Summer Hair Know How
While you may not think of high temps and even higher humidity as being conducive to good hair, we take a look at not only the ways to combat the effects of summer on your hair but to use them to your advantage.
Reduce the impact
From frizziness and a lack of control to dry, brittle strands, summer can have a lot to answer for. Here’s how to know the causes and prevent the damage:
Shield from UV
A broad brimmed hat will provide some much-needed protection to your scalp and strands during the heat of the day. To enhance your UV defence further, apply a UV heat protectant to shield from harmful rays.
Our tip: We love Aveda’s Suncare Hair Veil as a lightweight, water-resistant spray prior to heading outdoors.
Rinse and repeat
From chlorinated pools to salt water, taking a dip is one of the highlights of summer. To enjoy all the benefits and less of the negative hair impacts, make sure you rinse your hair with clean water at your earliest opportunity. For extra points, keep a leave in treatment in your bag to slather on the mid-lengths and ends and leave to dry naturally.
Frizz proof your hair
If you have frizz-prone hair or live in a humid climate, the start of the warmer weather may strike fear in your strands. Humid air causes hydrogen bonds to form between water molecules and the proteins in your hair, triggering curls and frizz1. We recommend focusing on the hydration and integrity of your strands first and foremost. Crowning Glory contains premium essential fatty acids that work from the inside to support your hair’s natural oils to keep your hair moisturised.
Work with summer, not against it
Summer doesn’t need to be a time to accept unruly hair, here’s how to harness some of summer’s best qualities and make them work for you.
Embrace the texture and cut out the heat tools
Summer is a perfect opportunity to work with your natural texture instead of flat ironing your hair into submission. After washing and deep-conditioning apply a small amount of leave-in treatment and spray with sea salt spray, scrunching and allowing to air-dry. By embracing the imperfection of this look and taking a laid-back approach to your style, you can achieve a relaxed holiday look, no matter your location.
Enhance your deep-conditioning mask
After washing your hair and gently towel drying, try applying your favourite hair mask and covering with an old shower cap. Take 10 minutes to sit outside with a cool drink, out of direct sunlight, and allow the warmth of the day to further activate the product. When you’re done, rinse your hair with tepid water to cool and refresh.
Our tip: Try this one over the weekend or a day when you have a little extra time on your hands.
Style to the conditions
Textured top knots, a sleek ponytail or messy chignon at the base of your neck can not only keep the hair off your neck and face in the heat but look beautiful too. Check out our blog on heatless styling here.
Our tip: For an antioxidant-rich, refreshing summer treat that promotes hair health, try our berry-licious frozen bark recipe.
1 Stromberg J. Why humidity makes your hair curl. Smithsonian Magazine. April 12, 2013