When the warmer weather hits, it may be second nature to reach for the SPF and lather your skin with broad-spectrum protection, but do you apply the same care to your hair?
Summer can wreak havoc on your locks, from the UV rays, to the humidity as well as the damaging effect of chlorine and salt water. Just like you need to protect your skin, you also need to shield your hair from these harmful aggressors.
Global Creative Director for Living Proof, Michael Shaun Corby explains, “UV rays from the sun can cause various issues with hair. UVA rays cause dulling, dryness and colour fade while UVB rays can cause damage to the structural bonds in hair causing them to weaken.” He adds, “UVB can also result in hair that looks and feels more rough or dry, which can cause additional issues such as frizz and breakage.”
Put your hair health at the forefront and fortify your tresses with sprays and creams that will protect your hair and scalp and prevent it from drying out, flaking, irritation or looking lacklustre.
You should also take the opportunity to give your hair a break from heated tools like your blow dryers, curling irons and straighteners and opt for sun hats or bandanas during longtime exposure.
We have gathered the best products to shield your hair from the sun and leave it looking shiny, soft and healthy.
Rahua Hydration Detangler + UV Barrier
This moisturising formula sprays directly onto your locks to leave them looking soft, smooth and shiny. It acts as a block to the humidity with a powerful blend of plant-based ingredients that are packed with minerals as well as the brand’s signature rahua oil that strengthens and nourishes damaged locks. While acting as a UV defense and photoprotection for coloured hair, it also conditions, helps to detangle and reduces frizz.
Kérastase Soleil Huile Sirene Treatment
Kerastatse’s Soleil range is designed specifically to help protect your hair and combat the damage caused by the sun’s rays. Shield your locks from external aggressors with this oil mist treatment that you spray onto damp or dry hair to instant soften and add shine. Thanks to the babassu oil contained within the formula, your tresses are nourished and hydrated to combat the effects of chlorine, salt water, sun and UV. It also adds texture and has a pleasant fragrance. Use alongside the leave-in moisturising cream, after sun care shampoo and after sun recovery mask.
Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray
With heat and UV protection, this lightweight spray works to shield your locks from extreme temperatures. It can be used on all hair types, including coloured hair to inject a much-needed hit of hydration especially for those with dry or damaged strands. The spray also detangles, adds volume and body and leaves you with a noticeably stronger, healthy shine.
Sun Care Protective Hair Veil
Aveda launched this spray to act as an almost invisible veil on the hair to protect it from external aggressors without it feeling crunchy. It is lightweight yet water-resistant and works wonders to limit the UV exposure on your hair that can cause it to look and feel dry and dehydrated. The plant-based filters come from wintergreen and cinnamon bark oils and mists directly onto dry or damp hair.
L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Solar Sublime UV Filter Spray
Redefine holiday hair to mean luscious, shiny, and healthy locks with the help of this powerhouse product from L'Oréal Professionnel. The key ingredient, Aloe Vera, nourishes your tresses and helps to combat the damaging effects of UV, salt water and chlorine. The mist sprays directly onto damp or dry hair before exposure forming a veil that locks in moisture and prevents it from looking and feeling dry and lacklustre.
Philip Kingsley Swimcap Water Resistant Mask
The clue is in the name. This fan favourite product forms a protective layer to shield your hair from the likes of chlorine and salt water. Originally created for the US Olympic synchronized swimming team, the intensely nourishing formula is ideal for coloured hair. Apply the leave-on mask before sunbathing and then wash off after. It is water-resistant, infused with suncream and prevents dryness or discolouration.
Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer
Introduce this product into your hair care routine for the summer and beyond as the lightweight formula acts as an invisible shield against all types of heat damage, from UV to styling tools. It helps to combat prior and prevent future damage, and is highly moisturising. The primer spray also works to keep frizz and flyaways under control.
Biolage Sunsorials Protective Hair Non-Oil for Sun Exposed Hair
This holiday must-have will not make your hair greasy but still works to minimise its exposure to harmful rays with UV filters. For hot and high humidity, the mist minimises frizz to make your locks look their best. It is also enriched with sunflower seed extract that moisturises your locks and ensures it looks and feels silky smooth. The mist is lightweight and should be applied before swimming or sunbathing to damp or dry hair.
Phyto Phytoplage Protective Sun Veil
Free from any silicones or parabens, Phyto Phytoplage created this formula to give your previously lacklustre holiday hair new life by preserving your colour, shine and softness. It contains natural UV filters that protects your locks from becoming dehydrated or damaged.
Ultrasun Daily UV Hair Protector
Suncare specialists Ultrasun know a thing or two about sun protection. This formula for hair was created to combat common concerns after exposure such as tangles, lack of elasticity, dryness, and dehydration. It contains a UV filter as well as antioxidants to fight environmental stressors for all hair types.
Verdict:
Rahua’s Hydration Detangler + UV Barrier is an all-round warm weather essential. The powerhouse plant-based product packs a whole host of hair care benefits, from releasing tough tangles to ease the post-sun brushing, to fighting against damage and frizz with UV defence. It can be used on all hair types, including and especially coloured and has a lovely passionfruit and mango scent.
