When it comes to creating a travel beauty kit, I try to pack as lightly as possible. Partly to make going through security less of a pain, and partly because diligently applying a full face in the morning feels utterly pointless when your only goal for the day is to lie on the beach or potter about leisurely. As a result, my holiday makeup routine is blissfully pared back: a swipe of mascara here, a sweep of bronzer there, a slug of SPF, and I’m good to go.
Sadly, the same can’t be said for my hair care regime. I am the often-frustrated owner of fine, relatively dry tresses that are prone to frizzing dramatically at the merest suggestion of, and not limited to, the following: wind, moisture, humidity, sun, and simply stepping outside for longer than five seconds. I’ve had to accept that if I want to look half decent in my holiday photos, my usual products need to make their presence known in my carry-on – along with a decent dryer.
Fortunately, I’ve found an all-in-one product that both satisfies my sensibilities for reducing faff while travelling and keeps my locks in check: the Shark SmoothStyle Hot Brush, £99.99. This clever tool dries, brushes and straightens, and the curved barrel adds volume and bounce.
The good? I can leave my straighteners at home and avoid using the dreaded hotel hair dryer; so often teeny tiny and sans concentrator nozzle – aka, not great for frizzy hair types, or those with long or thick locks that take a while to dry. It’s really easy to use; you need no special skillset, only the ability to run a brush through your hair, and perhaps a few clips to section your hair should you wish.
The bad? If you’re looking for a compact device to pop in your underseat bag for your next flight, look elsewhere. Although the SmoothStyle Hot Brush does combine multiple products, it’s still a little bulky for a small weekender. It’s best to stash this one in your suitcase. The cord is also relatively short, which is tedious when checking in to one of those hotels that insist on placing the plug socket at the opposite end of the room to the mirror.
Saying that, it’s quickly become the tool I cannot live without. Once I’ve dried my hair with the hairdryer setting, I switch it to the straightener setting to create a smooth and sleek finish. It’s halved the time it takes me to style my hair in the mornings and it’s super easy to use, even for a hair tool novice like me. It heats up quickly and, at just under £100, it’s good value for a product that both dries and straightens.
All in all, I’d say it’s a winner for travel. My hair stays looking good to go and, realistically, this one chunky product still takes up less room in my case than my former dryer-straightener combo. Anyone who’s looking to replicate a salon-style blow dry abroad – calling destination wedding guests especially – should take note.
Pros: Works for all hair types – coily, curly, wavy and straight, features two modes for wet and dry hair, so you can refresh your style between wash days, easy to use, banishes need for separate hair tools
Cons: A little bulky if you’re planning on packing it in an under-seat cabin bag, relatively short cable
You can pick up the Shark SmoothStyle Hot Brush from Cult Beauty here.
