Nicky Park: Having a care about holiday hair

Make the most of your holiday hair. Photo / Thinkstock

My holiday hair care is pretty low-maintenance.

It consists of a bottle of 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner (which will often explode in my backpack leaving a gooey white mess, or be lost in a public shower days after arrival).

I've got the hair-tie securing a scruffy top-knot and maybe a scarf or a couple of plaited bands that I'll try and pull off as hippie chic accessories. By the time I return to reality, it takes several washes and weeks to undo the matted mess full of holiday debris.

But this time is going to be different. This week I'm flying to the sunny shores of Colombia. I'm determined to try my darndest to carry off sexy holiday hair and avoid accidentally crafting dreadlocks. I want beachy, sunkissed waves. I want loose braids after-dark and cute, clean top-knots.

I went and spoke to hair stylist, Kaleb Pritchard, about reaching my (totally attainable) goals without lugging a tonne of products across the world or wasting precious holiday minutes on primping.

"If you have your hair done before you go you feel good," says Pritchard, from Blaze salon in Newmarket.

I have to agree. I hate that 'I need to get my hair done' feeling, and you certainly don't want that tainting your holiday.

If you're after a warm, sunny look, à la Miranda Kerr on a bikini shoot, balliage is a winner. Balliage also goes unnoticed as it grows out, so there are no harsh re-growth worries.

Pritchard recommends going for a colour a couple of shades darker than you're after as it will lighten up on your summery sojourn. And he warns against a full chemical-filled colour - this, combined with the elements of sun and surf, will do a lot of damage to your hair. Give your hair a good trim, and indulge in a treatment when you return - your locks will love you.

To keep the liquid luggage as low as possible, Pritchard reckons all you need is your regular shampoo and conditioner - just siphon as much as you need in to smaller vessels.

A thrifty 2-in-1 option might be okay for the guys, but be warned, it tends to make a lady's hair gritty. (I've lived and learnt this one).

On vay-cay there are a few benefits to leaving it a little longer between washes. You'll get more life out of your colour and there's nothing like bit of natural sea salt for styling. Spritz on a dry shampoo if you're feeling a bit grimy.

Pritchard says it's time to make the most of the messy, laid-back looks that are on trend at the moment. A scrunch straight out of the sea will enhance your balliage, so embrace your inner-beach babe.

Sky-high top knots are super easy to do - just brush your hair into a ponytail on the top of your head. Fan it around and pin it down. Or give your pony a bit of sting with a cool quiff - just keep a triangle piece of hair at the front of your head out of your hair-tie and push it around to get height (twist it for a bit more control).

Or, get experimental with braids - just plait and pull any portion of hair you want (or can). Fly-aways keep the look casual and carefree.

Just like I'll be in Colombia!

I'll be back with more learnings about health, wellness and living a wonderful life at the end of July.

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