How to look good and stay groomed when you’re backpacking Asia

Helmet head, sweaty ponytails, frizzy braids poking out from stretched-out sunhats… I’ve had all of the above while travelling and, quite frankly, there have been times when I’ve been more than a little tempted to shave my hair off altogether. Staying well groomed can be tough when you’re backpacking, but I’m happy to say that with a little preparation it’s not impossible.

“Does my hair look flat?” I asked my friend as I pulled off the helmet I’d been wearing for three-hours straight as we blazed across northern Vietnam on a motorcycle.

“Err… you don’t want me to answer that,” he replied.

One look in the side mirror confirmed a girl’s worst nightmare. Not only was the top of my head a shabby, squashed bird’s nest of an atrocity, but the humid climes had made my head sweat more than a gymnast doing pole vaults in the Sahara while wearing a balaclava. It was not a good look.

No matter though: I was prepared. Rather than stick the helmet back on as we grazed on Vietnamese Cha Ca La Vong and Banh Xeo oozing with pork, shrimps and bean sprouts, I simply tied a recently purchased (from a little old lady with no teeth, thank you very much) and snazzy scarf round my head, and went about my day looking like a hippy nun circa 1963.

The essentials

I believe that having a back-up plan is a must when it comes to looking good on the road. So, you ask, what essential items should you carry aside from a headscarf?

Personally I take wet wipes everywhere – always good for cleaning said Banh Xeo remnants from one’s face. I also never go anywhere without a comb. Humidity and wind from all those Hell’s Angels’ activities might try their best to ruin your do, but you can have that instantly brushed look in a second, at least. Hand sanitiser is also a must. You never know how many grubby fingers have been on those handlebars/toilet doors/bus rails/bunk beds, before yours.

Make-up must haves

Let’s be honest, lip gloss makes every girl look better, but on the road a lip salve will save girls and guys from suffering nasty chapped lips. Load up on brands such as Blistex, preferably with an added SPF factor. While we’re talking beauty, waterproof mascara will hold its own when you’re gawping at waterfalls or just running through a Southeast Asian monsoon. You know how it can be (ahem). All-day waterproof liquid eyeliner will also be a wise investment, ladies.

Handy hair helpers

Forget blow-drying your hair if you’re heading to a hot place. Not only are hairdryers bulky to carry, I found I used mine less than I thought I would. Instead, I now pack a travel-sized straightener or curling tongs. These add a touch of glamour to any look, but pairing the odd sexy hairstyle with that impossible-to-crease, lightweight little black dress will mean a night off from tatty backpacker status, and a return to your usual stylish self. OK, so you might still have to wear the thongs, but no one’s going to be looking at your feet when your hair looks so damn good, for a change.

Of course, the headscarf is an option if you get rained on. You see, it really is very versatile. I should have bought two from the gap-toothed lady but I didn’t know just how many monsoons I’d end up running through. Sigh.

This is all part of the fun of backpacking, don’t worry too much about your appearance and just enjoy the travel!

About the author:

Becky Wicks is a freelance writer with three travel memoirs on her adventures published by HarperCollins. She has lived in London, New York, Sydney and Bali and is now writing fiction in Europe.