Just like your skin needs to be prepared for summer, you need to prep your hair for warmer weather. Follow our tips to make sure your hair looks its best all summer long.
Get Summer-Ready with a Trim
Getting a trim at the start of summer will get rid of any damaged or split ends and also get help you feel “lighter.” And if you feel like your hair grows faster during the summer, you’re right – there are more hairs in the growing stage during late spring and summer. Given that, you may want to see your stylist once more before the season ends, to keep your hair photo and beach party-ready.
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Moisturize to Fight Frizz!
Dryer hair draws moisture from the air, causes the shaft to swell and leads to breaks in the cuticle, so moisturizing will help prevent the resulting frizz. However, summer activities and their accompanying sweat and dirt lead to washing hair more frequently, so switch to a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner that will hydrate hair. Still, heat and humidity can make even the best hair difficult to manage. Use a deep-conditioning treatment every few weeks, and use a serum that will add smoothness and shine. Less is more with these products. Of course there will be days where the weather wins, so outwit it with style by putting your hair into a ponytail, bun or braid.
Matrix Intensive Strengthening Masque, Garnier Fructis Instant Melting Conditioner, John Frieda Crème Serum Overnight Repair, Kerastase Nutridefense, and Paul Mitchell The Masque are five popular deep conditioners that range from affordable to high-end.
Hot anti-frizz serums include Bumble & Bumble Defrizz, the John Frieda Frizz Ease series, Got2b Glossy Shine Anti-frizz Serum, Keratin Complex Infusion Replenisher, and Oribe Smooth Style Serum.
Don’t Get Too Slick
Summer heat makes the sebaceous glands produce more oil. Add sweat to the equation, and it’s easy to have greasy looking hair. You can condition your ends to prevent dryness and shampoo just your roots. You can also blot your scalp and hairline with a cotton ball dipped in witch hazel. Or try using a dry shampoo, a product formulated with oil-absorbing powders, which will add lift and a pleasant scent to “dirty” hair, stretching your style for another day.
Dove Refresh + Care Dry Shampoo, Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk Enamel, and Lush No Drought Dry Shampoo are all highly-rated, affordable dry shampoos that soak up shine and leave hair smelling fresh.
Be Careful with the Brush
Hair is most fragile when wet, so don’t be rough with the brush or you’ll risk breakage! Try using a detangling spray and wide-tooth comb to gently separate strands, whether you’re coming out of the shower, pool, or ocean.
Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Silkening Detangler, California Baby Calming Hair Detangler, Johnson’s No More Tangles Detangling Spray, and Pantene Pro-V Repair Light Detangler are just a few widely available products.
Avoid High-Heat Styling
Whenever possible, give your hair a break from blow dryers, flat irons and curling irons that damage and cause dryness. Try washing your hair at night and putting it in a bun or braid before bed. In the morning, you’ll have natural-looking waves that are perfect for work or the beach!
Dampen Before and After Taking a Dip
Pools are full of harsh chemicals like chlorine, which can strip hair of its protective oils and fade color. If you have light hair, copper and other molecules binding to the protein in the hair shaft may even cause your hair to take on an unflattering greenish hue. The ocean isn’t much better, either, because the high salt content draws moisture out of skin and hair.
So to protect your hair, saturate your strands before you soak! Coating hair with leave-in conditioner, or at least with clean water, will reduce its exposure to chemicals or saltwater. And as soon as you get out, rinse hair or spray it with clean water from a spray bottle.
Quintessence Leave In Hair Conditioner & Scalp Protectant (SPF 30) boasts broad-spectrum UV protection, color protection, and natural silk proteins and oils to moisturize, nourish and revitalize damaged, dry, brittle hair.
Ion Swimmer’s Leave-In Conditioner, Aubrey Organics Swimmer’s Conditioner, and California Baby Swimmer’s Defense are all popular products designed to protect hair from chlorine damage.
Avoid Stressful Styles
Pulling hair too tight can cause strands to break, especially if your hair is processed or dry. Avoid tying hair up when it’s wet (and at its weakest), and make sure your ponytails and buns are not too tight. Alternate your hairstyle, too, so that you’re not always stressing the same strands. And always use smooth, no-damage elastic ties, which will further prevent breakage.
Scunci Effortless No-Damage elastics come in a wide variety of colors, styles, and thicknesses.
With these tips, you can ensure your hair stays shiny and healthy all summer long!