Depending on your destination - and of course the forecast - summer can spell challenging times for our hair. From humidity, to harmful UV rays, drying chlorine and sea water, the hurdles keep on coming. Still, with some expert advice and a little extra time and care there needn’t be a price to pay for your time in the sun. Here’s what to bear in mind:
DO THINK AND PLAN AHEAD
Colourist and trends forecaster Zoe Irwin proselytises establishing your summer hair routine before you head off. “Alternating protein treatments and moisturising masks to build up strength while maintaining suppleness is key.” Her picks? Olaplex Hair Perfector No3, (£28, spacenk.com) and KÉRASTASE Nutritive Masquintense, (£43, Sephora.co.uk)
CONSIDER TAKING YOUR HAIR WARDROBE WITH YOU
Madonna’s colourist and John Frieda Creative Colour Director, Nicola Clarke meanwhile, warns against leaving your own array of products at home. “I take my Virtue Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner, (£78, cultbeauty.co.uk) wherever I go. Hotel shampoo and conditioner is so bad for your hair. This duo makes my strands feel incredible.”
TAKE A BREAK FROM HEAT STYLING
On the other hand Curl Master Larry King tells clients to leave electric styling tools at home when they head away: “No matter your natural texture, holiday is for relaxing, so let your hair do the same. Using a product like my Spoilt for Choice Oil, (£28, larrykinghair.com) will create a cool wet-look style and nourish strands too.”
MASKS & TREATMENTS WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
We all know that SPF is best applied indoors before setting out for the day. Take the same approach to your hair; combing in a leave-in conditioner or mask first thing to smooth the hair cuticle and protect its deeper, more vulnerable layers before braiding or twisting it away.
REMEMBER THE SPF RULES
When out in the rays covering hair up is the Gold Standard, but SPF is second best. “My Sundaze Sea Spray (£26, hairbysamkcknight.com) gives a sea-kissed beachy texture and contains Heliogenol,” says A-list session stylist Sam Mcknight. “It’s a natural active that protects hair from the UVA and UVB rays which cause colour fade, frizz and dry, brittleness.”
TAKING A DIP? TRY THIS….
When the pool or sea calls, "saturate hair in fresh water first,’ says Sam. “Hair acts like a sponge, so the absorption of fresh water restricts the pool or sea water that gets in, limiting damage.” Afterwards rinse rinse rinse! “Not only does chlorine turn hair green, but the salt water makes any colour fade,” says Nicola.
