This July, we’re stepping into travel mode - into longer days, sun-drenched afternoons, and the slow rituals that keep us grounded no matter how far we roam. But as we move through heat, flights, and new time zones, we’re also taking note of what that movement does to us. Travel doesn’t just shift our scenery -it shifts our rhythms, our energy, and our bodies.
At Paradisefold, we’re making this summer about protection - of hair, energy, and self. Of keeping our strands strong and our rituals close. Here’s how travel affects us, and what we can do to care for ourselves, beautifully and mindfully, wherever we go.
Travel and the body: stress in motion
Even the most luxurious trip demands more from your body than you might expect. The act of travelling - particularly flying - creates subtle but significant stress. Cabin pressure reduces oxygen levels, which can lead to bloating, sluggish circulation, and that heavy, dehydrated feeling we all know too well. Long hours sitting in transit, irregular meals, and lugging baggage can all throw your physical balance off.
What's going to help?
- Hydrate often, especially in-flight.
- Stretch or walk when you can to stimulate circulation.
- Prioritise fibre-rich, anti-inflammatory foods to keep digestion moving.
- Bookend your travel days with intentional movement - even a walk or gentle yoga flow can reset your system.
Sleep
One of the first things disrupted when we travel is sleep. Time zone changes, new sleeping environments, and a break from routine all affect our sleep. Bright rooms, background noise, or even excitement can make it harder to wind down. But lack of rest impacts everything - mood, immunity, energy, skin.
Here's what helps:
- Pack a sleep mask to block unfamiliar light.
- Stick to your bedtime rituals: same skincare, same winding down cues.
- If jet lag hits hard, nap lightly and expose yourself to sunlight during waking hours to help reset your rhythm.
Andrea says “Wherever I go, I’m always taking my sleep mask with me,” pulling out her summer essential. Good sleep is foundational to healthy skin, restored energy, and emotional regulation, and the smallest tools can make the biggest difference. Here from her on what goes in her travel bag:
Skin - barrier under pressure
Airplane cabins have humidity levels lower than the Sahara, which is why your skin feels dry and tight post-flight. But travel doesn’t just dehydrate - it exposes your skin to different water qualities, new climates, stronger UV, and occasional neglect (we all forget to cleanse properly after a long day out).
Here's what helps:
- Double cleanse and moisturise generously before and after flights.
- Reapply SPF religiously - especially in sunnier or tropical destinations.
- Look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and aloe.
- Avoid trying new products on holiday. This isn’t the time for experiments - stick with what your skin knows and loves.
Hair:
Travel can be brutal on hair - especially textured or colour-treated hair. Chlorine, hard water, dry air, and UV rays can all lead to dryness, frizz, breakage, and colour fade. Added to it are the hotel hair dryers with no diffusers, and you’ve got a recipe for unruly, stressed strands.
This is what helps:
- Cover hair when in direct sun (wraps, scarves, hats)
- Use a leave-in conditioner or UV-protective hair mist
- Rinse hair with clean water before and after swimming
- Bring your own tools (like a travel diffuser or silk wrap for sleeping)
Hair needs just as much care as your skin - it’s the crown you wear everywhere
Rituals that ground us
Beyond the practicalities, travel reminds us how much our small rituals matter. When our surroundings shift, it’s these tiny gestures that keep us connected to ourselves - a familiar scent, the feel of silk against skin, or the moment you tie your wrap before bed.
This July, we’re packing our folds. We’re slipping them into beach totes, wrapping them on flights, folding them into our morning and evening rituals. Because they do more than protect our hair - they bring softness, intention, and a sense of us to wherever we land.
Lolly shares her go-to travel essentials - from skincare saviours to clever packing hacks. Watch as she walks us through her favourites, including our Paradisefold Turban.
Also hear from Caridad on what her travel bag essentials for the summer are!
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