While you’re away sightseeing, meeting new friends, and having the experience of a lifetime the last thing you want to be worried about is your hair. Packing those bulky products into your suitcase or finding products that cater to your hair type while in another country. Yet, maintaining natural hair while away from home can be tricky. You can’t bring that many products in your suitcase because it will weigh too much. And a lot of natural hair products cant be found in countries where black women may be the minority. So here are some healthy chemical-free hair products that you can make in your own room with groceries from a nearby market.

Flaxseed Gel
Flaxseed gel will give you great hold, perfect for wash and go’s, or laying down your edges. A must-have for a trip overseas.

Things You’ll Need

Flax seeds
Water
Nylon stockings or tights

Directions

Fill the pot with 500-600 ml water
Add ¼ cup whole flax seeds once water is boiling
Stir every now and then for about 10 or 15 mins or until you get mucus consistency
Allow it to sit and cool for 30 mins to 1 hr
Use tights or nylons to strain and squeeze the gel out
Make sure you place the gel in a sealable container so that it will stay fresh and last as long as you need it!

Hair masque
This masque will leave your hair moisturized and ready to withstand any weather.

Ingredients

1 Banana
½ avocado
Oil of preference (coconut oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba)

Directions

Mix the banana, avocado, and oil together
You can use a blender or hand mix it yourself! Apply to your hair for 30 minutes and throw a shower cap on top.

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
This rinse is meant to rebalance the ph in your scalp, deep cleanses your scalp, and smooths hair cuticles making it more manageable. Use this rinse between shampoos to stretch your product (shampoo)

Things You’ll Need

Apple Cider Vinegar

Directions

Add a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to water
Pour over your hair and massage into scalp
Let it sit for 2-3 mins
Rinse thoroughly, continue with conditioner

These alternatives to products are all-natural, and don’t have any of the toxins or harmful ingredients that some hair products have which is an added bonus! These product alternatives should help so that you can focus on what these beautiful countries have to offer! Make the most of your time and remember if you try any of these recipes and you enjoy them, tag us in a picture on Instagram! We’d love to repost it!

Article written by Jelani Bonds.

Globally Abroad

Globally Abroad

GBA transforms the lives of minority youth into global citizens, by way of international travel. 

By offering global opportunities ranging from language courses, community service projects, to internships, we encourage and provide international travel programs for minority youth for a chance to encounter diverse communities. Globally Abroad aims to help our participants build their own understanding of world events and culture as they encourage their own communities to do the same. We full-heartedly stand by our mission, which is why we intend to inspire action, break barriers of discrimination, and operate in excellence.