We love our tried-and-true hot tools, but some of our clunkier devices are far from travel-friendly. That’s where the best travel-size hair tools come in to save our vacation looks. Whether you’re traveling to a frizz-inducing tropical climate or attending a destination wedding, hair is most likely the biggest part of your beauty routine that needs serious adaptation on the road — and, of course, wanderlusters forget about far too often.
Doing your hair on vacation doesn’t have to be complicated. Of course, you can always rock the natural look flawlessly, but if you’d rather blowout, curl, or straighten your strands during your vacay, we’ve compiled a list of the mini hair styling tools that’ll perform just as well as your full-size favorites, even when you’re miles (and maybe even an ocean or two) away from home. These tools won’t take up too much room whether you’re checking a bag or simply traveling with a carry-on and will ensure you have a vacation entirely filled with effortlessly gorgeous styles.
Jet-setting soon? Don’t forget to pack one of these TSA-friendly travel stylers. Below, check out the best compact hairstyling tools Allure editors and pro hairstylists alike adore — just make sure to pack a bottle of heat protectant, too.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: T3 Afar Travel Hair Dryer, $180
- Best Hair Dryer: Drybar Baby Buttercup Mini Blow Dryer, $139
- Best Flatiron: Kristin Ess Defining and Detailing Mini Flat Iron, $60
- Best for Curly Hair: Ceremonia Diffuser de Rizos, $20
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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T3 Afar Travel Hair Dryer
The T3 Afar Travel Hair Dryer looks like the Rolls Royce of compact hair dryers, but this nifty little blowdryer offers more than just shelfie-worthy looks. It’s one of the most pro-recommended products on this list for its luxurious design that offers multiple heat and speed settings. “The T3 Afar is by far my favorite dryer for travels,” says New York City-based hairstylist and colorist Paul Labrecque.
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BaBylissPro Mini Straightening Iron
If you’re all about pin-straight styles, Brandie Devillier, a Texas-based hairstylist, says you need to add the BaBylissPro Mini Straightening Iron to your vacation hair-care routine. “This flatiron travels with me everywhere I go,” she says.
This miniature flatiron features half-inch titanium plates that glide through a wide range of hair types with ease. This dual-voltage device’s plates heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and feature a beveled-edge design for versatile styling. It also comes with a heat-resistant carrying pouch to prevent any items in your carry-on from being seared.
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Kitsch Ceramic Rollers
Instead of packing a large curling wand, Devillier suggests opting for a travel-friendly eight-pack of Kitsch’s Ceramic Rollers. “When I want big, fluffy hair but don’t have time for a curling iron, I’ll blow out my hair and pop these ceramic rollers right in,” she says, adding that they work best on hot hair. “As they cool down, your hair will cool and form into the shape of the roller.”
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GHD Flight Travel Dryer
Devillier is also a major fan of the GHD Flight Travel Dryer for its compact size that fits into any of her carry-ons and mighty hair-drying power. “It’s also lightweight and has the amazing GHD technology of cooling down when too close to the hair,” she says.
