There’s nothing like a good hair day to make you feel like a million dollars, but sadly, that salon-fresh feel is rarely something most feel they can realistically achieve at home. With summer now in full swing, frizz, heat damage and split ends are all common hair woes you might be finding yourself dealing with – and when you add sunshine, sea water and humidity into the mix, it’s little wonder your days of swishy, lustrous locks feel far behind you.
But while a trip to your stylist is a sure-fire way to get your hair looking back to its silky, shiny best in no time, you don’t have to settle for those just-stepped-out-of-the-salon results lasting just one day, and with a few simple hair care tips and some savvy hacks, your occasional can become your everyday.
So, if you’re ready for the beautiful hair of your dreams then look no further – because these easy additions to your routine, along with a couple of well-kept secrets, will soon have you transformed.
Beat the breakage
Hair tends to be more prone to breakage during the summer months because we’re washing it more, and thus, drying it more – while rubbing it vigorously with a towel and then heat styling can both exacerbate the issue. Add salty sea water, sunshine and chlorine into the mix, and it’s little wonder if your locks are looking somewhat worse for wear. Hair is at its most vulnerable when wet, so treat it gently – instead of rubbing it with a towel, pat the moisture out of it, and where possible, leave it to air dry.
If you’re already dealing with some breakage, then nourishing your ends and handling with care will do the trick, but be prepared to play the long game, as it does take time to recover. If your breakage is particularly significant then you might need to take more extreme action and have a sizable amount cut off so that you’re starting again with healthy ends – if you can’t bear to say goodbye to your long hair, then you might like to consider hair extensions to restore some length while you wait for your natural locks to grow.
Conditioning is key
As the mercury begins to rise and so too does the humidity, hair can quickly begin to feel parched – and dehydrated hair not only looks dull and lacklustre, but is more prone to damage, too. Take particular care if your hair is colour-treated, as this can leave it particularly at risk of damage from salt, chlorine and sunshine, leaving the cuticle looking rough and limiting its ability to shine as a result.
To keep yours thoroughly moisturised, be sure to follow each shampoo with a luxurious conditioner designed to nourish your ends – look for one that’s designed for your hair type to avoid overloading it, and leave for a full three minutes to do its work before rinsing thoroughly with cool water to smooth and seal the cuticle. If a regular conditioner still isn’t enough for you, then consider adding an enriching hair masque into your routine once a week – or add a few drops of hair oil to damp hair before drying for added shine.
Prioritise protection
We all know the importance of applying a quality SPF regularly during the summer months, but our faces and bodies aren’t the only areas that need protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Just like over drying and heat styling, excessive sun exposure can leave skin and hair parched and sap it of moisture, so adding a heat protective spray to your routine is essential. Your scalp is also vulnerable to sunburn, and nothing puts the brakes on a good hair day quite like a burnt, flaky hairline – so be sure to apply some SPF to your parting and any other exposed areas to create a protective veil or wear a hat when you’re going out for the day.
When shopping for your heat protectant spray, look for ingredients like Vitamin C, which is rich in antioxidants and can provide added support to weak hair from environmental aggressors and UV damage. The higher the SPF, the better.
