Must-haves for on-the-go hair

Mini flat iron

Nice and compact, this styling device is a perfect fit for your tote or overnight bag. Try one of our faves — BaByliss Pro Nano titanium mini flat iron (folica.com, $30) — to keep your tresses smooth and styled wherever life takes you.

Mini curling iron

So what if straight hair isn’t your thing? No worries. To keep your beautiful curls bouncy throughout the day, just grab the Solia mini ceramic curling iron (folica.com, $30) instead.

Headband or head wrap

The simple headband can do so much. It can add instant style to your hair, help you make a fashion statement, and keep bangs and flyaways out of your face at the gym or spa. It’s handy to have more than one, so check out a multi-pack such as this pretty headband set (ae.com, $16) from American Eagle Outfitters.

Check out these pretty headband looks >>

Bobby pins

Bobby pins are a definite necessity for on-the-go hair. Need to tuck back your bangs? Use bobby pins. Want to create a quick updo? Use bobby pins. Need to keep your headband placed correctly? Use bobby pins. To make sure you’re ready for any hair need, keep a container of bobby pins with you wherever you go. For fun, try the crystal-weave bobby set (anthropologie.com, $24) by Anthropologie.

Ponytail holders or hair ties

It’s not unusual to see a woman with long hair wearing a ponytail holder on her wrist — and for good reason. Whipping up a ponytail is an easy way to manage unruly hair or to simply change your look. Not only are the Together In Pink hair ties (sephora.com, $7) pretty in the hair or on the wrist; they also help support breast cancer awareness.

Shampoo travel set

Does your busy life include heading to the gym or overnight trips? If so, you might want to tote travel-size hair products along with you. We like the Bamboo Smooth on-the-go travel set (sephora.com, $30), which has everything you need to keep your tresses clean and frizz-free, all in a compact pack of four travel-size products.

Dry shampoo

Dry shampoo will come to your rescue when you don’t have time to wash or restyle your hair during the day. Just spray it in to refresh your style in a fraction of the time. Pronto Invisible volumizing dry shampoo spray (sephora.com, $13) will help give you the look of clean hair and is great for all hair colours.

Try these essential products for on-the-go beauty >>

Barrettes

It’s easy to find pretty barrettes in almost any size, style and colour you fancy, so tuck a few into your purse for whenever you need to give your look a boost. We like the black and white Parlance clip set (anthropologie.com, $12) from Anthropologie for a cute way to hold your hair in place.

Hairspray

The right hairspray is indispensable for keeping your hair in place and styled all day. For a product you can use throughout the day, that won’t weigh your hair down and that can be brushed out if you want to create a new style, try TRESemmé Très Two ultra-fine mist hairspray (well.ca, $7).

A good hairbrush

If nothing else, every tote or purse should contain a hairbrush for on-the-go styling. We love mini products, and the Goody So Mini cushion brush (well.ca, $4) is perfect for hair touch-ups and just the right size to take with you wherever you go.