Need shampoo, conditioner on a RS tour?

Do you have your hotel list? If so, you can check each property to see what they offer as amenities. If you're not picky about type, there is usually something available though conditioner may be harder to come by. I have sensitive skin so I always bring my own bar shampoo and soap.

I have been traveling for over thirty years to Europe, and I have never ever stayed in a hotel or apartment or B&B that did not have shampoo, so I wouldn't worry about that. If you do, just bring a small trial bottle long, just in case. Or CL said, if you have sensitive skin or hair, then bring your own.

Conditioner is a different story, however. You will find many hotels that do not have conditioner, as many Europeans do not use it. That said, I am finding more and more that a lot of hotels are starting to provide conditioner as they are realizing how many Americans use it. Unlike shampoo, you definitely will not find it in every hotel, so if you use conditioner on a regular basis, then I would either bring some or plan on buying it.

But even if you don't have it, there are pharmacies and shops all over the place where you can buy shampoo and conditioner. It's kind of fun to shop in a store like that and see the different products that they have.

Travel size shampoo and conditioner bottles take up little space even if it's provided in the hotels. Also, shampoo can be used for washing light items in the sink. Guess I'm part of the "just in case" crowd--especially if checking a bag. Enjoy your travels!

I agree with Mardee (usually do) I've never been in a hotel in Europe that doesn't have shampoo. I rarely see conditioner, however. You will find it in stores, but what I always do as a bare minimum, is to bring a small container of at least conditioner to get me started until I find it in a store. I also bring a Trader Joe's hair serum in a smaller container. I use much less of it than conditioner, and in a pinch, it can replace conditioner for me.

I did that tour three years ago. All of the hotels have shampoo and shower gel, but no hair conditioner. It’s a wonderful tour! Have a great time, and bring your swim suit. : )

Learned that the conditioner tube you’ll find in hair color packages ( like Lady Clariol ) is perfect for travel. Always pack and take on my travels.
EDIT: Depending on the length of the trip determines how many travel size bottles of Johnson’s Baby Shampoo to pack.

We travel with bar shampoos and conditioners. So much easier (and more ecological).

Buy 2 small travel shampoo bottles of the cheapest shampoo you can find. Take them home and just empty them out and wash them out. Fill them with your shampoo and conditioner and take them along just in case. My suggestion is to only buy screw on cap bottles and not the flip up kind. Those tend to leak easily.

Adding to Threadwear's comment. I always try to use flatish or square containers. They pack easier and take less room than round containers which create dead space. One example would be the Pantene travel size. I think they may be flip top, but I also buy the silicone sleeves that slide over toiletry containers. When I refill, I pour some in and tap the container to let it settle and keep adding and tapping. Then I leave the container open and it will settle and concentrate, then I can keep adding more over a few days. With the Pantene size, I always have shampoo left over, even after a month trip. I often can make it with the conditioner unless the water is bad for my hair. (Looking at you northern France!)

“I often can make it with the conditioner unless the water is bad for my hair. (Looking at you northern France!”

@Jules: Oh gosh, yes! I love Paris but my hair doesn’t love the hardness of the water. I travel with my own shampoo and conditioner because my head is sensitive but I usually have to get some L’Occitaine du Provence after a couple of weeks in Northern France.

I realize OP is not going to France but I find many of the hotels I’ve stayed in in the last 2 years (France and Scotland) have gone to one product in the shower - a combo body wash gel/shampoo.

Thanks! I'm all set : ) It is our first RS tour so I'm sure I'll have more questions...

Jenn

You might want to bring a washcloth fi you use them....hotels less than luxury might not have them...

I came here to say … I bought a stack of cheap washcloths from Walmart. We used a fresh one for at each new hotel stop on the RS tour, and then left the wet ones behind as we left the hotel.

Both are supplied in any hotels we have stayed at on our 3 RS tours. I schedule a hair appointment for when I get back from any trip nowadays. Between the water and the iffy hair dryers--I just know that my hair will be trashed and go with it.

Learned that the conditioner tube you’ll find in hair color packages ( like Lady Clariol ) is perfect for travel.

Claudia, I agree. I use the L'Oreal brand and I love their conditioner. It comes in a small tube that fits easily in a toiletries bag and will last forever because you don't need to use that much. I always have 4-5 tubes handy that I can pull from when I'm packing.

I don’t like hotel shampoo and conditioner. Always bring small amounts of both from home. Measure what you use with every hair wash and multiply it by the number of shampoos on your trip. Then find little bottles to fill. It will probably be less than you think you need. Also bring conditioners from my hair color product. This assumes you color your hair at home. Also bring my own hand lotion. Need a lot more than shampoo/conditioner. My husband uses hotel products but he has a lot less hair. LOL

I used to bring the concentrated conditioner from hair coloring kits as Claudia & Mardee mentioned. But my hair stylist convinced me to go natural since my natural hair is white with flecks of dark.

Now I pack very tiny concentrated tubes of Pantene Deeply Conditioning Rescue Shots. They’re only .5ml, and four come in a box. I use the tiniest amount I can squeeze out of the tube, so one tube will last me easily for a month’s trip. And it smells nice & light.