6 Summer Hair Care Tips You Wish You’d Known All Along
Say hello to a season worth of good hair days...
Summer is finally here! And guess what? Now’s the perfect time to rethink your hair routine. Naturally, during hot weather season, your hair’s more likely to be exposed to natural elements like the sun, sand and sea — all of which can contribute in causing damage and dryness.
Now, there’s no need to worry, because we’re here to make sure your mane looks #hairgoals-worthy this summer and beyond, with these essential hair care tips, below.
1. Use heat, the right way
Good news: You don’t have to give up using your favourite heated styling tools this summer — just make sure to use them with the right products, to avoid heat damage.
Our current fave? The VO5 Heat Protect Spray, which helps to keep hair soft and smooth. This spray makes the perfect blow dry effortless and easy, so you don’t need to worry about stressing out your strands. Yes, please!
2. Shield your strands from the sun
“When you go away, the sun, the sea, the sand are all quite abrasive, so give your hair some extra protection,” says Dan Lynes, Unilever Creative Director and Head Stylist.
Just as you would protect your skin from the damaging effect of the sun, your hair needs the same treatment.
Try wearing a large floppy hat to cover your strands from harmful UVA and UVB rays, while keeping it ultra stylish poolside. Plus, did you know that covering up with a hat is also a great way to protect your scalp from sunburn?
3. Show chlorine who’s boss
A dip in the pool is the ultimate relief from hot weather, but with chlorine around, it can be really damaging for your hair (even if you do wear a swimming cap). So if you love hitting the pool, it’s important you thoroughly wash your hair to remove any chlorine residue.
Editor’s tip: Use a clarifying shampoo to show chlorine who’s boss and leave your strands feeling and looking salon-fresh.
4. Try protective styles
Do keep in mind that since your hair has been exposed to the elements all day long, it’ll be more fragile. So, in the evening, put your hair up in loose, protective styles to minimise tangling and breakage.
Tight hairstyles tend to be more damaging, as they pull and tug the hair, which can weaken the strands and result breakage, so instead, opt for a loose French braid, or an accessorised messy bun to keep your tresses stylishly tucked away and protected.
5. Use a leave-in conditioner
“In spray form they’re much more practical to use, which is why you’re more likely to use them. Just spritz one on throughout the day, and it’ll make your hair smell and feel really nice and nourished!” says Dan Lynes, Unilever Creative Director and Head Stylist.
Leave-in conditioners have amazing benefits: they help to protect your hair, add moisture, prevent frizz and detangle your tresses. And while they won’t directly protect from the damaging effects of heat and sun, a leave-in conditioner will help to keep your locks more hydrated.
Next read: 4 reasons why you need to add a leave-in conditioner to your routine.
6. Trim your hair regularly
You may have come across this hair care tip many times before, but it really is the key to a maintaining a great, healthy-looking mane. Keep dry split ends at bay by regularly going in for trims – not just in the summer, but all year round.
This will not only help keep your hair looking and feeling healthy, but it’s the perfect opportunity for a style refresh, too.
Editor’s tip: Dealing with a split end hair emergency? The VO5 Split End Rescue Balm will help reduce the appearance of split ends, while also conditioning and protecting your strands from breakage and humidity.
Plus, its compact size means it won’t take up too much space in your suitcase! Bonus, right?
