Hairdryer...? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

missmae2185 · 07-01-2005, 04:49 AM

<span style='font-family:Geneva'>I'm going to be traveling Europe (France, Italy and Greece) for 6 weeks mid-July through August, and I understand packing lightly, but do any of the girls out there take a small hairdryer and maybe mousse/hairspray or something? I'm not going to Europe to impress anyone, but I have the most ridiculous hair and am hoping it wouldn't be too much of a hassle to pack a small amount of hair styling "things". I'm hoping some ladies will reply and let me know if they've included hair dryers in their packs before. Thanks so much!!!

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**simply_angelic** · 07-01-2005, 08:16 AM

no way, taking a hairdryer is perfectly normal!!!! I'm totally taking one b/c otherwise my hair takes on any shape that it hits meaning it conforms to my head, ears, shoulders....goddamn fine hair.....

**GoKrazy** · 07-01-2005, 08:32 AM

I'm sure others will tell you to bring it, but I'm all for the "pack light" philosophy. My hair does wierd things when wet, but I'm opting not to take a hair dryer. Instead I just got a new (slightly shorter) hair cut and I'm experimenting with letting it air dry. So far I found that getting most of the water out with a towel followed by some mousse or styling paste, styling it the way i want and not touching it AT ALL untill it is fully dry works wonders for me. Hope that helps!

**tumblezweedz** · 07-01-2005, 09:18 AM

Like GoKrazy, I try to get an easy care haircut before I go, because not only do I not want to carry a hair dryer (if you do, make sure you have the power adapters and European plugs), I also don't like to waste exploring time doing my hair!

**space virgin** · 07-01-2005, 09:23 AM

Depending on which country you're from-- like the US, for example-- you probably can't use your hair dryer anyway. Voltage differences.

There's an easy solution though: Just buy one there.

**LaurieL622** · 07-01-2005, 09:50 AM

it's not a big deal at all to bring one. honestly though..if you're having a good time..i don't think you'll care what you look like after day 3.

it's a given that most packers look worse then how they'd look wearing black tie...in their hometown. I usually bring a small amount of styling cream (like a light gel wax conditioner) and it takes care of cowlicks, flyaways, and frizzies. I'm all about the hair....but i couldn't care less when i'm traveling. you'll probably have your hair up half the time anyway. i think when you're having a great time you won't want to be weighed down by anything...even if it is only a few ounces.

**omisan** · 07-01-2005, 12:39 PM

Yeah, I'm on board with the "buy one there" thing. I went with some friends, one of whom was a girl with a lot of hair (I myself had long hair at the time) so we split for a $10 hair dryer upon arrival. Actually, it's a lot smaller than any decent hairdryer here, so I just packed it up and kept it and still use it for traveling when I have hair.

The amazing thing is that they also have *gasp* drug stores there where you can buy other hair care products!!! You can buy the smallest size really cheap (i.e. the Worthington Take-Aways they have all over Europe) and just dump 'em if they're too much to pack. Someone at the hostel always appreciates it when you leave 'em stuff to make their hair smell nice.

missmae2185 · 07-01-2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by simply_angelic@Jul 1 2005, 07:15 AM
no way, taking a hairdryer is perfectly normal!!!! I'm totally taking one b/c otherwise my hair takes on any shape that it hits meaning it conforms to my head, ears, shoulders....goddamn fine hair.....

Ahh! You know the pain of fine hair! Stupid fine, thin hair!

Thats exactly why I want to bring a hairdryer, I'm sure the majority of the time I really won't care and will put it up in a ponytail, but I know there will be sometimes when I'll want to look nice-- like maybe when I go to clubs or something... and if I don't have a hairdryer... my hair is pathetic.

Also, I have those Wrap Snap and Go hair twisties that you wear overnight (http://www.walgreens.com/store/produ...ctedBrand=3501 ). They don't take long at all to put on (well if you have lame fine hair like me

) and in the morning with a tiny bit of work you have curly/wavy full hair! I'm planning on bringing those so I can basically just do my hair at night and not worry about it at all the next day. I hope this helps any of the girl travelers out there with my same problem.

Thanks for your advice, everyone! And yeah I know that my US hairdryer won't work in Europe, but I'm going to be working in London for about 6 months before I go traveling for 6 weeks and I'll probably buy a hairdryer while in London...sooo... will that work all throughout Europe? I don't have to buy a hairdryer (or adapter) for each country do I??

**space virgin** · 07-01-2005, 02:47 PM

^Yep, the hairdryer will work. You'll just need to get a plug adapter because the outlets are different, but those are cheap-- you can pick one up for just a couple quid.

Qwardian · 07-05-2005, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by space virgin@Jul 1 2005, 01:46 PM
^Yep, the hairdryer will work.* You'll just need to get a plug adapter because the outlets are different, but those are cheap-- you can pick one up for just a couple quid.*

The plugs are not too bad in price.

The MAIN thing to think about is the voltage. Europe uses 220-240 compared to North America uses 110 - 120. Finding a cheap hairdryer may save you time and problems. The Voltage adapter costs about $40 Canadian and weighs about a pund to two pounds.

I sell the stuff, thats why I know.

**space virgin** · 07-05-2005, 09:11 AM

^ She already knows about that-- she's going to buy a hairdryer over there.

Qwardian · 07-05-2005, 06:25 PM

I guess I am just too slow then

caffeinejunkie1 · 07-14-2005, 09:24 AM

As a seasoned backpacker & traveller, I can tell you I ALWAYS have something I wished I'd left behind. And I have never travelled with a hairdryer, and I can't remember a time I wished I'd had one. same goes for curling irons.

Unless there's some event you need to look presentable for (like if you were travelling for work or something), I think you'll be happier having that space to pack something else. Besides, if you bring one, you also need to bring the convertor to be able to plug it in, and that takes up even more room (and it's heavy).

If you find that you absolutely MUST have one, buy one there. They won't be any more expensive than they are here & they will plug in where you are.