Crowning Glories

Loose flowing and gently tousled – summer hair looks carefree but the reality is anything but. The sun, surf and chlorinated pool water quickly dry out strands, leaving locks looking frizzy and dull. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun this summer. These tips will help your hair in top shape.

1. Waterproof Your Hair

It takes a little more than a quick dip for hair to start feeling dry, crunchy and brittle. Before jumping into the pool or ocean, saturate hair using fresh tap water. If the hair is already wet, it’s not going to absorb the full strength of that chlorine or salt water. The effects are more diluted. Applying a leave-in conditioner pre-dip also adds extra protection to your hair.

Once you’re out of the water, rinse hair in fresh water again and shampoo it as soon as you can. We recommend using a clarifying shampoo or a hair and scalp scrub, especially if you spend a lot of time at the beach. The reason is salt water is quite starchy, it can cling to the hair even after you’ve rinsed it. A good clarifying shampoo will remove any build-up that shouldn’t be on your hair.

2. Be Sun Smart

Just as the sun’s UV rays can damage your skin, they can also fry your locks. Hair colour typically fades more quickly and cooler, ashier tones of brown or blonde can start to show more warmth or even brassiness.
Using a leave-in conditioner with UVA/UVB filters and tying hair back into a loose plait, or combing it back if it’s short. This helps conceal some of the hair so it doesn’t get the full sun penetration. An do wear a hat – that will protect your hair while also providing extra protection for your face.
Using a hair toner – such as a purple shampoo to combat brassiness – can be a great idea in summer, as this type of product typically has a more noticeable effect on drier or damaged hair.

3. Step Up The Moisture

Now’s the time to add a heavier conditioner or treatment to your haircare routine. It will benefit from extra moisture in summer. The clarifying shampoo or used after swimming will also come in handy here as it will remove anything foreign that shouldn’t be in the hair – this preps the hair so it’s able to take in the nutrients from your treatment. Then gently towel-dry hair to take out as much excess water as you can, because water will just dilute the product.
When applying a hair treatment, focus on the mid-lengths to the ends and really work it in – imagine you’re trying to push the product into the hair strands. Comb it through, then use your hands to smooth it down again, working down the hair shaft to seal in the treatment. Wrap your head in a warm towel to help the product penetrate deeper into the hair, and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it out.

4. Lay Off The Tools

If you’re spending a lot of time outside and in the water this summer, try to limit your use of heat-styling tools such as hair dryers, straightening irons or curling wands. When used regularly, these appliances can cause further damage to already fragile hair.
Instead, you can style your hair into cute updos, lowbuns, plaits, or use accessories. Cute and heat-free!