Hair care tips for the summer
Use moisturising products
Fried hair isn't just a figure of speech, it's a reality! The heat of the sun and the exposure to salt, chlorine and sand will open up the hair's cuticle, stripping it of natural oils and leaving behind scorched strands. Use shampoos, conditioners and styling products that contain the words 'moisturising' or 'hydrating' on their labels.
Shield your hair colour
'There's no such thing as lightening your hair in the sun in a way that's good for it,' says hairdresser Jon Patrick. UV rays pull the warmth from colour-treated hair, leaving behind locks that are faded and brassy. Even untreated hair can turn dull under the sun's oxidising rays.
If you're outdoors between 10 am and 3 pm, apply a hair care product that contains UV filters, which come in spray, gel or cream formulas, on a daily basis. The best way to protect your hair is by donning a wide-brimmed hat and sitting under a beach umbrella.
Saturate hair before taking a dip
Drench your hair with clean water before you dive into the pool go surfing. 'Your hair is like a sponge,' says hairstylist Melissa Herst. 'If you coat it with clear water, it will soak that in instead of absorbing damaging chlorine or salt.'
Put down the heat tools
With all the heat exposure you're getting from the sun, you want to keep your use of hot styling tools to a minimum. 'Blow-drying and flat ironing your hair usually does not hold up well in the heat and humidity, so it's better to use a styling cream or mousse and let your hair dry naturally,' says hairstylist Dana Lulgjuraj. For that sexy beachy look, apply a curl-enhancing spray or cream throughout your hair, allow to air-dry (or speed up the process with a blow-dryer set to medium and a diffuser) to keep your hair soft and shiny.
'Instead of a curling iron, add body or curl to your hair by using rollers on damp hair', says stylist David Kastin. Let them air-dry, then remove.
And remember, accessories can more than make up for less-than-polished tresses. 'Get some cool pins and clips and just put your hair up,' says Kastin. 'This also minimises the amount of hair exposed to the sun.'
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Content courtesy: The Style Glossy
Shelley Levittis the managing editor ofThe Style Glossy.She has worked as a west coast editor ofSelfmagazine and as a senior writer atPeople.
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