Summer has finally arrived and with all the sunshine, pool and beach activity, it can take its toll on our locks. Here to help is London-based, editorial stylist Neil Moodie – and founder of the Neil Moodie Studio, who has shared his top tips when it comes to keeping your hair and scalp healthy over summer.
Chlorine in pools
Rinse your hair before and after swimming. By rinsing before the water will prevent so much chlorine from getting to your hair shaft and rinsing after will reduce chlorine residue. Use a clarifying shampoo such as Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo. This will cleanse hair, and remove product buildup, pollution, excess oil and heavy metals. If you swim regularly then consider wearing a swim cap.
Avoiding ‘sticky fringe syndrome’
Use a dry shampoo should your fringe become sticky or sweaty. Opt for a lighter conditioner, also Sam McKnight has some biodegradable Hair Cleanse Cloths in his range. They cleanse and revive roots, fringes and hairlines for a post-workout refresh, a quick festival fix or whilst travelling and for hot humid days; they are also biodegradable and certified compostable. Consider changing your hairstyle to reduce forehead contact. Style your hair over to one side or create a curtain fringe by doing a centre parting.
Avoiding ‘sweaty neck syndrome’
Try going for a high ponytail, use a cooling spray, and consider hairstyles that keep your hair off your neck. Loose updos are great – use hair clips instead of elastics and try hair-friendly accessories like silk scrunchies. Again, the Sam McKnight Hair Cleanse Cloths are great for this. They cleanse and revive roots, fringes and hairline, and are made for a post-workout refresh, a quick festival fix, travelling and hot, humid days.
Flat hair
Use volumising shampoos and conditioners such as Pureology Pure Volume which contains wheat protein and eucalyptus leaf extract. A light texture spray or dry shampoo can help to give your hair volume. At the studio, we use Sam McKnight Cool Girl Texture Spray, Sam McKnight Easy Updo and Sam McKnight Lazy Girl Dry Shampoo. You can also try teasing your hair at the roots for added volume. Spritz in some Sam McKnight Cool Girl Texture Spray at the roots then about 1 inch away from the scalp, insert a fine-tooth comb and push the hair down towards the scalp. Don’t overdo it with the backcombing though be light. You can also do this in larger sections with a flat bristle brush for a lighter version called back brushing.
Colour fade
Use UV-protective hair products. Pureology your Fanatic Multi Purpose Spray is ideal for this. Its unique AntiFadeComplex with antioxidant fennel extract protects hair from environmental aggressors and heat damage caused by styling tools. Also, wear a hat when in extreme heat, minimising sun exposure to protect your hair colour, or braid your hair with a conditioner in.
Summer frizz
Use anti-frizz products by starting with your shampoo and conditioner. Pureology Smooth Protection is ideal for this. Also, Sam McKnight’s Love Me Do Oil or Happy Endings Cream is great for calming frizz. Avoid over-washing, and maybe consider having a keratin treatment to manage frizz. We do various keratin treatments at the Neil Moodie Studio for different hair types.
Split ends
An age-old problem caused by a few different things. They are the points at the oldest part of the hair shaft and happen when the ends become dry and brittle. The fibres of the hair splinter and either break off or carry on splitting further up the hair shaft. This happens when you don’t cut your hair for a long time, use dry heat tools every day, you over shampoo, are exposed to sun damage, and overprocess with hair chemicals. The way to avoid this is to rim your hair regularly especially if you start to see split ends, they are irreparable so the sooner you cut them off the better. Use a hydrating conditioner like Pureology Hydrate or Hydrate Sheer. Avoid using heat styling tools excessively and always use a heat protectant spray before applying the dry heat. For long hair use a Mason Pearson brush to cause less damage when brushing.
Hair fall out
During the winter months hair often falls out due to dry air, reduced blood circulation and increased stress, but this is often temporary, and it grows back. I recommend using a gentle shampoo, alongside a moisturising shampoo. Pureology Strength Cure alongside Hydrate or Hydrate Sheer is ideal to use in combination. Massage your scalp with an oil or treatment mask to improve circulation. Take your fingertips and firmly massage into the scalp in circular motions remembering to do the whole head and not just the top. Consider a supplement like Viviscal for hair growth or BIotin which is a derivative of Vitamin B. Fish oils i.e. cod liver oil or Omega 3 are great for encouraging hair growth.
Hydration
Drink plenty of water to keep your hair hydrated from the inside out and use hydrating hair masks Pureology Hydrate Superfood Treatment Mask, which is ideal. It contains goji berry extract and olive oil which act as a conditioning blanket, giving a generous dose of moisture.
