The 2023 summer travel season is upon us, and vacation planning is underway. Once the destinations are selected, travel arrangements made, and lodging is secured, the next move for many Black women is selecting the perfect hairstyle for themselves and their little girls.
Summer is the perfect time to try new styles that fit our taste, personality, and trip itineraries. There are several things to consider when choosing the right hairstyle. This is especially true for our little girls.
Picking the Right Look
According to Juanda Roberts, co-owner of Princess Hair Pizzazz, “braids are hands down the ‘go-to’ styling method for vacations.” Juanda and Leighton Roberts opened the luxury children’s salon Princess Hair Pizzazz four years ago in Atlanta. They recently celebrated the grand opening of their 5th salon located in Stonecrest, Georgia.
“Our all-time vacay favorites are tribal braids, feeding ponytails, and you can never go wrong with individuals,” said Roberts.
When selecting the perfect vacation style, you want to think about the types of activities you will be doing. For instance, if your little one will be swimming you would choose individual braids over two big French braids.
“The rule of thumb is the smaller the braid the longer it will last,” said Roberts.
The weather at your destination is another factor to think about. If it is extremely hot you may consider a style that is off their necks or you can put up off their necks. If humid, you may want to opt for braids over twists.
Finally, the duration of your trip plays a role in selecting your vacay style. Roberts suggests, “if a short getaway is planned with no water activities you may do French braids or large straight backs. However, for longer vacations we suggest braids that are medium size or smaller.”
Maintaining the Look
While on vacation, hair maintenance is also another factor to consider. “Always use a well fitted swim cap during water activities,” stated Roberts. “If chlorine still ends up getting on their hair, use a clarifying shampoo to remove but be sure to add moisture back using oil for their scalp and leave-in conditioner or a spray moisturizer.”
According to Roberts, these are your go-to’s to keep their hairstyle looking fresh:
- Foam for extreme frizzes
- Edge brush and gel to tame edges
- Lots of cute bows because they make everything better!
Finally, be sure to place a satin scarf on your little one’s head at bedtime to preserve their hairstyle and for a quick reset to control daytime hair frizzes.
No matter your hair type or style, there is a summer vacation hairstyle perfect for your daughter. Have fun with her hair this season!