How I Maintain My Locs While Traveling and Living Abroad

I began my loc journey around October 2021 and have only seen a loctician once in 2024 to get the underside loced.

Why Locs

I’d already tried just about every hairstyle under the sun - including being bald (shoutout to my well-shaped head!) But when I first began thinking about moving to South Korea, I knew I needed a low-maintenance hairstyle that I could keep up with myself. After weeks of debating, starting locks felt like the most natural next step.

I found a loctician in Texas, and prayed that my hair would be long enough to work with. After she told me how long it would take. I promptly chopped off the back third of my hair I worked so hard to regrow (because whose got time for long hours in a hair salon). I started with lock extensions to avoid looking completely wild during the awkward beginning stages, and I’ve been managing my locks mostly on my own ever since leaving the states back in 2022.

In the Beginning

In the few months I met with my loctician for retwist, I asked loads of questions and had her teach me how I could maintain my locs on my own. She mad sure to teach me how to palm roll, 2 strand twist, and barrel roll. Though, I am embarrassed to say it took me 2 years before I could actually do a suitable barrel roll.

Locs have given me the ability to travel freely without worry of braids falling out, trying to find a stylist (who knows Black hair), or hair products taking up too much space in my luggage.

In 2023 I cut off my extensions ➡️ hated it ➡️ put twists over my locs….

My Routine Is Simple (On Purpose)

For the first two years, I barely did anything to my locks. I retwisted when I felt like it—maybe every two months—and left them alone otherwise. These days, I retwist even less and focus more on the health of my scalp than the neatness of my roots.

My go-to products? Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap (tea tree, peppermint, or lavender) and an oil (coconut, rosemary, tea tree, or the occasional avacado). That’s it. I like to keep things light, especially when I travel. I don’t carry a cabinet of oils with me—I’ll pick up something local if needed or just make do.

Lock Care on the Road

While traveling, I keep my routine minimal:
✔️ Wash with Dr. Bronner’s - I like the bar when traveling to avoid liquid spills. And I love that I can use it on my body and hair.
✔️ Scratch and oil my scalp to avoid dryness
✔️ Separate new growth gently to avoid matting

I don’t stress about keeping my locks perfectly retwisted. Instead, I focus on a clean scalp, hydration, and letting my hair do what it does best: be free and flourish.

Whether I’m on a beach in Thailand or navigating a new city, my locks are one less thing to worry about—and that’s the beauty of choosing a style that truly fits you.

Shrikage still happens! Left my hair completely dry Right: still damp from a fresh wash.

The Schedule

⏰ Every 2-3 days I oil my scalp because before bed

⏰ Once a week I wash my hair (When in Phuket I washed everyday I was in the ocean) and separate my locs

⏰ Every 3-4 months I do an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

⏰ Every 4 -6 months I retwist with the palm roll method. (I don’t use any jells in my hair).

✨ Key Takeaways:

• I started locks for simplicity and ease while living abroad.

• I rarely retwist and let my scalp tell me when it’s time.

• Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap is my holy grail.

• When traveling, I keep my routine light and flexible.

• Healthy hair starts with a happy scalp—not just neat roots.

Have questions about maintaining locks abroad or while traveling? Drop them in the comments or shoot me an email —always happy to share what’s worked (and what hasn’t)!

Let your hair be free, and your routine be simple. 💜