for YOUR hair.
Not to carry a whole shelf of products around because somebody on the internet said you needed them.
So What's Actually Going in That Holiday Hair Bag?
Here is how I'd keep things simple:
- One moisturizer: Hair Milk or Leave-In, depending on what your hair needs.
- One styler, if needed: Whipped Curl Crème or Botanical Flaxseed Gel.
- A little oil, if needed: For your scalp-care routine or ends.
- Something satin for nighttime: Help reduce friction while you're sleeping.
- Your wash-day bars: Only if you're planning to wash your hair during the trip.
And please don't read that as a requirement to pack all five.
You might need two things. You might need four. Your style, hair length, trip, and routine will help you decide.
That's the beauty of knowing your hair.
Curlfriend, Your Hair Has Plans, But So Do You!
The holidays are supposed to be enjoyed.
You should be able to sit around with family, take your pictures, eat your food, catch up with people you haven't seen in a while, and have a good time without feeling like your hair is another job waiting on you.
So do your wash day, choose your products, pack what you actually need, and go enjoy yourself.
And if you're still trying to figure out how to keep your curls moisturized between wash days, I've got something for you.
Get my FREE Moisture Retention Guide and learn how to build a simple moisture routine that works for your hair.
And since the holidays are getting closer, you can also join my Tree Naturals holiday email list to hear about our upcoming Black Friday news and holiday shopping updates.
Now, before you go, I've got a question for you.
What's the ONE hair product that absolutely has to come with you when you travel?
Because I already know some of y'all have a favorite that never gets left behind. 😂
Tell me in the comments!
Love,
Tree 🤎
