Going on vacation? When is the best time to cut or color your hair before or after you leave (from Amsterdam)?

Your bags are half-packed, your out-of-office is set and suddenly you think:
“Do I actually need a haircut before my vacation?”

If you google this now, it’s no coincidence. At our hair salon in Amsterdam, we often get asked whether it’s better to get your hair cut or colored before or just after your vacation. And honestly, the answer is never simple.

Het hangt af van je haar, de behandeling die je kiest én het type vakantie dat je hebt geboekt.

What does a vacation do to your hair?

Vacations are great, but can have quite an impact on your hair.

☀️ Sun can lighten hair color and make it fade faster
🌊 Salt water dries out the hair
🏊‍♀️ Chlorine can discolor color, especially on blond hair
❄️ Air conditioning and dry air make hair more fragile

Daarom is het moment waarop je je haar laat knippen of kleuren bij een kapsalon in Amsterdam minstens zo belangrijk als de behandeling zelf.

Going on vacation and taking lots of pictures?

Let’s face it: on vacation, pictures are always being taken.
Lots of pictures. From every angle. In every light.

📸 Are you going on a vacation where there will be a lot of photography?
Then it is often a better option to leave with fresh hair – because no one wants to think later, “If only I had had my hair done.”

But: every hair color and treatment has its own perfect moment.

When is the best time to cut your hair: before or after your vacation?

A haircut is usually safe, but timing makes a difference.

✂️ Cutting hair before your vacation

A good choice if you:

Going to a sunny destination
Want to style your hair more easily
Want to appear fresher and more groomed in photos

Freshly cut hair looks lighter, falls more beautifully and requires less styling during hot days.

✂️ Cutting hair after your vacation

Smart when:

Your hair is sensitive to sun and sea
You notice that the tips feel dry

After your vacation, a haircut can remove damaged tips and restore your hairstyle to top condition.

Coloring hair before or after your vacation: here’s what you need to know

With color treatments, the right moment is especially important.

🎨 Coloring hair before your vacation

Suitable for:

re-growth treatments
Natural hair colors
Dark shades
Subtle glosses or toners

Always ensure proper protection as sun and water can cause color to recede faster.

Balayage and highlights before your vacation

Balayage and highlights are popular treatments right before summer – and for good reason.

🌞 Balayage before your vacation

A balayage is often a good choice before your vacation, provided you:

Does not swim in chlorinated water daily
Protecting your hair well

Why balayage and highlights work well:

Soft transitions create a natural outgrowth
Sunlight can enhance balayage and highlights
The result often looks extra sun-kissed and natural

Sometimes the sun does exactly what we want – and the color becomes even more beautiful.

🌞 Balayage or highlights after your vacation

Ideal if:

Your hair has already been lightened by the sun
You want to refine or correct the color

Bright hair colors and creative shades

With bright or creative colors, timing is crucial.

Bright colors recede faster
Sun, salt water and chlorine accelerate color fading
The likelihood of unwanted tints is greater

For this type of color treatment, after your vacation is often the best time.

The type of vacation makes the difference

Not every vacation requires the same approach.

🏖 Beach vacation

Be careful with intensive color treatments beforehand
Protection and care are essential

🏙 City trip

Coloring hair before departure is usually not a problem
Less exposure to sun and water

❄️ Winter Sports

Dry air requires extra care
Color treatments are possible with the right products

What is the best time for your hair?

As you can see, the answer is never black and white.
The right time depends on:

Your hair quality
The color treatment you choose
Your vacation destination
How much maintenance you want during your trip

At our hair salon in Amsterdam, we always look at the total picture. So we make sure your hair is not only beautiful when you leave, but also healthy when you return home.