Summer Hair Routine: How To Save Your Hair In The Last Weeks of Summer
From post-holiday conditioning treatments, to staying away from the swimming pool, this is how to care for your hair this summer.
Between the sun, sea and sand, our hair in the summer gets a pretty rough deal. Which means that before you even think about creating those Erin Wasson-esque beachy waves, you'll need to tstart treating your locks to hair masks and treatments to get it into tip top condition.
First things first, why is our hair always so damaged after the summer?
According to legendary hairstylist, Earl Simms, it's a whole host of reasons. The sun gives off harmful rays that dry the hair, particularly hair that is chemically treated explains Simms. The head of the summer intensifies the damage that is done to the hair normally through using appliances. Chlorine from swimming pools and generally hair getting wet in the pool or sea and then drying in the sun repeatedly through the day takes its toll. In that case, we're probably going to need a more thought out plan that our current 'leave it and hope for the best' situation.
Here's how to Keep your hair in tip top condition this summer..
1. WEAR A HAT
It sounds obvious, but wearing a hat keeps your hair protected from damage caused by direct sunlight. 'Wear a chic hat or hairband/scarf to protect your hair' advises Simms. 'Or, if you prefer, apply lots of conditioner to your hair. before you go in the sun and leave it in all day; this will help the hair to nourish and rehydrtate.
2. USE A HAIR MASK
Most experts agree that a nourishing hair mask applied once a week at home is enough to coax hair into good condition(although very dry, thick hair will drink up a lot more). Victoria Beckham's go-to hairstylist Jason Collier agrees, 'For healthy post-holiday, nourishment and recovery are key. Use a pre-shampoo treatment and a nourishing mask for a few weeks after your trip.
3. SWAP IN A HYDRATING SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER
Switch your usual shampoo and conditioner for a seriously moisturising formulas and finish your routine with a pea sized amount of hair oil or serum through the ends. It'll work wonders on sun-parched locks. 'Wash hair with an SPF shampoo and oil-based conditioner for sleek hair, and blot dry with a microfibre towel to avoid frizz' says Jason.
4. GIVE YOUR HAIR THE SALON TREATMENT
With more and more salons offering high-tech conditioning treatments, it's the easiest way to sort your hair's condition out whilst getting your roots done.
The best bit? Generally, The worse the condition of your hair, the better the results, huzzah!
Tip: If you're off to the salon to get your colour topped up, ask your colourist to use Olaplex. It's the hair-saving miracle every celeb swears by and will help keep your hair silky soft even under the ravages of hair dye.
5. PROTECT YOUR HAIR FROM THE SUN, SEA AND SAND
When you're on holiday, hair damage can occur from all angles. Start by washing your hair under cold water before you take a dip in the pool. Your hair can only absorb so much water so by washing it with fresh water first you're limiting the amount of damaging chlorine it can absorb.
Next, smother your hair in a moisturing mask that protects against chlorinated and salt water.
Just because you're not swimming, doesn't mean your hair doesn't need protecting. Using an after sun cream in your hair(yes that's a thing) will prevent UV damage therefore extending the life of that snazzy balayage you just got done.
'Use a sun protection spray layered over hair to defend against head and sun damage, as well as damage from salt and chlorinated water', says Jason.
